The organist librarian

Played for Harry Mellor's funeral with Marie-Christine Gordon on sax. Congregation got way behind in Lord of all hopefulness. Their fault not ours. Panis angelicus , Pie Jesu, Faith of our fathers. Nice reception at Alleyn's Head. Catenians well represented.  Late at Holy Trinity Sloane Street as bus slow over Chelsea bridge. Jamie Rogers played well. Tea at Peter Jones not impressed by their Christmas fruit cake. To the cathedral for superb recital by Martin Baker. Buxtehude, Orgelbuchlein project, Widor Symphony No. 3. The Fox and Widor arrangements of Bach were OTT. How Widor can end Tears of grief with a major chord beats me! Good audience. Home to watch The Apprentice.

Swam, Mass. Toe responding to treatment. Got music ready for funerals. Sent off Christmas letter - never usually this early!. Liz to Acton. I went to quiet time - seems one of the candidates wanted to bring his professional choir! To Catenian council at Juan's house - lovely house. Agreed dementia talk on first Monday of March. Tony Norris could not make it so we went through his recommendations and some were agreed. Come dine with me. Heard Belshazzar from chorus centenary concert -choir sounded smaller and sopranos forcing it a bit. 

At the pool the lights went off so got out after 12 lengths. By the time I came out of the shower all back to normal! Mass, mosaic. To National Gallery for illustrated talk by  Andrew Carwood  (without crutch) which was well attended. Monochrome not very big so a bit unimpressed. Saw Margaret at the surgery and she called in Dr Ojo. Infection on right big toe been bothering me for a week. Cream and antibiotics, bathe with salt water 3 times a day. Go back for flu jab and shingles vaccine for over 70s. To Beckenham Catenians and won white wine on raffle, Discussion against admitting women and husbands of Catholic wives. Voted in favour of all attending pc being able to vote. Knocked mirror on car of Tina's daughter but fixed ir. Side light not working. 

For Christ the King played Crown Imperial, Stanley Trumpet voluntary (the organ is being tuned tomorrow) and we sang Tony Hemson's Alpha and Omega which really ought to be published. 2 at carol practice.  Delicious rack of lamb, rice pudding and white wine for lunch. At evensong we sang Wood in E flat and RVW Let all the world. Also a fine hymn Earth's fragile beauties to Kingsfold. Blue planet, Howards End. John Sentanu put dog collar on now Mugabe has gone. Pathetic reply from Iberia. Fr John decided not to appoint either of the candidates yesterday. Hope he has not missed out on a good man. Choir directors do not grow on trees. Johnny is local, 

Interesting to take part in auditions for new director at St John's. Both good but the second was more challenging and flamboyant. William McVicker very good, Kathie not there, To West Norwood to park and cappuccino at Cafe Cappadocia. Excellent lunch to celebrate Dennis's 40th. Claire and Rosemary came. Over an hour before food came. I had steak and sticky toffee pudding. We went to cathedral. Christ the King and 2 servers got badges Paul in good mood. Fr John. Cardinal Vaughan school sang Mozart and Viadana. To Glyn close for cake and Claire still there. Henry to bed. Programme on bridges. 

Swam, Mass, Liz back from Acton after 3 nights away, Henry came to play. He is standing well and trying the stairs!  Tredici sang well at St Giles and interesting to hear Ola Gjelo and Gretchaninov. Nice to see Philip and James. Nice walk up Lamb's Conduit Street to Foundling museum to see Thomas Hardmore's paintings and original scores of the Water music. Delicious cake and tea in the cafe. To St John's practice as I will be there tomorrow, Sunday evening and Advent carols. 

Good programmes on Peggy Guggenheim and the Queen and Prince Philip's 70th wedding anniversary. Swam, Mass, posted calendar, art and came out I had a £65 parking fine as wheels were on pavement. If the officials would fine those who park on corners on double yellow lines I might be happier. The rest of that road allows wheels on pavement to avoid buses.  Brilliantly constructed piano recital by Joanna MacGregor at National gallery. Lovely Lake Keitele paintings, Degas and Michelangelo with Raphael. To Clapham library but no fish book. Amazing spiral design. To Clapham picturehouse to see "Film stars don't die in Liverpool"  poignant scenes but subtitles would have helped with Liverpool and US accents. Listened to Choir and organ. Liz staying another night at Acton.  stars don't die in Liverpool some poignant scenes wish there had been subtitles! lm stars don't die in Liverpool some poignan Film stars don't die in Liverpool some poignant scenes wish there...

Swam.  Stunning music at St Cecilia service at Westminster cathedral.  Michael Berkeley  new work a wonder from a small cell. Schutz, Malcolm and Croce and superb Stanley on trumpet. Martin Baker said to tell him if there are concerns about music. Lovely singing from Francesca Pringle accompanied by Martin Ford at St Matthews Westminster - she just needs to get her face to match what she is singing! Nice chat to Martin who is now at the Guards chapel.  Lo The day ended with an excellent meeting at St Mary Magdalene Canning Road with Helen Bradley and the Bishop of Croydon speaking on Safe passage and religion in the lives of young asylum seekers. It is appalling that everything is done to make it hard for the people who have the right to come here to actually do so. What has happened to this country's proud record of welcoming people? v Triple firing on The Apprentice!!! el Triple firing on The Apprentice!!! y to see and hear   t St Matthew WestminStster ...

