The organist librarian

Busy day weeding music scores and dealing with game plan and Chris D came. Met community policemen. Fell asleep and woke to find Liz home from G & S show which she had enjoyed. Roisin was in chorus. Laughed a lot at "Rev". Lovely midday prom featuring Haydn quartet and Schumann Piano quintet.

Liz stayed home. To Coulsdon and found pedals not working at all as bottom C and D were stuck. Also lights on console were off - Bob found the fuse. I abandoned RVW Rhosymedre and Karg-Elert our wedding anniversary pieces and played good old John Stanley on manuals only. Nobody seemed to know "Mount Ephraim" to "For all thy saints O Lord" which is odd as we have sung it before. Teresa apologised about the email muddle up for Friday's funeral. Ann had kept aside Fairtrade muesli, biscuits and yoghurt covered raisins for me. Practised despite lack of pedals. To Croydon M & S, Debenhams, Allders and eventually Barratts where I found some Hush Puppies sandals which can be adjusted and are comfortable - £35. Unheard of for me to go shopping and loads of people about. Tidied up garden and swept patio so we could BBQ and have lunch outside for the first time this year despite the weather we have been having. New laptop on charge. Listened to prom - Schumann and Joh...

Another warm day so at lunchtime walked to St Mary's to find out where their oasis garden is. A code is needed and I met John Rattray in the street who told me how it works! I need another pair of sandals but there is no shoe shop in Balham. I did enquire in the picture framers about estimates. I am planning to alternate pictures in the lounge - change one each month as we have so many! Spoke to all staff on duty. To St Anselm Tooting - Nigerian priest going back to Rome so he got a clap. It's the first sign of celebration I have seen at this Mass which is deadly dull. I could not hear the prayers at all. Philhomena was there and reported she had seen Doris who has had bone marrow transplant. Listened to Dr Who prom which included for some unknown reason Walton's Portsmouth Point overture. Much of the Dr Who music sounds like Merlin - the kids were enjoying it. The Proms message board had some rude remarks about dumbing down but I see no harm in it. In the course of the eve...

I woke early so watched Boccanegra from Covent Garden on Iplayer. Placido Domingo was terrific - a great production introduced by Antonio Pappano.

An outstanding evensong on radio 3 from the Eton choral course - Blair, Bairstow, Wesley's The wilderness and Mendelssohn sonata No 3 first movement. Finally caught up on Peter Simpson's blog!

Thursday started weeding music scores - just like the old days! To Two brewers for farewell to Liz Sines who ran the childcare training centre at Battersea Park. So nice that her family came and nice food and white wine. Chatted to Meryl and Daphne. Always got on so well with "upstairs" and they were pleased that I went. Liz was baby sitting and helping with shopping on Friday. Home to watch prom Britten Sinfonia da requiem (on train with score but new radio Liz got me not so good) Prokofiev piano concerto No. 1 and Shostakovich 7 - stunning playing by BBC Welsh SO. Friday M was gone. Left at 2 and to Lambeth Palace exhibition. Told at 3 to come back at 4 and there might be tickets. Visited museum of garden history which was quite interesting. At 3.45 men in suits said no more tickets, closed so I protested. My only chance to go and I sent a furious email on my return home. You cannot treat public like this. To M & S for Earl Grey tea and a croissant. To Royal Albert Hall...

Painting by Samuel Bak which in "Cross purposes" but resonated with the holocaust exhibition at the Jewish museum. Met Ros and Richard from Cantemus on train to London Bridge. To the new Jewish museum in Camden Town with interfaith group - 9 of us. We were joined by Robin who used to work at Ealing libraries and is very like me! Beautiful exhibition including items from the Vatican. The museum itself is fascinating with an excellent synagogue and customs section and friendly volunteers. Had lunch of humus and roasted peppers. Edwina Currie was also lunching with Mrs Sher from Nightingale House reading group in Balham so introduced myself. Took group into Our Lady of Hal in Camden Town and bus 31 to Ben Uri gallery to see excellent exhibition "Cross purposes" - modern interpretations of the crucifixion. Plenty of food for thought. Golden crucifixion had hope. Some were very pertinent to today's world. Tea at local restaurant and everyone enjoyed the day. Bus and...

