The organist librarian

Amazing that a year has gone by and the happy couple are in Bath for the weekend!

Last Sunday without choir. I played Thalben-Ball on "Monk's Gate", John Stanley voluntaries and Adoro Te by Boellmann at Communion. At the end the tears filled my eyes as I started to play Dad's Bishopthorpe March but I kept going and managed the 5 sharps section much better. I practised and then met Vickie to choose hymns up to the end of November. This is necessary as my Wednesdays are taken up with holidays and the group on Paul. Liz was cantor at 12 noon Mass and I picked her up from the swimming pool where she had rescued my swimming stuff from my 40 length swim yesterday. I am feeling fit! A pleasant afternoon listening to evening prayer sung by the RSCM millenium youth choir in Holland featuring Sweelinck. Then Lang Lang's piano prom which was later on TV. Scanned photos for Doris's card and cut out letters for her card.

The lights go out in the church as the priests are about to celebrate the Divine Office. ~The Carthusians (silently) go out in search of candles. ~The Franciscans sit and pray for a miracle. ~The Benedictines don’t care, because they can say the whole thing by heart. ~The Redemptorists go to the Jesuits for help. ~The Jesuits think that this must be an exception, and that they must not have to celebrate the Divine Office in this case. ~The Dominicans decide that the time is ripe for a discourse upon the nature of light. ~The diocesan priest goes and changes the light bulb. Biretta tip to Devout Catholic

Spoke to Ann. After a damp August this was the sunniest day we had had for some time. To New Addington to see Mr Shannon the optician who has looked after us all for many years. I am to have new glasses costing over £400. I get the eye test free on NHS once every 2 years so no need to claim from the council. Present glasses have lasted since 2000! He was delighted to see the wedding photos. With Liz to Iceland and then to St Edmund's Beckenham to play the brand new Wyvern organ which is splendid and it passed the Howells Saraband for the morning of Easter test with flying colours. Pity there is no 8 foot reed on pedal but 3 manuals and plenty to choose from. Played pieces on "Veni creator" and finished with Suite Gothique of Boellmann. Picnic lunch in garden. Watched HDD from Proms - Boulez conducting Janacek Sinfonietta, Barenboim conducting Brahms 4, interesting programme on bones and muscles (Dr Alice Roberts). To town early to get phone extension checked. Victoria cam...

I have finished reading a most amazing book "Rabble-rouser for peace: the authorised biography of Desmond Tutu" by John Allen. It charts South African history clearly and describes it's subject warts and all! An inspiring read and reconciliation is the answer!

To be as daring as you John, I strongly believe that Sex is way too promiscuous in this day and age and I have been very open with the children (the older boys), with their questions because I think that it is important for us to be open with each other about such subjects, and unless I educate them in an honest way, there are many of their peers to teach them their own version of truths and facts!!!! I am a strong believer that sex should be enjoyed only by married couples and I try to install that in my children as I think that this is the safest option for them, and the way in which we are supposed to behave. To have morals and respect for ourselves. On a very personal level I have only been with one person, my children's' father and I started seeing him at age 16. the relationship lasted 19 years, until I decided that we should no longer put off the marriage we had been planning for the past 12 years, only to find that when push came to shove, he was not man enough to commi...

Wednesday to osteopath and 3 students this time who worked on my left shoulder as I have no discomfort in side or back. They were impressed at my promming and swimming! Came home and Lauren had prepared nice BBQ with lots to eat. She ws having a quiet day and the new router meant she could use her laptop downstairs. Tried to use laptop to download music without success. To St John's to put pot of orange begonias with message for Mum and Dad's 2nd anniversary. Spoke to Ann and Dennis. Ann had been to Christ Church St Lawrence with Snowy and they had marked the first anniversary with Bairstow just as I did! Mum and Dad were prayed for and the priests remembered Ann. To Westminster Cathedral for organ recital by John Scott on sparkling form. De Grigny, Durufle, Alain and Eschaich all worth hearing but not Messiaen. It seems I am not alone on this one! Met Martin Ball, Adrian, Arnfinn (soon to compete in Montreal), Isabella, David just arrived from Dublin, Martin Baker. It was a go...

