Diary Jan - Oct 1906

1906

17 Jan. Dismay regarding results of general election - Conservatives unseated

26 Jan. School Managers' Meeting. Author asked regarding his retirement said he intended to apply for an extension

5 Feb. Visit to Churchdown of the newly elected M.P. for the Tewkesbury Division, Hon. Michael Hicks-Beach. Flags flown etc.

7 Feb. First meeting of "Social Gathering" at house called Summerwell. Cards, dancing, singing, refreshments etc.

13 Feb. Informed that his "time" might be extended to end of next school year - 31 Jan. 1907

15 Feb. Supper at Chosen Hotel to celebrate Hicks-Beach victory - 100-200 present. "Altogether very good"

27 Feb. Attended performance of Rev. Hodson's cantata "The Golden Legend" at Tewkesbury Philharmonic Hall. Visited Tewkesbury Abbey - description

1 March Made out list of likely candidates in the Parish to form a Company of the Rifle Volunteers

7 March Eight lads, not younger than 17, joined the Company (Rifle Corps)

14 March Swearing in of the young men (and brief physical examination)

20 March Confirmation Service in Badgeworth Church - 8 candidates from Churchdown

29 March Parish Council Meeting. One item was: 40 tons of Chepstow stone to be put on road from blacksmith's shop to Primitive Chapel. At the subsequent Annual meeting Geo: Yeates called Smith a Clod Hooper; the latter had to be held down to prevent his breaking Yeates's head

30 March Very unwell - pain in side - ?pleurisy

7 April Cambridge won the Boat Race

9 April Health improving

14 April Ordered a suit of serge at Hepworths' - to be £2.10.0.

15 April Easter Church collections (for the Vicar) £12.7.5.

21 May Attended large meeting at Shire hall re. Education Bill

25 May Celebration of Empire Day at school - full programme

1 June Horrified to read of bomb outrage on King and Queen of Spain as they returned from Marriage Ceremony

21 June Arranged at Alstone Baths for boys to be taught to swim

15 July Description of frescoes for St. Andrew's Church painted by Miss Berry as a memorial to Mrs. Hodson. Thought St. John looked too effeminate

17 July Description of Christchurch (Hants.) Priory

15 Aug. Description of Stinchcombe Church, also St. James' Church, Dursley

21 Aug. Rode along the "new road opposite the Hare and Hounds" [i.e. Innsworth Lane]

28 Aug. Some notes on the history of Witcombe - origin of name, the Church etc.

4 Sept. Conducted party round St. Bartholomew's, Churchdown. Description

11 Sept. Learns that he has been awarded a pension of £20 - "a munificent sum!"

15 Sept. Frescoes (in memory of Mrs. Hodson) each side of altar, St. Andrew's dedicated

23 Sept. Church Parade of Churchdown Lodge of Gloucestershire Conservative Benefit Society

8 Oct. Advertisement for successor as headmaster appears - commencing salary £110 with £5 increments (annual) to £130

10 Oct. Decision to set up a Churchdown Branch of the Church of England Men's Society

11 Oct. Visited the "New" Cheltenham Town Hall for the first time - performance of Rev. Hodson's 'Golden Legend'

14 Oct. Death of Mr. Sanguinetti, formerly Governor of the Cayman Isles