The organist librarian

To Coulsdon where we sang Psalm 27 and Farrant's "Hide not thou thy face" and I played the Lasceux Fugue in G minor. The organ cover coming away at the bottom on the nave side and I saw more dirt in the chamber. I was putting things downstairs when Vickie came along in tears. She had spoken to Molly's brothers about their behaviour in church and this had led to uproar. Any way I advised giving it time and was pleased to find Molly had not gone home. Long chat to Catharine and Molly and then practised Buxtehude and Bach. I did my best to help and rang Vickie in the evening. There have clearly been previous incidents with the boys and their behaviour. Quick lunch and Dennis set off for the hospital. I parked at Selhurst (it was very wet) and got a fast train to Victoria and then a 24 bus as Warren Street station was closed. 3 hours of working on MacMillan detail. Buses back to Victoria and bought lilies for Liz. Trains cancelled because of flood at Clapham and got a tra...

Dennis came last night and visited Grandma who moved wards. To St Cyprian's for 2 rehearsals with Nick - it is starting to go in. At lunch time I went for a walk in Regent's Park and found a lovely garden with a stature, crocuses, snowdrops and pansies. Cappuccino at Pavilion cafe next to tennis courts. On bus with Andrew and bought meal for 2 in M and S. Canon Christopher at vespers and Mass. The Byron choir from Harrow school was excellent - Byrd, Shephard. Newsletter does give Lent group on Wednesday but nothing about quiet day! Picked up Dennis at King's and I prepared dinner - trout, Mediterranean vegetables and profiteroles with Ke wine from Chile. After dinner played the piano for once - Clair de lune, Faure, Nimrod, Dichterliebe.

Had a lie-in and to Dr Attard. Tingling in left hand is due to srthritis in neck and shoulder so must do tai chi and try back stroke. Cream for my right ankle. Did some more weeding and worked on the basic skills section. Julian rang. Liz at hospital after funeral of Canon Pat Davies in the morning. Picked up prescriptions after walk round Balham. To practice - started on Kerry Andrew's "Drop drop slow tears" using metronome - much muttering but they picked it up OK. May cancel practice next week. Also a discussion about Easter Day.

40 lengths. Jeremy went for interview and is to be Northcote branch librarian from March 22 so I lose my deputy but should get a replacement very soon after that! Clare was off sick so I volunteered for the first ttime ever in the library to read stories to under 5s. I had a large enthusiastic audience many of whom wanted to climb on my lap! They liked the flap books very much and I got the Mums to join in a song at the end. It went well and I enjoyed it. Did more weeding and admin stuff. Last hour in music - run down, untidy and grimy! Longchat to Ross on Face book and listened to Stanley Vann evensong from Peterborough.

Spoke to Ann. To clergy house for first Lent group meeting only to find room 2 was not booked in my name and Mary Maxwell who should know better had taken over the room! I was most annoyed and said so! Any way Joan and I met in room 1 and had a great chat. Bus 170 to Albert Bridge and visited Doris Clements in her new flat which is nice. Had my lunch and carrot cake, fruit and tea. She looks more drawn but pleased to see me and had a good chat. Walked around the area and found Catholic church of Holy Redeemer but not Carlyle's house! 49 bus underground to Turnham Green and 272 bus to Acton. Ciarán's winning smiles and expressions a delight! To chorus MacMillan rehearsal. Shocked to hear Francis Herbert was thrown out by Stefan after 40 years in the chorus. Liz had been at King's with Grandma and went up to stay the night at Glyn Close. A cause of concern - seems doctor prescribed wrong medicine.

Monday and Tuesday 40 lengths. The Hungarian Olympic champion as I call him was going far too fast! Monday finished at 6 and to St Cyprian's for MacMillan slog. Tuesday met with children's librarians and attended rhymetime (41 kids!). Good staff meeting with lots of involvement. Met 2 more staff in office. The Balham town centre manager came to see me and I met the manager of Waitrose. More weeding - a good day!

