The organist librarian

Liz and I went to St Michael's West Croydon for the recital by Gerard Brooks, who is now at Westminster central hall. He gave a sparkling account of Bonnet's Etude de concert, Mendelssohn No 6, Saint-Saens Fantaisie in C and the Dubois Toccata. his programme notes were helpful too - we don't usually get these which is a pity. To coffee with Dorio, Arnfinn, Steve, Graham and Gerard and also met David Wakefield, David Dibbs, Ken and Howard! To Tate Modern for the exhibition by Duchamp, Picabia and Man Ray. Unusual obsessions with brides, sex, chess and windows! I'm not sure that one learnt very much from the captions and booklet. Perhaps there isn't much to learn any way! A French day with English rain! Our M.P. has sent me a reply about crane disasters from the relevant minister!

Hilarious!

I have finished reading Orhan Pamuk's "Istanbul memories of a city". He has a very melancholic view of the city in contrast to our tourist picture. He evokes his childhood and adolescence very well and the photographs are evocative too. The Mass reading today is Paul's address in Athens which we heard at Coulsdon on Sunday.Here are some photos from our visit to the Areopagus hill where Fr Allen celebrated Mass.

36 lengths. To Catenian meeting at Beckenham and Mike Cox was installed as president. There were 7 of us from Norwood present including Kevin our new president. Bill Whitmarsh told of the typhoon in China and how it messed up their flights. Enjoyed 1 and half pints of Harveys bitter from the barrel. Tuesday woke at 3 a.m., 5.30 a.m. and then 6.30 a.m so too late to swim! That's what beer does to you! I was amused to realise when I reached our corner that I had one brown shoe and one black shoe on. The perils of dressing in the dark so as not to wake a wife! Did a lot of work as it was relatively quiet. Have prepared the periodicals accounts for the year. Although there has been publicity about joining the library for National Year of reading we have had only one person doing so! To St John's Upper Norwood expecting a spirituality evening only to find vicar had gone out for dinner and nothing happening. Liz picked me up in the old car which went in for service - it is 10 years o...

Saturday was quiet. Doris had a go because I had swopped with Calix. This pattern of only one senior on will happen more now Calix has resigned. To Vespers (not many clergy there) and Mass. Deacon Peter was there. American priest appealed for African missions. He told of a prayer service for rain in Kansas - many came but only one lady brought an umbrella! Ricky was thurifer for the first time and did very well. oliver played Bach Prelude in C minor at the end. Sunday Liz went to help Bruce with kitchen at Bow and she was cantor at 5.30 p.m. mass for new Catholics with the cardinal. She ended up in the Cardinal pub! At Coulsdon we sang Tallis's If ye love me and Nicholson in G. I practised and went to Oaks Wood. It was raining so sat in car - lovely pink blossom out. St George's Day service went well. I played Vaughan Williams, Parry and Elgar. Home to hear evensong from Bristol - Howells in B minor, Elgar Light out of darkness from "The Light of Life" Elgar sonata fi...

To St Mary's West Croydon where Liz and I served at the funeral of Joyce Moore. Matthew played Londonderry Air during the censing - Joyce got me to sing this at a party and really loved it! Louise Sage, Neva, the Beers and Tony were there. It was a fitting tribute with some favourite hymns including "Bring flowers of the fairest". Stan served for Addiscombe for many years and died in 2003. Liz was able to go the small gathering but I went to work for 2 and a half hours and did some ordering. To the cathedral for the wedding of Naomi Waltham-Smith and James Olsen. A very grand affair with 7 priests and nearly all in Latin. Victoria Missa O quam gloriosum, Messiaen and Bach Prelude in C minor played by Matthew Martin. The couple read the lessons and composed "O sacrum convivium" to be sung at communion which was effective. Fr Mark on great form alluding to music in his homily. Unusual readings. Naomi wore black velvet! Wedding lasted 1 hour and 50 minutes - is thi...

I overslept which is not surprising as I have been up late blogging! Liz took Grandma to King's for small op and is staying at Glyn Close tonight. Bruce came over to babysit. Calix announced he was resigning as he is to be manager of the Fabian Society's offices. Staff meetings discussed security in some depth. Served at Mass in the Lady chapel with the full choir singing Lobo directed very well by Thomas. 2very small new boys were there too. Fr Michael Durand celebrated. William Hague Shadow Foreign secretary gave a brilliant lecture about Wilberforce and William Pitt and the dangers of drugs, arms trade and trafficking in people. He answered the questions with humour. Baroness Shirley Williams in charge. Saw Hanna, Claire, Kate and Celia. Booked for Barbican on Sunday - could not get password last night so missed out on cheap ticket - still I am sure the new MacMillan work will be worth it. Read "Music and liturgy".