40 lengths which is good as I have not been much lately. Another muggy day and hot in the night too. Drama over work experience students and new cleaning contract supervisors came. I did manage to weed some music scores many of which I bought all those years ago! Got my mobile radio working so listened to Schuller from proms on way home - unimpressed. Strauss Alpine symphony was excellent while put Ocado shopping away and had dinner. Christmas pudding to eat up before it goes off! Saw a bit more of Meistersinger but dropped off!

Cleared away the book sale which seems to have gone well. Muggy day and short of staff. Tchaikovsky's Manfred from the Proms played with gutsy sound by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Petrenko. Had Christmas pudding at dinner to eat it up! Laughed a lot at "Rev" which has to be the best thing on TV at the moment apart from the Proms. This computer is so slow - we need a laptop each!

Fr Christopher, Andy and Harry Bramma. The view from my office window of the roof od Balham library hall. Last Saturday was my last function as President of the Bromley and Croydon organists association. The annual dinner was at St Mark's hall, West Wickham and I got there from work on train and bus. Andy Scott the organ tuner a delightful guest and Fr Christopher Smith from St Michael's Beckenham equally nice. Loved the idea of playing Figaro at school musical shows. Harry Bramma was given honorary membership. Excellent beef and ale pie and profiteroles. A super evening.

Lie-in as I had a Sunday off. The original plan was to go to St David's cathedral with Turnham Green choir but we were not needed! So I went to St Paul's cathedral for the 11 a.m. Mass with orchestra. Mozart Coronation Mass and Epistle sonata in C. Fugue in G minor on organ at end. Splendid - 3 boys sang solo and John English was the tenor soloist. Unfortunately I had a cathedral nutter near me who kept commenting so eventually I moved although it was pretty full especially with Afro Caribbeans in national dress. Enjoyed it. To Adrian and Graham's for champagne and canapes. Stephen Roberts was there. Lovely day. Bob gave us a lift home. Birmingham cathedral evensong on radio 3 and Simon Boccanegra from the Proms. Watched Rude Britannia programme and Who killed Caravaggio and start of Meistersinger. Hoovered and tidied and singers came to rehearse for the wedding in August. Slept at Adrian's and on settee so awake in the night. Looked at Heythrop courses.

Tidied up and then to visit church warden Cynthia's garden at 43 The Vale Coulsdon in aid of the centenary appeal. Lots of the congregation there. A beautiful garden on a slope and nice tea and cakes - she has a gardener. To the cathedral for ecumenical celebration of St John Roberts martyr. Welsh bishops and Archbishop of Canterbury preached. Hymns in Welsh to sight read tenor part! Harp. Stuart Kale sang a special piece with choir by Brian Hughes. William Mathias Toccata Giocosa at the end. We were acolytes. What a joy to talk to 2 Belmont brothers and hear Dom Brendan is off to Syria this year. They knew my SSG articles and I urged them to attend PMM! To Tate Britain to see "Rude Britannia". This did not even raise a smile and the really rude bits were oddly unimpressive. An erection is just that - funny I suppose in a way. The video of Sarah Lucas the woman artist eating a sausage and a banana was intriguing. Preferred the 2 wonderful fighter planes in the Duveen gal...

Another busy and warm day inculding setting up the book sale in the hal with Alix, Laura, Yan and Meera. Decided to keep books in boxes. Fiona rang in sick and I offered to work tomorrow but she rang in the evening at home to say she is better. Watched first night of the proms - Mahler 8. Why were we not invited for this? Crouch End festival chorus and Sydney philharmonic choir instead. I thought the tenors were weak. The choristers of St Paul's, the Abbey and the cathedral were a highlight and excellent soloists especially the men and sopranos. Followed with Liz's score. Flo rang. Liz at party to farewell Phil at St Helen's.

Spent the day interviewing which is exhausting. At lunch time went to the staff canteen and walked around South side shopping centre and sat in Wandsworth Town library. To Alexandra Palace on tube and W3 bus. Lovely views. Had John Smiths at the nice bar. An enormous hall and a good audience for Francis Jackson who is 92 and amazing. Able to watch on 2 big screens. At interval chatted to him and met his grandson Sam who graduated from Selwyn Cambridge and was turning for him. He played Bach, Schumann, Parry, Wolstenholme, Vierne, Franck and his sonata No.3. He asked if Ciarán is a Woodhouse. It took 90 minutes to get home but it was worth it! Sad to learn that Sir Charles Mackerras has died aged 84.

