The organist librarian

Spoke to Dennis and Ann Marie and Ann on Skype. They had been to Taronga Zoo and on the ferry, also St John's Glebe and Christ Church St Laurence. Still no plaques for Mum and Dad after 3 years! Planning the weekend. Haircut. Took Josie and Grandma to Buckingham Palace. Once again the disabled facilities were excellent with a new lift and garden cafe. Liked the special exhibition about the Queen's tours and gifts - some wonderful dresses and her own orders. To Victoria to get battery for Liz's swatch and then to National gallery but it is now open late on Fridays instead of Wednesdays! To the cathedral for David Sanger's interesting recital and a bigger audience. Saint-Saens, Karg-Elert, Vierne, Martin Passacaille, Seth Bingham. On way home listened to Strauss Symphonia domestica with score but train very noisy and reception poor. Watched Tudors part 1 and Barenboim conducting East West divan orchestra at proms in Liszt Les Preludes and Wagner Tristan prelude and liebes...

34 lengths. Lovely in the park at lunchtime. Shredding lots of old material. Prom was Sir Roger Norrington conducting Purcell, Handel, Haydn and Mendelssohn 3. The last programme of "Desperate romantics" and the death of Lizzie Siddall movingly done. It has been a colourful series inaccurate but well done.

Tai chi as no swim today - decided on some extra sleep in the end! On way home prom of Nagasaki by Schnittke and followed Shostakovich 8 with the score - Gergiev and LSO - alas I dropped off. University challenge, Levi Roots on caribbean cooking and the Queen's tour without sound! Interesting about Uganda and Fiji and the legacy of the tour. Margaret off to Ghana tomorrow! Good to have Liz home. Very shocked by the death of Fr Edward Houghton.

To Coulsdon on buses and arrived early so time to copy hymns for September and "On eagles wings" for Richard Pilliner. I played Dad's march and they were prayed for. We sang "He who would true valour see" and "King of glory". Last night we had "Father hear the prayer we offer" and "Holy, holy, holy". Excellent BBC4 broadcast from Bath Abbey - the RSCM choir did really well and interesting choices from Geoff Weaver. Good that Liz and Grandma are there with Bruce. Got buses home straight away. On Skype to Dennis, Ann Marie, Clare and Ann in Sydney - Dennis had to help medically on the plane. Both very tired. Watched HDD Rivers and Mendelssohn Lobgesang well sung and played by Halle under Sir Mark Elder. Had score for first 3 movements. David Cairns was interviewed. Szymanowski Stabat Mater from Proms. Edited blog and it is now a closed blog. Jam and Jerusalem was funny. Enjoyed "Bad Catholics" thriller by James Green.

The finished silk paintings! 24 lengths on Thursday and 34 on Friday - Dan was there and I was in fast lane again. Liz to Bath with Grandma. The second recording session for "Merlin" went well although more music was produced on the night again! I laughed at the bass who reacted to Rohan Atkinson, the Australian composer's request for a low E flat "Easy Skippy!" Tuesday and Wed rehearsals and recording on Thursday at Islington. Had a chat to Hana about her family. Friday after work to Trafalgar Square and enjoyed BP Portrait award exhibition at National Portrait gallery and "From Corot to Monet" at National Gallery. Back to NPG for excellent harp recital by Keziah Thomas including Faure and Paul Patterson "Spiders". Lots of people about and young man on 4th plinth singing and playing away! Trains to Feltham and checked in at Travelodge. Breakfast not until 8 a.m. so to Asda to buy supplies. Bus to Heathrow Terminal 1 in good time - their ...

36 lengths. Listened to Brahms Variations on a theme of Handel for piano lunchtime prom and to tai chi. Prom tonight was the Philharmonia with Salonen playing Ravel and de Falla. Enjoyed part 2 of the Queen's tour of 1953. Freischutz is off which is a pity.

There was a baptism at Coulsdon - Autumn a lovely 8 month old who had been very ill. I played Arthur Wills's Lullaby for a royal prince, some Andrew Moore and Mendelssohn Song without words in E. I didn't think the Venetian gondala song suitable! Chat to Jill Cliff about the magazine. we are to try a half hour with the girls after Sunday service which avoids me going down there again on a Wednesday or early on a Friday. Listened to Roberto Alagna's Desert Island discs (his second wife died) and Just a minute. Liz had been shopping in Croydon. To Geffrye Museum in Shoreditch to see the excellent photographs of Ethelburga tower in Battersea and Newlyn copper. The herb garden and formal gardens are delightful and it was very sunny. The smell of rosemary and thyme very strong. They even have hyssop and valerian! Swopped buses to get to Museum of London to see the excellent history of Anti-Apartheid movement exhibition. Walked to St Paul's cathedral through the lovely Patern...