The frustrations of running anything at the Cathedral! The newsletter again carries Mary Maxwell's item about contacting her to join a Lent group. I went to a lot of trouble to inform the secretary of the times and leaders of the groups. Neither of the Wednesday groups appears in the calendar which means that unless people read the posters they will not know about them! I printed off some leaflets for Liz to take. Bobbie's new book "Love, revenge and buttered scones" is absorbing. MacMillan CD seems reluctant to play. Alarmed at Coulsdon to see plastice coming off top of pipes and more splits in the plastic which clearly too thin as it is ballooning. Worse there is no covering between the case and the arch above so I spoke to Bob, Peter, Martin Cross and the churchwarden. It must be sorted before they do any more cleaning down. It will need scaffolding. We sang Psalm 91, Turn thy face by Attwood and Wood in Phrygian mode - only 5 singers plus me! Hymns were 40 days, W...

Woke early and up at 6. Dennis up too. So used to a 9 am start but watched Tai Chi for beginners DVD and did exercises for 60 minutes - very well done, from Australia. To Boots and spent voucher Philomena gave me on conditioner for shaver and 2 showergels. Busy day and did a bit of weeding and agenda for staff meetings during lunch hour! David Campling came - great to see him again, his son is 3! At 6 got bus to Tooting Bec and Mass at St Anselm's - cold church with high dome. Communion under one kind, no homily but a woman doing CAFOD appeal! 3 servers with hands in prayer position throughout! Quite a lot of people there and priest foreign - Slovak? Tube to Clapham Common and to Clapham library for launch of Bobbie Darbyshire's new book. Wine and canapes. Chatted to Lorinda and Bobbie was excellent. She signed a copy for me. Buses home as Liz at Grandma's.

I had put my dinner in the microwave and was happily adding photos here for Shirley to see when suddenly black! The whole street was off. I groped my way to the door to find John wsa out checking. Found the torch and candles and settled do a candlelit dinner with white wine. Liz at Grandma's and shopping. Dennis and AnnMarie also there.

Just missed bus so only 34 lengths. I saw 3 staff for a get to know you chat in the office. Have still to actually do a parking permit! Did some more clearing up. Chat on Skype to Shirley and Micky. Grandma had a fall so Liz and Dennis went to see her.

40 lengths and saw Jim at bus stop as usual. Yesterday was a lovely clear day with a feel of spring in the air but today is wet again. Put up pictures in office and locker but I have so many some will have to go to church and others be stored. Giulini has pride of place! Did some weeding in 700s and a busy time on information desk. Closing procedure and on train to West Norwood at 8.19 and home by 8.45 which is not bad. Liz, Dennis and Louise arrived later having been to see Ciarán who is trying to stand and smiling a lot! Watched a bit of Masterchef and had an early night.War is declared on sellotape and tippex. Sellotape dispensers are potential weapons and scissors must be kept out of sight. Stationery order has to be redone. My box containing my mug and sandals is still at BTP! Nice shirt and tie from Khadija came on van.

Woke at 5 a.m. and caught up on blog.Just realised have posted 1002 times! Spoke to Ann. Dennis accompanying Liz and Grandma to hospital. To Hinsley Room for interfaith group - 15 came. Suha Rassam spoke well on Christianity in Iraq and there were some good questions. I was annoyed with Hannah for criticising Chris Hewer quite unjustifiably and others supported me. There was a tendency to generalise which I thought a pity. I went to St Paul's bookshop and used the voucher from the internet quiz to get a Lent book and an Easter book. Also bought Suha's book which she signed. Heard first part of Mass from Liverpool on radio 3 but fell asleep. Gave AnnMarie Nurse's prayer card I have had for ages for her. Tickets for Globe came. Fish and chips and apple pie. Meeting with Vickie - no Haydn Gloria at Easter. She said it was ragged at Christmas! Not keen on clapping Gloria on Easter Day prefer Peter Jones. Inwood setting. 4 in choir and rehearsed for Sunday as well - shortage of ...

