The organist librarian

Thursday to the Cathedral hall. Surprised Liz at Victoria station - she had come home a day early to surprise me - good thing I had visited the new Battersea Park Tescos and got the flowers! A delightful celebration meal for the volunteers and Fr Michael read some of the thank you letters "Dear Fr Bone..." The whole event paid for itself. Lots to eat and drink but I drove. Sat with servers and had an interesting chat to Nick who is from Barons Green and has painted a station acrylic on wood. Brian and Andrew the seminarians engaged in a good discussion about the Baptism of Christ. Friday to practice and did most of the November music - I was throaty and suspect I caught the cough/cold from my neighbours at the Jerusalem chamber on Wednesday! Finished "The cleft" by Doris Lessing - most unusual and rather disturbing book.

Lie-in and watched Songs of praise Big sing and An Island parish. To St Michael's for last recital of the series. Dorio was there. Attila Laszlo from Slovakia played Couperin, JSB, Mendelssohn Sonata in C minor and an nice Abendlied by Dezso Antalffy-Zsiros (who would want to announce that?) and Fantasia by Istvan Koloss. To Coulsdon on bus to see Vickie. Planned up to end of January. Train to Royal Academy for the excellent Wild thing sculpture exhibition. Loved the Eric Gills and some of the Epsteins not so keen on the Gaudier-Breszkas. Walked via Pall Mall through St James Park - half moon just showing through the clouds. How beautiful and noble London is! An interesting talk on Jesus the Jew in the Jerusalem chamber for the central council of Christians and Jews by Rabbi Holdstein and Dr Taylor. Interesting and the rabbi said the baptism of Jesus was the turning point. He did say that Jews practice ritual washing (baptism). But why did Jesus have to be baptised if we was sinles...

Woke late so walked to station and no swim. In any case had to carry dinner suit in its carrier. Weeded fiction for sale. John the new work experience is autistic but quite helpful if a little wayward! Left at 4.30 and changed - Harry Mellor met me at Selhurst. Took an hour to get out of London and late for meeting at Russell Hotel Maidstone. Nice dinner for £13.50 and had a great chat about music to Anne Shufflebottom. Carmel was there too. Only some of the men were in black tie and we asked for next meeting to be at Victoria! Home by 11 p.m. Harry is good company!

Emma came to a happy conclusion on TV last night! 30 lengths although it was busy. FL sick again so we were short but I did get to tai chi and 4 new recruits and a new form to learn! To Brompton Oratory for John McGreal's excellent playing of Bach's Clavierubung III. I spoke to Simon Lloyd, Patrick Russill and David Gammie afterwards. He did not play it all unlike Gillian Weir and there was a lot of reeds which did not help my tinnitus! But he played superbly and some interesting sounds too. Printed out provincial council stuff while watching programme on Sydney Anglicans which Fr Rob picked up - scarey!

A quiet wet day at home finishing Patrick Gale's excellent "The whole day through" and watching a 2006 prom of Mozart C minor Mass conducted by Charles Mackerras. To Albert Hall via Battersea Park and Sloane Square. The concert started with Berlioz's Hungarian March. Stephen Disley played Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3 - a truly thrilling sound. I was sitting with Chris Hollis and talking about Giulini. Love the bit with the piano duet. Carmina was excellent and Andrew Greenwood very pleased. Got a 52 immediately and train to West Norwood. Liz was ahead of me but did not have keys! Buses to Coulsdon - clocks went back an hour - I was exhausted so glad of sleep although I woke early. Liz off to Louise's baby shower and then back to Brum until Thursday so lonely bed again! We sang Martin How's "Day by day" and Howells "My eyes for beauty pine". Baptism and girls practised. Buses back home - am reading Doris Lessing's "The cleft" whi...

Thursday and Friday swam but got there a little late so only 24 and 28! There was some Russian looking young man thundering up and down the fast lane! To Carmina rehearsal and Nick Jenkins was as energetic as ever - he really is good. He had heard a recording of Monday's session and wasn't too impressed! Got MacMillan St John Passion scores - in 2 parts and looks difficult. Nick mentioned the 1988 opening concert of the proms Verdi requiem with Pritchard and Julia Varady and Dennis O'Neill - I think I sang in it! Friday no choir practice so enjoyed Gloucester's evensong, Brahms piano concerto No 1 played by the winner of the Leeds piano competition a Russian woman and Dennis rang for a long chat about Australia. Bruce moved O.K. and laid floor in new flat. Liz returns tonight. Got an earlier night but woke early! Fr Rob has sent me connection to his lovely new blog.

