The wedding of the year

Louise and Bruce came for the Friday practice - our rehearsal finished early but Liz indicated she did not need a lift home otherwise I would have gone to St John's. Now that we are using the Inwood setting every week we do not need such a long practice. Saturday Louise Tom and Ciarán arrived and he loved his new play table in the garden and slide. We rehearsed at 10 a.m. with an augmented choir of Bridget's fellow students from Bristol -one tenor came from York the other from Suffolk. I was transferred to first as Frank lost his voice. The bridesmaids were delayed but all got under way at 12.15 and finished just before 2. Graham Allsop from St Mary Redcliffe played superbly. He has 4 children. I was glad made a super start. Vierne Messe solenelle, Bruckner Virga Jesse and Thomas Hewitt Jones specially written anthem My beloved spake already published by RSCM. At communion Brahms Geistliches lied. O thou who camest, How shall I sing that majesty to Coe Fen and Christ triumphant. Widor Toccata from Symphony No.6. What a feast! Drinks afterwards and then with David and June to Addington Palace. The rest of the family went to see Jonathan on his 30th birthday. The Palace is changed but still the same and brings back many happy memories. We had drinks on the lawn and a lovely lunch with plenty of fine wine. We were on Parry table!Seafood fiesta, chicken in ham and bacon, strawberry shortbread. We sat with Bill and Elizabeth, John and Margaret, Joy and Geoff and John from the choir. Excellent speeches - Bridget's father became a Catholic and has a sister in Adelaide. Best man was particularly good. It was great to be able to move into other rooms to chat although we enjoyed the disco. Kim and Gabor were particularly impressive. Bridget and Dave left about 11 for Sicily and the choir attempted YMCA and the macarenna - the cross legged bit threw the men! We were last to leave about 11.45 in a cab and the driver took Ursula and Emily home. Ciarán was very good and slept until 8.15 a.m. Liz to cathedral and at Coulsdon we sang Rutter's lovely Clare benediction and the Wilson introit. I played Worthy is the lamb and Amen chorus. The girls were at guide camp so I came home to see them for a while before they set off.