The organist librarian

Here is the pile of hat boxes and the very special candle for the church!

Here I am with Ann outside the library and with Zia in the adult. Calix is doing a great job leading rhyme time!

I went to visit Grandma and she had at last had the scan on her leg. A blood clot had been found so she was on new injections to thin her blood. Dennis and AnnMarie came from Harlow and Dennis had a meeting with the whole team about the nursing and medical care so at last something is happening. I went round to Sharon's to take the cheque and she was busy working on the stunning flowers. Did various odd jobs -cleaning shoes, ironing while Liz was the hospital. Also listened to 2 proms on HDD - Concertgebouw playing Debussy and Wagner sublimely under Haitink and the Martinu piano concerto No. 4. Liz went with Ann to collect the cake and take the decorations to the Roehampton club. I went to hear Dame Gillian Weir at the cathedral. De Grigny, Vierne and a splendid Toccata, Fugue and hymn on "Ave maris stella" by Flor Peeters. The Reubke sonata was the most familiar piece and the highlight. Peter Eben's Moto ostinato and Finale seems pretty pointless even though "...

Swam 30 lengths. Took Ann to the library and went on to Louise and Tom's for an excellent lunch. We did the wedding service booklets. Then Liz came home and Tom went swimming. Louise, Ann and I went by tube and DLR to Canary Wharf to visit Bruce at the Evans cycle shop. He had safely ridden home from Bath. We really enjoyed "The Merchant of Venice" at the Globe. We had excellent seats and all acted so well. The programme is enlightening on the problem aspects of the play which I know very well as I studied it for matric and acted in it too! Here are Louise and Tom opening Ann's lovely present from Tasmania made of sassefras wood and Ann's photo of the Globe stage.

We enjoyed the Saturday evening recital on the Klais organ of Bath Abbey by Mark Swinton. Mark is assistant at the abbey and comes from Chester. He studied at the University of York and had lessons with John Scott Whiteley and Francis Jackson. We were able to watch him on the big screen and he introduced all the items. He began with a transcription of the Marriage of Figaro overture taken at a furious pace. Then a selection of Walton from Henry V and the glorious "Crown Imperial". Next the Scherzo in A flat by Bairstow which is almost cinema organ music! Malcolm Archer's "Bluesleeves" (Gershwin meets Henry VIII) and English country gardens in the style of Bach had us all smiling. Bizet's Caprice ws written for harmonium and was followed by Dad's favourite Tuba Tune by Norman Cocker. He was mentioned as a cathedral organist who also played in the cinema - apparently Nigel Perrin (?) also does this? Pietro Yon's Humoresque for one flute is a delight. T...

A wonderful weekend in Bath enjoying the end of the Royal School of Church Music course which Bruce has attended for 15 years. He startled us by singing a solo in the Gibbons 2nd service Magnificat and making a speech at the final assembly! What a fine line up of singers 160 in all. We attended the mattins and evensongs in the Abbey and the delightful concert on Friday evening. The accommodation at the YMCA was basic but OK (my bed was not that comfortable and there was noise in the night from stag and hen parties outside and seagulls in the early morning but we would have experienced the same at the Hilton!). A good full breakfast for £1.95! I bought a fine new panama hat at the hat shop. We enjoyed sitting in Victoria Park and eating ice creams in the Royal parade gardens and the sun shone after long weeks of rainy London. Ann joined us on Sunday afternoon and cried at evensong. Dad's presence was very much with us both with his favourite Howells, Bairstow organ music and "S...

A stunning production full of life and colour and much enhanced by the Philharmonia Orchestra's playing. Andrew Clarke who was a chorister at St George's RC cathedral was an outstanding tenor and the cast are all excellent. I have always loved Bizet's score. Sometimes it was hard to pick out the words but the sheer drama of it all made up for that! Thank you Lyn and Rosemary for a delightful evening and it was nice to meet your croquet playing friend Ann. On the way there I met a man who comes to the library and Mansel the orchestra's personnel manager! Martin Clunes the TV actor was sitting near us! The ladies returned at midnight from their tapas bar outing and I picked them up. 21 went and had a great time. AnnMarie was very happy! Louise very excited to see her auntie Ann again!