John Henry Cardinal Newman to be beatified Cardinal John Henry NewmanVatican City, Apr 23, 2008 / 03:12 am (CNA).- The Vatican has approved the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, the English convert and theologian who has had immense influence upon English-speaking Catholicism, the Birmingham Mail reports. John Henry Newman was born in 1801. As an Anglican priest, he led the Oxford Movement that sought to return the Church of England to its Catholic roots. His conversion to Catholicism in 1845 rocked Victorian England. After becoming an Oratorian priest, he was involved in the establishment of the Birmingham Oratory. He died in 1890 and is buried at the oratory country house Rednall Hill. The Catholic Church has accepted as miraculous the cure of an American deacon’s crippling spinal disorder. The deacon, Jack Sullivan of Marshfield, Massachusetts, prayed for John Henry Newman’s intercession. At his beatification ceremony later this year, John Henry Newman will receive t...

Pretty exhausting day Tuesday. Swam 36 lengths and No I did not use the car! Only 3 staff on in the evening so unable to go to Catenian provincial council meeting. It's in Sittingbourne which is a 70 mile drive. Harry Mellor of South London circle rang and offered a lift so will take him up on that. Plus I have to take leave to go and be bored all evening so what's the point? Most of it could be done by email. Watched University professional challenge won by an impressive team from the Ministry of Justice who beat Salisbury cathedral last night and National physical laboratory this evening in the final. Watched Songs of Praise from Edinburgh with interesting material about Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Bobby and David Steel's ancestor. Fell asleep! Oxgord trip booklet now revised by Chris and looking very impressive. Have at last finished James Naughtie's "The Making of music, a journey with notes" which is a useful historical treatment with some interesting com...

Very impressive improvisation by hautbois8

Forgot to say that evensong yesterday was from St John's College, Cambridge and included lovely Otcenas by Janacek with harp! 36 lengths today and tai chi was good as well - Tony was back. I gave out invites to library's silver circle reading group First Fridays 2 - 3.30 p.m. Very good reaction to Saturday's reading group session and the photos. Micky brought in Fr Michael a Comboli father now at the local RC church. He is an Islamic scholar and wants to come to the interfaith group which will be great! My PRP assessment is full of glowing praise - let's hope I get the matching payment! Watched University challenge and How to build a cathedral in the BBC4 mediaeval series. I went through the Proms programme on the BBC website and was impressed as increased organ music - lots of Messiaen who is not my cup of tea. I am considering promming again. Such a shame the chorus is not singing this year. Incidentally Angela Young has a scene at the Proms in "Speaking of love...

Up early and completed Oxford trip booklet draft. The service at Coulsdon went smoothly. Vickie was ill so Theresa stepped in. There were 2 baptisms and the second baby really yelled! The Richard Jones Mass for Hilary has an awkward ending and this did not quite come off in tune. He is now Jo Richards. Vaughan Williams Come my way and Bach's "Christians shout with joy" both went well. I played voluntaries on "St Fulbert" by Douglas Guest and Philip Moore. I attended the AGM and annual meeting. The music costs about £3800 a year which is a bargain! I asked about the insurance on the organ and this will be checked. There are 106 on the electoral roll. Spent the afternoon tidying up, hoovering and cleaning the kitchen floor. Watched a programme about a man who wants to bring wild mammals back to the Scottish highlands. To St Augustine's Grove Park for the 75th birthday recital by Robert Munns. He plays well. He included pieces by Leighton, Vaughan Williams and ...

I woke early so did more work on the Oxford trip brochure. The reading group welcomed Angela Young. Her book "Speaking of love" had proved difficult to follow because she wanted to convey the schizophrenia of the mother who is a story teller. Angela mentioned several good storytellers who would come to the library so I will follow this up as we have storytelling for children but not for adults. 9 went to Antipasto for an excellent lunch. Graham was unfortunately ill and Micky could not join us either. I had fusilli with spinach and mushroom, tiramisu and white wine all for £12.50 as the food is half price on Saturdays. Took some photos and then back to work where I have been doing clearing up and weeding the fiction again. To Vespers and Mass and much enjoyed Douai Abbey choir in blue robed and led by Dr John Rowntree. They sang a new Mass by David Bednall written for them last year with a French plainchant feel. Lovely end to the Benedictus. Philip did well as thurifer for t...

