The organist librarian

Up early and have now added all Catenian material to blog and Facebook. Fisher House, Salcombe and Upper Norwood where we had incense, organ and singing! Un Ballo from the Met fabulous production Dmitri Hvorostovky was great in Eri tu and throughout. Father Brown. Friday up late Salcombe and Fisher House. Turandot from the Met - the Franco Zefferelli production I saw at the cinema which is stunning. Excellent zoom RSCM webinar on future of church music 700 listening. David Price and John Hall.

Swim, Mass. A quiet day at home. Mick came. Watched hat making, part of film on the Great War "They shall grow not old" caught up on choral evensongs from Salisbury, St Paul's and Cambridge. Read The Tablet. Liz went to Bromley with Dennis and choir.

Lie-in and Bernard Noakes rang about the motion and procedure. Watched Simon Schama Civilisations . Good programme on Bacchus. RSCM voices conducted by Dan Soper at Mass this evening at the cathedral. Peter Stevens was playing. Watching the Gettys and University challenge.

Swam 20 and went to Dennis's with parcels and checked post. To Greenwich Picturehouse for NT production of Lear. I was early so went to the excellent new Nelson gallery in the National Maritime Museum. The production was fantastic and very powerful on dementia. The blinding of Gloucester has to be the most horrific scene made worse by waterboarding. How horrific it is and it was good to get a break after it. The final scenes are devastating. All the cast were wonderful with Simon Russell Beale and Adrian Scarborough. My last RSCM Southwark committee meeting after about 15 years. Peter Wright was ill but we met at Adrian's and I was duly thanked. Then to Acton and Liz safely back from Hexham having enjoyed the diamond wedding of Flo and Tom. Dennis went as well.

Swam only 10 as I was late (High Street being dug up) and a lady asked me for advice about her bullying husband. He is disabled and she is also bringing up a 16 year old grandson. I said tell him, find something to do together and get respite care. Dave Cameron told me he had got the council and general manager to agree to no music at the pool. Excellent news! To mosaic (Linda in Amsterdam) so completed the Roman mosaic and worked on Seán's mosaic. Tai chi better attended - not sure when we move out for refurbishment of the centre as I will hold the keys for Tony. Home for an Indian meal and lemon meringue pie. To dentist - given a choice between £2000 for an implant or £204 for my front tooth I opted for the latter. Sent off the completed ordination article to Oremus, Music and Liturgy, PMM, British Jesuits, Jesuits and friends and Brixton parish. Xavier sending it to Kerala. To Peter Wright's for RSCM committee. The new director-general Andrew Reid came and asked a lot of qu...

Unsurprisingly we woke later than expected and drove to Elmers End to get train to Lewisham. The signage there was nil so instead of getting the DLR to Greenwich we got a train to Blackheath and a bus then walked in the rain to the park where we went through security smoothly and got a buggy ride to the actual venue at 10 a.m. I have complained about Lewisham. The volunteers were again great and really enjoyed watching the dressage with the music. Storm came over so got wet again then it cleared up but windy. Decided not to visit Maritime Museum exhibition on the river and long walk to DLR Greenwich and to Lewisham and train back. Had lunch and then off to pre Prom talk with 3 members of the Berlin Phil all from Massachusetts! They were not very forthcoming but learnt a bit about the Ligeti. The Berlin Phil played superbly for Simon Rattle - Wagner, Sibelius 4, Debussy Jeux and Ravel. No encore! Packed. Chatted to June and Spanish lady. Liz fell asleep and missed the 20 minute deadline...

To Adrian's for RSCM Southwark committee meeting. All the old hands are resigning over the next 4 years to give a smooth handover. Adrian has been on the committee for 43 years, Peter for 23! Liz finished essay, powerpoint and reflective journal in time.

At dancing we did quickstep, cha cha cha and the samba which is hard and finished with a waltz. We are now transferred to the class! Admin had not done it. Tonight was the RSCM committee but in effect Frances Novillo has pushed me off it. I'm quite happy to step down as 10 pin bowling has come to an end and I will continue as an advisor and examiner. Only 3 of the choir are going to St Paul's cathedral to sing in the evensong for the centenary of A & M and only 3 for the evensong at St James Riddlesdown.