No swim so far this week - not sleeping well when Liz away! Monday to briefing on CIPFA survey at Earlsfield. CM late so library opened late. To Carmina rehearsal at Barbican City of London girls school. Andrew Greenwood looks like a younger Richard Attenborough and has not changed much. Some of the ladies were not watching - probably Royal Choral society older generation? Tuesday spoke to Liz - move is likely to be on Friday. Halifax slow over Bruce's mortgage. Wed spoke to Ann on skype. To Interfaith group 14 came including 4 new ones (David Chapman who is Jewish) Sr Margaret Shepherd of Sisters of Zion and retired from Council of Christians and Jews spoke so well. To St Michael's Sonny Son of Kansas played well - Dupre, Liszt, Widor and a rather fine romantic Prelude and Fugue by Elsa Barraine (1910-1999). To Wandsworth Town library for opening by Boris Johnson. SPoke to loads of councillors and staff and Boris himself. Told him how pleased I was that he mentioned books! He ...

Saturday reading group (9) enjoyed Alasdair Mackie who is 87 and very like Bill Beach. He is a raconteur and a delight. Carice was her usual perceptive face. We had an Afghan aid green tea and I sent a donation. Vespers and Mass with Farnborough Hill school choir and servers from Canning Town. Nick asked me to look after the book boy and then did it himself - I was not best pleased! Liz ended up being boat! The choir sang well a nice piece by Peter Nardone and a lovely solo in the Holst Let all mortal flesh. Home to watch Gandhi part 3 - an excellent series. Sunday we sang the Mendelssohn Lord in thy mercy and Nicholson in G. The Jones Gloria went well too. There was confusion over the extra hymn from Common Praise which was on the music list which it seems Vickie does not consult. In the end the choir sang it alone as the gradual - it was "From thee all skill and science flow" for St Luke's day. A fine hymn by Charles Kingsley. I played the lovely Elegy and Intrada from ...

34 lengths. To African Caribbean library for Black history month event around the exhibition "Arriving in Wandsworth". Alex Pascal was brilliant ar drawing stories out from nurses and others and leading singing- we finished with "There's a hole in my bucket". I had not been to the whole of one of these ACCL events before and it was such fun. Selma will be much missed and is obviously worried about her legacy when she retires in December. I spoke to 2 staff about issuing parking permits which is a real security headache. To Westminster Abbey for evensong with Abbey and Cathedral choirs. Archbishop Vincent and Archbishop Rowan gave a joint blessing and censed the St Edward's shrine. The cathedral chapter and 3 bishops also attended. Superb Palestrina Magnificat and Victoria Nunc and best of all Elgar "Give into the Lord"! Terence moved me to a better seat so could see and hear well in 4th row of transept. Noticed people with bunches of red roses - S...

Swam 32. Did not have a towel so Liz kindly brought one and then found she had not brought one for herself. She was busy at the cathedral with roses and serving at the farewell liturgy. She brought home some lovely red roses. I had lunch at 11 because of staff on leave. To chorus for open rehearsal of Carmina with Nick. "Northern tenor" wants us to go to Spode week! Spoke to Ann on Skype about Bet's funeral. The dog who came in from the cold by McCall Smith continues to entertain!

Tuesday morning to Bethnal Green for London interfaith forums meeting. This was disappointing. Having paid to get train to be there for 10 a.m. I could have travelled later for free as they did not start until 10.40 a.m. The hall was large and it was hard to hear with people next door talking loudly. It is a concern that some forums report no Roman catholic involvement. We heard from the interfaith officer for the Olympics and that was interesting. Back to work for 1 p.m. and then to Town hall for L & A JCC on health and safety which it turned out was cancelled as 2 union reps could not attend. Wed to union committee meeeting - much wittering but I did get in a bit about parking permit issue in libraries. To St Michael's for excellent recital by Emma Gibbens - Franck, Bach, Wammes Miroirs. Had to leave to go and get car to get to meeting with Vickie. Excellent choral evensong from Exeter - Howells. Did November music list and then to Croydon Parish church for superb concert by ...

