Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Band played on lawn this evening. A German photographer named Ross, from Chipping Norton “took them”. He did it ill – charged them 1/- each. He also “took” my family group. I paid him 7/6 for six cabinet size.

George Green (labourer) called and asked me to give him a “character” to become landlord of the Wykham Arms. I tried to dissuade him from having anything to do with a business of that kind, but wrote on the paper brought “I believe George Green to be a steady and industrious man”. He used to be a tippler, and though now a teetotaller he is running into the way of temptation, as I told him, and is likely to lose the few pounds he may have saved.

Holy Communion. Choir practice in the evening. Joseph Hone was playing hockey in the field at back of the school at time of practice. As he pretends to belong to the choir I told him he had better go in to practice. He did not do so. Nor did he come when I sent his brother Charles for him. I therefore sent him word that he was expelled from the choir.

Superintended Art Exam in freehand at Friends’ School this evening from 8.15 to 9.45.

Science Exam at the Friends’ School. “Building Construction”.

Attended meeting at Friends’ School, Sibford Ferris about the Jubilee. Richard Lamb took the Chair. They resolved to have seperate affair for that parish as the number, if the two parishes were joined, would be unmanageable.

Meeting in the Schoolroom to consider whether any, and if any, what steps should be taken in this parish to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.

Attended Jubilee Celebration meeting at Sibford Ferris Friend’s School. R. Lamb in the Chair.

I could not help making a pun to enliven the proceedings a little. They were speaking about the guests bringing their own cups or mugs, plates, knives and forks. Someone suggested that the Chairman would not like to bring his. I replied that perhaps some of our working men friends at the other end of the room would think that everyone would bring at least his “mug” with him if he wished to eat or drink anything. It took at once. It was a sight to see the Chairman trying to stifle his laughter. As to Oddie, he was uproarious and clapped his thighs till he must have made them ache.

William Lamb and George Padbury called this evening to confer about Jubilee. They thought we could count on 200 adults and 150 children as being to be provided for, and that instead of a tea such as the Sibford Ferris people propose to give, we should have a hot dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with ale for such as desire it. The estimated cost is £20.