Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Returned to Sibford, arriving 3.20 pm by leaving St Leonards about 8.

Robert Austin called, said he had consulted a solicitor about the Farm and brought a “notice to quit” next Michaelmas. I therefore called on the Doctor to consult him. Then we went to Mr Woolgrove’s and found that he was at Mr Mann’s, so we walked down there. I put the matter before them and we decided that the best thing to do would be to ask Jesse Bishop to give the Trustees notice on Monday next before noon – and that if he declined to do that I should give him notice on behalf of the Trustees. Mr Woolgrove promised to ask him to call on me before 12 on Monday.

Harvest Festival. Collected in Church £5.12.11½.

Mrs Stock died about 4.30 pm after one or two days’ illness. I did not know she was ill this morning and had not seen her since last Tuesday.

Visited Misses Dix.

Michaelmas Day. Divine Service at 9.15 am and also in the evening at 7 when I preached on St Michael and All Angels. I announced yesterday’s collection and said that any further contributions for the Hospitals might be put in the alms box. The result was an addition of 10/4½ making the whole amount to £6.3.4.

The object of the service this evening was chiefly to see the effect of lighting the church with the lamps and a few extra candles whilst the decorations were up. It looked extremely well yesterday, but the lighting this evening was not sufficient to be effective.

Jesse Bishop called this morning, and as he declined to give the Trustees notice, I served him with one to leave the Farm etc next Michaelmas.

Charles Lines’s wife called and paid £5.5.9 for rent of his 11 acres at the Heath.

Some of the young men of the parish wanting to form a brass band have agreed among themselves to subscribe 2/- a week each for that purpose. They have thus accumulated £14. This evening they came to me with a polite note or petition addressed “Ladies and Gentlemen”, stating what they were doing and saying they woudl be glad of assistance towards the purchase of the necessary instruments which would cost about £54. I asked them to meet me in the Schoolroom after service, which they did, and had some talk with them, promising to draw them up a proper body of rules so as to put the matter on a suitable footing before going farther with their petition for assistance.