Our Year 4 students were incredibly privileged to receive a truly unforgettable history lesson, not from a textbook, but from a remarkable living witness to the past. We were honoured to welcome Evelyn Edwards, a 99-year-old war evacuee and land girl, who shared her poignant and inspiring life story with our eager young learners.

The girls listened carefully as Evelyn recounted her experiences of being evacuated during the war. She spoke vividly about leaving her home, adapting to life in a new place, and the challenges and surprising moments of kindness she encountered. 

Our Year 4s, who have been studying this period in their history lessons, had the unique opportunity to ask questions directly to someone who lived through it. They listened intently as she described how she had to leave her home, start working at 14, and how she had to ration her food. Her personal anecdotes brought the historical facts to life in a way that no book ever could, making the events of the past tangible and real.

“I really enjoyed listening to Mrs Edwards. She was so brave to leave her parents, it would have been so scary.” Nellie

“I found her life so interesting as she had so many jobs, I love she was a land girl” Charlotte

“I really liked listening to her, it is one thing to be reading about the war in a book, it’s another  thing to meet someone who was actually there.” Isabel

“I’m impressed she started working at 14 years old, that is so young. It must have been hard to have been separated from her sisters.” Millie

The visit was a powerful reminder of resilience, community spirit, and the importance of remembering history through the voices of those who lived it. The students gained not just knowledge, but also a deeper empathy and appreciation for the sacrifices made during wartime.

“I had a wonderful time sharing her stories and memories. The girls were so attentive and asked some interesting questions. I thoroughly enjoyed coming into school and meeting the students.” Evelyn

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Evelyn for her incredible generosity in sharing her story with us. It was a truly special occasion that left a lasting impression on our Year 4 students, connecting them directly to a pivotal moment in history and inspiring them with her courage and spirit.