Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Showery. Attended B.C.S. meeting at Mr Gepp’s, Old Manor House Adderbury West. Mr Ramsay accompanied me. Mr Gepp has let his Vicarage for a time. In the dining room of the old manor house there was an old chimney corner etc with a sentence painted in Hebrew characters in the centre and furious nondescripts on either side. The sentence was

I gave Mr Gepp my annual subscription £1 1s. to the Clergy Widow and Orphans fund. Mr Goodwin took my bridle and left me his. My boy Hyde discovered the mistake as soon as I brought the mare in. Visited Misses Dix.

Cold. A ton of coals brought from Hawkes & Son. Poulton renewing skirting on east side of drawing room. Joseph Green doing repairs to tiles on SW corner of Vicarage roof. Miss Dix sent me 13/10 Clothing Club money which she had taken while school was closed. Busy writing sermon on Psalm CViii.1 to preach at the Christ Church Worthington on June 6th.

Cutting from Banbury Advertiser, 24 May 1894

SIBFORD READING ROOM

TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir,—Your columns are very generously given for the publicity of any matter of public importance. The Reading Room so successfully started in this village with public subscriptions recently is now determined to launch out in a somewhat new scheme. A notice has ben posted announcing that the room will be open on Sunday morning to all male persons over 16 years of age. What services (whether religious, political, or social) will be conducted is not stated ; it is hoped that the bagatelle board and cards belonging to the society may be allowed their Sunday rest. Much regret is expressed that the committee (if they are responsible for the opening) should sanction such a proposal. Hitherto the Reading Room has been a success. This new departure will not add to its future welfare. Thanking you for insertion,

I am, yours truly,

PRO BONO PUBLICO

Fine. Warmer. Visited School. Inspected Spinney at Heath Farm. An immense number of larch has been cut for mounding. Much brushwood there, not good enough to pay for cartage.

W Lamb’s chimney caught fire this evening and caused much smoke and excitement.

Rain. Received a letter from Frank. Mark Barnes called to ask why Mr Langley would not give his boy a certificate to go to work. I told him he could not do so as he had not passed the requisite examination by HMI. I showed him the Schedule and he seemed satisfied.

The mare is in the habit of getting into the boggy part at the bottom of the orchard. It wants more draining done, but as a makeshift I borrowed 6 or 8 old hurdles of Lewis Poulton and Hyde and I fixed them.

Fine. Bell called to see Mrs Shelswell after church this afternoon. She had somewhat recovered from her relapse but was still in bed.