The Henson Journals

[21]

Wednesday, June 11th, 1919.

I motored to Felton, & viewed the piece of glebe which the vicar & churchwarden desire to use for a parish room, to be erected as a war memorial. The population of the two parishes – Felton & Preston Wynne – is little more than 200, yet the killed number no less than 10. Mr Evelegh, the parson is helplessly deaf, a circumstance the more regrettable as his countenance and manner suggest an intelligent & courteous man. The churchwardens were there to meet, prosperous men & not without brains.

Mrs Creswell, the widow of the late Vicar of Yarkhill, came to see me. She has no money to meet the demand for dilapidations (c. £140). Her husband was vicar for barely 2 years. I gave her an application form for the Harley Trust.

This day was again wasted. The extreme fineness & warmth of the weather almost compelled an indolence which, however, those circumstances could not excuse. I began a letter on the vexed question of Holy Communion v. Mattins as 'the principal service on the Lord's Day', but made little progress. Major has a letter in the Times suggesting as a possible compromise the amendment of the Enabling Bill by 'reserving' the main points of the Establishment. I am not sure that it is not somewhat premature to speak of compromise until the fate of the 2nd Reading has been decided.

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