The organist librarian

16 in church. Candlemas ignored but played Bach's superb prelude and Light of the nations by Andrew Moore and his Toccata. Paul Bryan on Carlisle and Stanley Vann on Blaenwern. Said psalm. Bill did not bother to let me know again.  Sisters of Sion talk on the new document of Catholic Jewish relations by Jonathan Gorsky - gives hope for the future. William accompanied me ont he 452 which went on a long diversion to get to Kensal Rise. Not going to Mass at Transfiguration church again - very trad, young Vietnamese priest, altarrails. I walked out. Took ages to get home.  Train from Kensal Rise to Richmond and then to Barnes and bus replacement to Clapham Junction. Bus drivers got stuck at Wandsworth Common. Watched Call the midwife and War and Peace. Resigned from St Michael's - last Sunday Feb 28. Fed up with out of tune organ, congregation noise, hymns changed every week, no outreach e.g. carols, politics. The final straw was the PCC letter so better to go now and visit churc...

An enjoyable meal at Bella Vita Shirley for President's Friday. Nice that  Dennis Woodhouse  and  Ann- Marie Woodhouse  came. 24 there. Good chat to Steve and Derrick.  To Kingsley Hall Bromley-by-Bow where Gandhi stayed in 1931 and we saw his simple cell. The interfaith seminar for the Gandhi foundation on animal rights. Not quite clear whether one should become vegetarian or vegan or not change diet at all! Certainly vivisection and industrial animal husbandry are unacceptable.  Bloomsbury organ day heard Richard Brasier play Mathias and good buffet. John Scott Whiteley played brilliantly. Bach, interesting Glass, Franck but Liszt which seemed neverending! Dreadful page turning! Watched Real Marigold hotel and Victorian bakers. Louise brought the boys to stay Friday night and they went to Gruffalo's child at Ashcroft. She was at Bagattis.

Woke late. Liz hit the roof when company told her new mirrored bathroom cabinet would not be available until Feb 17th. Lo and behold it was delivered anyway so one hand not knowing what the other is doing! Decided it was too heavy to put up myself, To St George Beckenham for recital by Jon Payne - excellent Peeters and Gabrieli and Farrington jazzy Live Wire. Spoke to Nigel Grooome and he said St Mary Bromley looking for organist. The trouble is that like St Paul Herne Hill they want weekly choir practice. St Swithun Purley Sundays only. Strangely both same distance away 6 miles.  

Swam 20 and saw Max. Had not been for ages. To art and planned the gap in the Cusco picture then off to Streatham for interfaith lunch which was very well attended including Diana and Ken who are going to Jerusalem. Diana and Sarah told us about their 5 hours in Calais. How very priviledged we are in our paid for homes, travel, pensions, free travel, etc. Home and then to Portcullis House for meeting on Austerity and Social Justice. The MP for Edmonton could not come but recorded a message (she did not say much) The 5 actresses acting out people's stories with music were terrific. I spoke to a midwife from Edmonton and I spoke about libraries.  Home to watch Story of China. 

Liz went for a swim and some woman was rude to her - she was chatting to her friend at the side of the middle lane! I went to hear Peter Wright at Grosvenor chapel - only 6 there. I enjoyed the Bach but the Leguay and Demessieux and Heiller rather left me cold. Nice to have a chat afterwards. Miserable day. To Provincial council at Swanley and Fergus got through the business very quickly blaming the weather. I was at Acton in good time. Wednesday to Tamar's and Sean joining in the song. At home he changed the word to Lion King song! Ciaran doing times tables in the car. I said You never stop learning even when you are 100. "What about when you are dead?" I said "Nobody knows but perhaps you keep learning when you go to heaven". We returned home early as Tom took the boys swimming. Ciaran starting Beavers. The webinar did not materialise. Chat to Malcolm Woodhouse about Frank - he has lots of material including the King's Penny and medals and watch! Ann rang...

The place on my back which itches is still bothering me. Liz thinks it is from stress. Woke late again. Rather a disappointing mosaic session - I was late and only got one tile painted pink. Lots of dithering around looking at white tiles which proved to be impossible to cut! 7 at tai chi. Watched Father Brown and designed poster for quiet day.  An interesting service at St Sarkis Armenian church, Kensington for the week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The choir music has an Oriental Arabic feel often minor in key. A lovely church and it was full. Saw Rita Day and Peter. The food was good but poorly arranged. 

18 in church. Organ so out of tune I did not play Elgar Spirit of the Lord as a result. Sumsion Cradle song, Peeters Canzona, Andrew Moore and Walter Webber on Lobe den Herren. I have no idea why we are singing Lead kindly light to dreary tune Sandon! As I have been told by email that my contract is to end when the church closes for building work I am now actively looking elsewhere.  Lovely concert at the Royal Festival Hall John Wilson conducting the Philharmonia - Sea symphony well sung, Wasps overture and Finzi clarinet concerto. Sally Matthews and Roderick Williams. We saw Susanna Martin and Fr Michael Holman. We went tith the gallery prommers and enjoyed the meal at the Persian Sigurgh restaurant.

