The organist librarian

Last night read Kant on enlightenment while listening to Brahms Symphony No.2 from Birmingham. Ciarán slept well and took him to Cypress school for stay and play. Meanwhile I went to Tooting market to pick up the cupcakes I had ordered. Met them at the lake and he enjoyed his scooter going round the lake. Home in car and he had a sleep and so did I although I started out doing some reading. Imagine my shock when he took a tumble down the stairs from the top bedroom. He knocked his head but seems OK. Thomas DVDs helped a lot. Played in garden with water table and house, trampoline and trucks. Had his supper and enjoyed DVDs of Night garden and Thomas. After bath eventually settled down to sleep. He is absolutely fearless on scooter and climbing and jumping so I suppose the odd fall is inevitable! Louise enjoying New York. James MacMillan St John Passion on radio.

Swam 18. To More than Gold Borough champions meeting near King's Cross. Not well chaired by Matt who is very laid back. We appear to have signed up for far more than we realised and after lunch we worked on a job description but I doubt if I can give much time to this. There is also duplication of effort going on with denominational reps and office staff contacting churches. There was an event in Croydon this evening about which I knew nothing and Matt didn't even know where it was being held! Unimpressed. HAd an odd conversation with a man from Gunnersbury Baptist at the bus stop who will not work with Catholics on theological grounds! Bus to British library where I joined up without a problem. Circle line to Heythrop. Student services closed when I got there so went to library and saw Larry. Also saw Brian outside - he had just enrolled. Rang Catherine about Croydon library query - it appears only 2 staff on at small branches is standard practice. Got badge and my name was p...

To ToppTiles to get 3 floor tiles cut for porch. Liz had painted wire for TV in kitchen. Spent 90 minutes reading about philosophy of religion. At dancing did cha cha cha and samba. Interesting TV programme on Sandhurst.

Woke late and so late at mosaic - managed to do another arm of the cross. New student at tai chi and balancing much better. Found a quote from Jane Eyre about austere so posted it and messaged Damian. Have started noting items in reading including Tablet.

Louise flew to New York for work for a week. Liz went over to babysit as Tom went to the match. Ciarán now saying his own name and lots of words although he still leaves out intitial consonants!

Delighted that Heythrop email is now John Woodhouse and not Anthony. Now I have to think of a witty comment using the word Austere. Ran out of labels space so some of these refer to the last post! Evensong from Northampton sung by choir of Clare college Cambridge featuring Leighton, Walton and Britten.

To Coulsdon and picked up Caroline and Gwen on the way. We sang Barry Stronge's introit again and Come down O love divine by Hilary Tadman-Robins (Molly's favourite). Hymns included Christ triumphant, Christ's is the world, How great thou art and O Jesus I have promised (to Beaumont tune). I played theme from Elgar's first symphony and Pomp and Circumstance No. 1. Sean doing really well - he sang Anderson Gloria perfectly. I practised and looked at some more transcriptions of orchestral items including Wagner and Saint-Saens. Dropped in grandparent card at Serpillos' cafe and quick lunch. To Battersea Park peace pagoda on a fine late summer's day for Prayers for peace arranged by Jon dal Din for World Peace week. Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim leaders and prayers, 4 of the Bahai choir sang and I had to leave so missed the rabbi. To the cathedral for Paul Carr from Birmingham blistering playing of Bossi, Dupre and Hendrie - he was pleased to see me again. Then to Westmi...

On 8.15 a.m train to West Brompton as no circle line. Arrived before 9 at Heythrop - about 140 M.A. students and met quite a few. My group is about 14 I think and diverse - teachers, half and half male and female, 2 from Columbia, 1 from America. I think I am the oldest and Damian mentioned my contacts to arrange visits. Siriol is on the course. Registration was OK but discovered my email address is anthony.woodhouse so have asked for that to be changed. Liz's tutor did not appear. Nice lunch and induction about student services, IT and library. To M & S at Victoria for tea. Fr Alexander at Mass. Liz greeted Paul Carr in the organ loft - he plays the recital tomorrow afternoon. Watched end of Festival of Britian programme, QI and Sandhurst episode 1. Royal Palaces was good.

