Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Very foggy this evening. Divine Service at 7 pm. 45 present. Dr Routh was at church. I am very anxiously considering Frank’s desire to enter the London and County Bank.

Reverend W H Laughorne, Vicar of Upper Worton, wrote to me from Coblenz yesterday, asking me whether I could or would take charge of the English Church there for March and April. Congregation about 50. Service in Chapel of the Palace. Two Ladies’ schools to give Religious Lessons in. Stipend 25/- per week. Board etc 5/- per day. He engaged to take duty from November to May whilst the Chaplain is gone to Bombay leaving Mr. Hill, master of Woodstock Grammar School, in charge of duty at Worton, but Mr. Hill wants to take duty at Woodstock in March, so Mr Laughorne has to return. He and Mrs L and their daughter are at Coblenz and enjoying various kinds of studies. The chaplaincy is under the SPG.

Received notice from G Selwyn Edwards Esq, Kingsdown, Newbury, the local Inspector, that the examination of school children in drawing will take place on Friday, December 21 at 11 am. I walked to Sibford Ferris this evening and called on Mr and Mrs Woolgrove. He told me that it had been agreed that the labourers should have a field of Richard H Lamb’s for allotments at about £2 an acre, including Rates, taxes, etc. Mr W added that Mr R had said that if any men failed to pay the rent when due, the other tenants would have to make it up. Mr Joshua Lamb, his eldest son, Chairman of the Allotment Committee is to have the management of these allotments. But that the tenants will not be able to take possession till Michaelmas 1896.