Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Fine and bright but intensely cold. Visited Mary Thame at the Doctor’s, but did not go up stairs as she was much better, but has had an attack of pleurisy during the week. I saw Miss S Dix and Miss Hayward. Miss Grace was out with the doctor. Visited Job Harris, Thomas Keen and Richard Haynes whose daughter Myra is servant at the Doctor’s, but is at home ill. I hear that Joshua Lines has been bad with lumbago but gets about. I had not time to call to see him. Called on Charles Barnes to speak about the warming the church. He was going to light the underground stove this evening as he did last Saturday. I also visited the Goughs.

Our WC apparatus and our pump are rendered useless by the continued frost.

Sexagesima Sunday. Mary Sabin age 88 or 89, was buried in the Quakers’ ground this morning.

The church was full of smoke this afternoon. Rosa and I called on Miss S Dix. It was a very dull day, seeming to portent more snow, and the congregations were very small.

Dull. Thaw. Inns called about spouting and WC. Langley called about Penny Bank prizes for regular attendance. I visited Sarah Hone, Thomas Henry Hone, Thomas Green, Widow Wyatt, John Lamb (out), Widow Hancox (out), John West Junior. A pretty general thaw has commenced and the atmosphere is intensely cold.

Mr Langley came down again this evening at my request about the premiums to school children for regularity of attendance during 1894. We agreed that no child should be considered at all “regular” who was absent more than once a week on the average during the year, in other words 90 per cent of attendances must be made and thus 1^d for every 5 absences should be deducted from the maximum premium of 2/6.

Ezra Green called and asked me to fill up a form of application for outdoor relief whilst the frost lasts. Jewell wrote again about the land. Henry Bishop came and I paid him for 2 tons coal for school, by cheque.

Bright sunshine. Thaw followed by frost. Visited Widow Hancock, Frederick Ward and saw his wife and baby, Joseph Green Senior and spoke to him about stones or bricks for a pathway in back premises of School-house. Visited Mr Woods at the Bishop Blaise as I was told he was very ill on Sunday night. He was better and gone out, but I saw his niece. Called at John Lamb’s.

Bell writes to Rosa that she will return on Friday or Saturday. Called to see boy Scruby who was up and out.

Fine. Thaw. Snow disappearing. I was in doors all day making up the Penny Bank accounts. Did not go out at all.