The Iden community was greatly saddened last month to learn that John Harrison had died.
With Stephanie he moved to Iden almost 30 years ago and was one of the founding members of the Friends of Iden Church. During his time as the Friends’ Chairman, substantial funds were raised by way of Open Gardens and music and arts events.
He was always an active campaigner for causes close to his heart, none more so than in the field of education where he was the co-author, with Jonathan Langdale, of the book Wot,no School?: How Schools Impede Education. This was a serious examination of secondary education with radical proposals advocating for instance the abolition of school for 14-year-olds to be replaced by other types of learning
John also loved words and their correct usage. He disliked how the English language had been devalued by the loss of their original meanings and again put pen to paper with his second book Personal Prejudice in the Use of English. In a very amusing and typically Harison way, he ridiculed meaningless public signs, trendy words and sayings that really bear little reality to their original intentions.
They said Noel Coward was a ‘Talent to Amuse’ and that certainly could also apply to John who could remember anecdotes and stories at the drop of a hat and would always be relied upon to brighten up any gathering.
He was the voice of the Iden Fete and loved theatre and, as a very handsome young man, he often appeared in musicals. He was famed for his appearances as the Pantomime Dame in the productions by the Iden Players and loved being just plain silly
John will be sorely missed by so many and his contribution to Iden life was considerable. He was indeed a remarkable man and always a happy soul with a childlike rebellious glint in his eye.
Image Credits: Michael Miller .