John, In my quite long life I have seen women penned in by kitchen sink drudgery, and , as so often happens, release of pent up energy leads to an abnormal swing to the opposite direction; hence many men find themselves cowed by what they see as raging predatory women today!! I know so very little about South Africa, except the media driven sensational- seeking "news" that we are fed. I'd love to know more. Perhaps we might be able to persuade you to talk to us one Saturday morning, then we could take you out for lunch. (Hope Graham reads this, he's so good at organising such projects!) Carice My email reply to Battersea Limpets I would love to but an even better idea is to choose a book about South Africa like Cry the beloved country by Alan Paton or a Nadine Gordimer then everyone can contribute and not be bored by me droning on too long! Bear in mind that it is 35 years since I lived there and I have only been back once 4 years ago and that was a SHOCK! Inci...

The discussion on "On Chesil beach" made me think hard about my marriage of 34 years and particularly my attitudes back in 1974 and how they have changed. In those days I seem to have thought that I had to "perform" especially in bed! I learnt quickly that lovemaking was the highest expression of love - sacramental even. It is also a very sad book and my wife felt the same about it. Carice as always goes right to the point - why don’t we share our inner problems with each other? Are we afraid of true intimacy? Is it OK to reveal my true inner self? In this day and age when people talk glibly about their sex lives it is perhaps refreshing to think that reticence still exists but look what a disaster that can lead to! The intimate is now blazoned across the internet and the TV. Some things should have a veil drawn over them! It makes me think of the readers who ask for thrillers without sex and violence - fat chance! I certainly do not think the novel lightwei...

I am engrossed in the official biography of Desmond Tutu by John Allen - great man!

At Coulsdon on Sunday endured "You shall go out with joy" for the 3rd time this summer and there were no children present! I played Vaughan Williams "Land of our birth" (wonderful tune) and Fantasia on Greensleeves and the beautiful Vierne Berceuse which I played 2 years ago at Mum and Dad's cremation. No need to practise so had coffee and chatted about Buckingham Palace and King Lear! Watched closing ceremony of the Olympics which was most impressive. Boris Johnson looked scruffy with jacket open and hands in pockets. Good use of London bus and wrote down lots of ideas for an opening ceremony using nursery rhymes and British things. To the Prom at 4 p.m. Simon Preston playing Bach. Met Daniel and Gill and Daniel's friend Bart. A cautious start but some fine playing and I followed most of it with my scores sitting on the floor. Halfway through some guy complained about the cushion squeaking. It was a plastic inflatable one BP issued at the ballet in Canary W...

A quiet Saturday at the library which I do not enjoy. Time to catch up and read the diversity course handbook which has lots of interesting facts e.g. 20% of gay people do not come out at work - heh how do they know? I am collecting messages and photos for Doris's retirement card. Christopher was in - he reminds me of Ronnie Corbett the librarian in "Sorry". He knew John Johnson and he said his brother also committed suicide. I wrote a review of "On Chesil Beach" for the Battersea limpets reading group. It will be interesting to read of the reactions of others. Gillian Warrior writes: I suppose I have been avoiding commenting on this book, partly because much to my dissatisfaction the abiding memory of it is the description of the semen and particularly comparing it to a glaze that dries and starts cracking, and the desperate attempt to remove it with the pillow. When someone mentions this book to me I think of this. Why? I suppose there is more than a littl...

Liz was up early to take Lauren to East Croydon to get train to King's Cross for Eurostar. Lauren was in late having been out with Bruce and friends. Swam 30 lengths. Saw Dan - the baby is a girl, Daisy! Also saw my Chinese pal and Raphael looking very brown from trip to Egypt. The climb up Mt Sinai was 3 hours in the dark but worth it. The Israeli guide to Bethlehem tried to charge them extra and charge to go into the church which he refused to pay! Busy at work but enjoyed the park. Finished reading "The Imitation of Christ" which I started in Lent. I am now asked to review "On Chesil Beach" as I have asked the reading group limpets for their views as I was not able to sit in for the session (only senior on). To Beckenham Odeon to see "Mamma Mia". Ages since we went to the cinema and really enjoyed it. Great show! Watched Gergiev on TV, Tudors and Ronnie Corbett in "Sorry" on return home, also QI although I dropped off! The Southfields libr...

