The organist librarian

Good recital at Holy Trinity Sloane Square by Mylene Shoreman who is a GP. Bridge, Bach, Vierne - the organ sounds great and there were 40 there. Chatted to tenor and organist from Acton member of SSG and I cannot remember his name! Came home for a meal. Went to an extraordinary event at Initiatives for change on mindfulness and its implications for mental health in business and education. Got 2 buses to Acton because of tube strike. Wednesday Liz set off for Hexham on first class train with wine! I took Seán to Acton Parish church playgroup - not many there. Had a look in the church and there is a large Walker organ. Picked up Ciaran and we went to Gunnersbury. Lovely and sunny and we had lunch and ice creams. Helen and Yap came along with the girls so I was able to have a look round Gunnersbury museum which is interesting. Boys fell asleep in the car. Evensong from St John's Cambridge. To Philippe Lefevre from Notre Dame Paris playing at the cathedral - Franck and Vierne 2 with...

Took Ann and Paul to East Croydon - it has been a lovely time together. Swam 20, cut my thumb at mosaic taking tiles off to redo them. Played at funeral of Shirley from Barbados. Singer came to do Going home so I played that and Faure, Elgar and Handel beforehand. It was all very dignified and heartfelt. Cheque for £40 but contract says it should be £60. Saw the beehive in the vicarage garden as I parked at the back. To Harvey Nichols for delicious champagne chocolate tea - this was to make up for the poor tea Liz had there before. We sat in Hyde Park for a while enjoying the sunshine and the green trees then to confirmation class where Paolo answered some good questions. Watched Rev - the end of this series.

Saw a little of the canonisation of John XXIII and John Paul II from Rome on the computer. Ann and Paul came to St Michael's and I played Christopher Tambling on O filli, Gordon Slater's Easter Alleluya and Michael Fleming on Noel nouvelet. We sang Jesus lives! Love's redeeming work is done and Now the green blade. Unfortunately none of the psalm settings fitted the version on the sheet. We had Celtic alleluia. Paul was on good form. Finished with the Hallelujah chorus which got a clap. Lovely pork for lunch. Seán was absolutely fine waking up with us. Louise took the boys to the lake and Kelsey Park and I took Paul Down house which he enjoyed. I saw things about Darwin I had missed the first time. We watched Rev and Antiques road show, Rev, also the rest of the Young musician percussion final (Simone Rebello was one of the judges) and the programme on Messiah and Coram.

Had a lie-in and Louise arrived with the boys. Seán was on great form. Paul posted all his photos which are great. Disposed of 3 dead mice in the bin - yuk! We enjoyed the London Eye very much - how green the city is and so many high buildings going up. Crossed the Golden Jubilee bridge and ate at Café Rouge - camembert baguette. Handbagged at the Vaudeville theatre was hilarious and also sad. A great show. We went to vespers and Mass with Fr Alexander. David played Widor Marche pontificale for the 2 Popes to be beatified tomorrow. Came home to a delicious pork meal cooked by Louise with a good champagne. We watched Rev which was rather dark - I had earlier completed a Christian survey about the series. I watched most of a programme on Messiah and Coram's foundling hospital. Proms prospectus is full of goodies and the Singapore Symphony orchestra are to play - some years since I suggested this!

Dennis ferried us to the station which took ages as the traffic was so bad. He then went off to Northallerton and traced Woodhouses back to 1736. We got the 10.57 train to Leeds and Liz and I went to the Minster to hear Simon Lindley who recognised me. Easter music by Bach, Dandrieu, Langlais, Slater, Moore, Stanford and Faulkes - most enjoyable. We then went back to the station. Ann and Paul had been to the art gallery and library. We got a taxi to Lawns Wood and found the place where the ashes were scattered and the book of remembrance was opened to the page where Granddad was recorded. Back to town on the bus for tea and train back arriving at 7 and home by 8.10. It has been a successful trip.

