The organist librarian

Friday set up book sale, senior development forum at Putney went O.K. To hospital after work. Saturday tai chi and Dennis here again. Book sale going alright. Home to see Ciarán and Louise and saw then Sunday morning. Trinity Sunday only 4 in choir (rest singing at Canterbury) so we sang "Most ancient of all mysteries" and "Father we adore you". I played Willan on "Nicaea" and Harper's Triptych of the Holy Trinity. We sang "Holy, holy, holy" "Eternal ruler of the ceaseless round" "Thou whose almighty word" and "This day God gives me" so a good choice with the Inwood setting and Rutter Gloria. Practised and coffee and then to Purley listening to Gyorgy Pauk's Desert Island discs. Gave Bill organ music for manuals with an explanation encouraging him to avoid "O sacred head" and "Wachet auf" at Eastertide. Canon O'Sullivan. Deacon Joe Parsons does nothing. 2 servers sloped in late and wer...

Overslept so only 24 lengths. Did more weeding and tagging is going well. To Friends meeting house at Streatham Hill for South London interfaith group lunch and talk on "Meeting God in friend and stranger" by Fr David Standley and Jo Harvey. There was a delightful pastor from Church of South India and his family present. Man asleep outside library who was homeless. To launch of Wandsworth Heritage festival and green plaque on earliest cinema in London. We saw inside the cinema which is now used by Youngs to train chefs and real ale staff! Reception in Wandsworth Town library and talk by Cinema appreciation society man. Met Dr Chris Hewer and David Llawelli on station!

Tuesday finished at 2 p.m. Liz at Good shepherd Mass and hospital and then to Bedford Park for Rossini rehearsal. She made a delicious cake and Alan and Berna Foden arrived from Cambridge around 4.30. We sat in the garden and enjoyed Earl Grey tea and cake. Alan was in my schoolclass and has just retired. Berna is Catholic and we had such an interesting chat. She takes her housekeeper's daughter to the same school that her children went to. But the mothers will not take their children to the school where their servants children go because of sport and nothing to talk about! They went off to for a meal on the way back and I went to the hospital. Grandma making slow progress. Wednesday to Croydon to NHS centre and coffee afterwards. To Interfaith group meeting with Rabbi Mark on "Christ through Jewish eyes". Very interesting - 2 of the newcomers were out of order and had to be told politely not to try and convert the rabbi. Jon Dal Din very supportive and the rabbi was ver...

To the tip on the way to church to dump old compost. As I had my newly cleaned best suit on I donned an apron - there were 2 long queues of cars so I was a little delayed but picked up 2 ladies for church at bus stop as a result. I played Wyton and Thiman on Veni creator and we sang "Spirit of the living God" as an introit. Come down O love divine, Breathe on me Breath of God, O thou who camest and There's a spirit in the air. Veni creator at communion followed by Alan Smith's "Like the murmur". Straight to cathedral for 12.1 5 confirmation with Archbishop Vincent. Liz read the sequence very poetically and a splendid homily without notes. Stunning improvisations from Edward Tambling on Veni creator and I thought Mahler's Adagietto was creeping in too - mind you I am worrying that my copy of that is lost which I need next month! Come down O love divine, Breathe on me, O bread of heaven and Love divine. Lourdes Mass is a little tedious. Reception in the ha...

Thursday to Green champions meeting at the town hall and found out about new cleaning contract and refuse contractor and got leaflets. To the hospital for meeting with the consultant and staff - Grandma needs total care and gradually making progress on the swallow and speech - it will be a long haul. Bruce home for a few days. Friday to practice and covered all the June music although 2 were absent. Finished with "Locus iste" and I used Paul Brough's ideas. Nothing from St Peter and St Paul Clerkenwell so they must have appointed someone else - a lucky escape I think. Saturday to organists training day in Bromley based around 3 churches. With Adrian for accompaniment at Widmore Rd URC and Norman for improvisation at Trinity URC - very helpful. After lunch in the sunshine masterclass with Peter Wright with 4 scholars on Bach, Vierne and Franck - all gained mushc and phrased better and more musically. Did not get to hospital and Bruce wasn't well so he didn't either...