Only 3 at practice as Audra is in Barnados for her 98 year old aunt's funeral and John has gone to Leeds as Nicole is not settling at university! Went through carol books seeking unusual items. Heard the end of Caractacus on radio 3 from the 3 choirs festival conducted by Andrew Davis - sounded great.

Swam 22. To St George's Beckenham for Peter Cook's recital. Nick Wibberley and Nigel Groome there. Nice programme based around dance - Camidge, Lang, Lemmens ending up the Petercuk waltz tibia sound and Harry Potter. He lives in Wimbourne and says the Minster choir no longer good now Chris Dowie has given up. Bought flowers at M & S and visited Beckenham bookshop (now reopened) and suggested Isabel Losada visit them to promote the shop. Listened to Mahler 8 from Berlin conducted by Simon Rattle - lovely! Could have seen it at cinema last week!

To York Gardens library for farewell to Angela. Met her husband and sister and brother-in-law. A nice do - Meryl and Jane there. Chatted to Philomena Menton. Then walked to the Beehive pub in St John's Hill to meet Chris Tew - a Fullers pub so drank London Pride. A good chat about music and family history.

To Odeon Beckenham by car to see the new BBC film of Jane Eyre. Lovely photography, perfect characterisation, brilliant acting - Judy Dench! Lovely music. Mr Rochester's castle seemed very familiar - has it been used before in a film? Very atmospheric. Loved it. Only problems no hearing aid and dialogue bit soft in places, had a Pepsi, popcorn and sweets - desparate for the loo by the end! To post office to post the massage teaching doll to Exeter.

Swam 30 on Tuesday and 30 today despite being late up after a good night's sleep. Liz battling to get printer to print from her laptop.

Tuesday to return scores to Bromley public library - no interaction with staff at all! Had a sandwich and coffee at the parish church and went to Laurence Caldecote's recital. Christopher Town there. Nice to hear Harris Prelude in E flat again - Dad used to play that. Flor Peeters Aria, Darke, Smart - a pleasant programme. Laurence is based in Coventry. Served at farewell Mass for Archbishop Stack - I was book! Liz to Acton and I ate at Pret a Manger and to Vaughan House for inspiring session on Foretaste of heaven with Mark. Interesting discussion about getting people to join groups and I tried to change my meetings to Saturday nights without success - no room available. So I have pulled out of leading a Thursday group as room 1 is not suitable. Slept OK at Acton but woke early. Back to music with Tamba at Brentford. Merle was there with her Dad who no longer works at St Paul's school! To collect Liz's ring and it was not ready! To Mass at Chiswick and Fr Graham was on! ...

We have a new kitchen tap (the hot was jamming) and Liz has been putitng down the black slate tiles in the porch.

At dancing we did quickstep, cha cha cha and the samba which is hard and finished with a waltz. We are now transferred to the class! Admin had not done it. Tonight was the RSCM committee but in effect Frances Novillo has pushed me off it. I'm quite happy to step down as 10 pin bowling has come to an end and I will continue as an advisor and examiner. Only 3 of the choir are going to St Paul's cathedral to sing in the evensong for the centenary of A & M and only 3 for the evensong at St James Riddlesdown.

Slept well but woke with back ache. Swam 14 and then to Emertons to get plywood for mosaic and sawed it at home. Mosaic not many there - started on Maltese cross using left over tiles from our kitchen. Tai chi was good. Visited Isabel Losada in Waterstone's window advertising SW11 literary festival and bought her latest book which she signed. She says I should give talks on enjoying retirement! Sorted out cruise for next year and now booked through trailfnders who will organise transport to Rotterdam. Did some reading. Watching Buddha in Suburbia.

To Coulsdon where we sang Barry Stronge's attractive introit written for us "Levavi oculos" I had to do bass which doesn't suit so I accompanied it. Hughie was baptised - what a name- Hughie Green? We sang Beethoven's The heavens declare and I played the Mozart Jupiter symphony theme and the Holst Jupiter theme. No practice and after coffee to OLd Coulsdon congretional church where I met the minister and had a look at the interesting Bibles exhibition. To Victoria and open day at Westminster City Hall - great views and lovely silver and maces. Lovely gifts to the city as well form Jordan, Israel and Oslo among others. Got on 11 bus to go to Quaker meeting house only to find it was diverted. I got off at St Thomas hospital and walked over Westminster bridge which was closed because of the cycle race and got underground back to Victoria. The mass was at 3 p.m. empty seats. The new bishop very friendly, saw Martin Foster and Canon Jack Madden, Bishop Richard Moth, St...