The Byrd 4 part mass is proving more difficult to learn than I expected. We certainly are not ready to sing it in public until the end of May! I practised the organ before choir practice and we finished in good time for me to get to Croydon Parish church for compline at 9 p.m. Andrew Cantrill was cantor and the 8 men sang the plainchant. I noted that Tony Trent was in the choir. There were 3 in the congregation and oddly we sat for the whole thing! The choir sang "In manus tuas" by John Shepard. When I got home I sat down to watch QI and promptly fell asleep.

To South Norwood pool in old car and did 32 lengths - reckon it is longer than Thornton Heath. Andrew photographer was there. To dentist and Judy stuck back in large filling which had come out. Will need a crown before she retires in July. £198! Did meeting minutes at work and weeded fiction. It was cold but fine so stayed in at lunch time. Served 5.30 mass which was held in the Lady Chapel. The full choir sounded magnificent in that acoustic. Byrd Ave verum. Fr Tim called it experimental liturgy as he was facing the altar. To Cardinal's lecture and sat in front row. Rowan Williams was very erudite and too many long words. He has a brilliant mind and was so good at answering the questions. Fr Timothy Radcliffe facilitated and I got to ask my question which was "Do you think it would be better to start with spirituality rather than doctrine in interfaith dialogue?" He gave a clear answer about seeing the fire in each other's eyes about the search for God. Louise Sa...

Watched Sacred Music 1 on computer and Songs of Praise form Harrogate featuring Simon Lole at the organ, also Antiques roadshow about sport from Lord's. Started framing pictures and sorting out ironing. To Windmill pub for lunch with David and Jim and then walked to St Michael's for recital by Laurence Caldecote of Coventry. He played William Lloyd Webber, Boccherini, Suite gothique, Alec Rowley Benedictus, Willan on "Vulpius", Norman Cocker's Angelus and Salome's Grand-Choeur in A. A tuneful lunchtime programme. Coffee in the cafe with the recitalist and Graham who is starting to compile next year's list. I suggested I could do a recital! To Hinsley Room for interfaith group. 12 came and we started looking at the Muslim scholars comments to the churches on Love of God. A lively discussion for an hour on what does it mean to say "I love God". We felt that we had lost awe and mystery. To mass but too late to serve - there were 7 servers any way. P...

40 lengths and a very busy day with one member of staff on leave. Lots of people joining and asking questions! Watched Unviersity challenge and did May music list. Liz at confirmation preparation session and out late.

A stunning picture

St Andrew’s Coulsdon Music list May 2008 The Gloria is by Peter Jones and the Gospel acclamations for the whole month are from Music for the Parish Communion by Martin How with the Celtic Alleluia Sunday May 4th Sunday after Ascension Jesus’ new body is the church in the world Organ: Prelude on “Llanfair” Groves 122 (i) verses 1,2,5,6; 130; Celtic Alleluia with Ascension verse; 116(i); 121 Communion Service in D Heathcote Statham The Lord ascendeth up on high OFB No 55a Michael Praetorius Organ: Prelude for Ascension “Heut triumphiret” Johann Sebastian Bach May 4th 5 p.m. Evensong Organ: Prelude on “Miles Lane” Healey Willan Responses: John Sanders Psalm 145 (Norris) 117; 119 with descant Canticles in A flat Basil Harwood God is gone up Arthur Hutchings Organ: Festal Fanfare Noel Rawsthorne May 11 Pentecost Come Holy Ghost Organ: Prelude on “Veni creator” Alec Wyton 186; Psalm 67 (Nares): 160(ii); Celtic alleluia with Pentecost verse; 161; 162 at communion; 168 v.1,3,5,7 Communion serv...

It does seem to me that priests are actually managing volunteers and we could learn a lot from the volunteer bureaux who organise excellent training on this. I know in my job as a librarian how important it is for me to speak to and appreciate the volunteers who help us. Also vital is when someone volunteers I must say "Yes that's great" first and then discuss later what is required by the library. People are so easily put off! Fr Michael mentioned the move to other places like monasteries for spirituality and we need to bring this into parish life. Suggestions - Christians spend far too much time in meetings so a good idea is to start the meeting with the gospel for the Sunday or the day with a short lectio divina. It's amazing how one's one agenda items fade into unimportance! If a meeting is not advancing the mission of the church why hold it? Send emails or phone! Encourage weeks of guided prayer and half-days of reflection in parishes. Our priests need to nu...

A great speech from a great man!

Wounded bird Grandmere Mimi has a great Youtube video of Desmond Tutu speaking about Tibet.

