A BLUE plaque has been unveiled to pay tribute to the work of a former Crediton doctor.

It was unveiled in memory of Dr Margaret Jackson, pioneer of family planning and infertility medicine, outside the Margaret Jackson Centre, at 4 Barnfield Hill, Exeter.

Exeter Civic Society unveiled a blue plaque to commemorate Dr Margaret Jackson, a pioneering doctor in family planning and fertility treatment. Pictured are members of the Jackson family who were present.
Exeter Civic Society unveiled a blue plaque to commemorate Dr Margaret Jackson, a pioneering doctor in family planning and fertility treatment. Pictured are members of the Jackson family who were present. (Image courtesy of the Jackson family)

The event was very well attended by family members, people who remembered Dr Jackson personally, Exeter Civic Society members, Trustees of the Margaret Jackson Centre, those with an interest in reproductive healthcare, and Exeter MP Steve Race.

Exeter Civic Society unveiled a blue plaque to commemorate Dr Margaret Jackson, a pioneering doctor in family planning and fertility treatment. Pictured, left to right: Hilary Neville (Exeter Civic Society), Professor Bob Snowden (Exeter University), who worked with Dr Jackson, Dr Mark Jackson (son of Margaret Jackson) who unveiled the plaque, and Steve Race, MP for Exeter.
Exeter Civic Society unveiled a blue plaque to commemorate Dr Margaret Jackson, a pioneering doctor in family planning and fertility treatment. Pictured, left to right: Hilary Neville (Exeter Civic Society), Professor Bob Snowden (Exeter University), who worked with Dr Jackson, Dr Mark Jackson (son of Margaret Jackson) who unveiled the plaque, and Steve Race, MP for Exeter. (Exeter Civic Society)

After short speeches outside the Centre, where the plaque has now been fixed in place, the group walked to Barnfield Theatre for a reception with presentations.

The Blue Plaque.
The Blue Plaque. (Exeter Civic Society)
The reception where there were speeches about Dr Margaret Jackson in the Clifford Room at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter.
The reception where there were speeches about Dr Margaret Jackson in the Clifford Room at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter. (Exeter Civic Society)

Dr Jackson (1898-1987) was a pioneer of family planning and fertility treatment, who worked in Exeter and Devon for more than 50 years.

She was at the forefront of the development of new forms of contraception, but also helped many couples struggling with infertility to have children.

Former Crediton doctor, Dr Margaret Jackson.
Former Crediton doctor, Dr Margaret Jackson. (Exeter Civic Society)

She and her husband Lawrence Jackson were GPs in Crediton, and are remembered with affection by their patients.