Chris Jackson and Easingwold Town Council
Chris (Jacko) Jackson
1947 – 2024
Former Easingwold Town Councillor and Co-Opted Committee Member
Christopher Melville Jackson (hereafter known as Jacko) led many public
works on behalf of Easingwold Town Council. Using his skills, knowledge,
and equipment Jacko and his volunteer ‘army’ installed, improved, and
maintained multiple public facilities in and around Easingwold. They made
facilities possible that could never have been aHorded or achieved by any
other means.
Jacko was a ‘true Yorkie’, that is, he was born within the Bar Walls. However,
he escaped to Easingwold when he was only one, and here he stayed for
the rest of his life. Jacko began working with and volunteering for the 2011 –
2015 Easingwold Town Council. In 2015 he stood for election to the next
Council, becoming a town councillor until 2019. When Jacko stopped as an
elected councillor, he remained co-opted to the Operations and Recreation
& Open Spaces Committees throughout the 2019-2022 Council and the
current 2022-2027 Council.
In that time there is little that the Town Council has done or achieved that
hasn’t been touched in one way or another by Jacko’s hand. Or rather the
Jackos hands as, throughout his activities and volunteering, his wife Jane
was never far away nor any less active. What has been achieved by them is
much appreciated.
In summary some of the highlights of what has been delivered under
Jacko’s guidance includes:
- Millfields Park – creating the Jacko’s Way, Permissive Route,
Wetlands Boardwalk, Friendship Garden, Skatepark, Exercise
Equipment, Bike Track, and Jogging Track. Without this work the
Easingwold Park Run’s foundation and success would have been
unutterably harder. - Town Drainage and Flooding – Jacko led teams that worked with
NYC and Yorkshire Water to identify ways in which flooding could be
reduced and the drainage improved. - Public Conveniences – Jacko was instrumental firstly in the
maintenance of the town centre public conveniences. When repair
was no longer possible, he led the projects for their full
refurbishment. - Open Spaces & Roads – Jacko was involved in all our open spaces
and along many of our roads. The Memorial Park, Chase Garth Park,
and the Greens all received his ministrations. The Jackos led the
project to plant welcoming spring daHodil beds in the grass verges as
you enter the town. - Markets – Our markets would not be the same without Jacko’s
support, his work on their stalls, and their storage. - Christmas Festivities – Jacko led the team that put up, took down
and stored the Christmas lights and decorations.
Even Jacko’s health traumas of his last years could not diminish him, and in
his indefatigable way, he was still directing Millfields operations from his
wheelchair. Whether that was clearing the permissive route, re-dusting
Jacko’s Way, or preparing the route for the Park Run.
Easingwold Town Council is grateful for all Jacko did for them and the town.
They are deeply saddened by his passing and are proud to have known and
worked with him.