Had to walk to pool as Whitehorse Lane was closed. Policeman allowed me to walk down left-hand side of the road. Turned out there had been a murder of a 26 year old after a wedding. Buses were diverted. 30 lengths as a result. Jeremy greeted me and all the staff very helpful. Unpacked boxes and saw Jeremy. Completed H & S. Quite clear that Marijana had been leaving things because she was retiring. I finished at 2 and eventually got the message from Coulsdon that the organ had been well covered so no need to go there. I returned home and Liz came back from the funeral at Northfleet of Ros's Dad, a deacon John Tuggey. I went to MacMillan rehearsal and this upset Liz again. I fell asleep on the train coming home and ended up at East Croydon so came back to Norwood Junction and bus to Selhurst to get the car. She has made contact with Jackie's singing teacher in Orpington.

Today not allowed to walk down Whitehorse Lane - have to go round says policeman but does not say go via Ross Road or Whitworth Road so I walk down Egerton Road to the scene of the crime! Police let me through and take my name and address! 30 lengths - Marvin passed his French exam. My first 9 to 8 for 10 years! Saw HT and SP. Put out flowers in library and changed labels to my name. Threw out some stuff but there is loads to do. To Sainsburys at lunch time - it is huge and eventually found the cappuccino and biscuits which I ought to try and give up for Lent! Very pleasant young man on checkout. In the evening weeded fiction 4 bays - the whole library needs doing! Informed a casual that I needed a full hour of shelving from her. Home by about 8.45 and delicious pancakes with hot fruit sauce. Produced notices for interfaith group. Printer would not work - turned out there was a pen in the paper feed! Dennis and AnnMarie arrived from Burnley very late. Sent email to chorus withdrawing f...

Woke early so did music list for March. Liz liked her card and love bugs and she gave me a lovely card with fridge magnet and book about husbands. Arrived at church to find chairs removed and nowhere for me to sit next to the organ. Cleared bookcase and moved keyboard downstairs. All this disruption made me a little tetchy and I was outraged when choir member walked out of the vestry in the middle of practising the anthem! And I moaned about the talking too. Any way the Rutter "The Lord bless you and keep you" went well and I played Toccata and Fugue in D minor with great panache after my St Paul's and Catford experiences. Bought Fairtrade stuff including fish jigsaw shapes for Ciarán and cleared up and practised. Transferring tape to CD using new device - Hereford and Worcester with Dad and me playing in 1985! Delightful M & S meal (£20) pink champagne, pate starter, steak and salad, chocolate puddings, cherry liqueurs, Cointreau. Songs of Praise made me cry - Mum...

DVD of tai chi is American so will have to be changed. Followed CD of MacMillan for a bit but it is just note bashing! Gill came to see Ciarán. I just missed a 75 bus but in fact got to St Laurence Catford just after 11. Tom Little organ scholar at Southwark cathedral played Dupre, Bach, Walton Suite from Henry V and Harris Flourish for an occasion. A fine player. After coffee played Sumsion cradle song and Moore Light of the nations. About 30 at recital. To Goose on the Green pub for fish and chips and Green King bitter. Had a great chat to Peter and James Perkins. He is horn player in Royal artillery band and going to RCM. He is organ scholar at St Laurence. Dorio gave a lift to St Andrew Catford. This has a fine Hunter 3 manual in a very wide Gothic church. Warmly welcomed by Susanna and Keith Bloomfield who demonstrated. I was dropping off but much enjoyed James playing Leighton and Howells Rhapsody in C sharp minor. I played Stanley Vann Cantilena (he is 100 this week) and Proulx ...

Slept well although woke early as usual as Ciarán woke. Choice between DVD of tai chi staff gave me or CD of MacMillan. Updated Lent group posters.

I was late at the pool as I was doing emails - only 28. Dan was there. Liz brought homemade cakes and loads of eats and drinks in car and set up in the hall with a display of library past and present. Loads of people came many with gifts and cards and they wrote in my book from my 30 years party. It was very touching. Liz fetched Louise and Ciarán. The staff gave me a DVD of tai chi for seniors - perfect gift. Home for dinner and Ciarán's bath time in inflatable bath. To practice and Peter Sanders came to look at situation re covering the organ as decorators coming Monday. We eventually found that the organ chamber key was on my key ring! It will have to be done from outside the chamber and front pipes are soft and worth £1000 each so they must be careful.

