Diary April 1888 - June 1889

12 April Performance by the "Drawing Room Entertainment Company" held in the school class room

12 May Saw boys playing in public recreation park behind Marle Hill Parade, given by Mr. Agg Gardner (the Gwinnett Ground)

21 May Visit to Cardiff on Bank Holiday (detailed description)

9 June Walter Hambling formally ended his friendship/courtship of Miss Apperley by writing to her to state that he "was not happy in Miss A's society & so forth"

15 June very concerned to read in the Citizen of the Emperor Frederick's death

9 July Involved in registration of Parliamentary voters. Women householders also to be registered because of the bill now being debated in Parliament

14 July Financial affairs, mortgage on property (?Chosen Villa) + rents from other properties

18s/4d. brought in each week 'a great relief'

18 July First piece of gym apparatus bought for school (parallel bars) "Dr. [Smithe] got his coat off to try them & became quite heated"

19 July "Stockham the photographer called at 6pm & photographed Rose and myself in the front garden"

21 July Scandal in [Townsend Street] "the landlord of the Golden Cross was caught in a suspicious attitude with the landlady of the 'Adam and Eve'"

23 July Choir outing to Weston-super-Mare. Assistant teacher Miss Richmond annoyed by boy's behaviour in journey back. William ignored her in school next day

20 Aug. To Lower Stone to visit relatives

22 Aug. Saw spot where an old woman (Withers) had committed suicide, worried because her husband's mortgage had been called in

23 Aug. Listening to different local expressions '[he] shines like a button in a sweep's arse'

30 Aug. Visited doctor's on return to Cheltenham (Oriel Lodge, Mr. Newson). Transcript of prescription (after severe chill)

4 Sept. First visit to Cheltenham 'Free Library'

11 Sept. Description of area around Battledown

22 Sept. Corporation water laid on at Mother's house

23 Sept. Reference to sites of houses in parish no longer standing

2 Oct. Detailed description of walk around Badgeworth: guided tour of orchards and fields by Mr. Oakey "I say Bonny (Anth. Morris) them 2 trees was grafted off John Lye's of the Green Chosen - they be Cockagees but be most infernal bearers" (dispute between Mr. Oakey, Uncle, Mr. Organ, nephew, over orchard)

8 Oct. Darkest night ever out in - had to take bearings by sound of water falling from fountain

17 Oct. Dale & Forty's [Arthur's employer] complaining about his attending Elmstone Hardwicke church, wearing coloured neckties according to the religious season & incense; Arthur promised to attend All Saints

20 Oct. Haunted oak at Pillgrove - a child heard crying on stormy nights

29 Oct. Anecdote of old John Coleman who had found a purse of Guineas in pulling down the old inn called the Sugar Loaf (Mr. Guests house now stands on site)

4 Nov. Dr. Smithe saying more scandal and sin was committed in drawing room company than in poor peoples' houses and how ladies here only read novels

5 Nov. Some fires and crackers and bells ringing - [on Guy Fawkes' night]

7 Nov. Tailleare's American Circus parade

30 Nov. Passed gypsy's encampment on road to Badgeworth; romantic effect of the fires

9 Dec. Reference to auction of Pirton Court, Elmbridge Court, etc.

13 Dec. Saw a parishioner, Mrs. Afford, who had an operation 'of a delicate nature' about 14 months ago and was only now beginning to walk out

21 Dec. Search for a cleric to stand in for Dr. Smithe - William tramping the area and at last having to accost one in the street; description of Rev. Lyne, 5 Paragon B'ldings, Chelt.

23 Dec. Rev. Lyne's arrival at Churchdown described; fell twice going up Front Hill and got plastered in mud, so had to be washed off; had forgotten specs. so borrowed one of congregation's. Funeral service followed - "Billingham whispering to me that he was afraid the mouth of the grave was not big enough to take the coffin - so in came W. Morris who unceremoniously pushed the wreath aside and measured the coffin with a rule - and ran off to the grave - by his countenance could see it was alright"

24 Dec. Distribution of Coxes Charity money by William in place of Dr. Smithe

1889

12 Jan. Offer by Dale & Forty's to promote Arthur to a 'round' (has to wear a high hat). William called on them to take offer formally

17 Jan. Oakey family tree drawn

19 Jan. Reginald left to work in Bournemouth (where Frank Poole was)

29 Jan. Anecdotes about Wm. Clark, schoolmaster on the old foundation when the school was kept at what was now Mrs. Daniels on the Green

30 Jan. List of school masters as remembered by Ant. Morris. Anecdotes about Smith family of Parton Court & Jn. Lawrence of the Manor Court

2 Feb. Proceedings of the meeting of the N.E.U.T. [Union of teachers?] at Assembly Rooms: against payment by results

2 April Programme for performance by Gloucester Choral Society at Shire Hall

25 May Complaints against Arthur by Mr. Forty

(1) Damaged the spring of a door

(2) Hid from Mr. Forty in Wrights the Ironmonger last Tuesday

(3) Was seen with hat on back of head

"I consoled with Mr. F. on these 3 melancholy items - and promised to speak to A. which of course I did"

8 June-15 June Excursion to Bournemouth (Cook's tour); very details account

19 June Poor attendances at School Board meetings remarked on

28 June Rose told him that Mother was not very well - "that the Doctor had shaken his head at the swelling in the legs and so forth"