Saturday to coffee and apple cake at St John's and I went to the Swiss Church for recital byDr John Kitchen Edinburgh City organist. A fine organ and ideal for Praetorius, Pachelbel, Krebs, Purcell, Russell, etc. 20 there. Home to watch Come dine with me. Mass at Anerley. Watched Still open all hours and Story of China with Michael Wood.

Woke late. The saga of the bathroom mirrored cabinet continues. Tried a glazier and Homebase and Wickes but in the end ordered a new cabinet which should fit. Watched Call the midwife. Primer on mosaic frame edges - 2 coats. 

Another wierd dream and restless night. Dreamed we were in a grotty white hotel at the seaside and the sea came right up round the hotel. In the morning Liz had breakfast first and I came down to find nothing to eat so I put a scone someone else had left on a plate. I then had to find a garden to eat breakfast and climbed with difficulty over barbed wire. Meanwhile the scone turned green! Liz went swimming and to mass for St Agnes her saint's day. Went to art. I did Catenian council minutes and provincial return. Watched Father Brown and antiques quiz. To South London catenian meeting and dinner when Don Farino got his 50 year scroll from the Grand President Peter Woodford. David Haswell was there from Abergavenny. Home at 11. 

Woke in the night dreaming I was in a church and everything was red. The apse and cross came towards me and I knelt and said "Stop Lord!" then woke up. What is that all about? I was thinking about Tony at tai chi talking (too much) about a higher being but who decides which of is is "right" in a dispute? So often I take the flight position and escape the situation but in the long term that may not be the right course. It was good to chat to Harry Bramma last night about Ivor and his preaching as Canon at Southwark cathedral. Doing more work on attaching old photos to the family tree. To Catenian council at Brendan's and then to Acton. Wednesday to Tamar's and Seán joining in with all of it. Took towels and clothes to Acton homeless concern and after lunch to Hinsley room. 15 came for the start of Laudato Si' series including some new faces. Archbishop Kevin on excellent form. William and I went to Brixton and had a coffee at Morleys and saw the David Bo...

Woke with a wierd dream about my brain wiping out Islamic and Indian material and then reinstating it all! No swim again. To mosaic and gesso on board which was much admired and did more work on the mirror. Tai chi and then we all went to Jack's for lunch. My eggs royale were cold but hash browns were hot and plenty of coffee. Chatted to Sean.Took bathroom mirror to be fixed. I was lucky to find my glasses lens on the bedroom floor.   Played the Royal Festival Hall organ! Wow! The only big organ in London I have not played is the Royal Albert Hall. I played Murrill Postlude on a Ground which I also played at Westminster Abbey. William McVicar spent an hour explaining the various stops. Some of the organists played too long as we had to be out by 10. I played the organ before the rebuild when Dad came and Ralph Downes came to demonstrate the organ. He showed us a Hill sound! 

14 in church. Played Stanford Gartan, Pachelbel and Walther Jesu meine freude and Murrill Postlude on a ground ready for the Festival Hall organ! More work on old photos for the family tree. I sang at evensong Stainer in B flat and Wood Expectans expectavi. To All Saints West Dulwich evensong there only finished at 7.30 so recital by Jonathan Vaughn started late. Met Alan Littell who is deputy organist there and plays at Addiscombe. Anthony Sisley plays at Our Lady's and at Anerley! Harpers, Carl jackson and the Vaughns were there. Watched War and Peace, circus and story of zoos.

Took Seán to Gambado Beckenham while Liz sang at funeral at St John's. He had a great time and we had lunch there. Went on carousel and dodgems together. I finished reading Monks and Muslims and started on Laudato Si' again. He slept so went to mosaic workshop West Norwood to get framed wood for portrait mosaic and prepared photo of Seán for it. More research on war graves and where they are. Louise rang when he was coming out of the bath and he was very reluctant to sleep! Watched Dickensian. Saturday Dennis came down and watched Snowchick about penguins. Took Seán home - Louise had a good time in New York and brought Lego sets. Mass at Holy Redeemer Chelsea with the Canon Provost speaking beautifully and heard well  - lovely church, small organ, cross on altar obscures view of priest! Watched programme on Goya and Father Brown and Great Barrier Reef/

Really enjoyed Royal Albert Hall song book guitar, trumpet and tuba at St Mary Abbots then we spent 2 hours at trailfinders booking New York and tour to Cape Cod from Providence. At Acton took Sean to Tamar's and he joined in learning the song! Had lunch there and Liz took Ciaran swimming. Louise in New York and Tom went to Chesterfield. Thursday brought Sean home in our car and he had great fun playing and watching Peppa Pig. Dennis popped in. Watched programme on loneliness, royal palaces (repeat) Trust me I'm a doctor, ripoff on holidays and the Romanovs.