We also visited Bar Convent and Priory Street and were able to get into St Mary Bishophill Junior to see Herbert Harold Worley commemorated on the war memorial. Thursday we met Peter Stanhope at St Michael le Belfrey which has Frank Woodhouse on the memorial and some wonderful stained glass. The organ bench is replaced by electronic equipment. We went into the Minster and the head verger kindly allowed us to see the magnificent King's Book. There for the first time we saw a photo of Frank Woodhouse, granddad's cousin and Herbert Harold Worley. Edwin Tate designed the cover. Peter then took us to see where the Tates lived at the college of St William and on to the Bedall hall. We had coffee in the Shambles at a nice Italian place. Then to Park Grove school to see the Nellie Woodhouse memorial board with 10 years of names on it. Ann interacted well with the children who asked lots of good questions. Andrew Calverley came to see us. Back to the b and b for a rest and then up the ...

We set off on the X68 and I asked Liz if she had the senior railcards. She went home and came on the train so we all got the train OK. Taxi to Bowen House which is very near Park Grove and very comfortable and turned out to be great value at £70 for b and a huge breakfast! We had a look at No. 22 and walked round the Monkbar walls. Went to Banks with Dennis and he bought me the 90th birthday tribute book to Francis Jackson with CD and I bought him an organ tutor by David Sanger. Champagne tea at Bettys was as always very special. We then walked the walls from Jewry to Monkgate and back to the hotel. I tried No. 22 again and a woman came to the door and said she was getting ready to go to work and shut the door! Wednesday we went to York cemetery and David was very helpful finding the records and taking us to the graves. Thank goodness we had photos of the graves and a spade for clearing brambles and earth! We bought a book about the cemetery. Dennis drove us to North Otterington and ...

Scanned a lot of photos and printed some off to take to York. Dropped everyone at Selhurst and to Bromley Parish church for Jonathan Vaughn's excellent recital of Franck, Bach, Sweelinck, Widor and Parry. He played well and I bought his new CD of Wagner played at St Mary Redcliffe. His programme for St John's sounds great! He is now at Wells. Back to Selhurst and to South Bank where we sat outside in the sun and then got the London Eye cruise which was very enjoyable. The boys enjoyed playing in the Jubilee gardens. We came home for dinner and I again played the piano and sang a bit. Voice is rusty! Packed small case and fell asleep during Rev. Saw the mouse again this time in the lounge - horrid things.

Liz went to the cathedral where they sang Langlais. Picked up Dennis and took Ann and Paul to St Michael's. 61 there. We did sing the psalm as I found a chant for it. All went well and Fr Paul thanked choir and me at the end. Widor Toccata was appreciated - I have practised this hard and not played it in public for some years! It went reasonably well. To Rosendale pub for an excellent lunch of lamb. I had a lucky escape and did not get chocolate on my best trousers!  It was raining so the boys could not play outside. The Gruffalo eggs were appreciated. They all came back to us and I had some nice wine after surviving Lent (like Fr Paul). Later we went for a walk and had Baileys and ice cream. Dennis went back to Salford and will join us in York. Watched quiz about BBC2 featuring Gareth Malone and Brian Cox. Leicester cathedral TV broadcast was good. Pope Francis was impressive and last night's Vigil was on TV news!

Book bearer at morning prayer and tenebrae - lovely Victoria and an excellent homily from the Cardinal. Shopping and tea at Marks. Beautiful  evensong from Chichester featuring Bairstow Lamentations and Jackson in G. Had a fun day putting family tree onto ancestry.co.uk. Picked up Ann and Paul from West Norwood and Dennis came. To Beckenham for Vigil and Fr Paul sang Exultet very dramatically and effectively. Only 19 there but the singing was good. One baptism. Hallelujah chorus got a clap and a Bravo! To cathedral by 10.30 in time for consecration prayer. Choir sang Gabrieli but of course missed the Vierne. Vierne 6 at the end - splendid. Home by 12.30.  It seems Martin Baker composed the Mandatum music on Tuesday and choir sang it magnificently on Maundy Thursday.