Took Liz to station as she was going to Westfield to see Thomas film with the family including Bruce. Phoned Holland America and put deposit on 21 day cruise to Scandinavia and the Baltic. To reading group to discuss The tiger's wife which divided us but intrigued as well. To Burlington House London open day. Linnean society intro, fine library. Excellent tour of Society of Antiquaries by the former general secretary who was amusing! Decided to skip Geological society and to Marlborough House which is Commonwealth HQ. Coffee and picnic in garden but rain came on. Splendid statue of the Queen Mother in the Mall. Carlton House terrace Royal College of Pathologists and tour of Royal Society - another fine library and Arabic science display. ICA unusual display about Regency using a live model. To vespers and Mass (very few priests now) and Fr Paolo. Excellent homily - he forgot incense at gospel and was slow at offertory. Excused Papal Mass anniversary rehearsal as we are communion to...

A quiet day trying to get reading done but not succeeding well due to distractions - getting a new printer, changing cruise plans for next year, listened to chamber music proms. To practice had to sing bass. Big discussion about the need to come down to communion rail earlier, Karen announced she was not going to come to my birthday party as she was at another party! How rude!

This is a rare picture of both of us serving together at the remarkable funeral of Fr Alan Fudge. Marcin Mazur copyright

Up late and back bad - may have been the jerks as bus driver of W3 went too fast over humps at Alexandra Palace. It was great watching Carl on the big screen last night - his approach is very sensitive! Liz ordering new printer.

Redid painting above porch and got water feature going again, put up hanging basket and cleared up garden table. Tried again to get roof down on wendy house and fixed water butt which was blocked up. A lovely day! To Royal Academy - we were early so had a look at Hungarian photography again with Liz and into the Degas and movement exhibition at 4 with headphones. Soent a happy hour - the photography sections and pastels of dancers particularly fine. Had tea and chelsea bun in Friends room. On way out saw free lecture at Linnaean society on biology of ageing so Liz went to that. Tube and bus to Alexandra Palace. What a view! Had ale and ate sandwiches. Carl Jackson gave a fine recital. Elgar, Parry's Elegy, Howells Psalm prelude Set 2 no 1. Watching him on the big screen you see his sensitive and considered approach. I dropped off in the Liszt Invocation. After interval Alain, Bouvet Tango, Patterson. 1 and a quarter hours to get home - bus, tube, train, car.

A good night's sleep and caught up on emails so was late to pool - only did 18. If ever I doubted my new role as retired, this week has confirmed the importance of going to meetings - so much to learn, so much to share! In the midst of all this activity, we are considering cruises! Missed seeing Ciarán this week!

No swim as woke late after another restless night. Both on 9.30 train. To Hinsley room to host Boroughs interfaith forum - really good meetings 30 at each and 6 of my group attended including Margaret who I don't know and rabbited on! Discussed riots and British transport police policy also the Fire Brigade. After a break discussed Olympic truce. Charlies from Wormwood Scrubs was most impressive and Elizabeth Simon as direct as usual. Saw Campion. Malik was teasing me about lunching at Marks which was middleclass! To Edgware Road to see "Casting Jesus" film from Tablet review - well done. Underground to Mansion House and discovered good coffee and sofas at St Mary Aldermary. Excellent Justshare talk by Nick Spencer of Theos about the political influence of the Bible. This was in a crypt, drunk woman left eventually. Asked a question and mentioned S.A. so several people spoke to me. Alan Carr on Who do you think you are. A stimulating day.Liz served at ordination of new ...

Watched Angela Hewitt playing Brahms Intermezzi with score, also Antiques master and University challenge. Lots to catch up on and reading to do as well. Nice meal and then to cathedral - got there at the end of Stephen's Hough's motet. New translation confusing. Panis angelicus beautifully sung by the boys and Bach B minor fugue at the end. Liz to rehearsal for episcopal ordination tomorrow - she is communion torch so no rehearsal needed for that! To Greencoat place to Initiatives of change to have refreshments and see new film about a Somali woman in UK who runs advice service and fights female genital mutilation. I spoke at question session about training staff and helping people to speak English and libraries role. Useful contact with lady doing Hindu studies and chair of Somali relief forum used to come to library every day!