Swam, no Mass as to hearing aid clinic at AgeUK at 10 a.m. Need to put in drops every night and change tubes more frequently every 2 months.  At East Dulwich picturehouse for Thomas Ades The exterminating angel from the Met. Weird and 15 principals Alice Coote Tomlinson Sophie Bevan huge orchestra, bells, drums, ondes martenot, small violins. Liz to Acton. To St Paul's for Lucy WInkett and Marian Partington on forgiveness - large audience. 

Swam, missed Mass as Liz took me to the station to go to mosaic (did hair) and tai chi (only 3 there) as she sang at Victor Johnston's funeral.   Great BBC programme of Ovid from the RSC and Ovid and the emperor with Simon Russell Beale. Come dine with me, Four in a bed, guides now nearly ready except for the fish identifications!  To Bromley and Blackheath and Chislehurst joint meeting when we wear bow ties to remember Frank Bond. Danny Lonergan's gingerbread bow tie won and I won a bottle of wine on the raffle. Rachel McGuigan told us about her trip to Uganda for East African playgrounds with circle support (but sadly not the bursary fund).

Sang Panis angelicus and I played Willan and Donald Hunt on Darwall's 148th and Andrew Moore Toccata . 4 at first carols practice.  An excellent South London interfaith group event on Trauma, mental illness and wellbeing at Eritrean Mosque and centre Stockwell. Very good keynote address, lunch, cake to share and took part in Human library. Liz went to the music and sound workshop. Prayer and meditation can certainly help. G and t, Blue planet 2, Howard's End. Watched programme on Brooklyn Bridge. 

An outstanding day at Meditatio centre Islington on St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross with Professor Peter Tyler of St Mary's Twickenham. It was a mini-retreat! Fr  Andrew Gallagher  at mass and the new junior choir's second outing. They sang the psalm this time and the Archer Christchurch Mass. Also an anthem by Andrew Reid. Can't say I liked the final voluntary much!

Swam, Mass, Sang at funeral of David Cornish at St John's, Leon introduced me to new curate at St Michael's - he had seen us at Mgr Hoey's funeral.  Catching up on choral evensongs and preparing children's guides to cathedral animals, birds and fish. Watched some of Children in need. Watched good programme on the Iron bridge. 

Carol service discussed with Fr  Jerry Garton . All well.  Ann- Marie Woodhouse and Henry came to Beckenham circle pub lunch at Eden Park delicious roast and pud. To Acton and boys in bed at 8.15. Listening to Brahms on radio 3. Liz at servers council with cakes.  The opera exhibition at V and A is fab! The Duke of Kent was there. Science museum has an interesting display on science and photography in India. Excellent session on welcoming at the cathedral. 25 came to hear  Alan Rainer   on failure of British education and Irina Bradley on icons. Lovely birthday dinner at Cote with  Louise Maher  the boys and  Dennis Woodhouse .  From Acton to art. Dentist checkup but just a clean £20. To Alexandra Palace for Donald Mackenzie on the organ for 1949 colour film London's river playing Fantasy on British sea songs and The Navigator. Buster Keaton at his funniest.

Woke in the night having a bad dream. No swim but went to Mass, mosaic and tai chi. Checked car tyres.  To Brixton for Faiths together in Lambeth interfaith quiz. Lovely food and we do not know much about the Borough of Lambeth! Perhaps a Lambeth museum is needed? Watched Blue Planet 2. 

Remembrance Sunday. Faure Pie Jesu keyboard played up so switched off and started again. Elgar For the fallen a great piece. Good to have Steve playing the trumpet Old 100th and Gordon Jacob national anthem. He messed up on last line of Old 100th and did not play the Jacob fanfare but I kept going.I met Linda's husband.   My mockup of the guide for children to birds in Westminster cathedral is ready to test run! Roll on Dec 2nd! To Stephen Disley's recital at Christ's chapel Dulwich - an unusal programme. Nice eats. The Bach Fantasia in C minor was dull and so was the Gibbons. I liked the Thiman, Carvalho and Bach Fantasia in G. Watched Cenotaph and listened to Gloucester cathedral evensong. Worked on animals at cathedral first draft. Howards End on BBC.

The Lord Mayor's show was terrific and we had great seats thanks to  Vicky Stone . Sean enjoyed it. To Swiss church for Focolare On the way to be one: exploring a spirituality of communion. Excellent speakers and bishops speaking of the pain of divisions. A variety too including a Bach cello suite. Old friends and new ones and great to see so many Catholics there. Acoustics bad. Fr Andrew Bowden at Mass and he sang beautifully. RCIA start. Royal British Legion festival of remembrance. 

Swam, Mass.  Paddington 2 is hilarious! To Tate Britain to see impressionists in London especially Pissarro and Monet. Underwhelmed by Rachel Whiteread. To Estorick to see Arte Povera and sketched a Tony Cragg and Modigliani. Amazed by how few lines the latter used and the Cragg is made of bits of plastic.Watched A1 series.