Tuesday to Heythrop for 2 pm to see Dr Damian Howard. He thinks I am fine to do the M.A. and a stimulating discussion. I popped into the library and had tea at M & S then home. Liz off to babysit. To RSCM committee and 2 new members Ian and Richard and Frances Novillo came which was good. Wednesday to dentist - one gap sealed, X rays taken and 15 minute wait for results - no problems. Cleaning. £17 is the new rate. Left car outside the Callans and to Hinsley Room. Robin spoke without notes on peace and a picture of Road to Emmaus. Arranged visit to Ealing Abbey labyrinth for June 8 at 2 p.m. Served at mass Beatified Martyrs of England and Wales. Boys sang Britten Missa Brevis including the Gloria. Fr Swavek appreciative. To Lyn and Rosemary for a lovely meal of salmon, champagne. They are off to Australia on Saturday.

Friday to practice - only 4 there and Karen was delayed by an accident she witnessed. Changed the anthem for Easter day at John's request. Saturday got Ciarán up - the family came on Friday but had to go to West London to see Tom's cousin on Saturday night. To Southwark cathedral to examine for Dean's award with Ginette. I accompanied and did the sight reading and aural tests. A mixed bag! To library to pick up reserved book and tea at Tate Britain friends room. Walked to cathedral for vespers and Mass - new cantor Marie sang well. Diocesan children's choir not that good in Elgar Ave verum especially the difficult ending. Fish and chips with Dennis who was staying at Lyn and Rosemary's as he was on a course and missed the family lunch. At Coulsdon we sang Batten's O sing joyfully and I played the Buxtehude Passacaglia and Bach Toccata and fugue in D minor which was appreciated by Jill and Teresa. Had a lovely lunch with champagne. Rosemary and Lyn were late. G...

Monday letter is written and retirement on Nov 30th! To Catenians only 12 there and a Beckenham brother acted as chamberlain. Colin was chatting about the Pope and David had seen my Tablet letter. He borrowed the Oberammergau book. Tuesday told staff about retirement - some not surprised. To Southwark cathedral for RSCM open evening. Liz and I did name badges and there was cheese and wine with grapes. Lindsay Gray was there and Ginette Nye's band from St John Redhill was impressive. The choristers of Croydon Parish church sang well and Peter Wright played the organ including the Widor Toccata.

Woke at 6 am and did not go swimming so as to see Ciaran who was full of beans! Liz to Bow for a viewing which did not happen. I apologised to Mrs O about last Monday and she asked me to speak to the yoga class which I did. To RSCM committee at Roger's at Carshalton Beeches. Adrian gave me a lift home. 10 pin bowling is cancelled this year.

To St John's Redhill and examined 5 for RSCM awards with Chris Greenhalgh. Played for 1.30 wedding at Coulsdon - all over in 40 minutes. To hospital and not sure Grandma even knew I was there as she was on oxygen for breathing problems. To vespers and Mass and girls choir of St Nicholas Harpenden sang well. Sunday we sang "Be still" and Richard Jones's Mass for Hilary which has poor notation. Molly rehearsed and I practised. To Clare's 70th birthday party at Falkland Park Avenue and a rare opportunity for a photo of the whole family! Eventually came home for a rest and finished unpacking. Dennis and AnneMarie went to see Grandma. Booked 10 pin bowling. Monday swam 38 and back to work and 85 emails! It has been busy. Delighted by grade B PRP! Watched first programme on fatherhood.

Tuesday to JCC at town hall. Reading group enjoyed Homecoming by Clare Francis. Liz and Dennis at King's all night as Grandma had op for leg clot in the morning and then a major stroke while in the ward. I picked up car and went to Adrian's for RSCM committee meeting. Francis Novillo and Drew Cantrill were there. Got petrol. A restless night so had a lie-in. Spoke to Ann. Took garden stuff to tip and then to the hospital to meet Dennis, Louise, Ciaran and Bruce there. Bruce and I stayed when the others went home for a rest. To Catenian council meeting.

To 7.30 a.m. Wandsworth business forum breakfast meeting at Chez Manny's - some dull stuff about finance and missed the bit I wasnted to hear as had to go and open the library! To tai chi and really getting to know the routines now - pity I cannot continue. To RSCM committee at Peter's - I was early so popped into Globe and had tea at the Swan bar. Only Adrian and Terence there so short meeting and Adrian gave me a lift home.

