Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Fine again. Drove Bell and Frank to Hook Norton to send a telegram to Novello, Ewer & Co for some Harvest [Carols].

Miss Buller called this afternoon to say “goodbye” as she returns to Leeds tomorrow. She is a daughter of a Colonel Butler, niece of Lord St John and of Sir Redvers Buller. She has been a (mental) patient of Dr Routh’s for a few weeks here, but previously at Miss Godson’s Hook Norton. She lodged for a short time at Mrs Turner’s, when she had with her a very intelligent and lady-like companion who had been one of the governesses in the Leeds High School for girls but has since gone to Girton College Cambridge.

Drove to Banbury for the Harvest Carols which I want the choir to practice tomorrow. Took Bell and Frank.

Wombwell’s Menagerie was there. So I treated Frank to a view whilst Bell went on to Graham-Jones’s.

Very fine Sunday. Took Boys’ School morning and afternoon. Attended choir practice at night, a large number being present. The boy Edgar Lines behaved very ill and as he did not mend when I spoke to him I sent him out of the room.

Fine. Visited William Payne and Mrs Dix, who was worse yesterday. Miss E.Dix was there.

Miss Dix called here this evening and said she had been told that Mr Willy was a candidate for Swalcliffe, which I can scarcely believe.