Photos credit: catholicrelics.co.uk Liz spent most of the day at the cathedral. She served as crosier bearer at the Mass to welcome the relics when the Archbishop preached a wonderful sermon. She was cross bearer on Tuesday at the service of anointing of the sick. I was crucifer at the ecumenical service and Liz was acolyte. The Dean of St Paul's cathedral preached and the final hymn was "Lift high the cross". Afterwards we met Joy Peck and had the opportunity to venerate the relics and bought candles. The cathedral looks marvellous with lots of roses and candles and it is very moving to see the simple devotion of so many waiting patiently and praying. There was a nice reception in the common room and I actually spoke to Bishop George for the first time and the Bishop of Edmonton. Had a long chat to Fr Luke Miller from Tottenham. He has led pilgrimages to Lisieux twice and says they have a Roman rite service lasting 2 hours with 7 hymns! The Hill organ is being rebuilt ...

Swam 34. To Wandsworth Town for stock day which was interesting but tiring. Lunch there. Back to library and then to Newton Prep for first interfaith group meeting. We heard a Muslim, Zoroastrian and 2 Buddhists - Jon Dal Din and Gillian Warrior were there. Most interesting especially the Muslim lawyer. Came on train with Pat from Purley.

Super evensong from St Alban's repeated from Wednesday - Stanford in G, Philip Moore anthem and Simon Preston toccata. To St John's for evensong. Trouble at mill - Psalms unaccompanied to chant instead of plainchant and Parsons Ave Maria instead of Rheinberger. Kit Perona-Wright conducted and 2 choristers walked out as the changes had not been indicated and the items should have been rehearsed on Friday. Chris Wardle was there with Eleanor - he sang alto - good to see him. The Choir featured David Hill and Latin american music. Dining room now finished and tidied up - looks great!

Harvest service went well and Ian Ray's Harvest carol and Thou visitest the earth went better than yesterday. Apparently Ian Ray has a Coulsdon connection! I had to play a hymn again "God whose farm is all creation" (words by John Arlott) while the screen was put up for the film about the Amazon from the USPG speaker. The girls practised and will not be there next weekend. I played Vernon Griffiths on "St George" and Flor Peeters on "Wir pfulgen".

Liz painting doors. To Harvest flower festival and played from 2.45 p.m. All went reasonably well - one or two weak leads but the kids did well and so did John. It was appreciated. Lots of people in the hall and I bought a cake and some coconut bread and tamarind. There was even a Viking harvest feast and a toy train layout on the stage. To 10 pin bowling and Mollie and Ella and their Mums formed a team with me. 12 teams in all and much enjoyed. Royal Russell team 1 won with an amazing 701 points which must be the best yet - one lad had 4 strikes! Holy Trinity Redhill 2nd and St John Redhill 3rd. Gave out certificates and trophy. Hugh Sutton very chatty from Royal Russell. Terrence Hancock fussing over money as usual! To Purley for Mass. Fr Gregory's homily was indecipherable and then he started singing "Seek ye first". One girl server in white alb too short for her with white trainers, another with silver slippers and sort of mincing along! To West Norwood to meet Liz wh...

Welcome Alexis Tamas Istvan Constantinides here being proudly held by Sofia. He was born last night the anniversary of our engagement in Paris 36 years ago. 3.6 kilos just like Grainne his mum and Sofia! Aren't they gorgeous! He is Alexis not Alexander!

A couple of hours doing the game plan and seeing NS. Pretty tiring day - only had 30 minutes for lunch. The chocolate cake I took in for my birthday was much appreciated. The labels on these posts are no longer working! To choir practice and worked through programme for Saturday. I was irritated by M saying she could not get the time right in Jubilate of Mozart and then when I offered to go through it "We don't need help" - far too much chatter again which does NOT help anyone! John went through Ave Maria an octave down! Moved chairs and piano - church looks lovely and all neat and tidy. I put out free CDs in 3 places and the programme. Music for the Harvest flower festival St Andrew’s Coulsdon Saturday 10th October 2009 2.45 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sung by the church choir and played and directed by John Woodhouse ACertCM FGMS Director of music St Andrew Coulsdon and President of Bromley and Croydon Organists Association Prelude on “Aurelia” Father Andrew Moore born 1954 This pr...

Woke late so no swim. RA PRP with HM, then Ian Giles came about his desert online project. Lunch walked to park as it was a fine day. Saw MH PRP mid-term. R cleaner fuss about ladies loo. Quite a day! Home and Bruce came - he had been at meeting at Gatwick although he is on leave. He went off to IKEA with Liz. Watched Leeds piano competition Beethoven 5 played by Davide - brilliant Frenchman, Stephen Fry finding the kakapo a flightless parrot in New Zealand, and the amazing Alex who has cystic fibrosis and sings in King's Cambridge choir and conducted the St Matthew Passion at the Cadogan Hall! Finished the stunning "Native son" by Richard Wright - what a book!

