Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1896, January 30, Thursday 

Dull. Visited Widow Alcock; Mrs Turner, whom I found much worse, nursed by her sister Mrs Fox, and her niece, Miss Hunter. Visited School in afternoon and evening. Visited Miss Dix. Mr Chambers, curate of Shutford, called this afternoon.. New editions of “Gray’s Elegy” and “The Ancient Mariner” in “Annotated Poems of English Authors” have been called for this week.

Rev Mr Annesly having left Clifford Chambers, one of the Parrishes sharing in the “Loggin” Charity, I wrote a day or two ago to the Rector who has succeeded him. Today I received note from Rev W. A. Pippet saying he was Rector now.

Visited George Kay at Sibford Ferris. He says the Doctor tells him he has an internal “bleeding cancer”.

1896, January 31, Friday 

Dull. Walked up to see George Kay of Sibford Ferris today not yesterday as I have erroneously entered above. The children had a half-holiday today on account of their “Entertainment this evening.” The Entertainment, of which a Programme is appended was quite successful and the room full. Admission 3d and 6d. Sydney Lines began annoying the audience at the far end of the room just as he did on the last occasion of a concert etc. So I announced in loud and not dulcet tones that the same boy was trying to annoy the audience as did so at last entertainment and that I would not allow it. If he could behave properly he might stay, otherwise he would have to leave the room and I should mention publicly his name so that every one in the room would know who the boy was that was so ill behaved. There was not the slightest annoyance afterwards though the whole audience was very appreciative of the children’s efforts. I did not allow even one encore. As it was the affair was not concluded till 9.35, and the children had been there since about 6.

Although the promised Entertainment Programme is not now present in the diary, a cutting from the Banbury Advertiser of 13 February 1896, reporting the event, is pasted in at 9th February.

1896, February 1, Saturday

Dull and cold. Bessie Thame called this afternoon and said that Mrs Langley fell off a form last night after the entertainment as she was takingdown soe paper ornaments. She “nearly” fainted and had to be carried home. She is keeping her bed today. Mrs Elley is looking after her. Mr Langley is gone to Banbury.

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