Awake in night and up late so no swim. Painted above porch but unfortunately when I threw down rotten plywood from porch roof bits went on the painted bits so will have to touch it up later! Liz doing tiling. Reading for degree and listened to Songs of Praise from Pershore and for 9/11.

To evensong at St John's - nice to see everyone again. Terence having knee op done. Sumsion in G and Stanford Justorum animae - end of it wrecked by sopranos out of tune. Both to swimming pool to find that it was too cold so did not venture in. To library and return lots of scores and picked up reserved books - saw Diana and 2 other readers! To Methodist central hall for inspiring presentation about the scale of the Olympics and the planned outreach and BBC coverage. Good lunch and saw Christina. Our table got full marks for the sports quiz and we got a white T shirt. Met people from Hounslow and Essex. Missed tai chi but it was worth it. To our first ballroom dancing class at South Norwood adult education centre and learnt the cha cha cha. We also did waltz and foxtrot - very good teachers.

To 8 a.m. mass at St Mary's - Canon Collins at back, Fr David still using old text although copies of new one available. Shocked to find the acclamations are completely changed! Why? A penance. Choir back and sang Jubilate Deo by Mozart. Kids rehearsed and on great form. Practised Elgar and Bach. I played Walton Spitfire march and RAF march past and Dambusters march as it was Battle of Britain Sunday, also racial awareness Sunday and 9/11 commemorated after 10 years in New York and London.

Woke around 6 a.m. and went back to bed and had breakfast with Ciarán. Tom still asleep! No trains so various buses to arrive at the hall by 10 a.m. for roll call. Chatting with Peter and then to Marks Kensington High street for coffee and shopping - apparently this is their best day for wine! Sat in very nice garden behind St Mary Abbots in memory of Alec Clifton-Taylor. Got sticky tape for hat decorations. Back for 3 p.m. roll call and then stayed in queue. Amazing outfits especially Germans and lots to eat. Had cava. Went in at 6 p.m. and rehearsed Maxwell Davies new work with words written by Prommers. Stephen Jackson hopeless! Got a very good position on the rail at centre and young family near us. Several people who came on the day. It seems only 30 full seasons were issued for the gallery so we were very lucky! Many people had to buy 2 half seasons not including the Last Night. Maxwell Davies piece in tribute to prommers collecting for musical charities. Bartok Miraculous manda...

Slept trough the night and swam 30. Discussed money and holidays and phoned up about Russian river cruise for June 2012. Did music list for October - really tricky as no bass for the whole month. After lunch to the hall arrivin at 3.15. Put our names on informal queue list for the last night and at 4 p.m. put on formal list at 17 and 18. Liz then went to Acton to babysit as Lou and Tom on river cruise. I sat in Imperial college garden and read the programme. Chat to Eugenie and at 5.45 to interview with Sir John Eliot Gardiner about the Berlioz version. Amusing about Wagner who he finds boring! &.30 concert version with some staging. I had miniature score in German, libretto in French and English and for the second half Alfredo gave me his French vocal acore! An interesting work with lots of delights. Chorus were excellent. Got 52 eventually and 11.21 last train from Kensal Rise. Ciarán not too happy about Mam going off on train Liz had got off but he eventually settled down.

Woke early and had a lie-in. Set off to go to St Margaret Lothbury as not enough time to get to National gallery talk as discussing money. Ended up eating delicious fish at The Anthologist. They give you the bill in an old book and guess what ours was about C.J.Spurgeon who lived round the corner from here. Met David Stone about ISAs and investments. Buses to Royal Albert Hall. Just in time for Rabbi Julia Neuberger on pianos in literature with readings and piano pieces. Asked a question about comforting music like Mendelssohn and spoke to the rabbi. Also saw Chris Tew. All with scores Finlandia, Tchaikovsky violin concerto, Symphonic dances and La Valse conducted by Charles Dutoit. Encore Berlioz Hungarian March.

