Bishop Richard Jackson was born in West London and attended Latymer Upper School. He studied agronomy and forestry at Christ Church, Oxford, and prior to his ordination was a senior agronomist advising arable farmers on crop production.
At the age of 17 he became a Christian with no ecclesiastical background, which was a dramatic turn from atheism. He is passionate about building healthy churches, helping people find Jesus for themselves, and the public truth of the Christian faith.
Richard is married to Deborah, a learning support teacher, and has three children: Annabel, a psychiatric nurse; Sam, communications professional for a large corporate consultancy; and Charlie, a jazz musician and music teacher.
In his spare time he likes to ride a motorcycle, go for walks, work in the garden and try to find the hedgehogs in the beautiful castle garden.
What were your first impressions of Herefordshire? Did you even know the county before you moved here?
I have a direct family that goes back many generations in Leominster and Presteigne so I knew them pretty well before we moved. I keep running into third cousins!
I haven’t been here for a couple of years, but it’s as beautiful as I remember from many vacations.
How would you describe Herefordshire to people who don’t know it?
It’s a piece of heaven. Wonderful and varied landscape. Fabulous walks and villages with real community supporting those who struggle.
If a stranger only had time to visit one place, which one would you suggest?
It should be the cathedral. It has such a rich history, architecture to die for, and beautiful gardens – including the palace, which is open to visitors twice a month.
What makes Herefordshire people so special?
All of the things that the pandemic bought up. A wonderful community spirit and the desire to help people who are worse off than themselves. The desire to rebuild better and to keep this community spirit going. A sense of power and entrepreneurship, especially noticeable in the agricultural sector. There is a lot of tradition here, but you also look to the future.
What would you most like to do on a day off in the county?
It should be a sunny day on my Harley Davidson taking the back road (B4352) via Madley to Hay-on-Wye, stop to take in the view in Hardwicke and then back to Hereford via Dore Abbey and the Golden Valley. A nice pub lunch on the way would be great too. Presumably conclude with a trip to the cinema.
Where is your favorite restaurant that you would like to return to?
It’s a little mean to limit it to one. In Hereford I love the Ponte Vecchio which is great for a simple Italian. Fantastic, imaginative food, beautifully cooked at Riverside in Aymesetry, and of course you can’t go wrong with a Beefy Boys burger! For lunch, the sandwiches at The King Street Kitchen are a dream.
And where do you meet friends for a drink and a meeting?
I will probably keep it local, either the West Bank Village or the Spread Eagle on King Street.
Do you have a favorite walk – or a favorite view?
Still a lot to explore for me, but from today’s experience it has to be the loop around Garway Hill and the view from the top. Just under a second pass the view from the hill over the arches at Shobden. Herefordshire Council publishes some great circular walks on their website that we are currently working through.
What’s the best thing about the county?
Difficult to name just one. Hereford is for life, not just for vacation.
What would make Herefordshire an even better place to live?
I really hope the new university takes off and brings more much needed investments to the county. It is sad that a third of young people leave when they are 18 to find work and never come back. I hope that we will experience sensitive economic development that will enable all age groups to find a cheap home and well-paid work here.