The organist librarian

Mosaics and have done 2 small ones and completed the one using the broken cup. Have 2 more small ones to do. Had Thai green soup and then to play for wedding in Lady chapel. Carrie kindly indicated when to play as I found it very hard to hear what was being said. I think it is wax which is affecting my hearing. The tuned organ sounded good but even the trumpet sounded not as loud! Bride was on time and all went well. I arrived at Bloomsbury early so had a look in Foyles - it was the last day in the old shop before they move next door to St Martin's school of art building. Katherine Dienes-Williams sang and played beautifully - Howells Rhapsody 3, Nivers Kyrie and Bach Prelude in E flat. Sorry to have to leave to catch 29 and 11. Got to cathedral in good time and everyone was more friendly. Paul, George, Patrick, Andrew, Rebecca. I did incense with Joseph at vespers. Cardinal presided at Mass for new Catholics. I was acolyte. Joseph and Eugene were mitre and crozier. The other 5 ha...

Swam 20. Took Liz to St John's for the pilgrimage to Walsingham. Decided not to go to British Museum as the talk was on Lamma a Sumerian goddess and the National Portrait Gallery piano recital was of Ravel so stayed home and did mosaic. The letter C one is now finished and I have sorted out what needs to be done. Have repaired Philip's mosaic as well. Watched Come dine with me from Australia, Flog it and listened to Temple church Tavener concert on ClassicFM. Saw mouse so moved trap in front of cupboard door.

Swam 20 and Liz came too - not many there. Liz went to B and Q to get gardening stuff. To art and started painting the bottles picture and mixing acrylics using my new brushes. Drove to Streatham for interfaith lunch and met the Premraj family from Chennai. Prem told us about India and the recent elections. His son is an architect and he advised me about Chennai. I delivered the mock-ups of the recital programmes to church and found a wedding rehearsal in progress so begged the bride not to be late - an older couple who will marry in the Lady chapel which has some fine stained glass. Booked up tickets and we can visit Xavier in Kerala first and return on the Wednesday in good time for me to go to the St Matthew's course. To St John's for Ascension Day Mass. Mary was late - bit hard to tut tut while singing a hymn! Russell Watson from St Alban's preached but hard to hear him. We sang Darke in F and God is ascended up on high. Watched programme on Hanoverians.

Liz took Ciaran to see Rio 2. I took Seán to Acton Park children's centre and he loved the sand and the building blocks. Had lunch at Acton Park café and he slept for nearly 2 hours. Watched Come dine with me and heard evensong direct from St David's. My hearing aids were playing up probably because of wax. Ciaran helped to make a cake. To Alexandra Palace and Matt Spillett sang - a light tenor which did not really fill such a huge space. John Pryor played well but did not acknowledge the applause even though he was on screen! He played the Dorian and we had some Britten songs. Home in 1 hour 10 minutes. I saw Jack Beeson and discussed the recording at St Michael's involving Norman.

Having not had a swim I set off to St George Hanover Square in rain to hear Jonathan Vaughn. He played much the same programme as at Bromley but I agree with his mother that it sounded better on this organ. The Bach brightened the dull day, the Bridge was a lovely moment and the Vierne was a good ending -  a well balanced programme including the Sweelinck. So much better than the superficial Daniel Moult! To National Gallery £7 to see the stunning Veronese - 50 great pictures, wonderful colours and fabrics. He seemed to be able to do everything! His animals are particularly fine. I thought the shop items were pathetic reproductions. Also saw the small exhibition on architecture in paintings which The Tablet reviewed and the 5 short films accompanying it. To National portrait gallery and enjoyed the special displays especially the one on the blind in the 19th century and the Boer war. To Cassart and bought brushes set (Father's Day present from Louise) and acrylics - this is gettin...

I went to see Dr Shah last Friday about a spot on my back which Liz says has got bigger. She said leave it alone and was amazed at how low my blood pressure was. She sent me for a fasting blood test so I went to Mayday this morning at 6.45 a.m. I was 14th in the queue and all done by 8 a.m. I can now stay at Turvey with the monks in July. Minster do not take men on their own and Worth guest house is closed at that time!