Woke early and we all went to the station together as Ann and Paul went off to Reading. Served at morning prayer. I was wearing the scarlet wimp as mitre bearer. Choir sang the Vittoria and Anerio beautifully. To Trafalgar Square for the Passion of Jesus. Sat at the side and watched it on the big screen. It was very moving and well done. Liz went back to the cathedral and I went to St Michael's. There were 24 there and Paul gave a powerful sermon on God is dead - it's between me and God will not do. Home by 4.30 and Liz back around 6.45. Dennis came down. Songs of Praise from Bradford including Nardone A new commandment. Have found a lot of family history photos for York.

Swam 20. Dreamed about Meryl! Paul off to Egham. Ann and I looked through photo albums and did the South Norwood country park walk which was very nice and took an hour. I heard the first part of the cathedral Mass - superb Vaughan Williams Mass and mandatum. Excellent homily from the Cardinal. Did not like the Messiaen beforehand and the lack of a responsorial psalm, At Beckenham only 12 there but went well and good hymns. Lady chapel of repose looked lovely. Masterchef on TV.

Swam 20 with Ann and Paul - water was cool and quite a few there. I am of course not used to going on Wednesdays. Drove over to Acton and we had lunch at Acton Park café with Seán. I took him home for a sleep and set off to Hinsley room. 8 came and Angharad did a good job of condensing the conflict presentation into 3 parts. 2 Quakers came and Redwood who is a Buddhist but he came out with some disturbing stuff about psychiatrists and being arrested as a psychopath and dangerous! Rather worrying. Once again he gave me a donation! Still it was a good session. I went back to Acton for BBQ and drove home.

Swam 20. Final preparations for Ann and Paul's arrival. Liz a little better but still staying home. Chrism Mass went very well. One stupid decision was to move us from BVM to BSC side too early so we went back to our seats! I had to move a heavy stool and consecration torch and acolyte 5. Nice lunch and chatted to seminarians and a couple of priests including the one I have met in art galleries! Home to find Ann and Paul there so we sat in the garden for a bit and went for a walk before dinner. Liz went off to Acton. Watched Rev again and Come dine with me.

Up at 4.45 to take Bruce to East Croydon to get to Gatwick in time. Checked Louise's times which are impressive and she has raised more than the £2000 needed. I reckon Dennis, Bruce and I all arrived just that bit too late at Canary Wharf! What a pity the website wouldn't work on my phone as we could have tracked her progress. Swam 20 and to mosaic. At tai chi I dropped off during the meditation. Practised on piano. Worried about Liz and she had to cancel serving at Chrism mass - Andrew took her place. I went to rehearsal which went on rather long so had a chat to Derek, Gordon and Don the deacons. Watched secrets of bones, British railway journeys and programme on 18th century English music and best of all Rev.

Played Bach final chorus of St Matthew passion. Unfortunately the Palm Sunday service was very long. The psalm went well. I don't think we needed such a long sermon or the odd comments about beehives! I missed the Clock House train so bus to Crystal Palace and walk to station carrying the placard and got to Canary Wharf around 1.30. I reckon just missed Louise. Liz had seen her at Rotherhithe and Tom saw her at Mudchute. Bruce Dennis and I didn't see her at all. We went to the post race party for Tommys at Grace bar, Great Windmill Street so that was good. Liz went to Acton. I watched Antiques roadshow, Lent diaries and architectural brutalism.

Slept late so no swim. To St Matthew's for spiritual direction course. 11 there 2 missing because of school holidays! Suffering and some interesting discussions. Watched Come dine with me. Nice to be outdoors for a change. Watched Come dine with me, a very British Renaissance about the Stuarts and a series of Channel 4 Lent diaries about Black churches in Britain. Bruce and Dennis power washed the path and patio and Bruce got the outside light to work - it was the bulb. Canon Christopher at Mass for Palm Sunday. Paul Moynihan was there.