Had a lazy relaxing day. Swam 40 lengths, Ann did 30 and Liz less than that! Watched DVD of Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire which Tom lent me and the Bartok Duke Bluebeard's castle and Beethoven 9 from the Proms which were both great! I finished reading the Catholic Bishops conference booklet "The Gift of Scripture". Tonight the ladies go to Covent Garden for their outing to a pub and tapas bar and I am going with Lyn and Rosemary to see "Carmen Jones" at the Festival Hall. Tomorrow we go to Bath to see Bruce at the RSCM course and Ann goes to her friends in Reading and will join us in Bath on Sunday. We all return Monday. Liz went to see Grandma. Louise, Ann, Liz and AnnMarie at the tapas bar!

Tuesday last day at work before holidays so did lots of clearing up and preparations to make Calix's life as easy as possible. Arrived early at Chiswick for the wedding rehearsal. Lyn and Rosemary came too. Nice to meet Mark the best man. Fr Jim very friendly. I acted as the celebrant and took them through the vows and we worked out where everyone will stand. The church is lovely and it was very touching listening to them. They clearly love each other very much! We went to the local pub for a Guinness and I had steak and Guinness pie. Louise has everything organised. We dropped them off and stayed at the Travelodge on the M4. This was fine but on the wrong side of the road so we had to return to the Chiswick roundabout in the morning to get to Heathrow! We rose at 5.45 but in fact Ann's flight was early so she was waiting for us! Lovely to see her again and we drove home via Josie's! Skyped Paul. Listened and recorded Mum's tapes about her life. Watched the Salonen prom...

Funny how a tune sticks in the brain. On Sunday we sang "Beauty for brokenness" by local Croydon composer Graham Kendrick. It has excellent words and a pleasant tune. DO you know it Ed? The refrain is God of the poor, friend of the weak, give us compassion we pray; melt our cold hearts, let tears fall like rain; come, change our love from a spark to a flame. Of course it fitted Sunday's gospel about lighting a fire on earth. It's much better than the ubiquitous "Shine, Jesus shine"! Verse 4 talks about the ravaged earth, plundered and poisoned - how appropriate! Today is my last day at work for a fortnight and Ann arrives tomorrow from Sydney - hurrah!

All is going smoothly and I did some more work on the corrections to the wedding booklet today. Louise found a lovely introduction to the lighting of the wedding candles. Went to tai chi at 2 p.m. and we practised stepping slowly. The first day without a children's librarian was quite quiet. To Bromley Catenian circle meeting - have not been there for some time. It is held in the Grand Hall of the Civic Centre and the bar ends up with visitors at one end and the Bromley brothers at the other end. I won a bottle of Cotes du rhone on the raffle and have copies of the provincial cook book to sell.

More photos!

Here I am playing the piano last Christmas which is something I do not do often enough!

Dennis and AnnMarie enjoying Christmas!

Morning service went OK and I practised. I had a long chat to Barry Stronge -his wife has goine into a care home. Visited Grandma and took Louise to the station. Dropped off wedding music at Adrian's and sent out the music list. Evensong was from St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh. Wrote provincial councillor's report. Watched on BBC4 an amazing prom by the Simon Bolivar youth orchestra of Venezuela. Shostakovich 10, Bernstein and Latin American dances played with such gusto and intensity. Most impressed by the 26 year old conductor who spoke of humility!

Thanks to Wounded Bird here for linking to Fr Jake and there are some excellent comments! Read the excellent sermon about unity by the Anglican Archbishop of Armagh link to here .

Long chat to Ann and Paul on Skype. Louise was here and finalised the wedding booklet. One of the Rutter anthems has changed back from "The Lord bless you and keep you" to "For the beauty of the earth". She also helped Liz with her CV and covering letter. To Coulsdon for the wedding. We had a good choir and I was grateful to Christian Strouver coming to sing tenor, although having such a fine organist in the choir made me a little nervous which is unusual for me. However this bride has given me too much grief! Never allow a bride to come to a choir practice! On the day I find that not only has "O happy day" been pulled but that there is no Celtic Alleluia and no Gospel! "The owl and the pussycat" is hardly material for a wedding sermon. Frankly it's naff to use it as a reading at a church wedding. Good to see the former vicar Martin Goodlad again and quite a few of the parish worthies were there. We sang a choral version of Schubert's ...