To Bromley Parish church for Daniel Moult's recital. Gave out posters for Beckenham recitals and some said they would come! Daniel's programme lacked any real meat - it was all flashy like he is! Mozart, Bach, Liszt, Wammes and Dupre. I suppose the only reflective piece was the Bourgeois variations on a theme by Howells. Went on Chislehurst to get 2 scrolls for the new brothers from John Macmahon. Ironed short sleeve shirts and worked on recital programmes. In the end the printer disconnected again. I got it right eventually juggling A4 and A5 and scissors and paste job. Now I need Daniel and David to send their choices. Saw Dennis before he went back to Salford, He goes to Ireland for Dylan's confirmation this week.  Watched Antiques road show and programme on Georgian kings.

Played Henry G Ley on Down Ampney and Stanley trumpet tune (using oboe as tuning is needed - it will happen on Wednesday). Timed and rehearsed recital pieces. Paul preached about Pope Francis and Paul Hendricks at confirmation at St Anselm's. There was a meeting after service so could not practise but have made some arrangements for the recitals. Listened to Just a minute and we had pie for lunch. To evensong which was ATB - Sumsion in G and Ernest Walker I will lift up mine eyes. Prepared programmes for Ian Verran and Robert and Brian - the latter meant a lot of copying and retyping! Printer problems. Duchess of Malfi from the new Globe theatre on TV - very well done.

36% turnout is a disgrace and UKIP have won far too many seats. Croydon went Labour. Swam 20. Spent the day putting up the pictures in the hall. To 5 p.m. vespers combined choirs of Westminster Abbey and cathedral - Victoria and Bassano, Martin Ford played Bach. Canon Jane Hedges's last service in Westminster as she is to be Dean of Norwich. It was nice to see her. I did not hang around for a drink (if there was one!) as Louise was coming with the boys. Saturday to Joanna's for breakfast at 10 a.m. = delicious. Dennis arrived with chocolate and books about trains! Louise took the car to the garage - there is a small hole in cooling system pipe so she borrowed our car. We served at 2.30 p.m. Golden Jubilee Mass of Fr Tony Brunning and Fr Tom Wiley. Nice food in hall - Pam Winters there. Served at 6 p.m. Mass with Fr Alexander. BBC2 comedy on TV also Chelsea flower show,

Voted and swam 20. Some of the parties for Europe are ridiculous - why send somebody to the European parliament who is against the organisation? To art and we did mixing acrylic colours. To British museum for 1.15 talk on early Buddhism which was cancelled due to staff shortages so went to lecture on Viking hoards by Gareth Williams. Huge thunderstorm so went back in again to see Sutton Hoo burial display and German WWI medals. Home for meal and out again to Sisters of Sion for 44th Cardinal Bea lecture by Rabbi Alexandra Wright and Clifford Longley both excellent. I attempted to answer the rabbi's question "What can Jews learn from the passion?"

Took Sean to music and he definitely said Bells and Shaker. Picked up the Alexanders and we had lunch at Acton park café which was nice. I took them back to the 72 bus to go to Roehampton and went to Hisley room. 13 came to hear Imam Hasim Afiz the first Imam to HM armed forces. He was excellent. My phone was left in Louise's car and Liz did not bring it home. To Robert Quinney's recital which was exhausting and I slept twice. McCabe and Giles Swayne was interesting but the Bridge was a relief. Fr Aidan Rossiter was there.

Both to Clapham picturehouse to see King Henry IV part 1 from Stratford RSC. Brilliantly done and a triumph for Sir Anthony Sher. Came home to change and to Royal Society of Medicine. It was an excellent evening lovely venue and food and delightful company. It was good that moved round between courses.

Woke at 4 and back to sleep. Swam 20. To St Chad's for 11 only to find funeral at 11.30, Helena from Heythrop was playing - she was so slow and got slower still! Organ didn't sound good. No eulogy and 4 hymns including Sweet heart of Jesus and Holy virgin by God's decree. Angela and Beauty were fussing around us servers something terrible! The leaflet was incorrect The Lord's my shepherd organist, Alleluia organist. Fr William was grateful. I walked home and got the car (it was hot and sunny) and we got to the crem in time then on to the Wheatsheaf pub in Thornton Heath nice eats and saw Hyacinth, Kitty and Dennis who used to employ Mary as a shorthand typist. George said nothing form across the road! Slept on settee.                                            ...

Played Ave Maria and Tambling on Slane and Cashmore Processional March. Stephen lead a communion service. Andrew took posters for the station! I told Fr Paul who was off to Walsingham that brides should be told if they are 10 minutes late my fee doubles! Nice lunch and then to St John's for 2. Fr John and James played piano duet version of Brahms How lovely and All flesh is grass. Stanford in A. Nice tea and wine afterwards. Watched final of Young musician with a worthy winner Martin James Bartlett.

