Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Drove to Banbury. Took Amy, Frank and Bell. Took my carriage wheel to Hawkins the coachbuilder, who lent me another carriage to use till the wheel was finished. I had to borrow Mr Oddie’s wagonette to drive in with.

We all, including Rosa, went to a lawn-tennis party at Dr Routh’s this afternoon. Miss Buller, Miss Grace, Miss Maria Dix, Mary Thame, Mr Oddie, Mrs Oddie, and Oscar and Arthur Shelswell were there.

Mr Oddie called this afternoon in Austin Gardner’s large wagonette to take us for a drive. Mrs Oddie and her boys, Bell, Amy and Frank. Mr O. wants to buy a wagonette as his is worn out. Austin Gardner wants to sell. Mr Oddie thinks he and I might go shares in this or offers to buy it himself and let me have the use of it whenever I wish. He is good nature itself. But I dissuaded him from purchasing the vehicle in question as it is a very rough style of carriage and considerably out of repair.

We had a pleasant drive through Brailes and Winderton to Compton Wynyates. Called at Brailes Vicarage and saw Maude and Mrs. Garrard (Hattie).

Frederick Inns called about the Flowershow, and asked whether Mrs Stevens would kindly distribute the prizes, which she consented to do.

I spoke to him about the church pews and said he might offer Mr Mann the pew lately occupied by my servants. He did this, I suppose, for in the course of a week or so Mr Mann and his family took possession of the pew mentioned.

Sent Burdon to Hawkins coachbuilder, Banbury, for carriage on loan whilst he is repairing my wheel.

Miss Dix called this morning.

Visited Mary Lively and William Payne.

Arthur and Oscar Shelswell came here to lawn tennis.

Drove Bell, Frank and Johnnie Maitland round the Whitehouse and Epwell.

Miss Dix called this morning.

Sunday School tea to parents and children this afternoon. Games in Slinket afterwards.

Gave 6 nicely framed pictures and 8 books as prizes, 6 in each school, as follows:—

Girls

The proper number is 6 for each school, but I increased it because the two head boys were equal and had not lost a mark during the whole year and Miss Dix wished Nellie Hone to have a prize.

Visited Richard Haynes who is suffering from a quinsy. Visited Richard Austin and John Adkins’s children and John Reason.

The weather is charming. went to garden party at Rev J. R. Izat’s Wroxton Vicarage. Took Bell, Harry and Amy Ferguson.

Mr Elley away holiday making. I took Boys’ School morning and afternoon.