Tuesday was another long day. Julian came and discussed cuts, budget and problems. Wednesday to Watermans centre Brentford for Ciarán's music and movement class with a brilliant singer and entertainer! The babies were fascinated by the bells and were silent for a while too. Terrific variety of songs and soft and loud music. Back to 7 Shakespeare Road as the cot was delivered and we assembled it. In the afternoon 4 more babies arrived and great fun for all. Tom arrived home and then Cara and Jack came with Joanne so we made pizzas. Cara and I played verbal games and she did a lovely prayer before dinner. We ended up singing favourite children's hymns including the naff ones. What a lovely day! Ciarán was on great form -maybe he will be left-handed? Helen and Yap confirmed a visit to St Paul's school to see Holst's chair!

Another hot night and sticky day. To organists committee at Moira's - I was of course late and tried so did not get many of the dates. Peter Sanders keen to contact Anne Shufflebottom about the small organ he has in his garage. I appear to be working on some of the dates.

Another very hot day at work on Saturday but found basement quite cool so sorted out queries down there! Ciarán behaved impeccably - his first night away from Mum! The move went fine. Took Bruce out for a drive around the lake area and he in fact drove to Birmingham on Sunday! Coulsdon only 5 in choir so we sang Wesley's Lead me Lord and Bairstow setting again. Finlandia was much appreciated - Granddad's favourite. Straight to West Malling via M25, M26 and M20 - easy to find. Chat to Fr Peter Soper - says we need married clergy. Bishop John Hine super sermon. Anne played and her daughter played violin with Gerard cantoring. Good singing from the Catenians. Sat with the Barretts. Provincial president Peter appreciated my comments on email. Left at 4 and listened to Winchester cathedral evensong featuring Leighton and Elgar Give unto the Lord. I have finally finished Jon Cannon's "Cathedral" - lovely illustrations but his lack of Christian knowledge shows. Evensong ...

MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE LIFE OF VIOLET VERA GEORGE 1st August 1918 – 30th June 2010 St Mary’s West Croydon 9th July 2010 12.10 p.m. Organ Sheep my safely graze Johann Sebastian Bach (Violet’s favourite music) During the procession into church Organ I know that my redeemer liveth George Frederick Handel Opening hymn The king of love LHON No. 656 Opening prayer followed by Eulogy Reading Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ Psalm 42 Bob Hurd The cantor sings the response and we all sing: As the deer longs for running streams, so I long, so I long, so I long for you. Gospel acclamation Gospel John 11: 17-21 I am the resurrection and the life At communion Pie Jesu Gabriel Faure During the censing of the coffin the cantor sings and we repeat May the choirs of angels come to greet you. May they speed you to paradise. May the Lord enfold you in his mercy. May you find eternal life. Ernest Sands Organ The angel’s farewell from “The Dream of Gerontiu...

• On a sunny day on the 1st August 1918, New castle upon tine Ethel and James Carlyle welcomed Violet Vera. • At age 5 she moved with her family to Calgary in Canada where her sister Florence and brother Jimmy were born. • In 1938 at the age of 19 she returned to London to work in what the family believed to be a hotel run by her aunt. This actually turned out to be the Wheatsheaf pub in Camden where fait intervened and she got a talking to a young 22 year old regular by the name of Brian. • 2 years and a couple of pale ales later, they were married at Our Lady of the Angels in Bayswater and were inseparable/happily married for 57 years. • During the war while granddad was in service she worked for the Women’s Home Defence and her favourite task was fire-fighting. • Her daughter, our Mum was born in 1947 and Grandma spent many happy hours teaching her how to cook and sew. She was especially proud of her achievements in becoming a Queen’s Guide and a teacher. She was happy to see Mum...

