The organist librarian

 Saturday 30/7 SM from Cuddesdon. S and B. Decided not to go to Thornton Heath hub - there were 30 on duty it seems! Quiet day. To RAH. Annoyingly Google maps took us to Albert bridge which we knew was closed so over Chelsea bridge. Halle and Mark Elder. Sorcerer's apprentice (Mickey Mouse!) Fountains of Rome uses the organ. Il Tabarro with subtitles! 4 of the cast were changed but all sang really well. Very effective ending!  Sunday radio 3 natural sounds from Antigua. I played Rhosymedre and Imperial March so much more confidently having played them on several big organs in Suffolk. Chilcott Be thou my  vision went well and we rehearsed the Throne setting for September. Coffee and home with "I'm sorry I haven't a clue." Liz went to St Chad's which sounds dire and took get school shoes for Henry. Henry was delighted to be given by yellow Catenian tie so he can practise his school tie. To 58 Cranston Road a pleasant small garden, Santiago cake and tea. Then to...

 Swam 20 and had a discussion with staff. Charge has gone up 50p for seniors and £1 for adults also kids. B and we had sound today and S. Joined as a member at Better £31 a month so need to go 15 times in a month! Otters for garden came so rearranged the garden and put BBQ down at the end. Alan will need to wire the water features and light in for us. Took car for a clean £20 cash and got petrol. Spidir committee on zoom went well. Did August music list and prepared for funeral tomorrow. Swept the garden. Prom Barber violin concerto. Wednesday not a good night. Up at 6.30 and left 7.30. Arrived St John Fisher Bexleyheath at 8.40 so plenty of time to try the Makin. Rather odd pedals controlling all 3 manuals volume so set them and left them alone. All went well and the choir sang the Sands very nicely. Of course everybody sang really well. Nice eats and lovely to see brothers I have not seen for years! It was very touching that his son said they did not say goodbye to John as he wen...

 Slept well . Wed. No B, Sm on late, S. To Aldeburgh and the Lifeboat station. Red House tour of 6 people Sally was an excellent guide. The composing studio was lovely. Pears had very different artistic taste choosing modern works. Archives talk about the bookplate designed by Ronald Stone. Britten and women including Janet Baker and Joan Cross. I knew her at Cornhill. She crocheted the blanket on the piano in the library which is a lovely room. Books everywhere in the house! Duncan Grant in the bathroom! Constables. Gainsborough, Blake. Photos of Rostropovich and Bridge. The exhibition deserves much more time. It's fantastic. To Snape church and a pleasant organ with a chair behind the player. Snape Maltings and able to see the concert hall. Cake and tea. Lovely view. Back to the house and sat in garden listening to the RVW and Tippett 4th symphonies prom and working out on the map where we had been!! Prom Rach and Tchaikovsky.  Thursday knew this would be a long day! SM. Set...

 SM Tower of London Superbloom and memories of holidays. S and B. Up late. Wrote to councillors about free swimming for seniors and Selhurst Park development. Started getting clothes out for holiday and ironing. Listed organ scores going to church and got paintings ready for showing tomorrow. To garden 109 Riddlesdown Rd - they had not opened before so no tea. Lovely view and sloping garden with vegs in greenhouse. The wife chatted and spoke to several people. Worth going. To Mass at St Simon and St Jude Streatham Hill - superb crucifix and stained glass. 3 ladies spoke to us and nice chat to Fr Valentine who Gerard told me about. John O'Toole has cancer and Bishop Paul has gone to Kent. Gerard to be Episcopal Vicar! Wrote to him. Fr V would love an organist and singing on Saturdays so we are sure of a warm welcome. I said we would visit some parishes over summer. Readers rota came from West Norwood so I have 3 dates there! Lovely prom Enigma, Walton Partita. Eric Coates encore.Fol...

 So sad John Rayer died. Offered to play and serve but we may be away. Anne replied. Miss Betchetti also died. She was head at St Chad's school. Wrote article about Season of creation for Oremus and sent quotes and information. Excellent zoom with CAFOD on their food chain programme. Not many there. Bruce is resting after a horrendous night. Home at 3.45 a.m.  I have been busy moving my organ music out of the hall cupboard to the cupboard next to the piano and on the hottest day of the year! Bruce moved the shelves for me. It is shocking how much food we import. What is worse is exporting pesticides banned in this country to poorer countries where people are poisoned by them. This is appalling. Wrote to Lord Deben about Walk2Cop27 event. Green Party hustings. The rack where we hang swimming bags under the stairs was loose so I screwed it in. Once I hung the bags up it promptly collapsed! It's been there since the house was built I reckon! B. Sm and S. Balham chaps. Green part...

 Saw Dr Roberts we agreed to aim for C and W and leave the King's spinal unit for the moment. He examined me. For some reason I could not relax my right leg at first!! S and B. Timothy Radcliffe. Wrote to Gerard. Unacc exercises. Got bulbs at electric suppliers. Very hot. Liz took old quilts and got new table cover and recycling bins at Dunelms. Wimbledon. I hung up the picture of the garden and tidied up. Sent a reminder about the public speaking in October. Fell asleep in lounge. Bruce arrived.  Liz's photo is in The Tablet - at the funeral of Bruce Kent! Sat up early. Chat to Bruce about storage and clutter. To Tate Britain with Nelson and Chris. Sickert is amazing although later works not so good! Good conversation over tea and Portuguese cakes. It was hot. Cleared hall and garden. Mass at West Norwood told Fr Julian about Selsdon. Returned home to burnt saucepan. Liz did not turn it off. Wimbledon men's doubles final was great. SM in Parliament square. B. Andrew Nunn r...

  So glad our plans changed thanks to Fr Andrew. We were going on the organists tour to Kent but cancelled that overnight booking. David playing for me today so set off for Leith Hill Place home of the great RVW. Played the piano Linden Lea, The New Commonwealth, Musette, Land of our birth, Prelude on Song 13 written for Harriet Cohen, Greensleeves. The scone recipe taken up by Mary Berry for all NT properties! Then to Pratsham Grange open for charity NGS beautiful and delicious cake. Bought some plants and we bought lavender and had lavender ice cream at the Lavender farm on way home. A most delightful day! Lovely evensong Sumsion in G, O pray for the peace of Jerusalem, O Lord increase my faith. St John Upper Norwood. Summer concert Vienna Phil with Nelsons. Monday SM S and B. Liz went to serve at Bruce Kent's funeral. Funeral at Caterham. I don't think I will play the 3 Lefevre-Wely Versets again but I warmed to Elevation. Interesting choices as they are really jolly pieces...