To Purcell room for hour with Stefan then there was an hour when we sang nothing and finally got away at 1 p.m. To M & S at Clapham Junction to get black shirt as Brice must have taken his back! Reminiscence group - 6 all very vocal about childhood some in extreme poverty in Battersea. Saw RA. To St Paul's cathedral and first to play. Simon Johnson changed stops and I played Murrill's Postlude on a ground as I did at Westminster Abbey. Big thrill to have the tuba at the end! Simon saw Adrian and myself out. I hailed a taxi to the Artists entrance Royal Festival Hall and was early as a result. Concert went very well although I think the pros were still too loud. Train home and liz picked me up after coming back frm confirmation class. She was upset at Stefan's result which was poorer than Edward's and saying she must have lessons.

Woke very early so read last bit of "The dog who came in from the cold" by Alexander McCall Smith and listened to choral evensong from Durham. Malcolm and Emily on Face book and Dennis on skype. To post office to get photo done by Tony Noble's son and application for freedom pass renewal sent in. Filled up bird feeders and sleeting. Ann on Skype. Paul has high blood pressure. To 24 Greencoat place Initiatives of Change for Chinese New Year meal which was delicious. Martin Sugarman picked up the 2 books from the library. "The Imam and the pastor" again, Jon Dal Din and Sr Hilda and interfaith group came. Chatted to Ann a secretary at the centre. Liz home. To Tate Britain to see Chris Ofili exhibition which was rather disappointing apart from "No woman no cry" about Stephen Lawrence's mother and the Upper Room which was effectively displayed. The film afterwards was enlightening about his Catholic childhood and Trinidad home. To Tate Modern to see Ar...

40 lengths. Prepared display of photos - very nostalgic! 2 boxes and large bag of pictures on van to Balham, including artificial flowers and numerous photos. To park for a nice walk if rather cold. To town hall - saw CD and DS and met with AG and MJ - very positive and helpful. To Wandsworth Town for discussion with DA. Saw GM (expecting) and CM. To Mahler 2 rehearsal, Liz did her reassessment with Stefan who worked on her posture! I got fed up with a young pro behind me who did not sing pp at all. Richard next to me from National Youth choir. Fell asleep on train and ended up at Waddon back to Selhurst and football coming out so 75 bus and walk home. Fed up, black shoes not comfy and tired and cold. Nice pc from Tasmania from Rosemary and Lyn.

Swam 40 and saw Marvin - he did get to his exam. Sam came and showed him where everything is. Laughing about Joan Baldwin saying people would put furry animals through library letter boxes! It was snowing when I went to Putney for meeting about self issue. Balham due to be done in September. Watched university challenge and nice lamb and white wine. Printed photos for library display. Sorting out covering the organ before decorators come in next Monday! A mouse has been seen at Balham - yuk!

Picked up Marie at the bus stop on way to church as a little later than usual. We sang Rutter setting and "Fairest Lord Jesus" arranged by Martin How. Molly is doing well and should get first badge on Mothering Sunday. The hymns were "Come let us join" "Thou whose almighty word" "let us with a gladsome mind" and "All creatures of our God and King" as the theme was creation. Practised and then home for soup. To St Edmund's Beckenham for recital at 3. 12 came and nice tea afterwards at No 11. Miriam Power has done well with the fine Wyvern organ. To St John's for evensong with Kit in charge - Gibbons short service and "Lord for thy tender mercy's sake". Antiques roadshow, Lark Rise and watched Songs of Praise from Southwark cathedral. I was on once and Liz a lot! St Edmund’s Beckenham Sunday February 7th 3 pm A musical meditation on the period from Christmas to Candlemas played by John Woodhouse ACertCM FGMS Director...

A lovely day but as I was the only senior I could not go out at lunchtime. I have not been to the park since I heard I was leaving. Cleared all the pictures out of my locker and packed up all the stuff from the office. Brought some pictures home to the study and for church as well. To vespers and Mass - Fr Alexander sings beautifully. The Challoner choir were not good again. Liz cooked a delicious meal and tired out from a busy week.