A quiet day - 3rd of 4 Saturdays in a row. Reading group went well - 7 came and had enjoyed Hardy's Woodlanders. 8 for silk painting. Liz needed the car as Louise was going on a Mothercare shop with her and Grandma. She picked me up. Smoke vespers with Fr Michael Archer wearing a magnificent blue cope for the Assumption. Met John the new intern from South Wales. Tribal choir of Galway came over specially to sing at Mass - Bruckner Ave Maria, Mozart Spatzenmesse and best of all Rachmaninov Bogoridtse. They did well and David Grealy was playing - he used to sing with them. Listened to Stravinsky Orpheus on way home from the prom and enjoyed BBC2 recording of Handel prom with the 16 including alto Ian. Watched Jam and Jerusalem part 1.

Enjoyed some excellent South African wine and the first half of the prom featuring Jonny Greenwood's Popcorn Superhet receiver and Stravinsky's Apollo played by the strings of the BBC orchestra conducted by Martin Brabbins. Alas I fell asleep during Harrison Birtwistle's complicated Mask of Orpheus!

Up early and listened to a bit of choral evensong from Three choirs festival Hereford which I am enjoying right now on Iplayer. Mathias canticles and Mendelssohn. My bus was late so I arrived late at the pool so only 30 lengths despite it being quiet. Dan was there. Silver circle reading group enjoyed their tea. Library issues for June are up 24% which is great news! I changed into shorts on getting home but found the garden a bit cooler than last night!

I woke late so no swim. I got to Age concern meeting in time and took minutes. Angela mentioned Holocaust day next January commemorating 65th anniversary of Auschwitz being liberated so I mentioned Cirla Lewis. To the park for a nice picnic and enjoying "The way home" by Rose Tremain. Staff meetings went OK . Home to have dinner in the garden and watch the prom - Rite of Spring, Ravel La Valse and fascinating new cello concerto by Unsuk Chin played from memory by Alban Gerhardt. BBC Scottish conducted by Ilan Volkov. Watched Debussy and Takemitsu recordings.

Wednesday woke in the night again. Finished reading Alexander McCall Smith's "Tea for the traditionally built" and checked out his website. Decided to give union meeting a miss as had not had an agenda or notice of a meeting. Watched Delius Song of the high hills (cond Mackerras) and Lutoslawski concerto for orchestra (NYO stunning) on HDD, also rest of rivers programme. With Liz to the British Library for Henry VIII Man and monarch. Excellent audio guide by David Starkey. Wonderful to see his books and his annotations plus a fine early portrait, his astrolabe, writing desk box, psalter, etc. Very well presented but there were 2 places where people "bottle necked". To All Saints Battersea Park for Queenstown ward neighbourhood watch meeting and farewell to chair Re Johnson. She is excellent. There were nibbles and wine and I won a box on raffle! Home listening to Handel Coronation anthems from the Prom and fell asleep. Philip Glass Prom.

Woke late having been awake in the early hours so only 26 lengths. Nudrat is coping well. Zia and I did the environmental audit of the library - paint is needed and some cleaning of the outside. Liz was at servers council. Listened to part of G & S "Patience" from the proms conducted by Mackerras. Everyone was having a great time! Dennis rang. Watched second programme on the pre-Raphaelites and Desperate Romantics Part 4.

34 lengths and Dan was back! His daughter has been ill. 2 staff on leave but managed to get to tai chi - the ladies liked their photos! Nudrat started (at last - Doris left last September and post has been covered by Angela a casual). Home to watch University challenge, the background to the Coronation and delightful first programme on the Queen's 1953 tour. Prom featured The fairy's kiss. Tchaikovsky violin concerto and Khachaturian Spartacus excerpts - Bournemouth Symphony orchestra. Must be lovely to conduct "The Onedin line" theme! Chatted to Paul Clubb on facebook - he got a 2:1 degree which is great.

Listened to prom featuring 2 pianos - Faure, Mozart, Lutoslawski, Saint-Saens.Had lunch in the garden. Left at 4 to be at Holy Apostles, Pimlico for Pax Christi service at 5 p.m. remembering Franz Jagerstatter then peace walk to Battersea Park peace pagoda. Chatted to Maureen, Catherine and Kevin. Guitarist too quick in "Will you come and follow me?" Chanting, dancing and speeces including Bruce Kent. Liz came for the lantern floating ceremony on the Thames - our orange one got ahead but then became becalmed! Alan, Phillipe, Ivor and Suzanne there.

