Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1893, December 26, Tuesday 

St Stephen’s day. Divine Service at 11 a.m. Children’s Entertainment to public in Schoolroom at 7 this evening. “Christy Minstrels“, “Recitations” and a Cantata called “Santa Claus”.

The Singing was good, but the recitations were imperfectly known and said in some cases without any expression whilst “poor letter H” was much abused. Mrs Langley had taken great pains with the singing, but had stopped there.

Mr Platt, a friend and visitor of Dr Routh’s (per Mr Oddie) invited all the school children over 6 to a tea and entertainment at the Friends‘ School, Sibford Ferris at 4 pm on Friday.

1893, December 29, Friday 

Library Committee Meeting at the schoolroom to arrange for annual tea meeting and entertainment.

Bell, Rosa, Frank and I went to Mr Oddie‘s, The Friends’ School to a tea and entertainment given by Mr Platt a Druggist’s traveller, a very pleasant and gentlemanly man, who has known Sibford for some twenty years or more, but who broke down with overwork a few weeks ago and is staying at Dr Routh’s for the benefit of his health. There were 104 children present from my School and Miss Shemeld’s, and about a dozen poor old folk and some others. After tea a Magic-lantern Exhibition was attempted with the Lime light, which however, on account of some defect in the gas bags, was quite unsuccessful. All then returned to the large Schoolroom where Frank sang “My Dear old Dutch”, a Coster Song of Albert Chevallier’s, in character very well made up, and some other songs. To wile away the time I got the children to sing some songs and recite. Septimus Harris and another or two also sang, at Mr Oddie’s request. The party broke up at about 9.30.

1894, January 17, Wednesday 

Leslie Baily notes that there is a duplicated circular letter in the diary saying, in consequence of the decease of Rev Dr. Wilkinson, Vicar of Swalcliffe, “co-treasurer with myself of Sibford Gower charities, the School and the Rev John Loggins’ charity, it is proposed that Rev A. E. Riddle, rector of Tadmarton, and Mr Joseph Woolgrove of Sibford Ferris, be appointed joint treasurers with myself” as above.

Recipients are asked to return portion marked “Yes” or “No”.

Leslie Baily also notes that Charles Barnes asked the Vicar for a rise for his son Alfred, a master at the School, of 1/- a week whilst school is open. After consulting Trustees, Stevens offered 1/- per week all year round and a present of £1 at end of year if Mr Langley reported well of him.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.