Pictured: Local Jo Jingle, Jackie Thornton

20 years ago, in the Spring of 1997 a local Mum was looking for that certain job that meant she could work school hours as her son James, then aged 5 was starting the Summer Term at Binfield C of E Primary School.  That Mum was Jackie Thornton who luckily discovered a job that turned out to be life changing.  She discovered Jo Jingles, specialising in Music, Singing and Movement who were looking for a new Franchisee in the local area.  Jackie bought the Franchise and went from strength to strength.  Over the last 20 years Jackie and her wonderful class teachers have introduced Under 5s to a world of music and fun, with the emphasis firmly on “fun” and thousands of youngsters in this area will have become Jinglers at some time.

20 years is a long time in the world of technology – in those days Jackie had a Boomblaster and cassette tapes (what are those?!) as she started on her musical journey.  Husband Mike still has nightmares about The Wheels On The Bus being played over and over to get the editing right on the tape. 

Jackie grew the business and attracted a loyal following of Jinglers from 3 months to 4 years together with their parents, grandparents and carers.  Some have been Jingling with not only their first child but with their second and even their third child – they must know every song in the Jo Jingles repertoire!  As we are a children’s group we have supported the BBC Children In Need Appeal for many years and have raised over £15,000 in our local classes – a great achievement.

Jackie says “ It’s been a fabulous 20 years, where have those years gone – it seems like yesterday I was sitting in my first class in the Ascot Sports Pavilion in Goaters Road, wondering if any children would turn up.”  Well, they did and have been turning up at classes around the Bracknell and Ascot area ever since.  Our reporter asked Jackie how she kept going for so long and she said “ It’s such a fabulous job – you can’t help but smile and have loads of energy when you see those happy smiley faces looking up at you.  It’s the lovely children and the grown-ups that make Jo Jingles so special”.

Now that her 20 year milestone has been reached Jackie feels it may be time to hand the baton over to someone younger and fitter so if there is anyone out there who would like to make music with children, have the joy of inspiring a new generation and  have loads of fun  please contact Jackie.  It is a great business for Mums with school children who would like to be self- employed but with the comfort of a successful franchise behind them. 

Until then, Jackie is happy to keep Jingling (as long as her knees don’t give way) and if anyone would like to find out what musical fun children have at Jo Jingles do get in touch either by phone 07855 687058 or email jo.jingles@btinternet.com