The organist librarian

Phoned about hearing appointment (Aug 23) and cruise in Russia. Liz at Glyn Close and Ocado came. To Streatham for South London interfaith group lunch - met minister from Madras Emmanuel. Discussion about terminology interfaith rather than multi-faith was quite wideranging. Nice lunch. Served at Mass for eve of Sacred Heart - the Nuncio Abp Mennini has little idea of singing the right chants! Diamond jubilee of Pope's ordination. Men only. Karg-Elert Nun Danket at the end. ENO for new production of "Midsummer Night's dream" was most imaginative and caught the sinister nature of the music very well.

Tuesday watched programme on English National Ballet and perfume - fascinating! Slept well but woke at 5.15 a.m. A perfect day weather excellent. To music and Ciarán much more involved. Had coffee and he had his lunch. To 12.30 Mass for SS Peter and Paul at Chiswick. Shopping for storage bags for quilts, sewing kit, anti-fox stuff and replacement ducks for Ciarán as one went down the loo! To Ravenscourt Park and ate at the cafe there. Liz and Ciarán had a paddle and he enjoyed the slides and car. Did not want to go in buggy rather try and make out how to fix it together. Got 3rd bus that came along previous 2 full of buggies. All 3 of us exhausted and watched Apprentice on return home. We were out 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.Met Alison Williams Putney branch librarian on train - cuts start this week and privatisation in 2012.

Swam 22 lengths - twinges in back again but carried on. More about family history from Peter Stanhope. My grandfather was adopted by his aunt and his brother Robert went to British Columbia. Looks as though should be able to go back further to my great grandfather. Richard came about the windows and amazed that the discount means not such a high price to replace front and bedroom and bathroom windows and guttering as well. Scaffolding can stay up so house can be painted!

Did some tidying up and changing of quilts - very hot today! To tai chi and then to library to pick up reserved items - Fiona and Susan there as the cuts come in next Monday involving changed closing times and staff moving around between branches! To park and reading Tablet and King's speech. Osteopath Stephanie says pain in right foot is arch dropping slightly. Checked my reflexes and response in right leg not as good as in left. Came home as so hot. Wimbledon exciting. Nadal on great form. To Beckenham Catenians and long chat to President of Tunbridge Wells. Watched Fake or Fortune about a Winslow Homer painting.

Music Sunday began with a broadcast celebrating the New Methodist hymn book. At Coulsdon we sang John Harper's choristers prayer and When in our music God is glorified. I play John's Triptych of the Holy Trinity. We also sang O praise ye the Lord and Angel voices. Sean turned up and is an good treble for 8 - great potential and the girls responded well too. Practised pieces and picked up Liz. Did not go to lunch at church for couple over from Oz as we had chicken at home. Dennis was at Glyn Close. Put away the 2 collapsible greenhouses as Liz has done most of the planting. Fox got at boxes in front garden. To St John's for joint service with All Saints The Word revealed 400th anniversary of King James Bible. Some good hymns and Handel and Mendelssohn "How lovely are the messengers". Tom played Suite Gothique. Had tea before service and nice to see Martin from Glyn Close. Surprisingly we did not do Tom's SAB anthem. He and Bridget enjoyed the dinner last night....

Saturday to cathedral for 12.30 p.m. with the Archbishop to celebrate 20th anniversary of Slovenian independence. I was acolyte, boat and book! Only 3 servers with Paul. Started with Oh Lord my God and ended with O worship the King. Good choir and soprano soloist who surprisingly sang the National anthem which was rather tuneful. The Acrhbishop of Ljubljana spoke rather too long as did a priest and then a presentation to the Archbishop.I recalled my visit to that city in 1959, I returned home for lunch and then took car to Bromley Parish church and train back to Victoria. Smoke vespers and Mass with Fr Tim who is to retire to Rickmansworth. Swavek is off to Enfield and Kingsley is going too. The diocesan children's choir were dire in Panis angelicus again! Train to Bromley South and bus and arrived at the Parish church at 8 p.m. Dennis was already there. Very nice meal and 42 there. Carl Jackson spoke well and so did Venerable Peter Lock who loves Beyond the Fringe. Home at 11 p.m...

