The organist librarian

Tuesday we both swam and I did 20 - it was cold again.Liz went to Brick Lane and Somerset House and then to Acton. I went to Church House for the Boroughs interfaith forum. There were reflections on recent events and I said I was bewildered but wanted the police to do something about hate crime. The MP from the Dept of Communities a Liberal agreed. We heard about Near Neighbours and food banks. I left early to go to the cathedral for evensong sung by St Paul's cathedral. Stanford in G (did not like either soloist and the men were far too loud at the start of the Magnificat, Brahms Geistliche lied. Exc sermon by Canon Oakley. Nice to see Michael Durand (with a stick) and Anne Welch. To Alexandra Palace for fine recital by Gerard Brooks. Saw Jack Beeson and the Shepherds. Coleridge-Taylor, Lloyd Webber, Guilmant and Widor (with a sense of humour!) My tea came out of the cup! Reached Acton at 10.15. Wed Sean ran about and his behind the curtains at music but he did join in some of i...

Posted parcel to Jersey and returned incorrect frame for graduation photo. I was early at Charing Cross so went to see the Titians in the National Gallery. Met at Starbucks Octave group - first meeting. 6 came and John organised it. Looked at the Buddhist laon terracotta in British museum then to Friends house off St Martin's Lane to see slides of "objective" art  and a video of dancers. Liked the Leonardo and Blake and Chartres but not the Sphinx. No story, just the face trying to express the divine through the human. It is was well done but we could have talked about how objective art can be. Interesting lady who is Orthodox and works at Trinity Hospice. Decided to come home and joined up for  meetups so I can post my events. Practised with the boys while Liz and Julie dealt with the confirmation candidates who were enrolled at Mass. Vaughan girls sang Vaughan Williams and Terry Mass very well. Fr Paolo on good form. Gave mosaic to Fr Michael who is moving to Chelsea. ...

Saturday Put prices and condition on organ music list and chat to Bruce. Epiphany Fr Alexander celebrated smoke vespers and Mass. Fr Michael Durand is moving away as is Fr Augustine (Walsingham!). We went to Clapham Junction as we had a voucher for the Duck as a result of the Cambridge disaster but it was very crowded and noisy so we went to Buono Sera - excellent Italian food - a bit noisy but very convivial. On getting home watched Little Fokkers which was hilarious. It was Ed's birthday and he played very well as usual. 

To Heythrop and had coffee and then worked in the library on essay 2. Served at 12 noon mass with Archbishop Vincent. I was crosier. Horrid white alb things with cinctures to hold them up as too long. All went well and an excellent homily. Nice buffet lunch and enjoyed chatting. John Ainslie and Jon Dal Din were there. Had tea at Marks. Ascension not smoke at vespers and gave Fr Michael my arm up and down stairs at Mass. Excelsis sang beautifully - Byrd 4 part mass, Durufle Ubi caritas, Mawby Ave verum. Lord enthroned and Hail the day were hymns. Louise came to stay. Watched programme on Cutty Sark and learning Shakespeare by heart.

To cathedral for 2 p.m. Mass for the sick including anointing by 3 bishops. I was boat and communion torch. Some unusual hymns with music group and Lourdes setting. Tea at M & S with Liz and Fr Durand at vespers and Mass -  he stumbled on steps again so Liz helped him! Vickie rang to say that Jo Richards is playing on Sunday week so I get a paid Sunday off. I have registered with Organists online. She wants to try it out! Found shelf above study window had come down after many years! No idea why.

Saturday was a day at home. Liz worked in the garden in hot sun. I rearranged the shelves in the back bedroom so that the heavy photo books are now at the bottom and gained some shelf space. I put up my mirror in our bedroom and hung the pictures from work in the study and upstairs. At last I fixed up the water butt by cutting out a piece of drainpipe! We watched the Derby and had a chat to Graeme in Scotland on skype. To smoke vespers and Mass for the Ascension. Fr Michael Durand gave us a scare when he sort of tripped while censing the Lady altar but all was well. Nick was an excellent cantor. Watched QI and "Have I got more news for you". On the piano I have a score which was presented to Phyllis by Elsie and Harry May 1945. It is the Teddy Bears Picnic piano only by John W.Bratton. It belonged to my grandmother in York and was given to her by her sister and brother-in-law Harry Bean who was an organist. His son also played the organ in York. Harry John Walter Bratton (...

David Attenborough on fossils was interesting. Only one more Saturday to go - I was a couple of minutes late today. Threw out more old videos - sad to think that technology has overtaken them. To Mass at cathedral and arrived at offertory so all those dreary visits to Tooting Bec could have been avoided but I do like to be there for the whole service! Good choir from Shepton Mallet and Bach Fantasia in C minor. Excellent servers supper in the hall - starter, sausages and cake. Enjoyed chatting to Peter Stevens and Fr Michael Durand.