Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Suffering from pain in chest for past day or two from indigestion. Visited School and taught a little. Took Clothing Club and Penny Bank money. Very cold wind. The women had their Harvest tea in school room, and also a dance afterwards. The band played one or two tunes outside the school room and then, it was said, marched to Sibford Ferris. I found them at the outside of the “Bishop Blaize” at Burdrop. I did not say anything to them, but I thought that while the men played fairly well the beer played very ill. All was quiet and orderly enough when I went into the school room. I had told the women it must be closed at 11. I visited Miss Dix and then walked round Sibford Ferris and the Elm.

Fine and dry. On enquiring of Mr Langley and Mrs Langley about the tea and dance last night, they said everything was very quiet and orderly, but they did not close quite by 11. The school floor had not been scrubbed as there was not time. Mr and Mrs L had put down some “Sanitas”. I requested Mr L to let the women know they must scrub it on Saturday. He told me that Poulton said that if the floor were danced on much, it would probably go in entirely as it was getting much worn and shaky. At 11 am I married Miss Sarah Cluff to Mr John Alfred Thomas, of Chaylesmore Farm, Brailes, and went to Breakfast at Mr Cluff’s afterwards. I walked round Pound Lane and Tyne Hill. Called at Jane Messenger’s and Mr Ainge’s. The latter seems a good deal better. Heard an example of Soldier Henry Harris’s rudeness.