Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited School. Requested Mr Langley to ask other children than those he asked yesterday, as privately as possible, whether Nelsie Golder had said or done anything wrong to them in the class room. The answers made only made her seem worse than before. She told them to put hands on top of their heads and shut their eyes, and while they were in this attitude she would send boys to behave rudely to the girls. She also behaved rudely to the boys. Mr Langley has the paper on which he wrote down the answers.

I drove to Banbury and brought out Frank, who arrived by 2.48 train which was 20 minutes late. Miss Bessie Shelswell came here to tea. I called on Mr Woolgrove, but he was not at home. Mr Oddie’s horse fell down last night, dead, on the road near Shipston. Mr and Mrs Oddie and the children had to walk home. Mr Oddie and Mr Woolgrove were gone to Shutford to see another horse. Sent 6/- worth of eggs and some fruit to Aunt Emma.

Bell and I went to luncheon at S. Mary’s School, Bloxham by invitation of Mr Boissier, Head master, on occasion of laying foundation stone of Egerton library. We had a rather showery experience during our drive there, but not very serious. Among the other guests were Colonel Ommanney, Mr and Mrs Graham Jones, Mrs Kershaw, Mr Blythman, Canon and Mrs Teesdale, Mr and Miss Boniface, Mr and Mrs Mosley, Mr and Mrs Highton, Mr Gepp, Mr and Mrs Riddle, Captain and Mrs Davies. We stayed to prize giving and concert.

I told Riddle as Co-Treasurer about Nelsie Golder. He agreed with me that it would be wise to pay her a quarter’s money besides what was due and to say her services were no longer required. To pay her step-father 4/- due + 13/- in lieu of notice. Total 17/-

We had no rain at Bloxham, nor on our drive back. We called on Mrs Wade but she was not at home. We saw Mr Wade. Arthur Alder’s wife, met us at Swalcliffe and told me they had answered the two letters I sent him and also one from a clergyman in Surrey to whom Mr Taylor, Rector of Warmington had recommended Alder. I said Alder might refer him to me.

I called on Mr Woolgrove, but he was not at home. Met R.H. Lamb who found fault with my advertising for a Schoolmaster to play Organ in Church, and said he had a copy of the newspaper containing the advertisement. I did not admit it for I do not remember the advertisement.

Visited John Webb and his wife who complained about Nelsie Golder’s conduct, also Sam Woolgrove and his wife who also complained about her conduct which occurred sometime ago.

John Lively at work here, cutting ivy on house and clearing spouts on the house. Rainy nearly all day.