Friday a.m.lie-in and good breakfast. To Nottingham castle and art gallery - loads to look at including costume and history. The Long gallery has loads of pictures some very fine especially Dame Laura Knight. Armed services day and watched abortive attempts to get a large mortar through the gates! Bus to station and train to St Pancras and tube and overground back to Acton. Ciarán delighted to see "Andad"! To Mill Hill for a shabbat meal at Claire and Michael's attended by Catholics, Jews, Quakers and Hindus! Good to chat to Michael who has done the Heythrop course. Most interesting and lovely food and singing too. Lots of road closures on the route back through town.

Met Lou at Brentford music and went home as it was wet! Liz had a good singing lesson with Timothy Penrose and came over later. To osteopath - Simon's last session at the school and very pleased with my progress. Gave me some more exercises. To St James Park to read more of F E Peters "Children of Abraham" and then to Graham Barber's recital at Westminster Cathedral. A good programme including Bach, Dupre and a fine Karg-Elert Passacaglia. Richard Pilliner and Martin Ball there. Slept OK on the blow up bed on my own. Thursday set off for Nottingham via overground. Good journey. Unable to check in at Travelodge early so to St Barnabas cathedral but no sign of Paul the organist. In the end left robes there and mobile message and back to hotel to watch Wimbledon. Played at 4.30 but vespers started. Any way I enjoyed the clarinet and diapasons Hill Norman and Beard 1913. Paul Hayward only been there 3 weeks. Dinner at hotel and back to serve at ordination of Simon Gill...

A most interesting morning as I went to Paddington to meet Peter and Joan Stanhope. Peter is writing a book about Ridsdale Tate. He is related to the lady who adopted Florence Harland also known as Tate and Dewes and Lana - quite a Bohemian! The picture I have is an original drawing and 2 of the prints in the book from Dad are hand tinted prints probably done by the artist himself. My grandmother's and Nellie's diary of dates and people revealed the Loadmans and a Harland connection. The census shows that my grandfather was adopted by a Mrs Woodhouse but at age 18 he was living at 43 Priory Street with Miss Tate and Florence then aged 3! Fascinating and Peter loved Dad's book as he went to Nunthorpe school and worked at Raimers! Liz up at Glyn Close and fixed up drainpipe above waterbutt. Watched Wimbledon, English National Ballet and Botany.

Liz to Glyn Close as heating being redone by British Gas. To tai chi - only Chris and myself came so did some exercises for bad back. To Bromley Catenians and long chat to Barry.

At evensong we sang Stainer in B flat and I saw the Lord and we had solemn benediction with unusually 4 servers. Cardiff singer of the world final was worthily won by Valentina from Moldova. The Ukranian baritone won the song final last night and was also excellent but all the finalists were brilliant in different ways. Interesting programme on the history of Wimbledon. I found more about the Tates and a book of prints by Ridsdale Tate signed by him. My grandmother and aunt had noted important dates to remember.

Philip Dangerfield told me about a Youtube. You search under Sir Gilbert Levine and you get a programme about how he an American Jew became conductor of the Cracow philharmonic and then the Pope's maestro. Also the TV cast of Haydn's Creation from Baltimore cathedral. I spotted myself but not Liz! An excellent bass and soprano. He is a Knight of St Gregory. Back is much better and played Alec Wyton on St Patrick's Breastplate. We sang Schubert's "Holy, holy, holy". Once again no free harmonisations and three times had to flip fuse switch to get organ on! No sign of new chorister Sean either! The new communion arrangements seemed to work alright - the new furniture is a great improvement.

2 days at home resting. Did not go to chorus Thursday but OK for choir on Friday. Finished Neil MacGregor's outstanding A History of the world in 100 objects. Saturday to reading group and Liz to diaconate ordination. Discussed Lucky Jim. Not impressed that the author is not to come next month after all - I shall not bother again. Came home and did not go to Buddhist pagoda as weather changeable. Smoke vespers and Mass with RSCM voices and commissioning of special ministers so Paul, Nick, Emmanuel and Anthony there. Swavek gong to Enfield, Tim to Rickmansworth and Kingsley going too. Mobile phone has disappeared. Dynarod came and cleared drains. Watched Cardiff singer of the world. Great baritone and sopranos.

