Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Dull but only a few slight showers. Walked down to Swalcliffe Park and Vicarage to see Mr Ramsay. Took tea with Mrs Norris, the Major and Mrs Ramsay at the Park. Called on Miss M Dix who has been taking the Clothing Club money since Dr Wilkinson’s death, and appears to be in some difficulty, Dr W having had no opportunity, on account of his serious illness and sudden death, of squaring up the account to date and paying into the Banbury Savings Bank the last few weeks’ money. Of course his executors are responsible but there appears to be some difficulty in making them understand the matter.

Mr Ramsay showed me the last School Reports of Her Majesty’s Inspector for Epwell that for the former is very bad and practically demands the dismissal of the school-mistress, Miss Husband. The latter demands the appointment of a certificated teacher, which Miss Tranter was not. So she has left and a certificated teacher has been appointed and is at work there. Ramsay took me into the Schoolroom. The children were clean and orderly and the room looked very nice. The Government require a separate room for the infants. Mr Ramsay thought that if the room were divided by a wooden partition, it would meet their requirements. I replied that very probably it would not, and that whilst they were about it they had better build a separate room.

Fine. Drove Bell to Banbury, and bought a dining room carpet square at Windsor’s and some wallpaper at Kingerton’s. Met several clergy in Banbury who were in for the Devotional meeting. Joseph Green Junior white washed the cieling of my dining room to day and is to paper the walls tomorrow.

Fine. Joseph Green, Junior, papered walls of dining room, but not first rate, as it is not properly his business.

I walked round Pound Lane and “Pig & Whistle”. Did not see any one between the bottom of Pound Lane and Burdrop, though it was only 9pm. It was very cold, the wind being NE.

Trinity. HC at noon. 15 communicants. Offertory for Diocesan Spiritual Aid Society Bishop’s Letter. Visited the Mrs Shelswell. Saw Mrs Henry Shelswell in her bedroom, but she was not up and walking about. Marion was there. Taught in Boys’ School.

Fine but cold. Visited school. Took Clothing Club and Penny Bank. Used Sanitas ??? for June No of Magazine. Mr Cluff took Library this evening. I did some gardening and writing.

Fine but cold. The nights are frosty. My potatoes were caught on Sunday night and in many instances the tops are quite black. I ordered coals of Hawkes of Stow. Helped in garden and finished 33 sheets of “From Genoa to Nice along the Western Riviera.”