Brian Harrison-Jennings obituary
My husband, Brian Harrison-Jennings, who has died aged 82, was a teacher, educational psychologist, trade unionist and humanist.
Brian’s first job was as a medical laboratory technician in Moorgate hospital, Rotherham. From Padgate Teacher Training College in Warrington, where he specialised in science and outdoor pursuits, in 1968 he went to Sheffield University, where he obtained a degree in psychology, followed by a master’s in education and child psychology from Nottingham University.
He then pursued a career as a senior educational psychologist with Sheffield metropolitan district council. During his time in the city (1974-89), Brian was an active member of his constituency Labour party, twice standing in local elections.
Although born into a Salvation Army family, Brian was an atheist from a young age. An active scouter, he was subsequently prevented from being a Scout leader because of his refusal to swear an oath to God. This saddened him greatly but he was rewarded in later years by running his own scout troop, the 267th Sheffield (Dore), and celebrating the success of the British Humanist Association in getting this discriminatory practice overturned in 2012.
Involvement with the trade union movement began at teacher-training college when Brian was president of the students’ union. He joined the Association of Educational Psychologists in 1972, and in 1980 became a member of its national executive committee, progressing to vice-president in 1987 and then president two years later. In 1993, Brian was elected general secretary of the Association of Educational Psychologists. He served in this role for 12 years until his retirement in 2005.
Brian and I met at a lecture about toy libraries for children with special educational needs that he was giving in Sheffield in 1974; we were married in 1988. After we moved to Stocksmoor, near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, the following year, Brian was involved in twinning the hamlet with a village near Milan called Olgiate Molgora. The arrangement was formally constituted in 1998 and operates to this day.
Born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, Brian was one of six children of Edith (nee Spillett), a housewife, and John Harrison, a welder by trade and foreman at Robert Jenkins, an engineering and boilermaking firm in Kimberworth. Brian was educated at Kimberworth and Meadowhall primary schools, followed by Rotherham grammar school (1952-57).
Brian’s enthusiasm for life was evident, and he touched and enhanced many people’s lives. Living with him was an intellectual challenge as he questioned everything and everybody. He had a wicked sense of humour, was widely read and had a phenomenal memory.
He is survived by me and his sister Margaret.