Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Showery.

Buried Joseph Pettipher’s baby.

Visited School and taught.
F. Inns, saw Mrs Inns and family
T Meadows, J. Holder.

Vestry meeting held in Schoolroom about the pond. I in Chair. No resolution come to.

Mr Richard Lamb proposed “that the Vestry approve of the plan adopted by the Rural Sanitary Authority except that it is desirable to enclose it at the ends, so as not to leave a passage for cattle through it.”

Mr W. Fox proposed “that this Vestry approve of the plan adopted by the R.S.A.”

Mr F. Inns proposed “that the R.S.A. be requested to leave the pond in same shape, of same size and with same walling as before – simply repairing where absolutely necessary.”

There were 27 ratepayers present, but a majority of those present did not vote for any motion. I therefore declared them all lost, which I was very sorry to do.

St Mark’s Day. Divine Service at 9.15 am.

Visited Eliza Hancox, George Harris junior, Ben (Ann) Messenger, John (Ann) West, T. Holland, William Holland (no one home), Anna Aris, S. Keen and Thomas Wilks.

Buried Ann Dyer.

Miss Annie Norris sent up a wickerwork wheelchair for Rosa’s use – but it is not large enough for her. The wind was so high that it blew both boy and chair.

Received also a carrying chair from Mr Haddon; Cheltenham but it was useless.

Received in Vestry after service the girls recently confirmed and gave them their communion Books – the Bishop of Bedford’s Manual.

Attended Choir practice this evening.

Received from Mr C. Fortescue Solicitor Banbury bills of Conservative Meeting in the interests of Mr Wynne to be held in my school room tomorrow evening.

As the Agricultural Labourers have now received the franchise they will exercise at the next general election which will probably be held in November, both the great political parties are holding meetings in the Villages in  order to secure the allegiance of the new voters. The Radicals have already held a meeting here in the Friends’ School Room under the Chairmanship of Mr Oddie.

Called on W. Holland – no one in.

Mrs Wyatt’s daughter, Bessie, a Lady’s maid – sister of late Ann Dyer called and asked how the husband could get a certificate of his wife’s baptism.

Drove Bell, Frank and Lily through Hook Norton to Wigginton. Called on Mr Mosley the Rector, and gave him my promised subscription of £2.2 towards the Restoration of his church.

Miss Ainge called and said her eldest brother was in a bad way, would I call and see him? She asked me for a subscription to the Warwickshire fund for relief of sick and wounded soldiers in the Soudain. I gave her 2/6 but told her we should probably have a collection in Oxfordshire for the purpose and that people of our County could not be expected to give twice. Mrs Townsend of Honington had written to her about the matter.