Wednesday to Acton Park with Ciarán playing with ball and on his trike. Later he got his new scooter and he now has super wooden track and accessories. I went to spirituality day with Sarah Richards on gentleness. She spoke of a 80 year old nun greeting here at Eden Hall near Edenbridge with gentle firmness and warmth and it reminded me of the greeting received at monasteries and how that initial greeting makes the retreat. She also gave us lovely pictures of the Virgin Mary. I had prawn salad and fruit for lunch and got calendars at Church House bookshop for Ann and a funny one for us. Gentle rain! To meeting with Roger Wright about the Proms - they rather fobbed off the issue of the 20 minute rule whereby season ticket holders arriving late end up at the end of the day queue and sometimes do not get in. Charles raised it and Eugenie commented on restlessness durign modern works. Comments on staff and lack of fountain were made. More training is clearly needed! BBC orchestra brass we...

Tuesday swam 30. Clearing up and checking wills and Heythrop money form - £1050 a year. Both of us to pre-Prom talk - Petroc Trewlawney interviewing the chair (horn) and director of the orchestra. Their chair of board of directors gave $42.5 million, another couple gave $5 million so they could tour to promote the city .They are accompanied by a team encouraging businesses to move to Pittsburgh which is now an attractive place to live. The orchestra took a 9.5% pay cut and donated $1000 each. They work in hospitals and schools and every primary school child in the city hears the orchestra at least once a year so truly a community project. Our orchestras have much to learn! Fascinating and the prom was stunning. Lohengrin prelude Act 1 - those gentle strings showing the German origins of the orchestra, Wolfgang Rihn played by Anne-Sophie Mutter like the cheese on the vegetables to get the kids to eat the veg (not to my taste). A wonderful memorable Mahler 5 (with score). Again 2 encores...

Writing this at 3.25 a.m. having come home late and now woken up again! The joys of insomnia! Proms plus literary Ian McMillan and former Children's laurate Michael Rosen and the poems they chose read by the lovely Imogen Stubbs. The poem had to be inspired by music played at the Proms. The 8 year old winner wrote of the bright cat inspired by Liszt's first piano concerto. The older child's poem seemed pretty remote from the Firebird to me but the adult winner was clearly inspired by the Lone ranger and William Tell overture. All the poems we heard had an element of surprise and worked well. The Pittsburgh symphony orchestra conducted by Manfred Honeck played Braunfels Fantastic appearances on a theme of Berlioz, Beethoven piano concerto no. 4 (score) Helene Grimaud and Tchaikovsky 5 (my score). Stunning playing and brilliant encores too - Carmen and an American dance. What an orchestra! Notable that they play before and during interval too on stage.

Swam 30. Sent photo to Heythrop for student card and spoke to Ann. Cleared up magazines. To tai chi and Tony said I was standing more upright! 30 minutes wasted at T mobile shop as Liz has to go in! My mobile lost somewhere between home and Albert Hall.

To St Mary's for 8 a.m. mass - no sign of the new translation despite the newsletter trumpeting it! Fr David very hard to follow any way! At Coulsdon Ellie and Molly turned up but choir starts next week. I played Mozart and Ode to joy and all went well. Coffee and then straight to Selhurst and to St. Paul's cathedral crypt. I was early so got a salad. An interesting forum with Giles Fraser and Dave Tomlinson on re-enchantment and sacred doubt. I asked about music at St Luke's Holloway and he said they use Wild Goose community material and standard hymns. To Museum of London in the rain to see Street photography but as it was the last day it was very crowded and I gave up and had a look at the book in the shop. To RAH for organ prom played by Thierry Eschaich from Paris. Unfortunately lots of very loud playing and uninspiring improvisation. Bach and Franck were OK. Liszt Adagio not impressive. To pre-Prom talk on Missa with 3 players from LSO - interesting to concentrate on...

To Coulsdon to play 3 hymns at a wedding. String trio largely talked over by congregation. CD to come in - Beatles instrumental but the real insult was a CD of Mendelssohn Wedding march played on an organ to exit. Keep music live! Violinist from Norwich university music dept not impressed. Practised a bit on piano. Liz was singing at a wedding at St John's as part of a quartet. On radio prom conducted by David of Tippett and Taverner. To pre-Prom literary event. Tasmin Little choosing Shakespeare, Hesse (just like Matthew Barley) Hilaire Belloc and something called Hungarian Dances. She looks and sounds fantastic - her father was an actor. Liz arrived just in time for Prom. Cockaigne overture, London premiere of Michael Berkeley's organ concerto, Rachmaninov Variations on a theme of Paganini (with score) and Kodaly Hary Janos suite (with score). A delightful concert and we went to Late event in Elgar room - wish we had known this was so good as we would have gone to more. Dran...

