Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Called on Mary Lively and Dr Routh.

Proposed to men of choir to put small sum weekly into bank to provide their own personal expenses next summer on an excursion to London which I hoped to be able to give them, paying their railway expenses out of choir fund for which the £1 I have put into P.O.S.B. should serve as a nucleus. Richard Haynes said somewhat rudely he should not agree to it. I said this was a free country and he need not nor need anyone else, against his will. William Rimell undertook at my request to receive subscriptions.

I spoke to R. Haines privately afterward and told him I knew that with his large family he could not have much to spare and that I had thought of that before speaking of my plan for a choir excursion and that I would see that what was needed should be provided for him.

I afterwards learnt from William Rimell that Haines set all the other men against the proposal to save a trifling sum weekly, so that my plan fell through.

Fine.

Visited Richard Tennant, Joe Dale, George Burdon’s wife (out).

Drove Bell to Shutford. Called on Rev J. Gerahty. He has received notice from the churchwardens of Swalcliffe (Mr Henry Norris and Mr Richard Page) that there will be no means to pay him any stipend as Curate after the end of the Quarter. He is something like 76 years of age but wonderfully cheerful and active for his age. But he has no means, I believe, and I don’t know what will become of him.

Very fine. Visited School of Art at Sibford Ferris.

The Tadmarton, Swalcliffe and Sibford Flower Show was held this afternoon in Mr Ainge’s field opposite the church. It was said by the judges to be the best show of flowers, fruits and vegetables that they had had and the newspaper reporters said it was the best that had been held in the district this season.

Mr Gerahty came over in a pony trap he had borrowed, but left early. Mr Aleck Willy (of Epwell) and his two sisters were here to tea. Also Mr MacDermot’s children and their governess and Mr Oddie. I walked round the flower show field with the latter several times during the evening and visited the dancing tent. Everything passed off very satisfactorily. Rosa went up to the show.

Visited William Payne.

Delightful weather.

Amy Ferguson left for London. I drove her, Bell and Harry to Banbury.

Met Mr Norris in Banbury. He said he feared the college would have some difficulty in getting a suitable man for Swalcliffe.