Ciaran awake early and fed him his bottle. Put up pictures in lounge. I have put photos above shelves and thus left a large space for new pictures. To Glyn Close to get pictures and photos for the church. Picked up Dennis, Ann-Marie and Josie and funeral car came at 11.40. All went well and we all sang and read well. Bruce did the eulogy. Liz sang the psalm and I did the reading and Sands. Louise sang Pie Jesu. We only had 5 minutes at the crem so left out hymn and just sang psalm. Canon Joe and Fr Kevin came. It was all very Grandma. It was great having the church hall and Gill and Daniel looked after tea and sandwiches. Michael and Elizabeth had come from Swindon. 2 ladies said they had seen something on the coffin like a cross in a swirling light like water - remarkable. Ciarán behaved very well - he is starting to crawl and likes standing up in the bath! Louise took Flo and Tom to East Croydon and Dennis and Ann-Marie stayed at Gatwick overnight. So glad it all went well. We had pi...

Monday to Catenians - David said he would come to the funeral. Ralph de Souza ill and in fact he died this week - may he rest in peace. Tuesday went to Town hall for H & S meeting but as I never got an agenda I was at wrong room so came back and saw Chris! Wednesday was a busy day! Served at golden jubilee of profession mass for Sr Bridget Cullen - Sr Ellen sang the psalm and I got to hold the papal blessing - it was a lovely occasion. To spirituality day and found Michael Dorey's thoughts on Ignatian spirituality very helpful at this difficult time of mixed emotions - relief and sadness. To Royal Academy to see the summer exhibition with the amazing coat hanger gorilla and David Hockney's enormous photos. Some very fine work. A small exhibition of John Singer Sargent and the sea. Walked through Burlington Arcade and New Bond Street and decided emeralds not quite the thing! Who buys all these expensive things? To Hinde St church for rehearsal. Stefan on steps asking after L...

Saturday did not go to interfaith walk around Thornton Heath. The new green leather suite arrived. Hoovered, haircuts, tidying up. To 7 Shakespeare Road Acton to see the house Lou and Tom are to rent from next Saturday - very nice. Had a lovely picnic in the park nearby. To the cathedral with Dennis and Bruce stayed overnight. Vespers and Mass and Edward, Emmanuel and Joseph got their servers medals from Canon Christopher and the Dean of Durban preached. Sunday to Coulsdon. We can have St Mary's hall on Friday. I played Grandma's favourite "Sheep may safely graze" instead of the Dorian toccata. Only 4 in choir and they sang Bairstow and Boyce Alleluia. Straight to London Bridge on train to get to the Globe for 1 p.m. show. Bruce and I thoroughly enjoyed the play - Falstaff, Hal, Shallow all excellent and very clever costume changes. Liz to evensong and Bruce off to Birmingham and Dennis and Ann-Marie to Burnley. They all return on Thursday.

I omitted to mention that on Tuesday went straight to the dentist's surgery for 8.40 p.m. and my top left molar was removed painlessly and very quickly by the doctor/dentist on NHS. It healed up quickly and used hot salt water to help. The new carpets arrived on Friday and look great to be followed by the new green leather suite with reclining chairs today. The new car comes Monday. Thursday I came home for lunch and then went back for 2 hours and on to chorus with Stefan. Friday to meeting about new section called "Beat the squeeze" and then to Shakespeares the funeral director. It now costs 3 times more than when Granddad died! We had ice cream and Ciaran enjoyed his pasta and bath. We went to the Windmill pub but Mary can't do food that day as her mother died 4 weeks ago. Fell asleep reading Henry IV part 2 - it was hot.

Monday to the hospital for meeting with the consultant who is so nice and explains everything. Decision made to move Grandma to a care home and Dennis confirmed he had told her. None of us think she would want to go. The astonishing and shocking news that Chris Greenhalgh had died of a massive heart attack. He joins Rev John Hill and Fr Mark Hartley in the heavenly choir. Tuesday on to 8 and Liz had a contretemps with the discharge sister. Dennis complained about her to her manager. Wednesday cut up carpet and to St Michael's for Richard Pilliner's recital of Jongen, Liszt and Vierne - a couple of mechanical problems. Lit 4 candles. To Newtons to test drive the Honda Jazz which Liz liked on Tuesday. Long wait for the rep but car is excellent. Liz went to chorus and I went to Southfields library through the Wimbledon crowds for the retirement of Neville and Margaret. Neville produced a Stanford Irish song to sing together and I brought some economy carols in view of all the cuts...