The organist librarian

Honours announced and Pat Astley-Cooper has the OBE. It was a disgrace that all her work at Wandsworth Museum was mothballed and closed down. To St Edmund's Beckenham to play for wedding of Liadan Bond and Dan. The new Wyvern organ sounds very good but the conole has been turned round so I could not see when the bride had reached the altar! Mrs Carroll directed the Carroll singers and they sang well. It was very cold. Watched part 1 of Royal Opera Hansel and Gretel, Vasari, Howard Goodall on carols. Fireworks from London Eye were spectacular. Dishwasher is playing up again!So 2008 ends - a year of travel and great experiences. What will 2009 hold?

The year is slipping away. The pool was late opening so only did 20 lengths. Good thing I left when I did as the 8.03 train was cancelled. I got the earlier one to Victoria and was in the library by 8.45. Watched programme on early career of Mrs Thatcher and fell asleep during Michael Palin programme.

I have gained 2 pounds. 38 lengths - only 3 at the pool at 7 a.m. The trains were up the creek and had to go to Victoria to get back to Battersea Park. Did a lot of weeding fiction and contacted the reading group about borrowing more books. Cold again outside. On return home at 7 watched Peterborough cathedral TVcasts which were very good, Morecambe and Wise with Andre Previn, Vasari. Gill's Mum died in Norfolk so that is sad. A young man came in to the library and was doing a survey about people's belief in God. Were men and women different in their belief? Why do people believe? All grey areas of course.

Baptism at Coulsdon so no Gloria. 7 in choir including Bob and Tony Trent (no choral services at Croydon Parish Church for 2 weeks!) We sang Coventry carol and I played Pachelbel "Von himmel hoch" and a rather attractive piece on Coventry Carol by Gordon Phillips. Tony was going on about a boys choir again so he spoke to Vicky. We met again and talked about the ethos of the church and choir discipline. Practised in a cold church and home for lunch. Liz had been to the sales and got Christmas cards. Watched Kings carols, Vasari, How to build a cathedral, Peterborough cathedral midnight Mass with excellent sermon by the Dean. Did Christmas Tablet crossword and quiz. Wrote to editor about Fr Aidan Rossiter's new word "Willcoxian" -should it be "Willcocksian"?

My feast day. The Anglicans have my favourite gospel which was always read at St John's College at school Masses about Peter asking if John will live to see the return of Jesus. Catholics read about Peter and John running to the tomb "he saw and believed". To St John's for Eucharist - attractive Mass of St Cedd by Peter Nardone, Philip Ledger's Christmas gloria and Eyre's O fragrant the lilies. Gave out carol CDs which were much appreciated. Jo Richards said he had seen me as crucifer at the cathedral. Josie, Clare and Grandma for lunch which was very nice. To vespers and Mass for feast of Holy Family - 4 priests at Mass. Told Fr Swavek Liz had opened Polish gherkins and had to be eaten in 48 hours! Here is John Keble's great hymn for today. 1. Word supreme, before creation Born of God eternally, Who didst will for our salvation To be born on earth, and die; Will thy Saints have kept their station, Watching till thine hour drew nigh. 2. Now...

Church of the Nativity Bethlehem Going down into the cave and the star for the birthplace. Listened to Rachmaninov vespers on way to Coulsdon Christmas Eve - it was the Estonian philharmonic choir at the Proms - we will be singing this next year with Edward Caswell. Bruce went to St John's Upper Norwood for Midnight, Louise to St Michael's Bedford Park. Dennis and Louise to St Chad's South Norwood Christmas morning where they met Grainne and Clare and Sophia. So between us we have been at 6 churches! I drove to Coulsdon 3 times but it was worth coming home and having a short sleep before Midnight. I finally got to hear more of King's carols today! Many of them we had enjoyed at the Albert Hall - the soloists are particularly good this year especially the baritone. Bruce went cycling in Richmond Park on Christmas Day morning with friends and won the champagne. Boxing Day was relaxing. Waited until the football crowd had come before taking Dennis up to Grandma's - he...

