Local and global in the formation of a learning theorist: Peter Jarvis and adult education

Holford, John

doi:10.1080/02601370.2017.1299994

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 43 publications

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“…Looking back then, from now, I knew little of Peter's background, or his values. I only recently learnt he was born in Gillingham in Kent (Holford, 2017), the county where I live and where I researched learner motivation (West, 1996). I knew but vaguely his Methodist ministry and the early placement in Sheffield, soon to face the tsunami of deindustrialisation.…”

Section: Good Nightmentioning

confidence: 99%

An authentic and generous adult educator: Peter Jarvis, 1937-2018

Holford¹,

Hodge²,

Milana³

et al. 2018

International Journal of Lifelong Education

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As a child, Peter Jarvis was neither posh nor rich. His dad was a shipwright and definitely a working man. Peter was 8 years old when his father died in a road accident. Now Peter's mum was even more hard-pressed to put food on the table and shoes on young feet.To help family finances, at the age of 10, Peter worked amongst milk, Sunday newspapers and tobacco racks at a local dairy. This was not fun and school was also an ordeal. Passing your A-levels was the way to transcend working-class constraints and make your solo mum happy. So when Peter failed his A-levels, his mum could only look at her son and sigh. But every problem has a solution and, in this case, it had two legsadult education and Methodism.At a nearby air base the Royal Air Force provided uniforms, there was a chance to march to a military band, hang around aircraft and do some flying. But English skies were disgusting and the way ahead was not clear. Peter endured the RAF from 1955 to 1958 but soon decided church was a better route to heaven. Hence, throughout the 1960s Peter was not a mod, rocker or teddy boy. Instead, he was a boisterous Methodist minister who had ideas about social justice and published in the Methodist Recorder. Sermons were the Jarvis specialty.Fast forward to the 1980 and 1990s. It is early morning. Roger Boshier and Dan Pratt are looking through a glass pane in the door of the restaurant on the 4th floor of Caritas Bianchi Lodge in Kowloon, Hong Hong."Dan look, Brother Jarvis! He's here. Talking about god knows what? Again!" Reverend Jarvis was sitting at "our" table by the window. Outside there is rush hour tumult on Kowloon's Nathan Rd. There is also the famous Hong Kong stink. Hong Kongers say it's the smell of money.This was not the first (or only) Vancouver hook-up with Peter Jarvis in Hong Kong. When someone offers an air ticket, accommodation and honorarium to the son of a shipwright, the answer is always "yes". Hence, Peter knew plenty about Kai Tak airfield.We were all regulars at Bianchi Lodge and knew staff were trainees from mainland China. Now, the youthful waiter needs the order. Boshier and Jarvis are easily satisfied and will have eggs on toast. Pratt wants porridge, toast and a side order of bacon.

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Section: Good Nightmentioning

confidence: 99%