Tuesday to St Ethelburga's for conversations in the tent. After lunch Angharad talked about conflict so the session with the London interfaith group went on to 4. Kirit was there and Phiroza. I came home and then to Farm Street for Age to the church in need service for Syria. Oratory choir sang Allegri, Byrd and Lotti and we had benediction in Latin. Steven was there and Fr Dominic thanked us for coming. One tenor and a boy who sang top C stuck out. To Acton and watched end of the Great British sewing bee. Wednesday tried Acton parish church but it was locked so took Sean to Acton park café. We all went to Gunnersbury Park and had lunch there and enjoyed the playgrounds. Liz stayed overnight and I came home to take part in a webinar with Matthew Scott about resilient communities. I had fun with the  buggy twice getting the straps back in place! Bruce arrived unexpectedly and I went to art class and drew 4 bottles in charcoal. To Notting Hill Unitarian church for Alan Rainer's...

Lie-in and to mosaic - finished letter L. 6 at tai chi. Liz went to confirmation and I went to Catenians -  a very jolly evening with some good jokes. Brendan Ducey came and 2 from Croydon. Watched final of University challenge and Rev.

Saturday drove to Maidstone and checked in at the Mercure hotel. Had a swim, Jacuzzi and sauna where I met Duncan! Liz watched the Grand National. Had a rest and got into black tie for the dinner and dance. The rump of lamb was too thick and tough, nice profiteroles and enjoyed the dancing. Beckenham became circle of the year. We retired at 11.30 and up at 8. Swam and sauna and a great breakfast. Drove to Tunbridge Wells for Mass and Fr Peter was pleased to see us. Coffee at Chartwell and nice shop. To Quebec House which was very interesting and some very knowledgeable ladies told us about General Wolfe. To Down House the home of Charles Darwin with excellent audio guide and exhibitions. Watched Antiques road show but did not like The Crimson field about WWI at all.

Swam 21 hovered and put washing away. To Turnham Green for Jonathan's clever programme on light Handel, Buxtehude, Vierne and the Glow worm! 3 pm Barbara's funeral at Beckenham crematorium. We sang Morning has broken to a tape and Nat King Cole Unforgettable. Oddly the coffin did not disappear! It was all a bit subdued for such a happy person. To the pub on Anerley Hill for nice eats although my sausage roll was definitely off! To ACTA Westminster at Holy Apostles Pimlico. Met John Wilkins former editor of the Tablet and Martin Pendergast was there. Julian Filochowski gave us an impassioned talk on Evangelii Gaudium. There were 20 there not as many as at the previous meeting and there had been correspondence with the Cardinal.

Thursday Liz at college so swam and at 10.30 to Croydon AgeUK in Thornton Heath for art class. Did self-portrait in charcoal! Nice ladies. Watched Come dine with me and Liz home early from college so had meal and then to Vaughan House for Faith Matters lecture on The Church in a secular culture. He stressed dialogue so I commented on our meeting with Jeremy Rodell and Muslim contacts. Friday swam 21.

Took Seán to music which he enjoyed although he fell over a couple of times and was tired - maybe he is teething again. After a quick lunch to Hinsley Room for afternoon of spirituality day on Lazarus with Fr Robin. The highlight of the day was listening to the rehearsal of the Bach. To Marks for tea and food and then back for 6.30. A moving and memorable event. Fr Damian behind me. I remarked on what a Muslim would make of it all and he said probably say it didn't happen but like the music! Margaret Tobin, Sylvia and Hannah very chatty at the break. Glad I took my cushion and there was just enough light to follow the score! The boys did exceptionally well and so did the various soloists including Reuben. Ian wasn't singing. Very impressive counter tenors.

Served at 5.30 chapter Mass. I was cross then Rebecca rushes in and does boat and starts doing things! So irritating. I ended up doing acolyte duties. To Coliseum and delivered card for Jan Latham-Koenig at stage door. Doorman "How will I know him?" "He's flamboyant - you can't miss him!" The opera was well done if rather heavy vocally and the production was traditional and very Russian. Lots of Russians in the audience too. My seat in upper circle was good and you could see the surtitles after all. Jan conducted well and the Russian chorus were impressive. I did not go backstage as had to get to Acton which I reached at 11.30.

We both swam and I did 20. To Selsdon for impressions for new moulds. The audiologist very keen to discuss India and the state of the country - at one point one ear was blocked up! Popped into Selsdon library then to the church to take the psalms (alterations done) and played through Toccatas and tried the Gigout!