To the cathedral for 10 a.m. and the confirmation candidates gathered in the chapel where St John Southworth lies. Fr Paolo led us across Hyde Park past Buckingham Palace. Once in the park we started saying the rosary which is not something I ever do. I found it strangely rhythmic walking and calming. People didn't seem to mind! It was hot and sunny. I left them near Speakers corner and handed my bags to Mark. Park Lane was closed so had to walk to Marble Arch and then via Oxford Circus and back to Kent House where the car was parked. I arrived at church in good time and started playing at 12.50. The bride arrived 35 minutes late - this is the worst I ever experienced. By then I had played lots of Handel and Stanley! Quite a nice hymn to I vow to thee my country and One more step. Paul was on good form but afterwards he seemed a bit deflated by it all. I then could not get the car out because they took photos in the front of  the church and the photographer was a pain! I was sketc...

Woke at 4 a.m. and dozed off into a nightmare. I was playing the organ and looked in the mirror above my head to see Fr Paul putting a black hood over his head with a clown's face on it. Next there appeared a TV screen above the manuals and I turned it on to see a sinister smiling face looking at me in the screen and the mirror. Next a man appeared in gold through the door into the organ loft - the same man. I made the sign of the cross in the air and woke up calling "Go away, go away". Horrid!

Went to St Chad's at 11 and I am glad we both went. Linda the secretary was very formal and obviously furious. Fr William appeared to start from a position of not being willing to change the arrangements for Mary's funeral but we came to a compromise that he would check with the servers and we could both serve. An organist has been booked - they seem to alternate between Louis and a lady. The nephew has no idea of our offer which is not good. We parted amicably and he has clergy supper in his diary! I do think that people living alone are very vulnerable and there should be some way of letting neighbours know that somebody has gone in to hospital. I left a card in the house porch and somebody was there but did not take it! Chris finished the painting and it looks fantastic and his charges were by the day and reasonable. Liz got more plants and I had a sleep after doing various email tasks. To May supper at the club and the meal was excellent and everybody enjoyed it. We came h...

To art and did a charcoal of Norma drawing which I gave to her. To British Museum for talk by Richard Blurton on Ganesha. I was glad I got a stool and there was an excellent hearing loop. What a charming man and so interesting. Started in room 3 and ended up in 33. Went to prints and had a look at the East German and Chinese displays. To Acton and picked up Ciaran from Emma's - they have a lovely home and garden then picked up Seán from Shamina. C fell asleep in car so woke him up at home. Lots of Mama and crying but eventually I said "Had enough of this!" and we went in and made a strawberry milkshake - problem solved! Liz arrived and I set off for St John's Upper Norwood. Timothy Byram-Wigfield played beautifully especially Humperdinck. Some nice humour in Copland Cat and mouse and encore of Poulenc. Vierne, Bach, Gigout and Liszt and we sang "O praise ye the Lord" -nearly thought we were not getting last verse. Nice eats and chatted to a couple from All ...

Swam 20, got petrol and delivered letter to St Chad's about Mary O'Flynn's funeral on Monday. It is incredible that the secretary of the parish can tell us they have organist and servers when we have known Mary for 38 years! The family are not aware of our offer so I have asked Fr William to contact them through the undertaker. We only found out about the funeral through the church newsletter -  the family should have told her neighbours. Painting in hall looks great - it feels really odd with an empty space and clear walls! Joined Save Croydon libraries on Facebook - the privatisation of management has been a disaster and staff have been cut again.

Took Seán to music and he really joined in. Had coffee and home for lunch. Liz was at James's. To Osterley garden centre and they enjoyed the soft play and we had tea and then to Osterley park where Ciaran rode his bike really well and we played with the football. C had a sulk about that until S got him to play! Pop music being tested for sound - most annoying!  Ice creams all round and I bought Liz a second hand book about WWII. Amazed to meet John and Ann Alexander on the Clapham Junction bridge! We will meet up next week. To Thornton Heath hustings which were poorly attended and no Conservative candidate! The independent and Green impressed me as did the sitting Labour councillor but the Lib Dem did not impress - very vague! UKIP are crazy - you can't freeze council tax and cut business rates - it won't work! And they seem to think the money going to Europe would come back to local councils if we came out of Europe - what about all the lost revenue as a result of withdr...