St Stephen's Dominican church, Jerusalem. Icon of Stephen seen in Armenian shop window, Jerusalem. The church is thought to be on the place where Stephen was martyred. Christmas Day and listened to Bath Abbey broadcast. Not many at Coulsdon - clapping Gloria, I played lots of Noels. Vickie said how well everything had gone. To John the Baptist Purley for 12 noon Mass. Warmly greeted by Fr Jim Pannett who is looking old and limping again. Someone called Bill turned up at noon to play accompanied by his young daughters. Endured Peruvian Gloria and the girls sang carols round the organ - it looked as though they only had one copy between them. Their descant to O come all ye faithful was pretty feeble. Considering the church was full the people did not sing. Bill is a competent pianist I think but there is no variety of stops at all so it all becomes pretty dull. Canon Jim does his best to enthuse! I rather suspect that a lot of people like me would prefer a short quiet Mass after so m...

From the church at Shepherds Fields Bethlehem Christmas Eve hoovered the whole house! Set the table and put up the cards - not as many as last year I think. Some very interesting letters included! Watched Christmas QI and set off for Coulsdon for 2 crib services 4 and 5 p.m. This meant I only heard the start of King's carols. Liz went to Vespers and Vigil Mass at the cathedral. The services went well and we gave out lots of the Coulsdon CDs for free. People seemed pleased and I spoke to lady from Purley who was delighted. Also met the bride for the wedding blessing in May. I picked up Dennis and Ann Marie at Coulsdon South - they flew into Gatwick. Watched some of King's on TV and then had a short sleep on the bed. The Midnight Mass went well especially the Haydn Mass. I thought some of the carols beforehand went a little sharp. John brought Nicole to sing - she just stopped coming this year with no explanation! One person was late for the warm-up so I commented on the importa...

To the cathedral for penitential service - lovely organ playing and Fr Archer was great. Met Liz and came home. Tuesday a lot of clearing up and rearranging - took the car as had old decorations to take in and set up. Place looks much better and started making contacts encouraging people to borrow more. Sandria Cruise event went well. We were very green and turned plugs off. Electrical checks done but some how the heaters were missed. Watched more Christmas oratorio and enjoyed roast pork.

Icon from Bethlehem In the morning we sang "Hail blessed Virgin Mary" and the Wood Mass setting. The Russian Orthodox Kyries went particularly well. At the rehearsal after the first hymn there was much chatter so I just waited for silence before continuing. Spoke to a lady about the Jerusalem cathedral kneelers - she took one there in 1988 from Woodmansterne. Liz came for the Nine lessons at 5 p.m. The rehearsal went well and so did the service. We enjoyed nice eats and drink in the vicarage and everyone was most complimentary. Vickie clearly delighted that i had licked them into shape! The repertoire was straightforward with one lovely new carol "The marvellous birth" by Bib Chilcott. On TV BBC4 enjoyed Christmas Oratorio from Weimar.

Graham, Clare and Carice showing off the swan. Reading group enjoyed yule log chocolate and mince pies and mostly liked Rory McGrath's "Bearded tit" - there were some subtleties in the book which people had missed. We then went to Antipasta for lunch. I had cannelloni and white wine. Sang the O antiphon at vespers and had 6 servers at mass, The big surprise was Libera sang at Mass and very beautiful it was too - quite a few are RC. Bob Prizeman remembered me from RSCM southern cathedral singers with Martin How and mentioned Peter Myers and Howard. Came home for dinner and fell asleep during final of "Strictly come dancing"! Christmas letter from Ann and Paul and lots of cards.

Liz at Christmas celebration at the cathedral - did not like one MacMillan piece. Practice started on time with Edward's warm-up techniques. Mostly all there by 7.35 including John! Did nearly everything for next few weeks. Some comments were uncalled for I thought. Had a chat to John afterwards about the assessment.