Thanks to eric this for this quiz on Anglican liturgical gestures. here St Bede's Epicopal church, Forest Grove, Oregon has an excellent guide to gestures. BOWING - Simple Bow [x] At the name of Jesus [x] Toward the processional/recessional cross [ ] Toward the Gospel book during the processional [] Toward the priest during the pro/recessional [x] When approaching or leaving the altar [x] At the Gloria Patri BOWING - Profound Bow or Genuflection [x] When entering/leaving a pew [x] During the Nicene Creed at the Incarnatus. (From "he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man," through "he suffered death and was buried.") [] At the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy Lord) [] After the words of institution ("that it may become for us the body/blood of your Son...") SIGN OF THE CROSS+ [x] Up, down, left, right (RC) [] Up, down, left, right, heart (Anglican) [ ] Up, down, right, left, heart (Orthodox) [] At every mention of "Father, Son and Hol...

Doris did us proud with a lovely handmade card to accompany the theatre tokens, fan and binoculars (made from toilet rolls). Children brought in cards, sweets and flowers for Jo. It was great to see David, Shaun, Phillip, Heather and several children's librarians at the Lighthouse pub for the farewell. Jo has been an outstanding children's librarian and deputy and we will all miss her. She is going to work at the library of the University of the Fine Arts. David had photos of his son and Sophie told us about her forthcoming daughter! Jo's boyfriend Stu came too. Had very nice roasted peppers. My bitter was undrinkable so had white wine spritzer instead! Fell asleep watching the third BBC Ganges programme which I recorded.

46 lengths in 46 minutes - my best effort so far! Yesterday evening I produced the draft September music list for St Andrew's Coulsdon. It's an unusual month with a 40th wedding anniversary and 2 ordinations. To mark the first anniversary of Mum and Dad and Ann's visit I am playing some of Dad's music. His "Lullaby for Claire" quotes the wedding march he wrote for Ann and Paul when they were married in St David's cathedral, Hobart. We were there for that wonderful wedding and I acted as MC singing the introductions to Anglican chant!

Chaired 2 staff meetings this afternoon. Went to the Police Queenstown ward meeting at All Saints church and progress is good. Sgt David Cook has really had an impact. Listened to Walton's Symphony No 1, MacMillan's Veni, veni emmanuel and Lutoslawski's Chantefleurs and Chantefables. I just turned off Birtwistle's Panic!

The weather today was mixed -some rain and wind! Spoke to Ann and Paul on Skype. Ann will be here next Wednesday!The dentist did me proud - giving me 2 fillings for the price of 1! I was late as Liz had left the car but gone off with the car keys. I also had to go back as I had left my spectacles behind! It was decided that Grandma had cystitis and she should stay in Mayday a little longer! I went through lots of magazines throwing out ones I have read or will never get to read including Catena, Music and Liturgy, Laudate, PMM magazine, Church Music Quarterly, Choir and Organ, etc. I also deleted a large number of items on the HDD which again I do not have time to watch. The 5.30 mass at the cathedral was celebrated by Bishop Bernard Longley who sings so well and is so friendly. I was consecration torch with some girls from St Mary's. Wantage. They missed the Alton Towers day but I can't see that serving at the cathedral is as much fun as Oblivion, etc! Mgr Mark and Fr Christo...

The hymn we sang at the Pax Christi service in the crypt had words by Jaegerstatter arranged by Martin Winklbauer. Rather a nice tune in E minor. You call me in the darkness of this time. I come to you with ready heart and mind. But the way to the source flows against the stream.(repeat) 1. Neither prison nor death cut me off from God's Love: That is the faith that leads me on.(repeat)You call me.. 2. If error o'erwhelms me You take me by the hand. That is the faith that strengthens me (repeat)You call me.. 3. Forgive one another -Come what may This is the love that bears me up (repeat).You call me.. And here is the text I was asked to read; Franz Jaegerstatter speaks: "These few words are being set down here as they come from my mind and heart. And if I must write them with my hands in chains, I find that much better than if my will were in chains. Neither prison nor chains nor sentence of death can rob a man of the faith and his free will. God gives me so much strength t...

Monday to Battersea Park for a walk and passing Carter's steam fair with carousel. Went to branch development team meeting and had a moan about lack of staff. To the hospital after work to see Grandma and Mary Joyce. The prom was on BBC4 - interesting arrangement of Brahms Piano quintet by Schoenberg played by the Frankfurt Radio orchestra (Proms debut). Today was miserable and wet. I swam 42 lengths! The prom was again on BBC4 - Petrushka, Bernstein On the Town dances.BBC Scottish conducted by Robert Spada making his Proms debut. The Morton Rogers trip joined the orchestra to improvise Rhapsody in Blue. Not quite to my taste at times. It was full! Aren't audiences strange! When I was 14 Stravinsky visited Johannesburg on his way to the Kruger National Park. Robert Craft conducted all the concerts. Mum and Dad were invited to a civic reception as Dad was acting as mayoral organist that year! I went instead of Dad and was appalled at the way the great composer was treated. A lar...

