Jackie Weaver, our patron
Exciting news! We are thrilled to announce that Jackie Weaver, star of the viral online Handforth Parish Council meeting, is our new Patron.
As Chief Officer of Cheshire Association of Local Councils, Jackie Weaver is passionate about local democracy. She’s determined to use her accidental fame to encourage more people – particularly women and young people from all walks of life – to get involved.
Jackie explains: “I love seeing the energy and enthusiasm that Women in Public Life are putting into inspiring and supporting women in Guernsey to stand for public office. So I’m very happy become their patron and am looking forward to helping them go from strength to strength.’
Jackie Weaver became famous overnight when a recording of a contentious meeting of Handforth Parish Council went viral. Her calm management of the meeting – including banishing two members to the waiting room – endeared her to the British public.
Jackie has made numerous media appearances since, including Steph’s Packed Lunch and Have I Got News For You.
At the end of 2021, she featured in several media reviews of the year’s highlights:
- BBC News: From Jackie Weaver to Peppa Pig – the political year in pictures
- The Guardian: The Big News Quiz of 2021 – do you know your Jackie Weavers from your German leaders?
- Bailiwick Express Guernsey: Review of 2021 (July to September)
- Channel 4: The Big Fat Quiz of the Year
- Channel 4: Jon and Lucy’s Christmas Sleepover
We first met Jackie Weaver in September 2021 when, at our invitation, she kindly stepped out of her computer screen and into Guernsey.
Over a very busy few days, Jackie toured the island, gave inspirational talks in schools and took to the stage at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts for “You Do Have The Authority. An evening with Jackie Weaver”.
Jackie’s visit was an absolute joy from start to finish and we are still following up with the women who were inspired by her.
You can find videos of Jackie on stage, capturing all of her wisdom and wit, plus all the fun and photos from the rest of her trip, on this page. Enjoy!
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First half: Jackie Weaver speaks to Shelaine Green from Women in Public Life about THAT meeting, her new found fame, her tips for dealing with bullies and her passion for local democracy.
This is the full video. To just watch highlights of the interview, click here.
Second half: Jackie Weaver explores the roles of three women currently in public office in Guernsey: Jurat Felicity Quevatre-Malcic, Leonie Le Tissier – St Sampson’s Douzenier and Deputy Tina Bury.
On her first morning in Guernsey, Jackie Weaver went on a tour of the sights of the island with Paul Chambers from Jackson Chambers Photography. The photos were so amazing that one of them was used to illustrate an interview with Jackie Weaver in The Observer/Guardian.
Guernsey had the honour of hosting Jackie Weaver’s first ever book signing at the end of “An Evening with Jackie Weaver”.
On the night, the team from The Lexicon completely sold out of copies of Jackie Weaver’s book “You Do Have the Authority Here. #What would Jackie Weaver do?”.
The queue of people wanting Jackie to sign their copy stretched across the foyer of the Centre for the Performing Arts, from the bar to the front door.
To order your copy, contact the Lexicon on 01481 721120.
