The organist librarian

Delightful playing from the Sylvan Road wind ensemble at St John's - Faure, Warlock, Beach and Taffanel. Sunny and hot garden clearing up. The Cardinal celebrated Mass for new Catholics. Tim fussing around. Programme on Marianne North painter of flowers. Antibiotics. 

Set up dining room table from Bow and Liz has bought a lovely matching cover for it. To tai chi and Tony taught us some good breathing exercises - my left shoulder still giving trouble. To Baden Powell house for rehearsal. Very nice meal at Carluccio's with Peter Kirby. The concert went really well and I spoke to Stephen Cleobury briefly. We sang Vivaldi Gloria and carols. King's sang a lovely selection including Villette Hymne a la Vierge, Goldschitt, Warlock's Bethlehem Down. Got a 452 to Battersea Park in snow and could have got earlier train to Thornton Heath but West Norwood was due. It never came so ended up going to Thornton Heath any way and 468 home - back by 11.20. Wed evensong from Chester cathedral. This was in fact the last concert I sang with the Chorus! 17.8.2011

Thursday chorus rehearsal and Liz back from Ireland. Friday to choir practice - some moans about Warlock instead of Ord for "Adam lay ybounden". Saturday 30 people came to hear Jimmy Burns talk about his book about his father "Papa spy". An excellent audience and he sold lots of copies. I drove to Coulsdon and hit lots of football traffic only just getting to church in time in the rain for Songs of Praise for St Andrew's day. An eclectic collection including Jerusalem and Blessed assurance and an old Methodist hymn about Emmaus! Choir sang "O come ye servants" and "Cantate domino" well. Andrew Nunn from Southwark cathedral preached well. An excellent fish and chip supper with apple pie and a good quiz. Took Marie and Caroline home. Advent Sunday we sang "I look from afar" and I played Lloyd Webber on "Helmsley". Ella announced she was giving up choir. Molly making great strides. No time to practise organ as went to 12 noon...

Friday and wet and windy - woke late. I am using a large black umbrella as my German one has finally given up the ghost. The German ones are so much better than cheap Chinese ones - much sturdier! Finished reading "Basil Hume 10 years on" and enjoying dipping into "John and Myfanwy Piper" by Frances Spalding which has stunning illustrations e.g. the windows at Robinson college. To the cathedral for farewell to Bishop Bernard off to Birmingham. The Archbishop quoted the song "We don't want to lose you but we know you have to go" although it was hard to hear his homily and hot on top of the heater. The full choir sang Rubbra Missa St Dominica, Berkeley's Psalm 23 and we had 2 fine Newman hymns "Firmly I believe" and "Lead kindly light". Elgar Imeprial March. Cardinal and lots of clergy and bishops present and ecumenical reps as well. I was communion torch with Michael and dashed to get the Coulsdon South train which I just caught....

Spoke to Ann and Paul on Skype. To Coulsdon for family Eucharist. We didn't sing Gloria or Lamb of God because Vickie said the congregation didn't have the words! I played lots of French noels. To Purley for 12 noon Mass. Fr Jim did his best to get people celebrating but the singing was pathetic despite having the organ played by "Bill". The little boy behind me shouted out "No! I want that!" and had to be removed to the sacristy. Liz came home from serving at the cathedral and we both went to second Vespers and Benediction. superb singing from the choir of Bethlehem Down by Warlock and O magnum mysterium by Poulenc. Messiaen Dieu parmi nous at the end - that final chord is amazing. Nice to see Deacon Peter. Grandma joined us for dinner of roast beef and mango pudding. Spoke to Graham on Skype.