Your Inner European is Italian! Passionate and colorful. You show the world what culture really is. Who's Your Inner European? Well that's OK by me - I know I need to go back to bed!

padrerob A priest's musings on the journey has a lovely youtube about 100 paper cranes for peace and a link to How to knit a thurible. Thanks Rob - sorry to hear you are in 100 degrees heat in USA. Rob also has a hilarious benediction dance - see my comments about that on his site!

You're Columbia University! Somewhat rough and tumble, you're looking for the lion's share of whatever you can get your hands on. You feel utterly surrounded by chaos and noise, but at the same time have access to a good deal of culture and influence. In this chaotic setting, you attempt to be a bastion of relative calm. You adore staircases and once expressed a desire to paint your roof green. Take the University Quiz at the Blue Pyramid . Well that's nice to know but of course I am not American! I am proud to be English!

You're the United Nations! Most people think you're ineffective, but you are trying to completely save the world from itself, so there's always going to be a long way to go.  You're always the one trying to get friends to talk to each other, enemies to talk to each other, anyone who can to just talk instead of beating each other about the head and torso.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, and you get very schizophrenic as a result.  But your heart is in the right place, and sometimes also in New York. Take the Country Quiz at the Blue Pyramid Thanks Simple village organist!

I did the ironing listening to the last act of Gotterdammerung - much singing along to the big Siegfried themes but alas I dropped off for the final bit which I love. After all that music the great love theme at the end comes soaring through. Earlier in the evening it was good to talk to Graeme in Glasgow on Skype.Result of this I woke at 1 a.m. and must now try and get some sleep! I read the Pax Cristi booklet about Franz Jaegerstatter - a truly amazing man and very human! Liz's Mum rang to say she had seen the doctor after Liz left and it's now thought the bleeding is coming from the bladder.I sent off the cathedral interfaith network news by email covering Sept to March.

2 baptisms at St Andrew's - both older boys who grabbed the mike! The music was straightforward "Guide me O thou great Redeemer" "Spirit of faithfulness" (to Blow the wind southerly - shades of Kathleen Ferrier) "Just as I am" (to "Saffron Walden") and "Colours of day" (not a favourite of mine - very suitable for cremations - so light up the fire and let the flames burn. What does the line about the sun dying mean?) The setting was the Hurdy-gurdy one by Norman Warren with the Agnus sung to "Caswall". I played Nobilmente and Toccata by Dom Andrew Moore and at a communion a plainchant based piece on "O sacrum convivium" by John Lee and a Stanley slow movement. Afterwards spent time rehearsing "O happy day" with the children and some adults for the wedding. After all this work the bride has cold feet and we are not singing it after all! Still it gives more time to rehearse the other pieces on Saturday! Vi...

I have been enjoying picnic lunches in Battersea Park. I have a favourite bench near the tropical garden where people sun themselves and one can enjoy the flowers and greet people. I saw my Buddhist friend today - she was away for the Nagasaki day ceremony. Saturday Louise rang to say Grandma had gone back into Mayday hospital with diverticulitis. They had bought her outfit for the wedding today. I served at mass and added her name (Violet George) to the prayer list.I reached the hospital just as she went up to the ward after 4 hours in casualty. It is only a week since she came home from there. In the ward is Mary Joyce who used to go to Addiscombe! Her fridge broke down last night and Liz has been painting the garage doors in the fine weather and clearing up at home. The Prom tonight was on TV so I recorded it. Colin Davis conducting the European Youth orchestra in Brahms 3 and Sibelius 5 - very fine. A good programme on British cinema followed but I dropped off!

After work to the crypt for an ecumenical service commemorating the execution of Franz Jaegerstatter in 1943. he is to be beatified a martyr for peace in Austria later this year and Pax Christi organised the service which is held annually. Pat was her usual friendly self and asked me to do a reading. The music was excellent - recorder solo, soprano and 2 guitars. We sang Taize, Jaegerstatter's hymn and We will put one foot in front of another in the path of peace" which I rather liked. Then we walked to the Peace Pagoda in Battersea park. I met Bruce Kent who greeted our Bruce when he was born with a card - Liz knew him when he was a priest in Kensington. He is now married and a tireless CND campaigner. The Buddhist monks led the procession and sang at the pagoda while incense was offered. There were various speeches and songs and it all went on rather long till finally the lighted lanterns were put on the river and they floated upstream to the beautiful Albert Bridge. It was...

