Walkern teachers

Eva Savage: Half a century in Walkern School

Extract from an article in the May 1972 issue of the Walkern Journal

Of the several claims to fame of Miss Eva Savage, who can boast the wise age of 87 years, perhaps the greatest is that she worked for over half a century teaching in a single school – and of course it was our own Walkern School! And who would have thought in these days of educational ‘enlightenment’ that during Eva Savage’s childhood the school starting age was not 5, not 4, but only 3 years; even that was not early enough for young Eva who, we are told, grew fed up with staying at home and started her own schooling at 2½!

Eva Savage, apart from being a very successful infants’ teacher, was a musician of no mean ability. She played the organ at the Walkern Free Church (where she worshipped as a Methodist) from 1915 until only three years ago – another case of half a century plus. And if organ playing was not enough, Eva Savage was sidely known for her very fine voice – indeed she gained a well deserved reputation as the Gracie Fields of Walkern.

Born in the village, Eva Savage spent her entire life here and many of the children she taught in her early years as teacher are now grandparents.

Asked what was her secret for controlling large classes of children Eva Savage seemed a little uncertain. She thought perhaps it was her sense of humour. Asked her opinion of village life today Miss Savage deplored the behaviour of today’s young people, ‘many of whom cannot even read and write!’ Even the older people are losing the art of enjoying the pleasures of country life, she said, pleasures like walking in the fields and picking flowers, the pleasures of the simple life.

The photo below shows Miss Eva Savage at the piano with her class at Walkern School shortly before her retirement in 1949. At the time Miss Savage received a telegram from Mr George Tomlinson, minister of Education, which read: ‘Best congratulations on splendid record of service”. So far as we know Miss Savage’s record has never been broken in this country; and is unlikely ever to be broken.