Tuesday swam 30 but back still playing up so rang British School of Osteopathy and got an appointment the same afternoon! To see David Stone financial advisor - very nice and not pushy at all! To BSO and only paid £5 as Simon was taking his final exam. He identified the problem and worked on it. Cold is good. Missed free concert by the Sixteen and Liz did not go to servers council. To Louise's and had risotto. We had fish and chips at Ollie's Great Suffolk Street in the afternoon. Watched Great houses. Slept better on blow up bed as Liz was on the couch. Took Ciarán to music but it was downstairs and he was much distracted by the model car. We took him to the park next to the river and then to Ealing for shopping and lunch at M & S. Then bus to the Lido park and back to Lou's. He liked the car and the bubbles! Evensong from Chichester. To chorus Mahler 8 chorus 2. Celia has told Liz that she is not to come to rehearsals until she reauditions which is very high handed an...

Back bad when I got up. Last mosaic class until September. Finished mirror for Ciarán and it looks great. Came out really well despite the problem with the bought tiles cracking in a jagged way. Stars look great. Tai chi helped back. To Royal Academy to meet the McCullochs who are returning to Christchurch. The kids loved the art packs. Brian Sewell's review was right. The architecture models are excellent and fine sculpture by Tom Butler - Rainbow Division memorial and bag lady Shopping. Some fine smaller works too. Had tea in the Friends room and is wasn't crowded. Sat in St James's Park and then to Guards chapel for Churches together in Westminster visit which was excellent. Ann, Sean and Ann from chorus there. Best of all was the young chaplain just back from Afghanistan. Very fine building.

Pentecost and we sang Veni creator and Like the murmur of the dove's song by Alan Smith. Got train from Coulsdon South to 12.15 confirmation at cathedral. 40 hort reception in hall and then to Philipino club in Hinsley Room for lunch and Philip's cake. To Jugged Hare for smoked trout. Changed trains at East Croydon - Purley would have been better as I just missed it. Short practice but all went well. Andrew Wilson was there and people were complimentary. Attwood Come Holy Ghost and Come down O love divine. Vickie had been rather too prescriptive in the booklet including don't move at the peace! Something softer at the end - played John Cook on Veni creator. Bishop Alan Chesters was good. Nice cake in hall.

Sorted out reading for degree. Played for wedding at 3 p.m. - new hymn to "I vow to thee my country". Met with Vickie to choose music July/August and then did music list on laptop and took practice. By the end my back was hurting a lot but I got a good night's sleep after watching Paul Merton on Hollywood. To Southall for interfaith march for peace. Visited Visnu hindu centre and then to Southall Park for most impressive stage and marquees put on by Sai centre. Miriam, Clare, Alfred and Barry Mellish and his wife there. Nice lunch provided by Birmingham Sikhs. Bahai choir sang and Buddhists sang. Amazing Grace was used as an interfaith song! Bus and tube delayed so arrived at 3 p.m. for Mass for married couples. Liz serving so we did vows in the well. Good hymns - Come down O love divine, Praise to the Lord, Jesus my God,Now thank we all our God. Widor Toccata. Madeleine was cantor. Tea at M and S. Smoke vespers and Mass with Father Tim. Drinks for confirmation in corrido...

My back continued to play up with the additional worry of pains in my right hip. Did some sorting out of books for the course - which to read now. Started on John Cornwell on Newman. Watched Monteverdi Vespers from last year's Proms - rather dull and samey despite good use of the hall. To chorus for Missa. It was an open rehearsal and Stefan was being very funny. 2 tenors and Paul Williamson invited me to a Brahms Requiem at Sloane Street. The Missa is hard on the body! Watched Prince Philip at 90 on return home. Friday up early and swam 30 lengths which definitely helped the back and hip pains.

Satyed home Tuesday and read 2 Alexander McCall Smiths. Also watched Country house revealed and Lead Balloon. Liz to rehearsal for Friday's ordination. Wednesday back still playing up. Took Ciarán to Acton Park and met Bruce there and had palma ham sandwich. To Ealing Abbey on the bus and rained but sun came out. Quiet afternoon with Fr Robin and Jill talking about her quilt and Eastertide. Walked the labyrinth together with interfaith group - 9 in all. Sat in the Abbey where I was received into the church June 1974 in a side chapel - not sure which one - think it's been reordered. Tea in silence and sharing time followed by short evening prayer. Tube to town with Margaret. Chorus rehearing Missa. Watched Apprentice on return home - Edna out. Wednesday woke late and fried breakfast.

Bruce announced that he was resigning from Evans cycles and travelling round the world for 3 years. Great concern but we will see him on Wednesday. Sounds like a good idea but in the present climate who knows what will happen. Swam 22 back better for it.

