TALBOT383

Bowden Park ¹
1 Sept^r

My dear Talbot

I have some idea that you are returned home; therefore as I am leaving home till Saturday I will mention to you on paper a subject for which I wish to ask your Attention, and upon which it is probable some conversation may take place on Saturday after a Meeting of the supporters of the school, which M^r Matthews ² has summoned for 2 o’Clock.

This subject relates to some Alterations in the Church –

1, You know how cold our Church is in the winter notwithstanding the unsightly Flues – I find that it w^d cost about 60£ to substitute for those an efficient stove on the same plan as at Melksham ³ and many other churches, which have been erected by Mess^rs Haden ⁴ of Trowbridge.

2. The Roof – We have here famous oak Ribs – wanting only some thin Boarding let in between each, to make a handsome piece of work: by means of which the cost of Fuel in warming the Church w^d be materially diminished –

3. A new arrangement of the Pews, to make those in the two Aisles & South Transept correspond with the Free seats, by which much room might be gained.

You will naturally ask me, what business it is of mine: to excuse myself for seeming to intrude, I must plead, that M^r Bowerbank ⁵ asked me last April to allow him to name me Vicar’s Churchwarden for this year: and so some of the Parishioners who have long been wanting one or other of these Alterations have considered themselves justified by my office, to speak to me about them; and when we came from London 2 months ago, I was pressed to lay the Business before the Parish – but all agreed to wait for your Return, and consult you first –

Accordingly I now should be very glad of half an hour’s conversation with you, if you can give it me, when I could shew you on the spot, what my notions are; you can see how far, if at all, you approve of them; and if you give your sanction to any part, I should like that to be submitted to the Parish at once –

Should you be at home on Saturday next between 12 & 1 o’clock. The school Meeting is at 2 – I could stop at your door on my way home from Westonbirt – Will you be so kind as to give me a line directed to me at

R. L. Holford’s Esq
Westonbirt
Tetbury

Believe me dear Talbot yours vy sincerely
T H S Sotheron