Wednesday rehearsal with Stephen Cleobury for Thursday concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Had staff meetings in the morning and they went well. Left at 2 and Liz brought car up. Between rehearsal at Holy Trinity (hopeless sightlines and acoustic very echoey) and concert we walked down to the ice rink in front of the Natural History museum and bought spiced candles and decorations. The concert was great. King's sang Bullard, Weir, Vaughan Williams - superb baritone and tenor soloists, not so keen on the boy. Part 1 of Creation was fun with good tenor and baritone soloists, soprano not so great. Overture to "St Paul" and dance of the tumblers by Rimsky-Korsakov. Tenor sang "Ave Maria" and soprano "Panis". Best of all Fantasia on Christmas carols by Vaughan Williams. 3 congregational carols and 2 encores from Kings - Walford Davies The holly and the ivy and Stephen's arrangement of "Infant holy". 452 bus and 44 bus and drive home by 11.15 p.m...

Just listening again to The Choir with Aled Jones discussing new carols. The decorations at work and home and now all up - it does take ages but looks good. I went back to see Dr Ojo and he gave my knee the all-clear. I got my spectacles fixed for £2 at Clapham Junction opticians on Monday - the lens had fallen out 3 times! Now going to work on the Holy Land blog and an article based on it.

Should have said I went to Beckenham Catenian meeting on Monday which cheered me up!

liz returned safely on Tuesday. Quality control had a lot ot say about how little had been done in her absence so got on with putting up tree lights and decorations which is after all a major task and best done together any way. One set of 100 tree lights took 2 hours to unravel! Little Dorrit came to a fine conclusion and a happy ending! The review meeting with Vickie proved to be quite critical but on Sunday she was keen to affirm my position which is good. Quite what happens in the New Year is uncertain so it's all systems go for Christmas and today Sunday I practised for over an hour. Wednesday to chorus with Edward. Thursday to Christian's for the organists supper - not many there, excellent food. Friday to Jane Allen's retirement party at Balham library hall. Chris Lally, Elaine and Victor there and a good turnout. Excellent eats and champagne! The speeches went on for ages and she ended up thanking everyone. I could not leave till the speeches were over which meant I...

The new blog is http://belmontholyland.blogspot.com/s

Liz has gone to Hexham for a few days. I have managed to sleep better this time but I still miss her. I am getting pretty fed up with carols in Advent. The Archbishop of Canterbury's Advent message stresses the need to wait so why does the Church pander to the secular world. Friday's practice went much better. Saturday to Coulsdon town centre to sing carols with Churches together at 1 p.m. There was a lot of noise from other attractions. No carol CDs were sold and my view is that next year we should give them away with a notice about our Christmas services. We have several boxes left and have neither the marketing skills or time to sell them. We have made some money for the hospice and the church. To Vespers and Mass. I went up by train and when I arrived saw 3 black wedding cars and a white stretch limo outside. The wedding had started 49 minutes late and Fr Michael did well to get through in time for Vespers. John was there and 5 of the kids. The new cantor started "Crat...

Adrian Adams' recital on 23 Nov at St John's marked some anniversaries - Leighton, Blow, Parry, Leslie Betteridge and Messiaen and ended with Jacques Charpentier's L'ange a la trompette. It was an interesting programme despite the inevitable Messiaen! On Sat Nov 29 St Andrew's celebrated St Andrew's Day with Songs of Praise. this was informal with no robes and free accompaniments which seemed a pity. We started with Vaughan Williams' "O taste and see" and sang Martin Shaw's "With a voice of singing". The position of the choir behind the nave altar space meant that we were not in sync in places. My choice was "O worship the Lord". Other choices were "How great thou art" "Morning has broken" and "What a friend" but at least we did sing "Christ triumphant" and "Thine be the glory". Then there were fish and chips and apple pie and cream followed by a quiz. Our table came 2nd - ha...