Swam 14 as I was late up - back bad but hot cushion and swimming helped a lot. Mosaic - the grey tiles I bought split in circular way which is not helpful! Tai chi - Tony back from holiday and 7 there. Tassos is good! To library to get reserved books - 2 McCall Smiths - hurrah! Home to change and then bus to Tulse Hill and to St Paul's cathedral for service of peace for St Ethelburga's. Lots there and met people from Greenbelt festival. 2 Muslims played the kora from Senegal and sang. Welcome by Giles Fraser. Story from Roi Gal-Or - unfortunately the echo was very bad on the sound system. Lovely singing by Amira Medunjanin from Sarajevo accompanied on the duduk from Armenia. Excellent address by the Bishop of London. I liked the prayers - Help me play my part in breaking the cycle of violence by realising that peace begins in me. Most amazingly the 8 part canon of Praetorius Jubilate Deo worked very well. Guy Bovet Salamanca made a suitable end. To Catenians - very good turnout...

At Coulsdon we sang the Praetorius Ascension anthem and the Alan Wilson introit which has gone well. I played the Bach Heut triumphiret and Robert Groves on "Llanfair". The last hymn was "All hail the power" to the Methodist tune which apparently confused the congregation. Ellie rehearsed and I got compost at the garden centre. Nice pork and parsnips and chocolate pudding for lunch. At evensong we sang Harris in A minor and his anthem "Come down O love divine". The Wests are back and we signed their card - the choir collected £600 for their gift. On The Choir there was some lovely Dyson. Watched Antiques Roadshow and "Gods and monsters". Sorted out magazines.

Saturday was a day at home. Liz worked in the garden in hot sun. I rearranged the shelves in the back bedroom so that the heavy photo books are now at the bottom and gained some shelf space. I put up my mirror in our bedroom and hung the pictures from work in the study and upstairs. At last I fixed up the water butt by cutting out a piece of drainpipe! We watched the Derby and had a chat to Graeme in Scotland on skype. To smoke vespers and Mass for the Ascension. Fr Michael Durand gave us a scare when he sort of tripped while censing the Lady altar but all was well. Nick was an excellent cantor. Watched QI and "Have I got more news for you". On the piano I have a score which was presented to Phyllis by Elsie and Harry May 1945. It is the Teddy Bears Picnic piano only by John W.Bratton. It belonged to my grandmother in York and was given to her by her sister and brother-in-law Harry Bean who was an organist. His son also played the organ in York. Harry John Walter Bratton (...

Liz went to meet the gang and they had a great time in the sunshine. I went to St George's hospital. Arrived 1.20 no 8 in queue for hearing aid clinic seen at 2.20. Left hand mould not in ear properly but said it hurts any way. Suggested I make appointment for a new impression and softer mould then said how long since hearing test - I said private one last year. Result go back to GP and get referred for a new hearing test and new hearing aid! Reading Colin Thubron "To a mountain in Tibet" and "The Tablet". To garden centre for compost but it closes at 7 p.m. Choir went through new anthem by Barry Stronge and some from Oxford book of flexible anthems which we have not done including 2 by Beethoven. Bsrry supplied a CD but player would not work. Watched "Have I got news for you" and Graham Norton show. Paul Merton on birth of Hollywood.

Lie-in and a glorious day. To Lawrie Park Road for a lovely lunch with Calix and Katya and their delightful little boy. Bulgarian delicacy with eggs - delicious. Liz has been busy in the garden. To Gandhi hall for my reaudition and Stefan was very complimentary - liked Kashmiri love song and got Stephen to play it in E major. Perhaps I should have sun "I hear you calling me" after all as the Amy Woodforde-Finden is a little low for a tenor. E major takes it to top G sharp. Amy way he said my intonation was perfect and all I need to do is open jaw a bit more. He was surprised I did not have singing lessons. Missa rehearsal going well. All we need now is to get Liz through her audition. Travel much better than last night when we were on Northern line as Victoria line delayed and then our tube train was delayed and train delayed as well. Watched The Apprentice episode and 2 fired!

Tuesday was a quiet day recovering and clearing up and hoovering. Dennis and AnnMarie set off back to Burnley. Wednesday to spirituality day and Eileen spoke about Celtic spirituality. Finished reading J.M.Coetzee's "Summertime" - excellent. To Tate Britain to see the fascinating Watercolour exhibition. To chorus - Stefan preparing Missa solemnis - it's like climbing Everest after such a long gap from so much singing.