A very early start but we were able to park at the cathedral. Coach set off at 7. 3 hours in a not very comfortable coach. This was the national gathering of Catholic altar servers to mark the centenary of the Society of St Stephen. It was a glorious day and we all wore badges saying "I serve at the altar of God". The horrendous rides like Oblivion are not for me but we did enjoy Hex, Charlie and the chocolate factory (boat ride and glass elevator), teacups and got very wet on the rapids. Soon dried off in the sun. Liz went on the Blade, runaway train and Beastie but my back won't stand that. The ruined house (Pugin) was interesting. We arrived back tired but happy and gave Nerone a lift to Streatham. It was good that Philip and his parents came - he serves with us on Saturday nights and is 10.

On the 7th to the cathedral hall for a Friends of the cathedral event when Rabbi Lionel Blue spoke and answered questions. He is a well known broadcaster and writes in "The Tablet" and he spoke without notes about writing the spiritual book of one's life. He answered the question which of his gifts he would give to another - humour! An excellent reply. It was a delightful evening and I met several new people and old friends including Moya McCarthy from St Chad's.

On the 5th played for Coulsdon service which was simplified to attract more kids - only two there! I prommed for the 4pm prom. When I arrived I joined the queue which turned out to be for the evening concert so went straight in early and got a seat next to the fountain. There are inflatable dinosaurs and a platypus in the water! The concert celebrated Elgar, Brahms and Grieg choral music and was not well attended. The Brahms was particularly lovely accompanied by 2 horns and harp. The BBC Symphony chorus did well. The London Philharmonic choir were there in force to support their accompanist Ian Farringdon who played Elgar sonata and Reubke sonata extracts - why not the whole thing? Richard Rodney Bennett's commissioned work was effective but why not allow programme notes? The composer forbade them - I wonder what Radio 3 said before the broadcast? The concert ended in fine style with "Give unto the Lord". 6th to Catenian meeting and gave Provincial council report - sev...

Thursday August 2 to the Town Hall for a useful course on saving energy. Friday 3rd was our 33rd wedding anniversary and Liz cooked a delicious meal which we enjoyed with champagne on the patio on a fine evening. Sat 4th to Mass after work and the Challoner choir sang - they were not very good again! Why don't they stick to simpler anthems and settings? The Prom included Shostakovich 7th symphony and was on TV. The National youth orchestra were conducted by Mark Elder and they were brilliant!

Thanks for your comments Rob and Ed! I realise I've been quiet for a week so I need to catch up!

To celebrate Grandma's 89th birthday we took Jose and her to the National Trust Nymans garden near Handcross, Sussex. A glorious day and we sat outside for lunch - delicious risotto and hot treacle pudding. Got a wheelchair for Grandma after a wait and enjoyed the lovely flowers. This was the home of Oliver Messel and Anne, Countess of Rosse, mother of Lord Snowdon. We visited her home in Ireland where there are seats with the same mongram AMR. Enjoyed a cornet and Liz bought a plant for the garden. I went to West hill library for Judy's farewell. There was a good turnout especially of children's librarians and lots to eat and drink. Judy's son-in-law very good to chat to! Today I went to a training course on energy management with lots of good tips for library and home! Photo shows Josie enjoying lunch, the dovecote and hydangeas,

An excellent read is Bryson's account of his childhood "The life and times of the Thunderbolt kid". No good to read on the train as one wants to laugh out loud!

Tuesday evening to St John's Upper Norwood for another of Revd Beverley Mason's powerpoints on prayer "Contmeplation in a world of action". From a wealth of material here is a useful quote from Sr Margaret Magdalene "Jesus, Man of prayer" p21-2. What is Contemplation? "A way of looking, and listening, of beholding, marvelling, considering. It moves on into the will, sometimes in great darkness and aridity, but it often begins with wonder. As adults most of us have lost the ability to bow before the mysteries fo life. Driven by compulsive urge to explain and rationalise everything, beset with so many cares and responsibilities, unable to lose ourselves utterly, as a child dares, totally absorbed in whatever has captured his interest". Talking about distractions I quoted Cardinal Hume's "prayer of the eyes" where he says that the apparent distractions we see could be used as somebody or something to pray about.