Woke late so no swim and Liz gave me a lift to the station as my side was troubling me. But thanks to heat treatment and ibuprofen it wore off during the day. The lads all passed their GCSEs - Wisdom had 3 As so very pleased! I finished at 3.30 and the plan was to go and see "Mamma Mia" at Beckenham but Bruce got the time wrong so Liz took his cassock for Bath to him. He goes there tomorrow for the weekend at the RSCM course with his friends. I came home and finished the Tablet crossword and listened to Dvorak Slavonic dances from the Proms. The revelation of finding my travel diary from 1972 has sparked many memories from those heady days and a contact with the Revd David Murfet now retired in Ripon. I stayed with him in Naples on condition that I played the following Sunday!

On Monday Lauren arrived on standby flight from Sydney and her case came the following day! It is 4 years since she stayed here! Watched University challenge and fell asleep. In fact slept so well missed my swim. Interviews for SAturday adn weekend essistants - impressed by 16 year olds but sad about Darcy who has lost confidence as a result of being knifed while trying to break up a fight. Hope to employ 4 of them. Barbara Costanzo interviewed with me. I went to tai chi and felt fine. However on Tuesday the pain in my left side returned. Watched Maestro and again impressed by Goldie. David Soul was eliminated. Chat to Daniel on Facebook. Wednesday swam 22 lengths. By car to Buckingham Palace with Grandma and Lauren. All well-organised with wheelchair access. Most impressed by the audio guide and the Vermeer and Rembrandts. The state banquet wonderful! Tea in the garden and chatted to a staff member who sings in the Bach Choir and visited Sydney. Dropped off at British school of osteop...

Saturday presented Mohamed Kutty with his card and chocolates - he was delighted. Isaac announced that he got 4 Bs in his A levels so will be going to Sheffield so he is leaving. Am interviewing for replacements on Monday. To Vespers and Mass Fr Ed got through it rather quickly. Charles Cole played. He says the alto lay clerk who sang last night is leaving and his bass from Our Lady of Victories is replacing Graham Titus who has retired from the cathedral choir (he was singing in the Prom tonight). Listened to "Belshazzar" by Handel on the way home where we found Dennis and Ann Marie looking well after their Greek honeymoon. Dennis sent me off to bed at 10 p.m. and I woke at 4 a.m. and slept again. Spoke to Ann briefly. At Coulsdon we had the blessing of a child. The large congregation did not sing much but they came in for coffee. Paula came to get the wedding tapes. I did a tribute to Arthur Wills "Lullaby for a royal prince" and "Elegy". Also played Hea...

One more thought on Lear. The removal of Gloucester's eyes is too horrible and the scene was carefully set by Cornwall which made it even worse. The excellent programme says the play is cruel to everyone including those watching it and that is right. Friday swam 30 lengths and Chinese guy I met suggested 2 more lengths of the 25 metre pool would be half a mile! To Hinsley Room to meet Sr Campion my dear spiritual director who have not seen for months. We had a useful chat about what courses I could do. Bereavement counselling is one option but becoming a spiritual director is more me we think! Lovely to see her again. To 5.30 mass and ended up serving. Bishop Longley is so nice - he had been at World youth day in Sydney. Alto lay clerk was cantor and very good too. Good to see Deacon Peter before he moves to Scotland. Watched Glagolitic Mass from proms (could not find our score) and cleared up and hoovered lounge. Mohamad leaving at work so Doris has done a nice card for him - will...

A great address!

We were present at this inspiring Mass at the Bridgewater Hall

Tuesday overslept so only 10 lengths - back seems fine! I did tai chi on Monday so that helped I think. Left shoulder still twinging. Listened to Vaughan Williams piano concerto from proms on way home - an interesting piece with a lovely quiet ending.There was a football match and the road up so traffic and bus chaos. Loved Maestro - 6 trying to conduct - Peter Snow was hopeless! Jane Asher looks like a winner! Wednesday up early and did tax letter. Express bus 90p on oyster to Waterloo and reached British school of osteopathy early. Full interview again with 2 nice students as I had not been since March 2007. Brand new HQ but rooms still rather cool! Tutor says pain in side cleared up well in 2 weeks so not to worry and back pain clearing by Monday is also good - shows how healthy I am. I go back in a week. Rang Vickie and bless her she said leave our meeting to next Wednesday. So that meant I was able to attend diocesan meditation day (or part of it) Midday prayer, Eucharist and 2nd ...

