Diary May 1893 - May 1894

7 May Rev. Maturin, a potential curate, assists at services and preached

12 May Funeral of Mr. Oakey (Badgeworth) - description, including clothes etc.. Had to read the Will - some omitted from it annoyed

4 June Rev. Maturin has been appointed curate and in residence

4 July Dispute with Dr. Smithe re. school - "the whole incident most unpleasant"

6 July Marriage of Duke of York to the Princess Mary, so many children absent from school

22 July Proved will of Mr. Oakey at Court of Probate

9 Aug Accident while riding tricycle on return from Birley resulted in fracture of left arm in 2 places. Taken to Dr. Ferguson at Painswick. Arm set in splints and cotton wool

15 Aug. Visited by Dr. Ferguson [sic]. Conversation reported

18 Aug. "This is the Cheltenham Cricket Week"

21 Aug. Visited by Mr. Fraser, Dr. Fergusson's Assistant

28 Aug. Accounts re. bankruptcy of "Johnson" (Malvern Vicar) - deficiency c. £1015

2 Sept. Learned from Anthony Morris of a part of old Churchdown, including trees dating from Stuart times, since felled

12 Sept. Reference to ruins of a chapel that used to be in Chapel Hay farm home field - next the vicarage, also to the pound, the stocks etc.

15 Sept. Vestry Meeting - decision re. future of Giles Cox's Charity

18 Sept. Reported that Mussell Well (the Roman Well) had been filled in to prevent Mrs. Berry having water for her tea parties

25 Sept. Travelled to Painswick in Henry Morris's trap ("liquored" en route at Royal William) to see Dr. Fergusson (who was dressed in short chimney pot hat, and knickerbockers and leggings). Arm stated to have healed

27 Oct. Effects of the Brewery (Johnson's) sold well. Brewery to be dismantled

25 Nov. Walked up the Promenade (Chelt.) to the new fountain under the willow tree

21 Dec. Wyndham was hanged this morning at Glos. Gaol for murder of his father some weeks ago

25 Dec. Relations between vicar and curate "anything but cordial"

1894

5 Jan. 20th anniversary of opening of school. 774 children have been admitted during this period

19 Jan. Attended meeting of the Cotteswold Club at invitation of Dr. Smithe to hear lecture on the Trans Caucasus by Mr. John Bellows

2 Feb. Lively meeting of School Board to consider resignation of Mr. Brown (assistant master) and Miss Richmond (school mistress)

16 March School Board - Brown and Miss R. agreed to stay on

26 March Dr. Smithe recounts more of his past history - how he came to be ordained and to come to Churchdown - how vicarage and school were built - how Churchdown came to have a railway station

11 April Dispute with curate re. standard of the choir

21 April Obtained Postal Order for £1.12.6. to pay Dr. Fergusson's bill

2 May First mention of Dr. Prance (set Percy Wiggall's broken arm)

29 May Shurdington church spire struck in thunderstorm "and much injured"