36 lengths and saw Andrew - the cathedral choir trip to Milan was very wet. To Battersea for branch development team meeting. I had a go about the number of reservations we had to deal with and the poor delivery from other boroughs. Calix annoyed me by not finishing the banking on Saturday because he had forgotten that the file is now locked away. Watched University challenge and Salisbury cathedral team won. Did the ironing while watching programme on addiction "Am I normal?". Liz had been to Bow as electrician came.

Padre Rob has a moving meditation at http://padrerob.blogspot.com/

Liz was luxuriating all day at the Sanctuary with the girls - it was her Christmas present! To Coulsdon where Vicky was refreshed form her time in Milan. She had noted that Westminster Cathedral choir had sing a concert there (Rheinberger Mass) and it was very wet! The Bob Chilcott Psalm 23 composed last year went well and so did Statham in D so that is one setting we can manage with me singing tenor where needed. I spoke to Dudley Coates about joining us occasionally and bought my usual Fairtrade muesli and yogurt coated raisins. To garden centre to pick up more compost. I had been planning to go to the Buddhist prayers for Tibet at the Imperial War museum gardens but as it hailed I decided to have a rest and watch the last episode of "Lark rise"! and the delightful "No 1 ladies detective agency" by the lamented Anthony Minghella. Also Songs of Praise episodes which I had recorded. Simon Lloyd playing Mendelssohn No.4 which was a treat and an improvisation on ...

To Vaughan House for a meeting organised by Westminster diocese. Fr Michael Heher, the vicar general of Orange county California reflected on the priesthood and how the laity can help. He was over to lead a retreat at Allen Hall. There was much to think about and he gave us a useful handout. It is a lonely and hard life - he said it is not a sprint to the next event but a marathon. There were lots of comments including a request for deacons. I chatted to a lady from Harrow. It seems to me that priests need to hand over the plant to the laity and meetings need to include the gospel. We need to address the desire for spirituality. As Fr Michael said we are to follow Christ, love God and love people. What the priest needs to hear is that we are doing that. The meeting finished early so I got my pasta chicken salad and carrot cake from Marks (I forgot to take a picnic!)and went to Tate Britain where I watched a 1984 film by Derek Jarman "Imagining October" which was rather intere...

Magnolias now in bloom in Wurzburg from Ann. Another busy day but did have chance to catch up a bit! To Grandma's with fish and chips from the Thornton Heath restaurant and they were good. Plumber still not finished. Much concern about Tom who had stitches after unprovoked attack on him and his boss at Liverpool Street last night. One of the alleged attackers has been arrested. He was due to go to Singapore Monday. To practice and the Bob Chilcott Psalm 23 is going really well. Byrd 4 part Sanctus less so but we will not do it in public until we are confident. John surprised at no sung service on Ascension day. I am going to the lecture and Vickie said not enough people turn out for it any way. Watched Sacred Music part 4 about Luther and Bach - very well done.

A very busy day giving out freedom passes. To local neighbourhood watch meeting in Queenstown Ward to meet the new sergeant and mentioned the restrictions over using a cctv image of a schoolgirl who was very rude to the staff. We are not allowed to pass this to her school to find out her name and address. Why have cctv at all? To the cathedral to hear the lecture by the Director General of the BBC, Mark Thompson on Faith and the media. He was excellent and everyone could hear well this week. Baroness Kennedy chaired very well and the questions were interesting and well answered. Saw Paul Clubb, Mark, Connie, Thomas Wilson (in red trousers, Sr Bridget, Kate who used to be on the unity commission and Miss Bond. Watched programme on Frankie Howerd starring David Walliams. Last night we enjoyed The Apprentice and Songs of Praise for Easter from Hereford and part of Easter day service from Liverpool cathedral. Also Sacred music part 3 covering Tallis and Byrd. Reisgned from Southwark Unity ...

Daffodils in Karlsruhe from Ann. To Croydon Clocktower to see the excellent exhibition about Islamic scientific discoveries and their influence on our world. In so many fields Arab scientists and doctors led the way long before Western equivalents. Had a look at the Chinese porcelain and the library. Commented on the plans for central Croydon - need a swimming pool and more green spaces. The library itself seems a little tired and crowded with shelves and people. It does not feel spacious at all. On the second floor I finally found leaflets and posters about local events. The tourist information centre was closed! And this is school holiday time! The Church Times includes adverts for assistant directors of music at York, St Albans and Southwell. Simon Bell is going to Winchester from Southwell and Richard Sharpe is going to York from Truro. To St Michael's for Ian Curror's recital. York Bowen Fantasia, 3rd movement of Elgar sonata, Chelsea Fayre by Goss-Custard (shades of Grai...