Tuesday Chris was back and I weeded sport and American literature. Left at 4 to get to Clerkenwell for 5.20 - went well. To Power station forum and the amended plans look good. Lorinda presented the new Battersea trail booklet which I helped to write and I mentioned the US Embassy display at the library in July - again I was the one who suggested that! Wednesday decided not to go to Knole with John Goodwill and the Synotts as too much to do. Emptied front garden boxes and drilled holes in them for drainage. Saw 2 young rats in shed - ugh! To St Michael's for recital by Sarah Kim from Paris playing Durufle, Saint-Saens, Dupre and Bach - excellent player. Took 2 suits to be dry cleaned and bought new slippers and sewed elastic on them. To hospital and Grandma able to name the family members and answer questions - saw the consultant. Watched Art of the Sea, Picasso, Songs of Praise and did the ironing. Junior Apprentice was funny. Dennis arrived.

Swam 36. Chris had hurt his ankle so I opened up and spent the whole day on the information desk apart from giving Jan a health and safety tour and meeting about an October exhibition. To May Supper at Addington Palace golf club - a good turnout. Prawn cocktail, stuffed chicken and crumble with custard. Won pink bubbly in the raffle! Sat with David and Rene and Tina Bagatti, Mary Cullen, Philip and Mike. A good evening!

Dennis up early and he returned to Burnley today. At Coulsdon we had some great hymns "Hail the day" "Crown him with many crowns" and "The head that once". We sang "The Lord ascendeth up on high" by Praetorius and I played the Bach "Heut triumphiret". Practised with Molly and the organ and then to Purley for 12 noon Mass. Sat next to Irene de Souza and her family. Bill again played Wachet auf and Passion chorale! The deacon does nothing! Drove to hospital and Grandma more chirpy -counted up to 5! Drove back to Coulsdon for 4 pm rehearsal for 5pm evensong. Gibbons Short service and Croft God is gone up, William Smith responses - the hard work paid off and all went well. I played Bach Orgelbuchlein Easter preludes and John Cook's Improvisation on "Veni creator". The hymns were "Rejoice the Lord is king" and "Jesus lives". Home to see Louise briefly and watch Young Musician final. Callum played Mendelssohn...

Tai chi for a time. Bought plug covers for children's and hall in Balham shop. It was Cup Final day and a lovely day so we were not so busy in the afternoon. A new Saturday assistant started and I dealt with Health and Safety and various matters including an old man in the loo for an hour reading a book - he did apologise! More weeding! Underground closed at Oval because of a fire so to Kennington and got bus back to catch a 36 to Camberwell. I got to King's at 7 and Grandma looked a better colour and still trying to speak. Dennis had got the photos with Ciarán blown up for her and she liked them. Dennis goes home tomorrow night - he has been great! Walked through Ruskin Park - lots of blossom out and drove home. Liz got in just after us and we had mince and squash, gooseberry tart and custard. Fell asleep watching HDD of BBC young musician semi-final. Dennis asleep on settee.

To Old Coulsdon for the funeral of Bill Beach who was 96 and 29 years secretary of Norwood circle. A good turnout. Daniel got me to turn over in the first hymn "Praise my soul" and we had "Love divine" to Blaenwern. No other music apart from organ so rather a plain Mass with no incense or server. Kevin read a lesson and Fr Bliss did the eulogy/homily. Kevin embraced me afterwards and Liz helped with tea at Bill's house. I walked down to Coulsdon South and was at Balham by 12.30. Went looking for plug covers and bought some plastic crates. Several queries kept me busy all afternoon and I finally left at 5.30. Sandwiches left from funeral at home and then to Croydon parish Church for the concert of Tudor music by the Sixteen. We sat at the back and could not see much but the sound was superb. Byrd, Tallis and Shephard and introduced beforehand. Most of Croydon's musicians were there. It was David Squibb's funeral today - I never met him alas. Liz saw Ian w...