Swam, Mass, art and blue background for triple portrait. Henry came after music which Liz went to. He is standing up! Songs of praise, ordered 6 photo calendars. 

Swam, Mass, coffee, post office. Turns out Maureen knew Canon Brian very well indeed. Watched University challenge and start of programme on Russian revolutionary art. To Acton and set up a track with Sean. I was supposed to go to Temple Church for the Israeli/Palestinian bereaved parents who I heard at the Synagogue but I dropped off! Home to watch The Apprentice.

To waterfowl trust in Arundel seeing ducks and swans in the rain. Beautiful funeral Mass for Fr Gerry Coates at Arundel cathedral celebrated by Bishop Richard Moth and a delicious reception. Catherine Christmas was cantor/animator and sang beautifully and prayerfully.Paul Inwood ill with kidney problem. Handel Let the bright seraphim with trumpet, As the deer.  Fr Aidan from Worth amd met a Brighton organist who knew Fr Farmer. To tea at  Sue Albery 's which was delightful and we met her neighbour Sue who was also at the funeral. To Kingston circle for dinner and the Thomas More icon was much appreciated. Good company too. A brother who is 85 told me he persuaded the circle to vote in favour of adopting Thomas More as an Assocation patron saint in 1981. Liz went to Acton from New Malden and I drove home in the wet.

All Saints. 2 girls joined choir and we sang "I sing a song of the saints of God". Played Howells and Francis Jackson " Sine nomine".  To St Paul's to hear Dave Tomlinson on black sheep Christians. He spoke of Muslims receiving communion. I recall the Holy Land where our Muslim friends shared so much but at that point we were not as one. We need to address those within our churches who are not open and welcoming. Pope Francis has much to say on this. Evensong for All Souls. Played Nimrod, Vierne Epitaphe and Solemn melody.14 there. Watched 2 Poldarks. Swam, Mass, mosaic, tai chi.  National Portrait gallery to see Cezanne portraits and the excellent rehung early 20th century gallery.  Lots of Churchill! Loving "Call me by your name" on Kindle and far better than the film. This book really makes you think about the past experiences one has had or might have had! Watched programme on Sydney harbour bridge and 2 Songs of Praise.To Catenians - horrendous a...

Lie-in after last night's late night. Liz to servers Mass in Newcastle and fireworks. To coffee concert at St John's humorous delightful wind sextets by Mozart and Beethoven by Sonnet. Sat with Ray who comes to meditation - his daughter Elaine went to St Chad's a year ahead of Dennis. Watched cellists and listened to Romero and Salisbury evensongs. Also 3 Living with the Gods. Did C of E safeguarding online training. Paul Tobin as sacristan thurible stand in wrong place and no gospel book on altar. Engaged couples blessed by Fr Martin who gave us a thumbs up. Claudia back. Cleaned wax of cassocka and left one for Paul. Programme on Harry Potter and magic uninspiring. Golden gate bridge programme. 

Swam, Mass. An enjoyable first visit to Godalming to hear Marilyn Harper play. A fine Hill organ in an interesting church. Liked the Bedard, Mendelssohn and Norman Harper's piece. Lovely autumn day in leafy Surrey. Peter Halliday and a bass from Bridgemans and organists there. A good audience and tea.  To the British Museum to see the stunning Scythians exhibition. Their craftsmanship amazing and knew very little about them. 4.30 seemed to be a good time to go as one could see things well - it was not crowded. I also saw the prints about Luther. Iberia have refused to pay the 30 Euro for the taxi after delayed flight! Had some more green soup and to 9 p.m. showing at Clapham Picturehouse (met the nice couple from Cadogan Hall proms) to see "Call me by your name" beautiful film but did find the situation rather tiresome (idle people in Italy) and the father had some strange views - it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all might be the moral. 

Swam and had slow line to myself, Mass for All Souls day - fine homily from Fr Stuart. To art and cheetahs finished! Liz set off for Newcastle. Shopping at Sainsburys. First draft of Find the birds in the cathedral. Tried changing the photos to black and white. Watched Sue Perkins on the Ganges and Jacqueline du Pre playing Dvorak cello concerto at RAH for Czech musicians.  Her string broke.Joan Bakewell on Life at 100 very interesting. Cellist compilation including Andre Navarra with the Halle.  We sang Durufle Requiem at St John's for All souls. A good sermon from Fr John. Bake off an extra slice and Bad habits good orders - a real change in the 5 girls. 

Swim and Mass for All Saints. To Croydon Whitgift centre for card and books.  To the morning session of spirituality day at the cathedral with Roger on the prodigal son.Saw Anne-Marie and Louise about cathedral children's guides and took photos of mosaics featuring birds, animals and fish. Met Francis in the street -  he changed the hangars for Abi and Joseph's cassocks so now I have to produce 2 more labelled ones! How petty! Took documents to school now they need 2 references! Boys home.  Enjoyed God of carnage at South London theatre at Stanley Halls and  Dennis Woodhouse  came too. I have joined as a member. It was very funny. The apprentice.