On the bridge, at the Residenz and outside our favourite coffee shop, at the station. Ann and Paul set off on their travels soon after 3 months which has gone quickly!

A jolly Juan Miro picture which was in the bedroom at the Wurzburg b and b! The library is busy as it is school holidays and the elderly are renewing their freedom passes which now give free travel on local buses throughout England! The heating is back on as we have a new boiler. To Catenian circle AGM and meeting and Kevin Ingram is our new President for the year with the 1000th meeting next February. Col;in brought me home - he was at Tony Blair's lecture and his daughter was involved in the Olympic flame's progress across London which was disrupted by anti-China demos about Tibet. he had said the demonstrators were violent but it looked to me from the TV that the Chinese guards were equally bad.It is also the centenary year and we are going to the annual conference in Manchester in May. Watched Sacred music parts 1 and 2 presented by Simon Russell Beale - one of the altos in The Sixteen sings in Westminster Cathedral choir. Interesting to see the history of polyphony and wh...

Wurzburg cathedral high altar Worked Saturday and a great deal to do - freedom passes being renewed and shelf checks. 5 servers at Mass with Bishop John who spoke really well about Emmaus and Eastertide. Liz was cantor at Vespers. Challoner choir ruined Terry Mass, Faure Cantique de Jean Racine and Franck Panis - men sing very flat.Oliver played Howells Saraband for the morning of Easter at the end which was a treat. He says Matthew does not like Howells! Watched "The Shipping News" starring Kevin Spacey and Judy Dench. Sunday thick snow everywhere. Small choir did well with Panis angelicus in 2 parts, Bread of the world in mercy broken - pity Vickie missed that as it is one of her favourites. I played Gordon Slater's Easter alleluya. We sang "Now let us from this table rise" at the end. Interesting that Common Praise changed "Father-God" in last verse so it became; Then grant us grace, Companion-God, to choose again the pilgrim way, and help us to ac...

Friday to work until 11.30 a.m. then train to Crystal Palace. Adrian's mum was 91 and a dear. The funeral was lovely with Faure Requiem, And I saw a new heaven, Justorum animae of Stanford, All my hope and Thine be the glory. This fitted well with the gospel of Mary meeting the risen Jesus. Elgar Sonata No 1 from Chris Moore at the end. Kit conducted and Nicholas Ansdell-Evans played. He said he had been doing Walkure in Salzburg with Rattle! Adrian played Bach beforehand. 2 of the grandchildren who are in Birmingham cathedral choirs sang in the large choir. It was very moving to see Beverley touch the coffin and speak so well. Robin Martin was next to me and Chris Wardle sang too. Lovely eats and a good chat to Beverley about spirituality -I missed her January evening alas! To choir practice and we started work on the new Oxford Book of flexible anthems and Byrd 4 part Mass. The CD helped a lot. Watched a programme on the harp and the sad life of Hughie Green.

To training on security - 4 of us went and reactions differed. We will need to review our procedures and shred lots of paper! To the cathedral for the first of the Cardinal's lectures. Sat next to a lady from Our Lady of Victories, Kensington where we were married and also saw Elizabeth Simon from Southfields and Andrew who was on the Orthodox spirituality course with me. Lots of noisy protesters outside and their noise rather worked against their anti-war cause. Problems with the P.A. system. Tony Blair spoke really well on "Faith and globalisation" and the work of his new Foundation for interfaith. The Abbot of Worth, Jonathan Aitken, etc were there.

To spirituality day in Hinsley Room. 20 there. Fr Paul from Chelmsford was as good as ever and confession was such a help. The theme was "Light out of darkness" and the resurrection. Excellent talks and I read "Imitation of Christ" and Tablets. My postcards from Wurzburg were much appreciated. Watched part 2 of "The Apprentice" and Sir Alan got it completely wrong.

38 lengths so back to normal - need to lose some weight! New heating boiler being installed at library. To Battersea Arts centre to volunteer with Doris for "Reading for all" event for the blind. I dealt with eats. Interesting that pretty decorative bits of cleery on a try are no use to the blind. David Blunket MP spoke well about his writing and Sue Arnold of the Guardian was very passionate about the need for more to be produced in spoken form. 98% is only in printed form. Not that many people there and probably too many volunteers.

Swimming pool not open at 7 a.m. nobody had a key! Chatted for a while to Raphael and David and then got to work early. Only 55 emails to read! Had been another incident on Friday involving teenagers. Security guard is with us until August. To Tai chi. Watched University challenge, Book quiz and Round the Horne on TV.