Swam 40. Grandma sat in a chair today for a while! Dealt with 4 volunteers and English conversation group started. Staff meeting. To Earlsfield library for a Wandsworth Arts festival evening of poetry, prose and music. Racker Donnelly was an amusing host. Robin O'Brien talked about the picture book he has written and I bought a copy for Ciarán which he signed. Stuart Wynn read his short story and Joanna Ezekiel read her poetry. Best of all was Jamie West who is UK young busker of the year and he has a fine voice and presence and a winning smile. Robin was described as a younger Clegg/Cameron! Daphne and Hilary were there. On return home saw programme about trouble at the Leyland motor vehicle musuem.

A midwife should possess A lady's hand A hawk's eye A lion's heart

Watched Tutu discussion on whether religion is good for Africa on Iplayer - I missed the others in the series. Spoke to Ann. Hoovered downstairs and washed kitchen floor. Glued drawer and organ pipe together again but drawer will have to be replaced. To St Michael's. Ilya Kudryatsev was unable to come from Switzerland because of volcanic ash stopping flights again so Martin Ellis of Dorking stepped in at short notice and played Welsey, Arne, Schumann, Karg-Elert and Widor. Bridge Adagio was left out! I am enjoying Eric Siblin's book on Bach cello suites. Lit 3 candles one for Grandma. David, Ken, Howard, Frank Millington, Gervase and Terence all there. Bus to King's - Grandma more cheerful and saying more - counting and whole sentences. Clare dropped in. I missed Rosemary and Lyn's visit by seconds yesterday! Watched Young apprentice with Lord Sugar. Same formula as before. 5 lib Dems in cabinet - Vince Cable is Business secretary, Nick Clegg is deputy PM! Will it last?

Swam 38. Staff meeting and some concern about staff internet use being monitored. To hospital and Grandma clearly said Oh No and Oh Yes and something about tomorrow going home. Louise came and Dennis gave Ciarán bottle of expressed milk. Train from Denmark Hill to Blackfriars Thameslink for Festival of Sons of the clergy at St Paul's Cathedral. Lot of noise beforehand and we did not get Imperial March. Blues and Royals trumpeters. Wood Hail gladdening light from 3 choirs at the back. Angel voices ever singing. St Paul's sang Exultate deo by Poulenc. Westminster Abbey choir a Tomkins anthem. Lincoln including girls sang Stanford Coelos ascendit. I dropped off during Alan Harper's sermon - he is Archbishop of Armagh. The combined anthem was splendid and a great favourite of mine Wesley's "Ascribe unto the Lord". Rejoice the Lord is King and All my hope were the other hymns and grand procession out to Elgar Sonata Allegro maestoso. Archbishop of Canterbury and Lo...

Swam 36 - it was busy! A busy day but did manage some more weeding. Dennis at hospital all day. Brown has resigned and Tories look worried that Lib Dems will not give them power after all! Nick Clegg has the chance to get some real change in the system which is so badly needed.

Liz set off early as she was acting as sacristan for the morning so Gerry could play in the folk group. At Coulsdon we sang "If ye love me" by Tallis and Bairstow in E flat. We rehearsed Gibbons and Croft for evensong and I felt so confident after the conducting workshop and was using some of the techniques I had learnt. Vickie says the church will pay for it! I practised and then to Purley for Mass. David Palmer group and it was far too long. Blessing of water with sung responses then sprinkling then Gloria. A good young cantor for the acclamations. Canon Frank went on rather long about the need for all to evangelise. It was a Mass for new members of the congregation followed by a reception in the hall but by then it was 1.15! To Dulwich to meet Liz. Restaurants all full so had soup in cafe and then to Christ's Chapel for excellent recital by Timothy Penrose counter-tenor and Norman Harper. The organ has been rebuilt by Drake and is ideal for Purcell and Gibbons. Timothy...

Had a lie-in and read my large book on English cathedrals by Jon Cannon. Planned Pentecost liturgy for Clerkenwell for the interview and rang the church and spoke to Fr Perry. I asked about resources and he was most unforthcoming. He also said I could not play the organ before the interview which means that someone internal would have an unfair advantage. All very unsatisfactory. Dennis set off early for the hospital. I went to Southwark cathedral for Paul Brough's excellent conducting workshop. Learnt a lot about posture and being boring and simple. I conducted first part of "Locus iste". 16 people made up the choir and most had a go with Peter Wright playing. Simon Hillier and Ginette were there. It was all very helpful. Had tea with a tenor from Herne Hill who are looking for an organist. Trains to Denmark Hill and visited Grandma. She is battling to speak to us and it is all very frustrating for everybody. Liz came home from cathedral the same time as us. Bishop John ...

