The organist librarian

For thousands of years, men have tried to understand the rules when dealing with women. Finally, this merit / demerit guide will help you to understand just how it works. Remember, in the world of romance, one single rule applies: Make the woman happy. Do something she likes, and you get points. Do something she dislikes and points are subtracted. You don't get any points for doing something she expects. Sorry, that's the way the game is played. Here is a guide to the points system: SIMPLE DUTIES You make the bed..............................................+ 1 You make the bed, but forget to add the decorative pillows....-1 You throw the bedspread over rumpled sheets...................-1 You leave the toilet seat up..................................-5 You replace the toilet paper roll when it is empty............ 0 When the toilet paper roll is barren, you resort to Kleenex...-1 When the Kleenex runs out you use the next bathroom...........-2 You go out to buy her extra-light ...

Another flood at work this morning. I reported last week that there was a small lake on the roof. Nobody came to clear the gullies of leaves and debris so the water must have seeped through and soaked 2 ceiling tiles, one of which fell apart. I got on the roof and as on this day I was wearing shoes and not sandals waded to the gully and cleared it so that the water ran away with a satisfying gurgle! The study room is still unusable. It seems that schools in Wandsworth got priority even though they are closed! To tai chi and there were 11 there! Watched the prom on BBC4 but fell asleep during Esa Pekka Salonen's piano concerto which seemed to just be very fast notes rushing about and going nowhere! The Berlioz Romeo and Juliet was much more enjoyable. Then watched Channel 5's programme on Diana the last days which I thought sensitive and interesting and matched the book I just read. The film "The Queen" brought home the tragedy for all of us of her death 10 years ago. ...

Friday evening I got the train to Coulsdon South where Liz picked me up and we drove to Brighton. She had had a busy time when she found some bugs had eaten away the carpet under one of our sofas! The Grace and Compassion sisters have 4 different addresses in Brighton and eventually we found the right one in pouring rain - St Benedict's in Kemp Town. A delightful house with every comfort including en suite and TV in the room. As we missed supper we went into town and ate fish and chips at Harry Ramsden's. This proved an ideal quiet retreat with morning and evening prayer in the lovely chapel and daily Mass,excellent food and a warm welcome and good company. We sat at table with a delightful elderly Sister from Ireland visiting her dying sister-in-law in hospital and today we met Fr Carl from Hove. Saturday we set off to try and find an organ recital in Herne Rd but abandoned it and went on to English Martyrs, Goring-on-Sea with its remarkable copy of the Sistine chapel ceiling....

Simple village organist has a feature on this fine man and Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi has written about him in Oremus the Cathedral magazine which is always worth buying. There will be a service to remember him on Thursday August 9th in the crypt as part of Nagasaki day.

Liz to hospital to help Mum come home - diverticulitis was the cause. Liz stayed over night with her. I went to Coulsdon to discuss hymns up to the end of September with Vickie. It was one of those days for missing trains and buses so i was late at St Michael's for Ian Harrison's recital. He is director of music at St Stephen's Bournemouth so played Whitlock, Mendelssohn Sonata No 2 and part of the Elgar sonata. Most enjoyable. Lit candles for Mum, Dad, Grandma and Padrerob! To Westminster Cathedral for Martin Baker's recital. Saw Andrew Cessana there and Ian. A splendid evening and a good audience! Beethoven Coriolan overture really worked well with reed stabbing sounds and gentler second theme. I cna do without Jean Guillou - I am not a fan! Liszt Fantasia on "Ad nos" was beautifully played. Then we had 3 tangos by Guy Bovet - the first illustrating a cat most charmingly. The finale was the March and Galop from "The Bartered bride" taken at a furio...

Liz served at the funeral Mass for Helene La Rue. I had to stay at work due to staff shortages. Fr Peter celebrated the Mass and lots of old friends were there. I played for Jo La Rue's funeral. She loved music and danced in "Job" for Vaughan Williams. She knew Dom Gregory Murray and Holst. Helene looked after the Bate collection of musical instruments in Oxford and was a kind and delightful host when I sang in the concerts at the Sheldonian. She helped so much with the organ tours as she knew all the organ scholars. Lunch with her at St Cross College was a delight. I shall miss her so much. She sang in the choir every Sunday and played the organ when needed. She stood in for Easter Vigil for me at Addiscombe when I had my knee op. The set psalm today was "Horse and rider he has thrown into the sea!" as for the Vigil. She was only 55. May she rest in peace. I will go to the memorial service in Oxford.I am so pleased to have found these photos of her from the fir...

