Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

John Lively called and I paid him a cheque on Town Estate, to £6. 6. 0. for the thatching of Sibford Heath. He told me that Summerton, formerly Baker and Grocer here, has over £100 owing to him in this village, though it is about four years since he left, mostly by labourers working at Mr. Richard Lamb’s, in constant work and with good wages. One or two owe as much as £8 and £10 for bread alone.

Frank’s 20th birthday.

Took Choir children to the Round House, Edghill, to tea, starting soon after 1. I drove Ruby and took Mrs Langley and Lizzie Lovell. Miss S Dix drove herself, Annie Inns and Daisy Thame. Mr Elley went with Mr Langley in Thomas Webb’s wagonette, the rest went in Reuben Sabin’s cart. There were altogether 27 at tea. I provided 24 buns for the children and half a gallon of milk and half a pound of sweets for scrambling. We got back about 8:30 with Ruby who came home splendidly, but Webb and Sabin stopped at Epwell, to get beer, I suppose, which I do not approve of when they have children in their care.

Palpitation of the heart came on whilst I was walking with Frank this evening, so I had to return at once and go to bed at 9.30. It ceased in about two hours.

We found Mr Oddie, Mr Long and Oliver Harris discussing Flower-Show poster in which among the “Sports” a “Hasty Pudding Competition” was mentioned. They all disapproved of it as both vulgar and dangerous. It was settled that Oliver Harris should attend the Committee meeting this evening and speak about it, Mr Oddie promised to do so too. We went into Mr Oddie’s garden which was gloriously gay with flowers.

At the Flower Show committee meeting this evening, the Hasty Pudding Contest was condemned and eliminated from the programme.

Miss Anderson sent Frank a cheque for £25 to pay Entrance and Responsions fees and decorations for his rooms at Oxford.

Cutting from Banbury Advertiser, 26 September 1895

SIBFORD.

A LEGACY FOR THE FRIENDS’ SCHOOL.—Under the will of the late Mr. Joseph Huntley, of Earlham Villa, Kendrick Road, London, the Friends’ School, Sibford, receives £200. The will was proved at upwards of £74,000, and bequests were made to numerous benevolent and philanthropic institutions.

Frank left for Keble College at 1.15 p.m.

This is Sibford “Wake” Sunday, and consequently, a greater number of girls and women than usual were about.

Sibford Wake and a harvest home tea party was held in Mr. Ainge’s barn with dancing and, 6d. tea 3d. dance. I had nothing to do with it and do not know who “got it up”.

The Enclosing of the fields on the road to Temple Mill is nearly finished. We took the boy to open the gates which are still across the road.