Diary April 1898 - Sept. 1898

11 April While going through Gloucester on (or pushing) his tricycle, went past the "new pin manufactory" and asylum to the Fleece at Wotton. There a large powerful polyphon was started by him by putting a 1d. in the slot. A very "lively dame began to dance..... but I suspect she was but of a light character"

16 April A meeting took place to form a Cricket Club

22 April Bought 701bs. of seed potatoes for 3s.

27 April Serious dispute with Mr. D. Brown, churchwarden [which had been developing over a long period] re. the quality of the diarist's playing for church services, choice of hymns etc.

28 April Advised by Mr. J. H. Jones to resign and let Mr. Brown find someone else to play

29 April "I very composedly told [Mr. Brown] I should resign. He said a testimonial would be got up..... He said he should resign himself after a while". [A Sidney Cullis took his place at the harmonium]

19 May Heard that Mr. Gladstone died at 5 this morning - 88 years of age, immediate cause being a cancer

1 June Description of Eardsley Church (Herefordshire), dating from 12th and 14th century

2 June Description of Moccas Church

9 June House called Church View is being let to Dr. Prance who will use it as a surgery

10 June Bought a pair of light trousers 10/6d., Russell Cord coat 5/6d., straw hat 2/8d., Fare 1s., Beer 3d.

25 June Attended Evensong at Cathedral. Singing unaccompanied as the organ "is being further elaborated"

1 July Report of trial of Rev. Hale charged with bigamy. Sentenced to 5 years penal servitude

3 July Description of total eclipse of the moon

5 July Read account of the destruction of the Spanish fleet at Santiago (Cuba)

15 July At meeting of Parish Council it was agreed that 3 iron seats be ordered for fixing on the Council's property on the Hill

28 July Presented with a purse of £10 by Mr. J. H. Jones at Barrow Hill - testimonial for all he had done in the Parish etc.

30 July Went to Longlevens on tricycle, saw new church - wood and iron - "It is called 'Holy Trinity'"

17 Aug. Visited Pittville Park (Cheltenham) and walked round the new lake

24 Aug. Saw inscription on his great - great - great grandfather's tombstone. He was described as "John Kingscott - Yeoman - 56 years - D. Nov. 20 1783. Also other members of the family on the same stone

11 Sept. Attended the Opening Service (Three Choirs Festival) at the Cathedral Music included an anthem by A. Herbert Brewer and a voluntary by Elgar