We both went to St Paul's cathedral for Sons and Friends of the clergy. The noise beforehand was bad so I tuned my aids off and sketched a lampstand! Peterborough and Wakefield cathedral choirs sang well and we heard Tavener, Bernard Rose, Kenneth Leighton and Elgar Give unto the Lord written in 1914 for the festival. Hymns were Disposer supreme, Christ is our cornerstone and For all the saints. Dean preached well and ended with Brewer Marche heroique. I went straight to Willesden Green and found the Muhammadi centre in Walm Lane. Sayed spoke well but Dr Shah-Kazemi did not use the time well and I dropped off. The ladies did not get their questions answered and many left when I did before the prayers! The person singing the earlier prayers had a fine voice. It was a pity they used so many Islamic terms.

Swam 18 and drove to Caterham to practise for Charlotte's wedding. The Prestige organ does not impress especially the pedal sounds. Then on to Old Oxted to visit Philip who has made great progress and prepared circle accounts despite the stroke affecting his writing and eyes. He loves to chat. Home for lunch and Chris the decorator has made a good start on the hall. Liz went to hairdresser and I went to Royal Academy of Music Dukes Hall for final BMus recital be Jeremy Lloyd. Durufle, Alain, Vaughan Williams and Mendelssohn but the best was the Bach. The Academy museum is amazing. Section on WW1 and lovely strings. Not enough time to see the piano gallery. Changed and to Catenians. Juan and Danny have applied and Freddie was very chatty!

I played pieces on Dominus regit me by Willan and Vernon Griffiths and Worthy is the Lamb. £139 collected at Lewisham maternity unit for Tommys! To Homebase to get paint and then a lovely roast lunch at Oval Lounge. To LAMAG event on faiths and education. Sarah Thorley and Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi - most interesting. Hard to sketch him as he kept moving about! Jeremy Rodell was there so booked July date. Fr Adrian McKenna-White was very chatty. I sang at evensong. Eyre in D did not inspire and Weelkes Hosanna was just loud. Nice Dandrieu on O filii. Gareth was there. To Christ's chapel Dulwich for RCO 150th anniversary recital of Handel by Catherine Ennis. Watched QI.

Took down all the pictures and removed numerous hooks in the hall! Chose the colour. Watched Young musician piano heat and Martin was a worthy winner. I did like the Chopin from Isata. To St John's for the organ class of the Croydon music festival. I did some sketching of the Risen Christ, Mary and Easter candle. Some good playing Mendelssohn and Bach. Mylene was there and the Vaughns. Frank and Richard Broadberry. The improvisations were excellent and the 3 young players all did well. Hopefully Ronnie Krippner will being them to St Michael's as David Flood recommended mechanical action to them. He was a kind and helpful adjudicator. Fr Paolo at Mass and the 2 young boys were particularly dippy. Home to sort out visit to Notting Hill organs in November and saw a bit of the Eurovision contest.

Could not swim as pump was broken. To St Matthew's for talk by Helen on the enneagram and we did it. I am a 7 - I've done it before but had forgotten what my previous result was! Good session in the afternoon too and Howard led the prayers well. Home and Liz had been at Catholic Grandparents launch with Bishop Kieran. To St John Notting Hill for opening recital on the restored historic organ by Thomas Trotter. Glass at the side enables children to see the action. We saw a video about how the work was done in Devon. Peter Hurford suite was delightful and the Knightsbridge march. Barbara from the Proms was there and people were friendly. I chatted to a lady from the Heritage Lottery Fund and there were lovely eats from a local restaurant. Long chat to Thomas. Home by 10.

Swam 20 and Liz went off to college. To art and Julie lent ne a good book on sketching. I did my first sketch of a landscape in my sketchbook copying a not very good wall painting in the hall of a mountainous lake. There was a flurry of emails about organ tuning and decided to stick with the current unequal temperament. I have informed John Williams that Bill will let Debbie know things as I refuse to have any more unpleasant emails from him! To Notting Hill Eat and then to hear David and Elizabeth Wood read Mozart's letters and play clarinet and piano including clarinet concerto slow movement. Rita was there and told me she was refused absolution! Home for an hour and then on bus to Streatham South London Islamic centre. 5 came for conversations and I was paired with John Buddhist from Brixton. We hope to meet at the Brixton centre.

Seán clearly copied Ann and Paul and John! I went to opticians and they fixed my lens. I led the spirituality day -not so many there and people left early because of the Rowan Williams event. Still it went well. On Acts, baptism, Evangelii Gaudium and funerals. Saw Fr Paolo at the break and met Pauline's friend. To Tate Britain friends room afterwards - horrid installation in the Duveen galleries. To cathedral hall for Silence in the City and Rowan Williams was great! He mentioned organists and answered my question about silence in the liturgy as done by Pope Benedict very well. Space round the words and movements, space in the psalms as well. Pam Winters and Elizabeth West were there! Lovely to see them again.

