Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Mr Fred Manning called for Rates. Took Penny Bank morning and evening. Charles Coleman called for Certificate of Publication of Banns. Told him to ask Charles Barnes to bring book down tomorrow and I would write it out.

Visited Dr Routh and Mr Joseph Pettipher. Drove to Hook Norton.

Went over the Heath Allotments and examined Larch Trees that have been felled for sale by Joseph Manning. Three Scotch Firs at the corner of the Plantation opposite Epwell Turning have been spared through the kindly interposition of Canon Payne who it appears requested Manning not to cut them down without first consulting me and saying that he would like to have them left as they were not worth much for timber and looked very well as they were.

Mr Montagu called. He had been to C Poulton’s and F Inns’s, whose wives had made complaints about the Feoffees charging 3d per week school fee for tradesmen’s children and had complained about Humphrey Sabin and others not having been called upon to pay the same. Mr Montagu appearing to sympathize with their complaints I told him that the Trustees had the management of the school and would not think of going to either Poulton or Inns for permission to carry out their regulations, nor would they think of consulting them as to who should and who should not be required to pay 3d or 6d school fee. I very mildly gave Mr M to understand I thought him rather weak to let them talk to him about such matters and get his sympathy where no sympathy was needed. On his own showing he had not reproved them for their exhibition of jealousy because others were not called upon to pay as much or more than themselves. As to Poultons, they have only one child, a few months old, so that it will be years before the regulation will affect them.

Visited School. Drove to Brailes. Attended lecture on Telephone and Microphone at the Friends’ School.

Received from Banbury School Attendance Committee order for insertion of names and ages of a number of children in Child’s School Book.

St Andrew’s Day. Morning Service at 9.15.

Canon Payne called, but I was out.

Holy Communion. Devoted Offertories morning and afternoon to Church warming – the amount £1. I handed to Mr Woolgrove.

Visted Miss Dix.

Spoke to Widow William Keen who tells me the Guardians have allowed her 2/- a week.