The organist librarian

Liz served at the funeral Mass for Helene La Rue. I had to stay at work due to staff shortages. Fr Peter celebrated the Mass and lots of old friends were there. I played for Jo La Rue's funeral. She loved music and danced in "Job" for Vaughan Williams. She knew Dom Gregory Murray and Holst. Helene looked after the Bate collection of musical instruments in Oxford and was a kind and delightful host when I sang in the concerts at the Sheldonian. She helped so much with the organ tours as she knew all the organ scholars. Lunch with her at St Cross College was a delight. I shall miss her so much. She sang in the choir every Sunday and played the organ when needed. She stood in for Easter Vigil for me at Addiscombe when I had my knee op. The set psalm today was "Horse and rider he has thrown into the sea!" as for the Vigil. She was only 55. May she rest in peace. I will go to the memorial service in Oxford.I am so pleased to have found these photos of her from the fir...

Liz visited her Mum awaiting another procedure. No choir at Coulsdon so Vicky and Teresa acted as cantors for the Peter Jones Gloria. They hit top G twice and all was well. We celebrated Mary Magdalene with "Love's redeeeming work is done" and "Thine be the glory". I should have played "I know that my redeemer liveth" - ah well Eric Smith's meditations, Gordon Slater's "Easter Alleluya" and a Stanley Trumpet tune went well. I drove straight to Aylesford and arrived in good time for the Provincial president's Mass. Very good turnout of Catenians filling the relic chapel. Fr Jeff Cridland gave a good homily on the importance of such organisations in the church. Ann Shufflebottom did her best on the dreadful organ (she tells me she offered them money for a new organ and they turned it down!). Good to see Canon Bill Clements again. Anderson Gloria and Credo 3 got very slow. Drinks and picnic with the Cartons and Almeidas with wine and...