To swimming 20 as some twinges in back. Saw Andrew who had had a good time in France and off to the Cotswolds. He says Adrian is leaving the choir school and others may follow. The last interview was an interesting high-powered art teacher and painter. Chat to Angela about counselling - she feels I have so much to offer I should think bigger. Met Gillian in street so went for a cappuccino with 2 of the English conversation group one from Japan one from Italy and Dawn. To tai chi and saw a DVD of the form - we have only learnt a third of the it! To Gillian's with Liz to watch DVD of "Where angels fear to tread" which is excellent and faithful to the book. Lovely top floor flat in Prince of Wales Mansions overlooking the park. Marie, Elena, Graham and Celine from the reading group were there. The 12% white wine sent me off to sleep at one point but we did enjoy the film and the chat.

Had a BBQ in garden - nice lamb, barbecue biscuits and bananas. Took it easy as back still not right. Read Choir and Organ and "The Tablet". Watched Kings singers 40th anniversary prom which was delightful and included Poulenc, McCabe and Jannequin and Victorian part songs and folk songs. Britain from the air with Andrew Marr was fascinating. Evensong was from the 3 choirs at Worcester with the new Kenneth Tickell organ. The afternoon prom of Messiaen Messe de la Pentecote and Manchicourt mass sung by the boring BBC singers was dire - James O'Donnell playing what sound like rude noises on low reeds! And to think people pay good money to hear these concerts!

My back playing up so along with the occasional twinges in sides and left shoulder I am stooping a bit which is not good. To see Grandma and empty the stuff from Dennis into the garage. I got my head bitten off! I was delighted to find Dad's book in a box in the garage and my diary from my journey in 1972. Fascinating ! I am clearly a natural blogger! Dennis will be pleased to read the book eventually and I need to refer to it too. Have been looking for it for a very long time! To Coulsdon in rain for wedding. A simple affair with men in open neck pale blue short sleeved shirts (to show off their tattoos?) The couple 23 and 22 have 2 daughters 5 and 3. All went well except that the people did not sing at all - one would have thought they would know "Shine Jesus shine" "Give me joy" and "Bind us together". At least they were quiet during the signing and Vicky asked me just to play a short section of the Mendelssohn as they took photos in church. Drove t...

Friday came home to find Canham Road closed so went down our one way street the wrong way to get home. David at No. 19 South African teacher married to Helen from Oz and have little Katy told me gas leak in Whitehorse Lane, no doubt where the roadworks for water mains are. Watched 30 minutes highlights of Olympics opening - fab fireworks but where were the 100s of tai chi experts - just saw one lady! Still it was amazing. But then we got 30 minutes about the British team - why not more of the opening ceremony! Liz rang to say police would not allow her home so going to Grandma's with Dennis's stuff from Bow for the garage. Police told her we had been evacuated to Sainsbury's. I checked with David and blew out my candle in the window just in case. Eventually Liz came down the road the wrong way having persuaded the police she lives here! David came in to see our loft conversion and Bruce's handiwork and he was most impressed - he teaches DT I think. In the night finished...

Spectacular opening to the Olympics - London will never match Beijing! Why not be British and be understated - oh the meter ran out! I watched a programme last night on Vanessa MAe the violinist and how she became such a fine musician. Practice makes perfect - over 7000 hours of practice before the age of 16!

The pulled muscle in my left side seems to have cleared up thanks to ibuprofen and heat ttreatment with the microwaved beanbag! I now have a pain in right upper chest which Shivram who is studying these things says will go. My left shoulder still gives me twinges and I ntoe tonight I have bruised my left hand middle finger! I did swim this morning 22 despite waking late as Liz was in Bow overnight for the boiler man. I never sleep well when she is away! Discussed Doris's farewell - low key, no present! I received the papers about the bereavement counselling course - I will miss some sessions but I will give it a try. Angela thinks this a good idea. She and Pauline liked the wedding photos - Louise has some better ones on face book. Olympics start tonight so I am lighting a candle in my window for Tibet.

God loves and cares for His creation Our Lord gave me a spiritual revelation in His homely loving. I saw that He is everything to us that is good and comfortable. He is our clothing. His love envelops and embraces and encloses us. Because of his tender love, He hovers about us and will never leave us. God wills us to be known and it pleases Him that we find our rest in Him. For nothing that is beneath Him satisfies us. And this is the reason why no soul finds rest until it is set free from all that is made. When a person is completely emptied, through love, in order to have Him who is all that is good, then he is able to receive spiritual rest.

