Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Marion Harris daughter of John Harris, of Little Sibford came on trial as young housemaid.

J. Bradwell came.

Choir practice under Mr Wells this evening.

Grand Meeting of Agricultural Labourers’ Union today at which Joseph Arch was present. They dined in Tennant’s bar and paraded the village afterwards with a brass band. The chief men in the procession were not the most respectable among the labourers of Sibford, Thomas Hone Senior and Mark Barnes being very conspicuous and very gay with their blue sashes.

J. Braddell spoke to me περί Ρόδας

Sent £9.5.2 cheque to Lands Improvement Company for Charity Account.

Lewis Poulton called about Heath repairs. He says that tiles for roof of barn will cost as much as slates and be not quite so good. I told him to measure the work and tell me what would be required to roof the whole barn and what for the portion most needing repair.

A day or two ago the Rev A. Short of Bodicote who inspected the School a week or two ago sent me the following report.

Though this school does not reach a high standard, the instruction seems to be good and accurate throughout. The Catechism was very well known and in arithmetic there were hardly any failures. The scriptures had been carefully taught, though the answers lacked intelligence.

Henry Norman Manning recommended for the Diocesan prize.

Marion Harris commended; also John Tay and Maryann Lines. The last two not mentioned in written report but at close of Examination.

Visited Widow Cakebread, John Harris’s wife, Mrs Meadhurst was there, and the School.

The report of Mr Arch’s speech at the Labourer’s Union Meeting here represents him as inciting the men to poaching. He was even more violent at Greatworth during the past week.

From the Banbury Guardian, Mar 22/77:

TO CHURCHMEN and CHURCHWOMEN. – The Vicar of a scattered country parsh will be very thankful for CONTRIBUTIONS towards the fund being raised for building a parsonage house. The living (£230 per annum) is in public patronage. Population about 800, all poor. Amount already received £381. Subscriptions may be paid to the Sibford-parsonage account, London and County Bank, Oxford; or sent to the Vicar, Rev. E. T. Stevens, Sibford Gower, Banbury, who will thankfully acknowledge all donations.