A glorious day and back to Coulsdon after a 2 week gap. I was delighted that the congregation sang the Inwood settings so well. I played "It is enough" and "Lift thine eyes" from Mendelssohn's Elijah as that fitted the first reading. I also played "Communion on the tune "Irish" by Basil Harwood marking his centenary and 2 Adagios by Frank Bridge, Britten's teacher. Joan Bakewell was on Desert Island discs.

The first 3 episodes of "Desperate Romantics" on Iplayer are great fun if a little fanciful. I've never much cared for their art but their lives were certainly interesting! The end of the evensong from St Endellion remembered Richard Hickox and some lovely Walton "Touch her soft lips".

The second Saturday on in a row of 4 was a glorious day and I enjoyed my time in the park! Said goodbye to Gillian who is going to the new Wandsworth Town library and gave her gladioli, chocolates and card - we will miss her. She has been with us nearly a year and is excellent - no need to ask her to do a display, she just does one! The free slk painting course is going well and Pat, Ann and Jean from tai chi asked for copies of the photo. We need a couple more to make up the numbers. Lorinda came in and was pleased to see the display of recipes for Jamie Oliver's competition "My Nan's recipes". She is doing a Battersea heritage trail and I gave her some ideas. To vespers (only 3 clergy there) and Mass with 3 visiting concelebrants. On way home heard the National Youth orchestra prom Tchaikovsky first piano concerto with Stephen Hough on blistering form, Lutoslawski concerto for orchestra and Respighi Roman Festivals on BBC2. The conductor Vasily Petrenko is not much ...

An interesting prom on BBC4 Oliver Knussen conducting BBC symphony orchestra. Respighi Fountains of Rome, Virga by Helen Grime (young Scottish composer) Knussen's horn concerto played by Matthew Owen, Stravinsky Jeu de cartes and Balakirev Islamey arranged by Casella. Lots of empty seats! Watched part 2 of Classic Goldie and impressed once again by his work. Even Mark-Anthony Turnage liked it! We have tomatoes grown in our own hanging baskets! The weather is very changeable - lovely at lunch time in the park, then heavy rain on Thursday night, cleared up today. Listening to evensong from St Endellion - orchestral version of Mendelssohn Verleih uns frieden, Howells Coll Reg. The lovely red gladioli I got for the wedding anniversary were lovely while they lasted!

34 lengths as it was busy although I did get on the left hand side against the rope which was nice. Work experience Alex useless and refusing to do things again! He finished Friday - 4 days was quite enough. When asked if I would do a report I replied "Only if I have to!" "Will you miss me?" "Oh, yes!". 2 possible volunteers came in but neither of them very available at the moment although they are off school! Some of the younger generation just don't try! Alexander McCall Smith's "Corduroy Mansions" had me in fits of laughter! Home to watch on BBC4 the prom - BBC Philharmonic conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. Mendelssohn Italian symphony (with my score which is an interesting Norton with 4 pages of miniature score to a page and themes highlighted) Maxwell Davies Roma amor (I fell asleep in this but caught up with it later) magnificent Respighi Pines of Rome and Rossini arias sung by Alaskan soprano Vivica Genaux. She has a fine mezzo color...

Dear Jonathan Many thanks indeed to you and the choir for a fantastic weekend of singing. Please pass on our very grateful thanks to all the choir and also to Vicky for her very sensitive accompaniment (visiting choirs are rarely heard in the nave in accompanied music but not so for you I gather). I wish you all the very best for the new year. Please come back soon. Very best wishes Luke A very nice comment from Luke Bond!

The first recording session of the soundtrack for "Merlin" went really well and Rob Lane was very clear in his directions. He has had a distinguished career in film music including winning BAFTAs. It took a while to get used to having a headphone on with clicks to give the beats! Some of the themes were memorable and stay in the mind! Not sure I would watch the programme itself as it seemed to be full of medieval cliches! We were home quite quickly from Islington and watched The Planets conducted by Mackerras from the Proms.