Colin was supposed to give me a lift to council but had another meeting and forgot to tell me. I got there in time in our car but knocked my beer over when Declan arrived - I got up to let him in. I was also grumpy with Philip and Jim! Thursday was election day so I was up early to vote at the Polish hall and so no swim. The library hall was being used as a polling station and with all the activity I forgot Andrew Green was coming. I'm not sure of the purpose of his visit but it did not inspire. I worked until 8 and Bruce and Dennis spent the evening at the hospital as Grandma was in the stroke unit. There had been trouble with the care manager wanting her to go to Mayday's new unit which is not on. Fell asleep watching results in an extraordinary election and woke to find Martin Linton had lost Battersea. Whatever one may think of his politics, he was a good M.P. now replaced by some unknown Tory. A hung parliament could give the Lib Dems the chance to improve our ridiculous e...

Tuesday to JCC at town hall. Reading group enjoyed Homecoming by Clare Francis. Liz and Dennis at King's all night as Grandma had op for leg clot in the morning and then a major stroke while in the ward. I picked up car and went to Adrian's for RSCM committee meeting. Francis Novillo and Drew Cantrill were there. Got petrol. A restless night so had a lie-in. Spoke to Ann. Took garden stuff to tip and then to the hospital to meet Dennis, Louise, Ciaran and Bruce there. Bruce and I stayed when the others went home for a rest. To Catenian council meeting.

Ciarán and Louise looking remarkably like my Mum at that age!

To Coulsdon for recital in the church of Bach cello suites 1 and 2 by David Tabbat who recently became a Catholic in Milan. Lovely sound in the church and nice tea with lemon cake and chatted to David about keys. Minor keys particularly and I must seek out Mozart String quintet in G minor. Watched South Africa in photographs and Mrs Mandela, walk in the Kruger park and sex education in Ugandan schools. Kitchen is full of small plants and lots of compost going to the tip. Bill Beach in hospital for bowel obstruction.

Photo Martin Mazur Spoke to Ann. Acolyte at Migrants Mass with Archbishop Vincent, Bishop Pat and Bishop of Brentwood. Amazing Nigerian offertory procession with dancing which made everyone smile. Lovely Vietnamese children's thanksgiving procession and dance after Communion. Very colourful. Alan Maclean conducting and very friendly - saw Lewis and Catenians promoting the Association. Tea at M & S with Eric server who works at PC World. To Homebase to get replacement cover for garden stand. Trying to rain!

Liz set off early to find out about being sacristan next Sunday from Gerry. Karen sang "Love one another" really well - he voice has matured like wine. I played Wesley's Choral song which I have not done before and Molly Crowder said it is one of her favourites. I also played Samuel Wesley's Air and Gavotte. Molly rehearsed and asked to sing "O for the wings of a dove" which she likes. A wet day. To evensong at St John's where we enjoyed Brewer in D and Vaughan Williams The Call. Adrian played a Handel organ concerto. Watched Antiques roadshow and a programme on Andy Warhol.

Friday to choir practice - John and Karen not there and Marie in Spain which makes 4 part unaccompanied singing impossible! In the morning I went to the launch of the Wandsworth arts festival at Hurlingham Yacht club which is a well kept secret in Putney. It is on the river and the last private yacht club left in London. Champagne and croissants can't be bad - lots of networking. A story of mine own from Stephen from Crouch End! Saturday morning not so good - staff late and front door not working right but got it sorted out. To Tooting Bec for Mass - could not hear the readings at all - mike not working. Visiting priest and PP at the back at the end but the steps and lack of space mean it is impossible to chat to him. Not a great spiritual high! Watched pianist final of Young musician - Lara a worthy winner but thought they were all great and liked Sean from Northern Ireland and the Haydn played by girl from Canterbury. Grandma home after op and problems with health visitor who eve...