The organist librarian

 Swam 20. SM, B and S. Liz to gym. Took baskets and plant holders up to Dennis and emptied them in the skip. Liz took the car for a much needed clean. Watched Wales forgotten places, Bidding room. Liz didn't go to UCM again. To All Saints on the bus for institution of Fr Antonio who turns out to be the editor of the Spidir newsletter and on the course! Martin sang beforehand but people were not listening. The organ was well played but it is not an impressive instrument (it used to belong to Carlo Curley!). The bishop who is honorary and retired did well, The archdeacon did not stand near enough to the mike! I went to the reception in the school hall and met the chair of governors who told me the number of children in the Borough is dropping and that refugee children were in the school from Queen's hotel. I met Christine and other Spidir folk! Glad I went. Fr Clark was there - I wonder what he made of a gay vicar with a partner sitting next to him!  Tuesday SM, B and S. Wrote d...

 Tuesday SM, S and B. Did not sleep well. Dan came and I think we will get on very well. QUiet time I was late as I fell asleep. Young dancer. To collect 2 clocks (electric) from Men and Women in sheds and got light bulbs. Belmont vespers.Bishop Lusa Ngenya-Ngoy Bishop of Willesden on the resurrection and prayer. Boring Masterchef and Feel the fear.  Wednesday SM, S and B. Good chat to Clare. To Kent House and to the Hinsley room. St Paul's to buy 2 encyclicals. When I got to the room they were washing the floor! 4 came and we had a good discussion. Changed the light bulbs in Penge. Vic and Albert.  Thursday woke at 9.10 slept right through. To art and started platinum jubilee painting. Liz at gym. Churches trust on dissolution of the monasteries and the aftermath. Bidding room. Tried to edit chorus video. Belmont vespers. Fr Stuart said the music there is poor - organ only twice a week. Jonathan Scott played a popular programme at St John's and a good audience. Nice to s...

 Woke in the night at 1 and 4/ Got up and left at 5. 5.45  Vigil went well and Fr Jerry and Benjamin Nunn sang well. I played Saraband for the morning of Easter by Howells at the end. To the hall for breakfast. 10 am played Hallelujah chorus also Alan Gray prelude to Easter hymn which is a new piece for me from Andrew Scott . Christ is risen Alleluia! A better turnout at the 10 a.m. service. Nice to see Imogen's family. The whole family arrived for lunch delicious lamb, trifle and Christmas pudding. We had prosecco. Sean and Henry "played" in the garden filling the bird bath with soil. I went for a sleep at 4 so never said goodbye. I slept for 2 hours. Dennis was tired after the drive from Ireland yesterday. It was lovely seeing them all. Long chat to Bruce - lots of change hitting him and lots of work. We enjoyed The Gondoliers from Socttish opera and Pappano on Italian opera. Monday B To St John Upper Norwood. Lovely wedding of David and Julie. Great sermon Father J...

 Woke in the night. SM and S. Lent group only Felicity. Barbara forgot. Peregrine has Covid. Tenebrae from B lovely singing. Liz to SJ. I set off at 12.45 and went via Sanderstead. It was a hot day! Ben sang really well and we rehearsed the Vigil psalms. I listened to Palestrina Lamentations in the car. Part 1 of St Matthew Passion from Concergebouw 2012 conducted by Ivan Fischer.  A quiet evening Would I lie to you? A lovely performance of La Voix Humaine conducted by Pappano with Denise De Niro.  Awoke early. Saturday.  Tenebrae from Blackfriars Oxford. Southwark cathedral prayers. Beautiful walk with Richard Carter in Battersea Park. Vigil from St Mary's cathedral Sydney fantastic! Part 2 of St Matthew Passion conducted by Ivan Fischer who was clearly deeply moved.  Easter at King's lovely to hear Elgar Light of the world. I went to bed early and listened to the first part of the vigil from Blackfriars. Not very keen on the Exodus canticle sung by a small cho...

 Nazareth walk in St James Park, S and B. Nice chat to Ann. To Bromley PC for organists AGM. Frank and William McVicar duets and Sam playing slap and jingle bells! Both have joined the committee. I raised Albert Hall visit and educational projects. To St Matthew's West Norwood for Mass (first time for a long time). Teresa, Jenny and Sue were there. No singing and shortened Passion. Not many people. Fr Richard from St Mary Clapham covering for Fr Anthony. Repair shop, incredible hotels. I think this Holy Week may be rather dreary.  Palm Sunday. Sent memories of Martin How to Addington Palace website. He has terminal bowel cancer. So sad.  Palm Sunday We had 4 in the choir and they sang well. I was having hearing problems with the loop! Played Bach Passion chorale prelude and Tears of grief. The passion play from St Martin's in the Fields was very moving. B. Palm Sunday was always important to Dad as it was the Sunday he started playing. MRI of whole spine at Mayday. It wen...

 PLayed Bach O man thy grievous sin bemoan and Brahms Herzliebster Jesu and we sang Ah holy Jesus. So good to see and hear Peregrine again and short practice after service. My small white heater no longer works no doubt blown at Caterham school concert? Everything had been moved. Songs of Praise from Hereford with Piers Maxim talking about Elgar. Boat race was great women Cambridge men Oxford! Missed Death cafe, Beef and profiteroles for lunch. Lovely service at St John's. Lotti, Crux fidelis, John Scott, Chilcott, Brahms. Piano a passion on TV and colourful amusing Much ado from RSC.  Monday swam 20. Liz to gym. Louise arrived. Such a long time since we had seen her! To janitorial supplies. Repair shop. Sean playing with 3 tracks - quite like old times! Mastermind, University challenge.  Tuesday SM, S and B. Bit more of Mary Whitehouse programme. Belmont Abbey in Rome churches and a priviledged look behind the scenes in the Vatican. Trastevere and San Giorgio. Strikes me...