Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Very bright warm morning. Bell and I visited Fanny Barnes this morning. She is very weak and reduced almost to a skeleton.

Left home at 11.15 and drove to Hellidon, about 23 miles. Banbury 8, Wardington 5, Byfield 5, Hellidon 4½. Mr. Davies had asked me to bring out his son Lloyd who would probably arrive in Banbury from Oxford in time to meet me. But I did not see anything of him or of his luggage at the railway station. I did not put up till I reached Wardington when I took Ruby out for ¾ of an hour; but she would not eat the corn provided for her at the Village Inn. Reached the Vicarage at about 4. Sir Raynald Knightly, candidate at the forthcoming general election for South Northants.

Mr Davies was at home, and welcomed me most kindly, Mrs Davies being absent in North Wales. His son Lloyd had not arrived. I found the Vicarage and the Village very nice indeed. Visited the Church after dinner. It is a very good one and in excellent order. The heat today has been intense. I called at Swalcliffe on my way to Banbury and ascertained that Canon Payne was no better.

Mr Davies took me to the school with which I was greatly pleased. 104 children were present – a very large number considering the small population – only 400. But all the children of Hellidon and Catesby attend, as there are no Dissenters’ or Private Adventure Schools.

Drove to Catesby in the evening. The Chapel is in the grounds of an ancient abbey. The carved oak bench ends and pulpit from the old abbey are very good.