Our September audience gave a warm welcome to Anne M. May who gave an illuminating and very personal presentation on the history of “The School Strike, Burston”. She was ably assisted by David Berwick.
The Strike began in 1914 and lasted 25 years until 1939. The longest ever recorded strike. It is still remembered and celebrated annually to this day and the school building is now a museum. It can be visited free of charge.
Anne gave a review of the Social and Economic Factors in the 19th and early 20th century that had an impact and contributed to the long strike. Poor harvests, high food prices, malnutrition, farm labourers’ homes which were once “tied” to the job were giving way to a system of hiring and firing. All had their part to play.
In 1910 Tom and Annie Higdon were teaching in Wood Dalling, they held socialist beliefs, were good teachers and championed the pupils and their families. The school managers wanted to be rid of the Higdons so in January 1911 their contract was rescinded. This was when they moved to the Burston and consequentially had an impact on history.
The problems that had manifested in Wood Dalling were now to follow Tom and Annie to Burston. The school managers objected to them championing the children and their families. The Higdons were ordered to quit their posts on 31st March 1914.
The villagers were furious at the injustice and plans were made for the children to strike, lessons started on the village green they were led by the Higdons. Alternative lodgings were found for them as they had to relinquish their school house. Over the period of the Strike the children’s education did not suffer. The NUT gave financial backing and the villagers supported their much loved teachers with gifts and food.
Violet Potter, Anne May’s aunt and Tom Potter her father were both pupils at the school during the strike period and this gives Anne a very personal and insightful look into this unique social history. Profits from her book THE SCHOOL OF FREEDOM go to the upkeep and preservation of the Strike School Museum
Margaret White