A dinner lady who has served at the same school for more than three decades is hanging up her apron.

Anna Evans has been working in the kitchen at Bolton Parish Church CofE Primary School since 1988.

And in that time, she has worked under five different head teachers and has seen countless children and likely multiple generations of the same families go through the school an onwards.

Anna has now chosen to retire seeing through Christmas at the school.

Headteacher Angela Worthington, described Anna as “the kindest person you could ever wish to meet”.

She added: “She is always smiling and helping the children, she is especially lovely to the little ones who struggle to choose which food they would like.

“She has limitless patience.”

The Bolton News: Anna Evans (right) in the kitchen at Bolton Parish Primary SchoolAnna Evans (right) in the kitchen at Bolton Parish Primary School (Image: Bolton Parish Primary School)

Angela added: “I am her last head teacher, and I am sure she will have looked after the others with the same care and attention she has me.

“Every day she brings me a slice of warm toast at 10:30, always worried that I eat enough and keep up my strength.”

All the children at the school, who Angela says adore Anna, made homemade cards in which they wrote kind words in for her to take with her upon her retirement.

“Many were thanking her for her kindness, remembering how she helped them when they first started at 3 years old,” Angela said.

The Bolton News: Head Angela Worthington (left) with Anna Evans (middle left) and students as Anna receives retirement giftsHead Angela Worthington (left) with Anna Evans (middle left) and students as Anna receives retirement gifts (Image: Bolton Parish Primary School)

To celebrate Anna and her years of service, the school organised a party in her honour.

The “fun loving” Anna is said to have been the last person to leave, where she “danced the night away at three in the morning”, according to Angela.

As she moves into her retirement, Anna can now transfer her energy and kindness to her large family.

Angela said: “As much as we will miss Anna, we know she has a busy retirement planned full of exciting adventures and also extra time with her large family, having two new great grandchildren who she will now be able to give lots of extra attention.”

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