To visit Ciarán who is smiling and holding head up while on his tummy. He even managed to pull himself forward on the mat. He has a definite personality and uses his eyebrows to great effect. He seems to know when the camera is about too! I tried platform 2 first for the train to Shepherds Bush from Clapham Junction then to platform 17 where I just missed the train by seconds so back to platform 2 all in my black shoes which are not the most comfortable and suit. To servers guild dinner at Brook Green where the parish centre has been refurbished. A good meal of soup, chicken, choc cake and lots of white wine. Simon and Mgr Vincent Brady the secretary to the Nuncio spoke really well. President Nick Tilbury in wheelchair following fall in the snow. We sat with Brian and Lerone. Got tube and train to East Croydon and taxi home and trains still affected by signal failures! £10 for taxi, £10 for wine, £20 each for meal. I expect it was more enjoyable than the dinner at Maidstone for Catenia...

Swam 34 but the Hungarian Olympic type was splashing so got out early. At station 7.50 waited an hour to get a train - signal failure at Balham. With Marvin who swims and was due at a French exam to get into Canada! At library 10.20 a.m. Maureen brought childhood reminiscence box for Thursday. Did game plan. Updated chorus website.

Back to swimming as ankle not as sore. Chatted to a guy in change room who worked at V and A. Did some more training of Abi and started clearing out my pictures in office. To Mahler 2 rehearsal where we joined by the young professionals and the youth choir singers so it was a fine sound if a little loud. Stefan very happy. Finished at 8 so rang Liz who was coming for another assessment and that was put off until Tuesday. Watched Muslim driving school.

To dentist for check up - filled up 2 holes which is good. She revealed she married a Naidoo and had been in Joburg at Christmas! To Hinsley Room early to prepare to lead spirituality day. It went really well. i played 4 different versions of the Nunc Dimittis and gave everyone Luke 2 and Matthew 5 plus some hymnody "O brother man" "Once in royal David's city" "When candles are lighted". I also showed examples of poor sentimental religious cards and art as opposed to some lovely icons and pictures. Barry Mellish came and there were new faces - 25 in all over the day. To Mahler 2 rehearsal with Stefan - the sopranos had a hard time this week - so many top Bs! On the train home a lady asked if I was John Woodhouse and she said she had been a Saturday assistant at York library. After uni she went into banking - had a good chat. Samina. Feb 3 Spirituality day Calming moment Blessed are the gentle for they shall inherit the earth. This is the start of our s...

To town hall for 9.30 a.m. for parking permit training with Vince. Back to library and time in the office. To Cathedral for 5.30 mass - Victoria mass, Byrd Senex puerum a 5. To Tooting to Al Mirage restaurant for staff farewell meal - 3 course for £11.75 with mango milkshake.Lots to eat and delicious. 9 came including Sean and Elizabeth. I kow how careful one must be about humour but Zia enjoyed my quip about how we would now visit the Paradise night club in Tooting. It would be like heaven with many virgins. To which he replied "There are no virgins in Tooting"! Ciarán had been to our home and had a bath in inflatable bath!

Byrd's "Senex puerum" went really well at Coulsdon and the Gibbons Nunc Dimittis as well. I played Andrew Moore's "Light of the nations" and the Bach prelude for the day. Dennis strapped up my right ankle which I think I must have knocked. I rested while he and Liz went to visit Grandma. To evensong at St John's where we sang Wood Coll Reg and Hail gladdening light. The organ was much too loud again especially in "Fairest Lord Jesus" - does Kit look at the words? Antiques roadshow, Lark Rise and slept peacefully through David Dimbleby on treasures of Britain. Monday lift to station and hobbled along. My last tai chi session which is sad and I will try and get a DVD. Tony is an excellent teacher. To Catenians - tram not running and replaced by bus which dropped me off one stop too early so a walk to the club. Long chat to Barry about diaconate. Eric gave me a lift home. Computer running slow this morning and ankle sore.