The following are extracts from Agnes's exercise books written in copperplate English while she was at Rayne School

Composition 7.8.1907

I was born in the year 1894, in the village of Shalford.  This village is a small one and not noted for manufacture.  My parents are not very old.  We lived in Shalford about ten years.  From there we moved where we live now (Stamford Farm, Braintree Green).  My home is not near many houses as it is a farmhouse.  We have only a few relations living near us.  I have only one or two chief friends.  I help my parents by doing small things.

Shalford 10.07.1906

Shalford is a small village about five miles from Braintree.  The Parish Church is larger than that of Rayne.  In the village street there is a blacksmith's shop, a wheelwright's shop and a grocer shop and one small public house.  Most of the men are farm labourers as there is no railway or iron manufacture.  A few men work as carpenters.  The village school is a very small one.  One of the largest houses is Abbots Halls which is situated in a large meadow called a park.

The park has a long drive leading to the Hall.  In the park is a large pond and when the church Sunday School have their treat the children have a row in a boat round the pond.  The Agricultural (?Show) is held in the park one year and then the next year at Wethersfield.  If there was a railway the village might be more important and perhaps many more people would live there.  There is a small river called the Pant.  Most of the people who live at Shalford have lived there all their life.  Mr Marriott owns most of the land in Shalford, but he lets to farmers.  Mr Ling is the biggest farmer in the parish.

Letter 23.7.1907

Stamford Farm,
Braintree

Dear Bertha,
We had our yearly treat on the 17th of July.  We had to get at the Sunday School about quarter to two.  From there we marched to the church in twos.  We then marched down to the Rectory, which has a meadow in the front.  In this meadow five swings had been erected, and two see-saws.  Every class had one or more races.  We had our tea on the lawn.  During the evening there was dancing on the lawn.  The band was playing during the afternoon and evening.  When we came home the band played the National Anthem.  I enjoyed myself very much.
Love to all,
Your loving cousin,
Agnes

Rayne 6.04.1908

Rayne is a small village situated 2 miles west of Braintree.  It has one main street running through the centre.  A railway station has very much improved the village.  Nearly all the men are employed in agricultural work.  The foundry also gives employment to a good number of men who are making agricultural implements.  The chief places of interest are the church and chapel.  There are two grocer's shops, and one draper's and one butcher's shop.

Diary 09.04.1908

Sunday.	Started to Sunday School half past nine.  From there went to church.  Down (?to) the Rectory during afternoon.  Church in the evening.
Monday.	School all day.  Needlework in the evening.
Tuesday.	I went to school all day and played in the evening.
Wednesday.	School all day.  Fed the chickens when I got home and needlework in the evening.
Thursday.	After school I went for a walk.  Shut the chickens up afterwards.
Friday.	School all day and gathered flowers before tea.  After tea read a book and did some sewing.
Saturday.	I helped Mother in the morning.  It was raining in the afternoon, so I stayed indoors.

Boys 26.02.1908

Boys are very fond of games.  Most boys do not like work, they like us girls to do all the work.  Boys ought to try and help with little jobs at home and so lighten their parents' work.  If some boys were not well looked after they would be very untidy.  They would forget to clean their shoes and wash their faces.  A thoughtful boy would think of these little things.  Thoughtless boys forget manners and think themselves men if they do so.

A boy's life 4.6.1907

Some boys are very rough.  Boys generally have very rough games.  Boys do not like to play with girls as we do not care for their rough games.  Most boys are not very particular about being clean as they generally like to play with the dirt.  I think boys have a very easy life compared with girls.  Good boys try to help at home, but lazy boys like to leave the little things for girls to do.  When boys are little they are very mischievous and like to play in the dirtiest places.  Some boys like to come to school as they are very proud with themselves.  When boys leave school they are proud.  The boys who think a lot of themselves, after they have left school, go about thinking that they are men.  Kind boys when they grow up do all they can to help their parents, while some others are just the opposite.

Good Manners 22.5.1907

As to Themselves
Be Honest, Truthful and Pure.  Do not use Bad Language.  Keep out of Bad Company.
Keep your Face and Hands clean and your Clothes and Boots brushed and neat.
At Home
Help your Parents as much as you can and do your best to please them.
Be Kind to your Brothers and Sisters.
Do not be Selfish, but share all your Good Things.
At School
Be respectful to your Teachers and Help them as much as you can, their work is very difficult and trying.
Observe the School Rules.  Do not "Copy" nor cheat in any way.
Do not Cut the desks, nor Write in the Reading Books etc.
Never let another be Punished in mistake for yourself, this is cowardly and mean.

How to behave in the street 10.6.1907

Salute your Ministers, Teachers and Acquaintances when you meet them, then they will salute you in return.
Do not Push or Run against people.  Do not Chalk on doors, walls, nor gates.
Do not Throw Stones or Destroy Property.
Do not Annoy Shopkeepers by Loitering at their shop doors and windows.
Do not makes Slides on the pavement nor throw Orange Peel there; dangerous accidents often result from these practises.
Do not make fun of Old nor Crippled people.