Canon John Flaherty administrator of St Mary's pro-cathedral Dublin recognised us at the Worth abbey concert and greeted me as the crucifer and Liz as "Our Lady of Westminster"! To Beckenham circle last night which was the Provincial President's visit. Complimented brother Mick on Sunday.A new brother enrolled and deacon Duncan became a joint member. Had a Guinness and a sandwich and headed home as I was tired. Tai chi was good today - we did the whole exercise with all the moves. Will I remember it all? Very wet again and floods in Gloucestershire, Severn, Avon and Thames areas.

Liz visited her Mum awaiting another procedure. No choir at Coulsdon so Vicky and Teresa acted as cantors for the Peter Jones Gloria. They hit top G twice and all was well. We celebrated Mary Magdalene with "Love's redeeeming work is done" and "Thine be the glory". I should have played "I know that my redeemer liveth" - ah well Eric Smith's meditations, Gordon Slater's "Easter Alleluya" and a Stanley Trumpet tune went well. I drove straight to Aylesford and arrived in good time for the Provincial president's Mass. Very good turnout of Catenians filling the relic chapel. Fr Jeff Cridland gave a good homily on the importance of such organisations in the church. Ann Shufflebottom did her best on the dreadful organ (she tells me she offered them money for a new organ and they turned it down!). Good to see Canon Bill Clements again. Anderson Gloria and Credo 3 got very slow. Drinks and picnic with the Cartons and Almeidas with wine and...

The carpet in the studyroom at work is beginning to smell and there is evidence of water haviong seeped through the brick walls into the corridor and adult library. The tap in the kitchen would not turn off so I called a plumber ansd switched off the stopcock putting the loos out of order for an hour. The reading group was great fun with lively discussion about "A Chinese-English dictionary for lovers". Most people liked the book. At lunchtime to Battersea Park bandstand to hear the South London concert band play songs from the shows in the rain! At Mass tonight Philip, George and Brian got their server's medals at last. The Palestrina choir of St Mary's pro-cathedral Dublin sang superbly. Flor Peeters Missa Josephi and Mawby's Ave verum. On the way home we listened to the Prom - Faure Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine. I saw Fr Seed after Mass and complimented him on his extraordinary autobiography "Nobody's child". At last I am getting to the hap...

Friday 40 lengths as usual (and not in the nude Graeme!) Terrific thunderstorm at lunchtime - the heavens were black. Rain poured into the study room and eventually the light fitting fell down. Water everywhere. Once the rain stopped I got on the roof to find a lake and gullies blocked. I managed to clear enough to stop the flood into the building. Carpet very wet seems to be the only problem but the ceiling may be waterlogged. Nobody came to clear the other gullies and get rid of the lake as there were problems all over Wandsworth with 2 libraries closed with flooded basements. To the pub to find it closed so we went to Flanagans opposite Battersea Dogs and cats home where I enjoyed a Guinness. Phillip and Kasmyn did not appear - it was their leaving do! Phillip actually at Liverpool University! Herbert-Jan (from Holland) who we now call Eric arrived so we got the bus to the Albert Hall and prommed. BBC National orchestra of Wales conducted by the inspiring Thierry Fischer form Switze...

My "day off" was a busy one. Visited Grandma (89 next month) in Mayday hospital and she is still waiting for news. To St Michael's for recital by Paul Stubbings of Ramsgate. He alternated Nicholas Choveuax with Karg-Elert's Triptych which was effective. To British Library where 13 of us were given a tour of "Sacred" exhibition by Simon. Delighted by the turnout and comments and photos were taken for Oremus the Cathedral's excellent magazine! Nice cup of tea on the piazza and discovered the Proms exhibition had closed. To Guys hospital to see Roger Snewin 70 year old organist and former head teacher. Richard Riley and Mario Pinto were there. We had to wear aprons and gloves as he has lung cancer and crushed spine so cannot walk. He is so cheerful despite it all! Home to listen to splendid Bruckner 7 from the Proms conducted by Kurt Masur on his 80th birthday! Today Thursday forgot my towel and swim stuff so found out when I got to Sainsbury's so my sw...

At lunchtime to the bandstand in Battersea Park where 2 pop groups from John Paul II school entertained us. The Mayor was there and we dodged the showers. I was impressed at the young men singing so well. To Westminster Interfaith network meeting organised by Westminster City council at the lovely Victorian New London Synagogue, Abbey Road, St John's Wood. The Rabbi welcomed us and we were given a talk about the building. The subject was the body and health and we had Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Bahai and Buddhist perspectives. Alas time ran out precluding discussion but I did chat to my friend Woolf van Silver (representing Somali community) and met Terry who teaches economics at Oratory school and some folk from St James Spanish place. One of the nuns asked if I am a priest - she didn't see the wedding ring? They liked my wooden Bethlehem cross from Pax Christi. Fr Terry Phipps gave a good exposition on the incarnational aspects of our faith. The eats were good and the ...