Back to mosaic today and 8 at tai chi!  Reception for Bishop Toby of Bradford by Christian Muslim forum.

Baptism of the Lord so played Bach Christ the Lord to Jordan came and Von himmel hoch Walther and Pachelbel. Sang at the Ascension Battersea Epiphany carols. It was far too long and rehearsed from 1.30 for a 6 p.m. service. The two Byrd motets were tricky. Going through all the hymns was ridiculous plus processions. Small congregation. The organ is electronic - I played there when I was freelance. 

An excellent day on icons by Ian Knowles director of Bethlehem icon school at St Michael Turnham Green. Ian used to be a Catholic priest in Waddon! Mass at 5.30 at Holy Ghost Balham - lots of servers in white robes with silly red ropes. Ablutions took for ever. Lots there especially young families. Fr Joseph gave a good homily without notes. Liz went to Thornton Heath St Andrew. To Tooting leisure centre for SUMA festival Sunni birthday of Mohammad. Alan, Fr Andrew, Bishop Paul, Rizwan and Habib there - it was packed. 

went to David Parker's funeral at Godalming. Great to see old library colleagues and meet new people too. We heard about Mr Parker's life and achievements not least the multicultural library at Tooting. Bhadra spoke well and I had a long chat to her husband. Merl, Joan Baldwin, Chris Lally, the Masons, Peter Brennan, Paul McCue, the Morgans and even Lance Garrett were there. Met a lady from Laser who was very outspoken. Visited the Watts gallery - his drawings and sculpture very fine not so keen on the paintings! The chapel was too dark to see much and it started to rain. Tired when I got home with neckache. Packed decorations up.

Slept badly again so woke too late to go to swimming. To art and worked on the Cusco painting. Liz baked some cakes which were much appreciated. Started taking decorations down. To Maidstone with Eddie for PEG at Fergus's lovely home a former rectory.

Did a lot of work on the family tree and added photos. By putting them on Face Book 3 people related to Frank Woodhouse responded.  Back to the pool today. Did Catenian minutes and returns. To St George Hanover Square for  Alexander Pott 's excellent recital then Tate Britain for Artist and Empire which is fascinating.Watched Great Barrier Reef and Windsor Castle again and enjoyed Victorian Bakers. Took Sean to Snakes and Ladders for 3 hours and he enjoyed it. Singing and chatting a lot. Liz took Ciarán to swimming and I went to Croydon commissioning group meeting at St Michael's on urgent care. Very interesting and raised library cuts with Elizabeth Ash and Jane Avis our local councillor.  Read Walking backwards to Christmas by Stephen Cottrell. Refreshing view of the Christmas stories!

Epiphany only 14 in church. Played Bach The old year now away is fled, Andrew Fletcher on Dix, Paul Bryan on Stuttgart, Buxtehude and Gade How brightly shines. Fr Leon very chatty. Home in pouring rain - match against Chelsea so glad bollards were out!  Saw Songs of Praise old ones with Cardinal and Abp Welby. Aled Jones on Father Brown. Denis came for pork which was delicious.  War and Peace on BBC1 excellent. This afternoon I was playing my part on the piano in "Amahl and the night visitors" Caspar's big moment "This is my box"! Still open all hours and David Attenborough on the Great Barrier Reef. Old photos onto ancestry.com and a great reaction from Shirley, Barbara and Jill.  Housekeeping at Croydon Park hotel found my little wooden cross and Liz fetched it! Thanks to all!

Fascinating film on Rachmaninov on BBC4 by Tom Service. Saw the rest of Gypsy. We  sang at Anthony and Consola's wedding at St John the Evangelist Upper Norwood - Zadok the Priest, carols and hymns - a very happy occasion. Alexander Pott played superbly. To 6.30 Mass at St Matthew West Norwood - pews are better arranged but the new parish priest Fr Cassidy is very Scottish and used a small table in front of the altar which made it feel cramped and candlelight. Guitar not in tune flute OK. Endured Silent night and all of First Nowell. Sanctus and psalm said. Jennie Mitchener was there. W atching fascinating BBC programme on Shostakovich's Leningrad symphony.

Quiet day and watched Christmas University challenge, Wendy and Peter and Still open all hours. Dennis came for toad in the hole and we watched Sherlock and Mrs Brown. Also saw Gypsy. Mrs Martin got the OBE well deserved.

Watched panda babies, interview with Cilla Black. To Anerley for Midnight Mass with Fr Sunith. 3 Marian hymns sung unaccompanied, Sunith has been unwell and is very slow. Home to whisky. New Year's day concert from Vienna. Resolution to use my oil paints! Highlights of 2015 include Iguassu, Amazon, Venice, Jerusalem, Galilee, Jersey. 2016 offers prospects of change at church.