The organist librarian

Mass then John Fisher school to talk to year 7 about Thomas More and the Catenians a lively group. The Captain Cook exhibition at the British library has a wealth of treasures notably his journals, Banks and Hodges pictures. Fascinating and new insights. Vespers with the choirs of the cathedral and Westminster Abbey featured Anthem by Patrick Gowers and Beaven magnificat. Thrilling sound. Marchand at the end. How marvellous to see a woman Canon censing the statue of Our Lady with Canon Christopher. TV programmes on Chile hotel and David Hockney.

Swam, watched more of Gareth Malone and Invictus choir. Lovely playing by  Laurence Caldecote  at Bedford Park. The Paradies was particularly pleasing!  Guiding with Liz and David at the cathedral (quite quiet - very sunny day) then to St Paul's for the service for John Scott. The best parts were the Gloria of the Howells St Paul's service Nunc, How can I keep from singing and John Scott's hymn tune. The Gowers and Bach were wrecked by the acoustic under the dome and some of the organ voluntaries suffered as well. To Sevenoaks for Catenian membership group meeting - home at 11.30! 

Wednesday Liz returned from Dublin and we met at Victoria. I had been to Vickie in the morning to choose hymns for July. I then got the train to St Michael's for the recital by Francesca Massey of Peterborough Cathedral. Had fish pie with her. It was a puzzling programme - Whitlock Fanfare, Purcell and Mendelssohn in D minor, a prelude by Messiaen and then the overlong Toccata by Patrick Gowers. Perhaps too much minor! She does play very well. I finished reading "The Woodlanders" by Thomas Hardy - a delight. To Hinsley Room for interfaith group. Rachel Heilbron of Three Faiths forum could not make it because of the tube strike. There were 7 there and we had a lively discussion ranging to Sri Lanka and the walk I had been on Saturday. There were no buses going up Whitehall so we walked the last bit to Horse Guards. For £12 we had an excellent seat at the back of the stand near the clock. 260 musicians of the Royal Marines bands made a stirring sound and the programme was ...

A quiet day and in the evening to the cathedral for the grand organ festival which was quite well attended including some leading organists. Matthew Martin the assistant director of music played very well beginning with the mighty Bach Passacaglia followed by the Byrd Fantasia in G. The Patrick Gowers Toccata was dramatic and effective. The Karg-Elert Partita in E major and Alain Intermezzo were both enjoyable and the rousing climax was Reger's Fantasie uber "Ein feste burg". A most enjoyable evening but I forgot again to take a cushion! Ann-Marie passed her Irish driving test at last and we had a chat about the wedding next year.