At tai chi Jeff gave us some useful exercise and meditation tips. When asked to think of a happy time I am immediately on the beach in Sydney with Ann massaging my back! Or at Narrabeen tracing our footsteps in the sand! Kevin Ingram organised a fun darts night for 7 Catenians. I was amazed to find I hit the board most of the time as I was hopeless at school. A couple of beers and sandwiches and all were happy! Kevin won the bottle of wine!

Saturday lunchhour to Doddington west residents association garden party and Herbert from Holland came along too. Lots to eat but not many there! The BaseD garden is lovely. Louise visited Grandma and had a wedding dress fitting. Saturday evening's Mass was celebrated by Fr Tim assisted by Deacon Edward. On the way home we listened to the British film music Prom. Sunday we sang Bairstow in E flat and Wesley's "Lead me Lord" with a small choir. When I got to the piano there was no sign of Generations so Rose went to Sunday school to alert them. They sang Bernadette Farrell's lovely "You have called us by our name" and "O happy day" at the end. As Ellie was not there I had to play and be soloist and I got lost at one point! I will see Miko who arranged it for us on Friday! The bride has chosen the rest of the music for Aug 16th. I visited Grandma in hospital and Liz went this afternoon. At St John's evensong we sang Stanford in C and Brahms...

What a great concert! Jiri Belohlavek proved to be an inspiring conductor directing Beethoven 9 without the score. Walton Portsmouth Point overture got the season off to a rousing start and Paul Watkin played the Elgar Cello concerto with great feeling. How he perspired as one could see on the HDD recording when I got home. I was on a lot being right behind the trombones and between Andrew and Gerald both much taller than me! I saw Peter in the Prom queue and had a long chat, also John East gave me a wave from the choir. Wasn't impressed by the soprano but Rene Pape was commanding! Enjoyed the sunshine in the park - it was a pleasant evening. On the bus met a nice man who plays in an amateur orchestra and really enjoyed the performance. Like me he met his wife through music making! Liz picked me up at East Croydon so I was home by 11 p.m.

Yesterday Tim Harper looked at me quizzically and said he wasn't sure who I was. I reminded him that 2 years ago he helped me to organise the Cambridge visit of the organists association! Ian Linden told a story of hearing an Ayatollah in Teheran speak of his reception in Rome. the interpreter said that he had met a Rock singer. Of course he meant Ratzinger! It was good to talk to Angela again this morning and she gave some useful advice about the road ahead with the wedding and an understaffed library! I have actually seen Joe Bloggs famous Catholic blogger - see my comment on the Pueri Cantores from Poland on his blog.

Tuesday to the final lunchtime talk on Hinduism - this time about festivals. I gave out details of our visit next week to the Sacred exhibition. Monday night was organists association committee and Tuesday Catenian council at Gerry's. Wed a.m. to see Grandma and met Sr Sheila in the corridor. To organ recital by Tim Harper at St Michael's and had coffee and a bun with Adrian and Terence. Tim played well and Chris Moore sorted out the cipher. Marion his Mum turned over for him. She too is a talented player like Norman his Dad. Tim was at Clare college, Cambridge and now goes to Canterbury Cathedral as organ scholar. To Guy's to see Roger Snewin who has lung and spine cancer. Alas the doctors were with him so I left a note and card for him To the Hinsley Room for Catholic Bishops conference meeting with Muslims. Good turnout and the Archbishop of Liverpool spoke well. He was followed by Ian Linden, Alfred Agius and Fr Michael O'Boy. I would have liked to stay for the eats...

I hope to sing in Beethoven's 9th symphony on Friday July 13th and it should be on TV! It's on BBC2 from 8 to 10.30 p.m. I was at rehearsal Wed at Maida Vale and tonight Thursday) at the Albert Hall. I am sitting directly behind the trombones in the front row.

I have finished reading "House of stone" by Christina Lamb which is a deeply moving account of the troubles of that beautiful land. It is particularly good on the motivations of the different characters involved in farm seizures.

Our weather has been so miserable is was great to have some sunshine today and I even managed some time sitting in the garden which is looking particularly lovely at the moment after all the rain! Liz reports that James MacMillan's music was sung at the cathedral. At Coulsdon we were celebrating Music Sunday. We sang Stanford in C and F which has a beautiful Agnus Dei. The anthem was "How goodly are thy tents" by Ouseley. There wasn't time after the communion anthem to sing "When in our music God is glorified" to Stanford's "Engelberg". I played Parry on "Rockingham" and Willan on "Darwall's 148th" - both fine voluntaries. After a Generations rehearsal there was sherry in the hall to celebrate Linda Williams' forthcoming ordination and departure. Her preaching is much more confident and she tells me she knows the churches I visited yesterday! The Tour de France went through that part of Kent today and we saw some of ...

