The organist librarian

We sang Panis angelicus in 2 parts and I was playing well after the trip to Ware. Andrew Moore and Purcell Trumpet tune. Practised Bach.  At Evensong at St John Upper Norwood we sang Dyson in F and Edgar Bainton's And I saw a new heaven always a treat for tenors.  Richard Pilliner played really well at Christ's chapel Dulwich 2 of the pieces from memory! Nice eats and wine. Adrian, Terence and the Wests there.

It being Sea Sunday I played Walter Webber Trumpet tune on Lobe den Herren, Bonighton on Melita and Neils Gade Lobe den herren which has a fun waltz section. Toccata from Suite Gothique which always makes me think of the sea!  Superb virtuosic playing from Richard Pilliner at  St Michael and All Angels Beckenham  - he loved the organ. Delicious cucumber sandwiches and strawberry cream sponge cake. At evensong at  St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood   we sang Coleridge-Taylor's fun setting and Britten Jubilate Deo. "Sing choirs of heaven" to Richard Shephard's tune and "Songs of praise the angels sang". Bridge Adagio in E.

Practised Finlandia and Sheep may safely graze on piano. To St John Goose Green for excellent recital by Andrew Baars. 30 there including his 3 children. He presented it so well. He teaches at Sydenham school and included unusual pieces and the Dorian toccata. Richard Pilliner has offered a recital next year at St Michael's. Home for lunch and Dennis and Ann Marie came down so I went alone to Mary King's workshop on the Glagolitic Mass with an excellent Czech coach and 4 BBC singers including the young bass from the cathedral choir. Really enjoyed it. Only 10 tenors. It was very hot and sunny and the pro-Palestine protest meant no buses so walk to and from South Ken. Saw a bit of travel photographer of the year at RGS. Tea at Marks and saw Paolo at vespers. He was delighted that Liz is going to Lourdes for the first time. Fr Alexander at Mass certainly got on with it with David playing and we got an early 52 and our usual seats for China Philharmonic Proms debut with a popular...

Swam 20. Liz slept late. To Southwark cathedral for the SPIDIR AGM and conference. The Weston library is too hot and acoustics are poor. 50p for the loo is a bit much. There was lukewarm coffee in the morning and water and that was it! I did get to hear Richard Pilliner play Bach and Saint-Saens at lunchtime and sketched a candle and flowers. Bishop Michael Ipgrave, Ahmad Akhtar, Dr Rebecca Masterton spoke in Islamic spirituality. After lunch the 2 from Khayaal theatre in Luton led a workshop on a Shia story and got us to volunteer. It was excellent. A short meditation using the names of Allah. It all cost £10 and an opportunity was missed to welcome newcomers like 4 of my class. I do not think Rita told them we were coming! Home to make beds, change to summer quilts and put up the new light shades in the hall.

Monday to the hospital for meeting with the consultant who is so nice and explains everything. Decision made to move Grandma to a care home and Dennis confirmed he had told her. None of us think she would want to go. The astonishing and shocking news that Chris Greenhalgh had died of a massive heart attack. He joins Rev John Hill and Fr Mark Hartley in the heavenly choir. Tuesday on to 8 and Liz had a contretemps with the discharge sister. Dennis complained about her to her manager. Wednesday cut up carpet and to St Michael's for Richard Pilliner's recital of Jongen, Liszt and Vierne - a couple of mechanical problems. Lit 4 candles. To Newtons to test drive the Honda Jazz which Liz liked on Tuesday. Long wait for the rep but car is excellent. Liz went to chorus and I went to Southfields library through the Wimbledon crowds for the retirement of Neville and Margaret. Neville produced a Stanford Irish song to sing together and I brought some economy carols in view of all the cuts...