Woke up early so got up and read a bit of Tablet and dealt with emails and then back to sleep. To Enterprise cars to return Clio which took ages as only one assitant on duty but all O.K. and eventually she called a can to take me to Marlow Road to collect the Honda Jazz. All fine but noted some new marks on windscreen. Car has been cleaned and full of petrol!

Swam 19 having collected car from Selhurst. Hoovered a bit and rang up about our car which is ready. To funeral of Fr Alan Fudge in a packed cathedral. Liz was boat and I was communion torch and water. The Neocats sang their hearts out - I spoke to the guitarist - the music is partly by Kiko who founded the Way. Ended up outside with the hearse. We had roast dinner at cathedral cafe and underground to Moorgate and Post Office. David Stone not there so rearranged meeting. Much enjoyed the refurbished Museum of London. To preProm talk but fell asleep for part of it. Liz went to farewell drinks for Nick. Liszt Totentanz (score) and Mephisto waltz (piano score)Mahler Blumine and Symphony No.1 (full score). This was spoilt by a drunk coughing and talking - stewards spoke to him at the end but too late really. Markus and his wife.Stayed for 10 p.m. Prom and Liz came. Audience choice we all had a numbered ticket and numbers were drawn from the tuba. The orchestra in casual clothes. We then sh...

We had been told to be at the hall at 6 p.m. which meant we could not attend the pre-Prom talk. There were bag searches and then spent 90 minutes reading about. Judaism in my textbook. Freda and Ann chatty. Zubin Mehta celebrating his 75th year. The Webern Passacaglia with score was disrupted by a group singing Ode to Joy. The Bruch violin concerto was disrupted by people in the circle shouting who were removed by security with some difficulty. Gil Shaham played Bach encore. After the interval Albeniz Iberia could not start with more protests in the circle. Right below me an audience member went for a protester and people were shouting "Out". The order of pieces was changed so we got in a muddle having orchestral version of El Puerto and piano version for the other 2. There was even more shouting before Capriccio espagnol. We did not stay for any encores. It seems nobody was arrested! This was clearly a planned disruption and the broadcast was stopped as a result. It may hav...

Home and changed for 12 noon funeral at St Chad's. Fr William impossible to hear - organist OK. 5 verses of Be still my soul! What a killer! Going home at end. Katherine lived in our road and the kids went to school together. Still no cause of death at 37. We went to the house for lunch and then the rest of the family came back from the burial so we left as we were going to the Prom.

Woke in night so read more of The tiger's wife which is excellent - in fact finished it. Set off to take Ciarán to North Sheen recreation ground but trains cancelled so to Chiswick where I bought Pilgrim's progress and 2 more paperbacks and Liz went about signet ring. Lunch at Ravenscourt Park and C had longest swing ever! Turned out nice. I had brought scores for Thursday instead of today so went home to get them and water garden, etc. To cathedral excellent recital Bach, Franck and Vierne Symphony No. 1 all with scores. Good audience too. To Windsor Castle with Nick, Ross, Martin, Peter, Edward Tambling (not my favourite person), David Grealy (his last day) and Fr Alexander on great form. Found it very noisy with hearing aid in and missing a lot! Last train from Gunnersbury thanks to phone internet connection.

Tuesday to Bromley library to join up and get the scores which had not come to Wandsworth from Ealing, etc. Did well. Used satnav to go to Eltham Palace which has wonderful Edward IV hammerbeam roof and 1930s woodwork! A good audio guide and lunch. Took old nets to RSCPA shop. Maggie came in the morning and put up the new champagne nets which look lovely. To RAH laden with scores. Liz delayed by a fire but got to the hall in time after a good week with Daniel at Christ Church Dublin and visiting Ann Marie, Jo and Dylan. Dennis was also there at the weekend. Very interesting talk with John Carey about William Golding. Super concert Mozart Piano concerto 25 (full score) and Bruckner 8 with full score - very moving Adagio - hairs on arms and neck standing up! Jaap van Zweeden conducting Netherlands Radio Phil with pianist David Fray. Saw Alfredo, Freda, Adrian and Terence and enjoyed truffles. Bus and train to Acton.