Saturday Feb 28th to Royal School of Church Music sessions at Gary Weston library, Southwark cathedral. Met the new director Lyndsey Gray who is impressive and I gave him some RC contacts. The presentations and discussions were helpful and there was opportunity to flag up concerns. In particular we have lost the "Martin Hows" available to come and advise at practices. To Vespers and mass - I was thurifer as Liz was due to go to Milton Keynes to meet Shirley and Flo but Grandma wasn't up to it. Sunday March 1 First of Lent. Nigel Groome RSCM rep came to practice and service. He said "Well done". Bishop Nick of Croydon presided and preached - he told Vickie the choir sounded good and they did well. To Sandra and Dave's in Chislehurst with Bruce for Gill's 60th birthday - surprise party which was great. Lots to eat! Monday March 2 Catenian meeting. Everyone enjoyed the 1000th - it was good to see Richard Nash there. Eric Tope is to be V.P. and he gave me a ...

The final Etihad flight to Heathrow went smoothly. Watched "Cactus" "It happened in Vegas" which was funny and "The Visitor" which is about immigrants and might change a few minds. Landed early 6.30 and home at 9.l5 p.m. Sunday to church and we sang John Harper's attractive Hymn for Matthew as we were celebrating his day. Liz went to celebration at White City and we all met up for lunch at Lou and Tom's. bruce came too. It being London Open day I had hoped to get to the Ismaili centre in Kensington but ended up parking outside the Institut Francaise and saw the library - 1930s. We watched part 1 and 2 of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles". Monday 83 emails to deal with and various things. Ryan had stuck a poster on the front window because the sun got in his eyes - - why nobody removed it is beyond me. New staff starting this week which is good but Rachel has to go to occupational health in October so another delay. Did not go to RSCM commit...

To Southwark cathedral by car. Trouble finding parking in the end I went on yellow line and put up disabled badge. Examined with Chris Greenhalgh for RSCM Bronze Dean's awards - some very nice singing indeed. A long session 9.45 to 2.45 with a lunch provided. There is something very touching about a young voice singing "O thou who camest from above". Some candidates were not well prepared. Saw Peter Wright and Adrian. To Herne Hill to get replacemetn dance shoes for organ pedalling. They had copied my original 5 yera old shoes but ordered one size too small. The new left one fits tightly but should soften. To the cathedral for Vespers and Mass. One way in man called Charlie spoke to me and said he was authorised to serve. He seemed to know Liz and John O'Brien but I checked with fr Swavek just in case and they said it was good I had done so. We were the only servers any way so no smoke. Fr Kingsley concelebrated with Swawek. Frove to West Wickham 7.15 to 8.10 p.m. arr...

A whole week to catch up on! Tuesday to RSCM Southwark committee meeting at Adrian's. Nigel Groome was there and there was much discussion about events and syllabus. Wednesday to Spirituality day with Michael Dorey on the Blessed are the poor. A welcome opportunity to enjoy some quiet in the sunshine. I liked the meditation he gave us on the Eucharist and foot washing. I decided not to go to the Friends of the cathedral AGM and we watched "The Apprentice". Thursday to the last of the Cardinal's lectures and the Cardinal was on great form. Baroness Scotland chaired. I sat with Jennie Mitchener who gave me a lift home from West Norwood which was great. Friday to practice and we had a discussion about getting more members as Karen had produced a poster. We started work on the 3 part canticles. To Croydon PC for compline - "I will lift up my eyes" by Ernest Walker and Sumsion Nunc dimittis.Saw Tony Trent.

Some of the Vietnamese children who did a beautiful calm dance after communion. To cathedral for 11 a.m. Mass for migrants with the Cardinal, Bishop Thomas MacMahon of Brentwood and Bishop Pat (who used to be parish priest of South Norwood!). 47 ethnic chaplains. Saw Martin Foster and Bernadette Farrell. I was mitre and Liz was book and communion torch. Good choir from Trinity college and lovely dance by Vietnamese children after communion. Much discussion of Mgr Mark's departure. He really IS the cathedral so he will be much missed. Fr Christopher has taken over as administrator and Fr Swavek will be sub-administrator - he is not back from Spain. To Bow where we had a picnic. Bruce had made up a table on back patio and he used our hose and lance to clean the patio and threw out loads of rubbish. The kitchen looks great and had a pizza with Jack and Bianca in glorious sunshine. I watched DVDs of "Harry Potter and the order of the phoenix" and "40 year old virgin...