Wednesday to swim (20) and then to police station to take photos of damaged door of the Escort. Waited 20 minute - only one PC on at first. Filled in a traffic form and computer crashed as it had yesterday when Liz went down. PC not interested in photos! To Hinsley Room for spirituality day led by Eileen Dutt on Rest. It was excellent with a wealth of material. Particularly liked Julian of Norwich quote. Meditated on Matthew 11: 27- 30 in a modern version "Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn from me. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Eugene H Peterson "The Message" I came up with hymns in response to the hymn "his eye is on the sparrow" - Jesu lover of my soul, Come unto me from Messiah, O come to the waters...

The long-serving officer, who lived locally, had twice been named community constable of the year. An extremely popular local figure, following his death there have been a host of tributes received by Wandsworth Council and other organisations with which he was involved. Cllr Lister said: "There will never be another officer like John. He was simply the best-known policeman in Battersea. He loved being out with the people and had devoted his career to serving his community. "He was an old-style police officer who was very much in touch with today's problems. He saw the effect that anti-social behaviour had on the community and knew that by staying close to the ground he was in the best position to deal with it. "Wherever you live in London you'd want a community policeman like John. The news of his death was shattering." John Johnson had served for 29 years in Battersea. He was an active supporter of the Battersea Crime Prevention Panel and a regular helper ...

It was great to sing "And did those feet" in the church where Blake was married. I gave it full welly!

Missed swim and good thing I went in. Sorted out stuff for summer scheme tomorrow in Battersea Park. To St Mary's Church Battersea - last bit walking along the river. I arrived at 10 a.m. so got a good place although pews very hard. Met lots of people I know and signed book of condolence. The church was packed. The tributes to John were very moving and it was so sad to see the local young constable carrying his helmet behind the coffin draped in the blue police flag. We sang Love divine and Alleluya sing to Jesus. Sir Ian Blair the Police commissioner spoke well as did Martin Stratton CBE and a friend from Norfolk was funny. What a man John was! The vicar tackled head on the question of why God allowed John to commit suicide. He pointed to the cross and its mystery. John had so many facets in his life - he will be sorely missed. Excellent soloist Pie Jesu, Psalm 23 and Ein feste burg unaccompanied, And I saw a new heaven well sung and thhe organ built by Saxon Aldred very well play...

Sad to report that Mildred Dodds died. It was through her that we came to live in this hosue 33 years ago as she taught with Liz at East Dulwich and she mentioned that the Smiths were selling the house. Woke too late to swim so parked old car (the Escort) in usual place in Thornton Heath. Came back at 7.40 p.m. to find back right wheel of car on pavement and note from police that there had been a collision. A family told me some youths had driven into another car which hit ours. Dent in side back door. To circle meeting - only 11 brothers and 4 visitors so lots of sandwiches and a short meeting!

Saturday I was the only senior with Doris and it was busy! To Vespers and Mass at which we had Michael O'Leary and Peter Coleman, Ian's son, organist from Kingsway plus John and Philip so we had consecration torches. The black priest was short but had a sonerous voice and a novel way of censing the altar and gospel procession. Halfway through the robed choir of Wellington Anglican St Paul's cathedral appeared and sang the setting unaccompanied. The Challoner choir had been given the push! To Coulsdon where I played RVW on St David's day, Wedding tune for Ann, O come to the waters from Elijah (first reading), Flor Peeters on Cym Rhondda and Karg-Elert Nun danket to mark our 34th anniversary. Nice card from Liz and Louise texted. Cleared up patio and it rained. To Clapham Junction for farewell to Judy and Martin Ash who have an idyllic cottage in Barnstaple. Lots of chats to librarians and musicians and the enjoyed the wedding photos from both weddings! Lots of nice eats ...

Shivram who is working a few hours a week studies physiotherapy at Nottingham and recommended heat treatment and sea salt for the pain in my side. I had the pain when swimming with Liz this morning so only did 20 lengths. On arrival home I heated up the bean bag Mum gave me and it certainly helped. To Joanna's Crystal Palace for an excellent meal for Grandma's 90th. Liz had got a cake and balloons and I enjoyed onion and cheese tart, duck, chocolate nemesis and hot chocolate. Louise, Tom and Bruce came. Grandma had 16 cards and flowers and Dennis rang from Xanthos, Greece where is was 38 degrees!