TUESDAY 3rd JANUARY 1888

Bright sunny day but it is frosty. Out nearly all day on dad's business. Paying Tithes at Royal Oak, seeing Poultneys called on Payne who is confined to his bedroom with a cold.

This evening I went with Fanny Yates to a social meeting at the Wesleyan Schoolroom, it has been the old folkes tea party today, both father and mother had invitations but did not go. Father is still ill in bed.

At the meeting Mr. Blagg spoke well and then Mr. S. Allen. Mr. Allen said his father said on his death bed, "William, thank God I am not leaving you one penny but what has been honestly earned".

Mr. Rev Buckley Yates was there too, it appears that he originated these meetings 5 years ago - it is for people over 60 years old and widows also.

The room was crammed as the doors are thrown open to all in the evening, but the heat was great, there is no ventilation.

I heard Mrs Backening(?), not bad at all.

Notes:
1) Fanny Yates was John's niece, daughter of his sister Sarah Ann and John Yates. She would have been about 19 at this time.
2) William Shepherd Allen M.A. J.P. 1831-1915. He bought Woodhead Hall in 1841 and got an M.A. from Oxford in 1857 (source Edwardian and Great War Cheadle book)
3) Charles John Blagg 1832-1915. A solicitor who lived at Greenhill House (source Edwardian and Great War Cheadle book).