Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Sunny. Mr Riddle came and audited charity accounts from 3 to 5. James Dyer called this evening for me to witness his signature to Army pension paper. I called on Mr Langley to give him his cheque for February’s salary. Miss Wells called this morning and said that as the Cassells were ill, and the man had had very little work lately, she was making a collection for them. Her parents had given 10/-. It was the first I had heard of their illness. I gave her 3/6 and said I would call and see them. Ezra Green sent his young boy Tom to ask for the money which the trustees had put into the Penny Bank for him when he should leave school. I replied that I could not pay it out yet as it was against the rule, but that if his father would call on me I would see him.

I met Inns who said he would put the school ventilators in tomorrow if possible, tomorrow. I wrote to Ecclesiastical Buildings Fire Insurance (Secretary J Duncan) replying to his note in which he had said his directors paid the claim of £2.5 not as of right but as a favour because the damage was done elsewhere than in my house. I said, whilst thanking him for the cheque, that I should not have made the claim had I not been informed that Insurance Companies usually recognised damage to clothing in wear as covered by a domestic policy of Insurance.

Bright. Some more snow. Charles Holtham called for me to sign his pension paper. He gets nearly 10/- a week pension and probably earns 15/- more. Joseph Green Senior called and brought estimate for paving in the School house garden paths, also bill of 6/- for repairing floor of girls’ closet which I paid him.

Mr Abbatt (a retired Quaker tradesman) a very respectable man who married Miss Enock sister of the late John Enock of Sibford Gower, died late last night or early this morning. He has been ill a long time with consumption of the throat.

Visited Elizabeth Payne and did not see her as her father and mother kept me talking rather too long and I thought another day would be more suitable.

Visited Elley about doing some copying of charity returns for me.

First Sunday in Lent. HC 15. Collections for Church Missionary Society morning 9/3, afternoon 6/1. Bright morning; snow fell in afternoon to the depth of about 3 inches. It was so intensely dark at 3 o’clock that we were obliged to have the lamps lighted. The darkness lasted from 20 to 30 minutes. I asked Mr Woolgrove into the vestry and told him I had summoned the Trustees for Tuesday March 12th.