1894, August 16, Thursday a
Sent in income tax return 1894 – 5 to Surveyor at Banbury. Walked with Miss Sottick to Sibford Heath. Bilberry turn across to Brailes road, Beggars Ditch and Brailes foot-path home.
Cuttings from the Banbury Advertiser, 16 August 1894
SWALCLIFFE.
INTERESTING PRESENTATION.—At the last Easter vestry meeting, Mr. Richard Page resigned the office of churchwarden, which he had held for the past fifteen years, feeling that he would like to leave it in younger hands. Everyone seemed to be agreed that he must not be allowed to retire into private life without receiving some token of the gratitude of his fellow parishioners. Accordingly, a movement was started for providing a suitable present for Mr. Page and was most willingly and heartily responded to. No less than a hundred people offered subscriptions, and this speaks volumes for the popularity of Mr. Page, and also for the general good feeling which exists in the parish. The testimonial took the form of an illuminated address, handsomely framed in oak and gold, together with a pair of silver candlesticks. These were on view in the Schoolroom on the evening of Friday, August 10th, and all were much admired. The presentation was made at the Grange the next day by the committee appointed for the purpose. The Vicar expressed the pleasure which he felt in being able to take the lead in such a movement. He had not known Mr. Page very long, but he had heard of his faithful service as Churchwarden. It was a matter of great thankfulness to him on coming to Swalcliffe to find so many zealous laymen who were willing to help him in his work in every possible way.—Major Norris, Parish Warden, then read the following address :—“ To Mr Richard Page Swalcliffe Grange. We, the parishioners of Swalcliffe, desire to thank you very heartily for the conscientious and able manner in which you have filled the office of churchwarden during the past fifteen years. We feel that such long and faithful service to the Church and to the parish ought not to come to an end without some recognition by us. We therefore ask you to accept this address, together with a pair of silver candlesticks as a mark of our appreciation of your work.—Signed, on behalf of the subscribers, NORMAN R RAMSAY (Vicar of Swalcliffe), H.C. NORRIS, G.H. HALL, (Churchwardens), L. T. BLOXHAM. J. PROPHETT (sidesmen)”. Major Norris added that he had known Mr. Page longer almost than anyone in that room. He could bear testimony to his quiet and consistent work as churchwarden, and also to his kindness and goodwill towards everyone in the parish.—Mr Hall, people’s warden, said that Mr. Page had done much in the past to promote and maintain good feeling between all classes in the parish and he hoped the same good feeling would continue in the future.—Mr. Page, in accepting the presents, said that he must thank the subscribers from the bottom of his heart for their kindness to him. He had not looked for or expected any such reward for his services. As churchwarden he had tried to do his duty, and the doing of it had been a pleasure to him. He should value those presents very highly, coming as they did from friends amongst whom he had lived all his life. Though he was no longer churchwarden, he still intended to take an interest in the affairs of the church and parish, and to do all he could for them.—After the presentation the members of the committee were hospitably entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Page and spent a very pleasant evening at the Grange.
SIBFORD.
DEATH OF MRS ROUTH.—Sibford has lost another of its much loved inhabitants in the person of Mrs. Routh, the wife of our esteemed doctor. The announcement of her death, early on Monday, the 6th inst., was a great shock to her friends, as comparatively few had heard of her illness ; for only on the previous Wednesday she was amongst them in her usual bright and cheery manner, and it was not until Sunday that she was known to be seriously ill. Mrs. Routh was in sympathy with all husband’s patients, and many a walk was taken, even when tired herself, that a sufferer should not be disappointed of the expected medicine ; and her warm heart thought no trouble too much if she could cheer or comfort an invalid. On Thursday evening, amidst signs of the deepest sorrow, her remains were laid to rest in the Friends’ burial ground, by the side of Dr. Routh’s father and mother. Most of the villagers and very many from the neighbouring and more distant parishes were present, all testifying by their grief to the love and esteem in which she was held. Exquisite wreaths and other floral tributes covered the coffin and surrounded the grave, which was beautifully lined with ferns and flowers. One touching token of affection was “from the cottagers of Sibford Ferris,” who all feel that in her they have lost a loving, helpful friend. Much sympathy is felt and expressed on all sides for her husband and his brother, to both of whom her death is an irreparable loss.
