Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Thomas Atkins said to me he should much like to see a reading room established in the village. “So should I, but I do not see how it is to be supported if we start one. I might get £10 or £12 to put up rooms. But it ought to be self supporting after that.”

“Certainly it should, Sir”. “Well, there would be required for rent etc., say

That is to say it would require 90 members at a penny per week each to keep the thing going even if it were started fully provided. Do you think we should be able to get that number of members, or anything near that number for say a couple of years?”

“I am sure you would not, Sir”

“I have thought about the matter ever since I have been at Sibford, and don’t see my way to starting it with any prospect of success.” There’s the rub, and Adkins saw it as well as I. He said there was a talk among the Quakers of starting one at Sibford Ferris, where there are certainly not half a dozen young working men.

Library committee meeting in school room at 7pm decided to have tea and entertainment on January 4, Wednesday next.

Col. Ommanney called to ask about Sibford Ferris allotments, some of the men are wanting more land under the Act of 1887.

Frank commenced making a collection for a present to Mr and Mrs Elley on their resignation.

Dull but dry and mild.

Extracts from the Report of Royal Commission to enquire into the Income etc. of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Appointed 1872. Report published 1874.

Blenheim Farm, Sibford. Tenant Thomas Hitchcox – 291 acres 1 rod. Rent £396. Rated Gross £350. Net £315. £15 added to rent of 2 cottages built in 1870. (These cost £350 to build as Mr. Lee told me).

Rectory Farm; Swalcliffe: Mr. T. Gulliver 426 acres 3 rod. Rent £705.

Fixed deductions from Swalcliffe:-

• Land Tax £18. 7. 6.
• To Vicar of Swalcliffe £350
• To Vicar of Sibford  £150

Granted out of Rectorial Estate. The sum of £350 granted has not been legally annexed. It was given in consideration of the small value of the Benefice, the fact of there being 3 churches, and the consequent necessity of keeping two curates.

On 1st January 1872 estates in Land were 17.057 acres. Income from above £14485. Houses £2116.

Mr Oddie sent word this afternoon by Frank that he would like to have the Schoolroom on Friday evening next to deliver a lecture on the Paris Exhibition. I walked down to tell him the room would be at his service. He was not at home, but I saw Mrs. Oddie and left word with her.