Wednesday Liz painting doors with gloss and repapering some bits. To spirituality day led by Eileen Dutt. 4 men there which may be a record! It was based on praying with the scriptures so we began with morning prayer for Our Lady of the Rosary, silent meditation, lunch, lectio on Gospel of the day Lucan Lord's prayer. Quiet time, tea and final prayers so no feedback this time. Eileen gave us a translation of the Lord's prayer from the Aramaic which is amazingly rich. To Tate Modern to see Pop Life exhibition. It left me cold as it was really about how money exploits art. The pornography was unnecessary especially the video of an artise making love to a man who paid $20,000 for the privilege of being filmed. The dead horse surmounted by INRI and impaled through the heart was obscene and insulting to Christ and Christians. One fascinating bit was the identical twins (real people) in front of 2 dot paintings (not identical). I also was intrigued by ultraviolet light on Warhol'...

Bat passed away peacefully at 5 a.m. Hobart time Tuesday morning. It was good that I was able to chat on Skype to Ann and Paul in the evening. Liz took Grandma to King's hospital and she stayed in over night - had problems standing but seems to be O.K. again. Swam 32 on Monday and to York library for 10 a.m. Reminiscence group training - a good session and learnt a lot and made useful contacts too. Back to work to numerous emails and messages. To Earlsfield library for Arts festival planning meeting which was interesting. Then to Catenians where I gave my report. 12 of us, 12 visitors. Eamonn Scully was there - a rare visit indeed! Tuesday woke late 7.40 but just got in at 9 a.m. Liz had come in at 3 a.m. from hospital. To Waterstones Putney for talk by Tom Carver and Jimmy Burns on Fathers and Sons - very interesting, small audience. Tom's father was adopted by Montgomery. Jimmy's father was a spy in WW2 in Spain and had an affair with Anne Bowes-Lyon.

Saturday Vespers and Mass - Thomas was cantor so I mentioned my email about the gospel acclamation accompanying the procession so we need a short organ impro before the Alleluia starts not the other way round. Edward was giving unclear intonations at vespers again and several strange chords! The men of the Challoner choir ruined Faure Cantique and Mozart Missa brevis. Fr Michael Archer presided. All systems go for St Therese - 1000s have visited her elsewhere including York Minster. Today we celebrated St Francis and sang Boyce Alleluia and Nicholson in C. Cipher beforehand on swell and played Bach Fantasia in C minor. An added bonus was a rare visit from Tim West who is in the Navy. The girls enjoyed their practice and I sorted out 10 pin bowling team and music for Saturday's flower festival. Decided no to go to interfaith meeting - late lunch and trains not stopping at Battersea Park on the way to Victoria. Instead put everything back in dining room and Liz painted loo walls. Th...

Painting of the kitchen and dining room finished apart from the odd bit of papering which needs to be replaced and then painted - hurrah! I am not an enthusiastic painter - hate getting my hands dirty so wear gloves. There is a hardly a mark on my decorating clothes (old Philharmonia Chorus T shirt) whereas Liz is covered in paint. I am far too finicky around edges and cleaning up whereas Liz just slaps it on! Still it's done and all the china is in the dishwasher before being put back! We have so many objects! Read in Daily Mail supplement that Vince Cable M.P. deputy leader of Liberal Democrats and generally sensible bloke was educated at Nunthorpe Grammar school, York where my Dad went so sent him an email.

Painted kitchen and dining room - first coat is done but foreman wants a second coat! Listened to radio 3 all day - Handel, Dvorak and Martinu. Bet very ill and slipping away - a severe stroke so all in our prayers. We were able to have our breaks in the sunshine - not like October at all!

To 10.45 a.m. Red Mass which is attended by the judges and QCs. The choir sang Palestrina Dum complerentur motet and Mass. Bishop Arnold presided and there was much Latin! We were acolytes. There is talk of us sitting at the back again which won't do as we cannot hear and it gets very hot in winter! Much better to be in the choir stalls. Saw Muriel who taught with Liz and her son. Bishop Longley is to be new Archbishop of Birmingham - he is so charming and always remembers names and thanks everyone. We will miss him very much. Saw Fr Allen Morris in Victoria station. Home to start painting the kitchen ceiling and walls - nice ivory colour. Had not been done for 8 years and lots of cobwebs and one large spider! A lovely day again with a touch of autumnal coolness. Still no sign of birthday cards in the post! Victorian Farm was interesting on BBC2.