Swam 20 and went to Dennis's with parcels and checked post. To Greenwich Picturehouse for NT production of Lear. I was early so went to the excellent new Nelson gallery in the National Maritime Museum. The production was fantastic and very powerful on dementia. The blinding of Gloucester has to be the most horrific scene made worse by waterboarding. How horrific it is and it was good to get a break after it. The final scenes are devastating. All the cast were wonderful with Simon Russell Beale and Adrian Scarborough. My last RSCM Southwark committee meeting after about 15 years. Peter Wright was ill but we met at Adrian's and I was duly thanked. Then to Acton and Liz safely back from Hexham having enjoyed the diamond wedding of Flo and Tom. Dennis went as well.

Fr Paolo had told me about the commemoration so I skipped the recital at Smith Square and went early to Charterhouse. Martin Penny lived there at the end of his life. The service was simple and moving and ecumenical. Martin Prendergast introduced me to Jennifer Middleton the Methodist minister who chairs Islington interfaith. Came home to find a big match and people being really stupid and selfish about letting cars through. One guy got through the gap and then parked blocking the queue! Also buses parked in Whitehorse Lane is crazy! Parked outside Mary's.

Was mitre bearer for Bishop Pat Lunch at annual migrants Mass. Good to see Deacon Kassa and John O'Toole. He introduced me to Fr Michael Scanlon of West Croydon. It started late as there was confusion in publicity over starting time. Tim was flapping! George in charge. All went well., Bishop Pat seemed very vague about Catenian October supper! I went to Cassart and bought sketching pad, paper, pencils and charcoal! Then came home for lunch. Copied sheets for Wednesday and prepared notes.

Saw a mouse in the lounge last night - very small but still yuk! 3 traps set. Watched Come dine with me and did some work for next Wednesday's spirituality day. The hymns at the family Eucharist were a bit naff including Colours of day. I played Handel, Guest and Ridout on Vreuchten and Willan on Vulpius. Only 16 there and the 3 kids all very young. Straight to Tulse Hill and to Blackfriars for Andrew Carwood at St Paul's cathedral on Easter music. He played Lotti, Byrd, Bach, Mahler and Elgar - interesting comments on the music. I was particularly taken by the alto aria with oboe d'amore form the Easter oratorio of Bach. Energy, rising intervals, quicker music. To St John's for 3 p.m. and Julie and David took Mary and I to Botley via the A3 and some lovely wooded countryside roads for choral evensong with their choir in memory of Trevor's parents Eric and Bronwen Wheble. A very pleasant occasion in "the most charming village in England" according to Cobb...

Mouse No. 4 seen in the lounge last night - yuk! Saturday to St George's cathedral to hear Marilyn Harper play very well. I made myself known to Mylene. She played Bach, Rootham and Bedard. About 25 there. A lovely day and visited the Tibetan peace garden. I had parked at West Norwood so took bus back and then to Dulwich picture gallery for Hockney prints. Overpriced at £10 for pensioners - the rooms are too narrow and too many people. Parked at Kent House. Fr Quaqoe at Mass and there were 5 of us serving and all went well. To Hayes Catholic church hall for a delightful May supper with Beckenham circle - lots of nice food. Gabrielle who is German was rather dogmatic about the Church! Enjoyed the chat as the house is so quiet. Liz was at the diamond wedding celebration.

The recorder won. I liked all of them and the saxophonists and flautists were also excellent. Watched Don Giovanni from Covent Garden - brilliant production.

Over slept so no swim. To art and not many there so did a charcoal and chalks drawing of a lantern (IKEA Christmas one like we have on our porch). I was pleased with it! Watched Come dine with me. Lots of rain. To St Paul's cathedral. Did not realise 17 bus not running due to earlier May Day march so ended up walking. As I reached the cathedral one came past and I missed the Brewer. Simon Johnson played well but the echo wrecks anything fast. Franck, Mendelssohn, rather underwhelming Brahms and splendid Widor 6. Friday swam 20 and did menu choices for OJ dinner. Phoned dentist and optician. To St John's for the funeral which had been postponed. Emma only 31. We sang Laudate dominum, Schubert Ave Maria and Kontakion. Cathy's breathing and vowels were dreadful and Frank sang flat.