Grandma still giving cause for concern and Liz, Tom and Louise visited her today. David and Sheila Dibbs gave me a lift in their jeep to the East Malling. Excellent lunch at the King and Queen pub and the we played the blue and gold organ in St James, East Malling. Someone suggested the blues! The only other blue organ case I know is in Hendon Parish church. Then to St John the Baptist, Wateringbury - an unattractive interior but a good organ in the west gallery. Mendelssohn was played by several of us! Final stop St Peter and St Paul, Teston. A lovely sunny afternoon and the area gearing up for the Tour de France tomorrow. This last organ had stops not working well and out of tune but a nice sound. David gave Martin Ball and I a lift to Bromley and we got a train to Victoris quickly. I was at Vespers and Fr Slav was the celebrant. I was thurifer. The Polish Pueri cantores choir were excellent and even sang Elgar's "Ave verum". Came on the train with Mark. The 4 catechist...

Congratulations to deacon Peter Simpson on the 10th anniversary of his ordination. See Chapel of the resurrection for some fine thoughts and photos! I served at Mass this evening and Mgr Mark congratulated Peter. He preached a fine homily on the sacrifice of Abraham. When I was waiting for the bus to go to chorus, a lady said "Is he going to become a priest?" Why can't people accept deacons as permanently in that state? I was late for chorus - Beethoven 9 again from memory for the first night of the Proms on the 13th. The men are to be in black shirts again, no ties and jackets - I hate that! Robert finished early. Liz did not come as Mum wasn't feeling good. This morning I only swam 18 lengths as had to be at St Mark's centre, Battersea for 8am breakfast meeting where we saw presentations about plans for Clapham Junction and the traffic around it. Very interesting and at last there will be disabled access to the station!

Sarah gave us a splendid meditation on Finding Christ in the Gospel. Taking the 99 names of Allah she produced a much longer list of names for Jesus! We chose a picture and were able to draw our own picture. I chose Leonardo and icon of the Last supper and worked on St Teresa of Avila's "Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet but yours. Yours are the feet with which he walks, yours are the eyes with which he sees, Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world" and linked this to "I am the Bread of Life". My picture featured hands, bread, chalice, feet and eyes. A most useful exercise. Served at Mass and then to Jean Guillou's much heralded recital in the cathedral. I applaud his virtuosity and imagination and John East enjoyed it but I preferred last Sunday's music. Hyperion is a work about fire by Guillou. Many fiery effects but too loud and too long. The Vierne Symphony No.2 was again lots of reeds and my tinnitus didn't help...

To Norwood Circle meeting and a better turnout. Alvaro kindly gave me a lift home. Little David play on your harp i.e. Fr David Connor is to succeeed Canon Devane at ST Matthew's, West Norwood! Saw him at the Marty Haugen evening. Lyn Callan was pleased to be mentioned on this blog! And so he should be and Rosemary too! Tuesday to see Grandma after work. Monday evening had to throw kids out of library for being so rude. Tuesday a man very rude to a group and a woman hit him! Where will it all end?

Psalm 77 - very suitable - much about thunder and lightning - our weather has remained damp and stormy - typical Wimbledon fortnight! We are told summer will be on one day 11 July. Did it rain on St Swithin's day? I had a busy time as I had to play and sing tenor. The setting was Noble in A which quotes the bells in Parsifal and David Ogden's "Christ has no body now but yours" was the communion anthem. We began with Angel voices ever singing for Karen's birthday - another favourite of mine. "Craftsman's art and music's measure for Thy pleasure all combine". I played the Widor Toccata (one bad page turn)and several people remarked it especially the Denleys who had just had their wedding anniversary and requested it last year. I went to see Grandma in hospital and she was quite chirpy. Liz came home to make lunch and went with Louise to see her. I served at Vespers at the cathedral. Stunning Bairstow "Blessed city" and brilliant improvisa...

Practised Widor Toccata for Sunday - as Michael Fleming would have said "Too many notes!" At choir practice covered most of the music for July including Walmisley in D minor. Library quiet on Saturday so doing the boring stocktake shelf check. Liz's Mum taken into hospital for checks - had a fall and face is bruised. Liz wasn't able to go and help with registering for Canterbury bike ride today. On bus I went to Vespers and Mass as usual. Amici Choro singing Palestrina - seemed a bit lacklustre? Dedication of the Cathedral. Paul Moynihan got me to do thurifer - only the 3rd time and I managed better. Philip was 10 today - he went off to the choir stalls instead of bringing the incense boat at one point! Miserable wet day - Wimbledon is on. Watched a bit of "50 years of Dame Edna Everage" - K.D.Laing got the giggles! Heard the end of "Death in Venice" with Ian Bostridge. Louise here overnight.