The organist librarian

Long chat to Ann and Paul on Skype. Louise was here and finalised the wedding booklet. One of the Rutter anthems has changed back from "The Lord bless you and keep you" to "For the beauty of the earth". She also helped Liz with her CV and covering letter. To Coulsdon for the wedding. We had a good choir and I was grateful to Christian Strouver coming to sing tenor, although having such a fine organist in the choir made me a little nervous which is unusual for me. However this bride has given me too much grief! Never allow a bride to come to a choir practice! On the day I find that not only has "O happy day" been pulled but that there is no Celtic Alleluia and no Gospel! "The owl and the pussycat" is hardly material for a wedding sermon. Frankly it's naff to use it as a reading at a church wedding. Good to see the former vicar Martin Goodlad again and quite a few of the parish worthies were there. We sang a choral version of Schubert's ...

A very early start but we were able to park at the cathedral. Coach set off at 7. 3 hours in a not very comfortable coach. This was the national gathering of Catholic altar servers to mark the centenary of the Society of St Stephen. It was a glorious day and we all wore badges saying "I serve at the altar of God". The horrendous rides like Oblivion are not for me but we did enjoy Hex, Charlie and the chocolate factory (boat ride and glass elevator), teacups and got very wet on the rapids. Soon dried off in the sun. Liz went on the Blade, runaway train and Beastie but my back won't stand that. The ruined house (Pugin) was interesting. We arrived back tired but happy and gave Nerone a lift to Streatham. It was good that Philip and his parents came - he serves with us on Saturday nights and is 10.