To be a pilgrim Aug 5 2009 Take: CDs, photos, photocopies, lighter, candles, display material, books, this sheet Play Guide me O thou great redeemer during which everyone who wishes to lights a candle on the central table. Welcome Introductions and ask about pilgrimages undertaken or planned Give out psalms sheet Say together the 2 pilgrimage psalms (alternating verses) and the pilgrimage prayer we used on the Belmont Abbey Holy land pilgrimage A pilgrim (lat. peregrinus) is one who undertakes a pilgrimage, literally 'far afield'. This is traditionally a visit to a place of some religious or historic significance; often a considerable distance is traveled. Examples include a Christian or Jew visiting Jerusalem or a Muslim visiting Mecca. No religion has laid greater stress on the duty of a pilgrim than Islam in the Hajj. • An Indian pilgrim in Gangasagar in West Bengal, India Pilgrims are common in many religions, including the faiths in ancient Egypt, Persia in the Mithraic...

The day went really well and was much appreciated. All the hard work paid off! About 20 came including some who had not been to the first Wednesdays before! People liked the music and the display of pictures and the quotation from Bunyan.

35 years of happy marriage. Today is the spirituality day I am leading on "To be a pilgrim". A lot of preparation has gone into this and I am now checking CDs including the end of "Gerontius" with Janet Baker singing the Angel conducted by Barbirolli and now some splendid hymns from Westminster Abbey Guide me O thou great redeemer and Who would true valour see.

Monday to Catenian circle meeting and Dr Austin Okonmah was enrolled. There were only 9 of us and 22 brothers as the Provincial President John MacMahon came on his official visit. I raised a laugh by saying that Harry Mellor's comments about the late Julian de Ruyter could never be put in Catena. Eric Tope was acting president gave me a lift home as it was our 35th wedding anniversary. The red gladioli have come out beautifully. Watched Cockaigne overture from the Prom conducted by Mackerras. To St Cyprian's to rehearse with composer Rob Lane for tomorrow's recording. He is good. Took as an hour and 20 minutes to get home.

To Oscars at Croydon Park hotel for as much food as you want for £19.99 and wine or soft drink included. Delicious sea food , roast beef, chocolate cake. Louise, Tom and Bruce looking very smart in purple shirt and suit and with large bouquet enjoyed it. Discussion with Grandma about going away with CVAB to a hotel which has special facilities for the blind but she didn't want to know basically because she doesn't know many people. Listened to the Prom and commented on website. Why was the Philharmonia Chorus for the second year running not asked to sing in the Berlioz te Deum? We sang in this at the Proms in 2000 with Colin Davis. It didn;t come over well on the radio - no sense of a big choir, boys (Trinity and St Paul's) only heard twice, organ pedals too loud at one point, lack of controlled legato line especially from some raucous basses. Ben Foskett piece not good - much preferred Goldie's! Griff Rhys Jones delightful programme on TV about rivers.

I had arranged for Matthew to play today as I thought I would be off yesterday and thus get a mini-break. I was up early and listened to the excellent Prom of Tchaikovsky Piano concerto No 2 played by Stephen Hough (recommended by Fr Michael Durand ladt night) and the Firebird and the CBSO. I did emails about the interfaith group and uploaded photos.

My old hat and beach towel come in useful! Taking part in silk painting were Ann, Jean from tai chi and Diana and Carole enjoyed it. I woke early so was able to prepare the material for the talks on being a pilgrim on Wednesday. To work and as only senior could not leave the building for reading group lunch or visit to the park. 5 came to do the free silk painting course and really enjoyed it. To vespers and Mass and the large robed choir from Belem, Lisbon sang well although they did slot in an extra motet and there was an appeal for the Passage. Asked Canon Christopher about organists dinner and swine flu. He knows Canon Boswell well and said until there is a major epidemic don't panic! Swavek looking very brown from his holiday. Charles Cole played Dubois Toccata. Home listening to prom of MGM musicals and watched the rest of it. Sir Thomas Allen on great form and looking very distinguished. Miserable weather and 3rd test washed out today.

Thursday swam 36. To chorus to rehearse Merlin again. Alexander Livingston came about work experience next week. His mum had a lot to say! Friday pool closed - glass door shattered and both pools must be drained. So bus to Croydon, tram to Wimbledon and underground to my old haunts at Southfields library (all for free) and library looks great. Carol had done lovely Questseekers display in children's. Senior forum went well and I made some suggestions like reminiscence training and more precautions against swine flu. Home to watch prom - Scottish chamber orchestra brilliantly conducted by young Canadian Yannick Nezet-Seguin - Schumann Piano concerto, Pulcinella, Mendelssohn 5. Watched Classic Goldie part 1 and his struggles to compose a piece for the proms.