The organist librarian

Dark and cheerless is the morn... Rain and first bus delayed but I caught the second one OK! Advent 4 Flor Peeters and Walther Wachet auf Lloyd Webber on Helmsley. We sang People look East and some Marian hymns. For Mary mother of our Lord such lovely words. The busy world had got no space or time for God on earth; a cattle manger was the place where Mary gave him birth. From For Mary mother of our Lord To St John's for the carol service. The Stopford I found rather dull and none of us warmed to the Whitacre - it needs a big choir. The Shephard Song of Mary works well and we also sang Sussex carol. Sad to find verses cut out of Once in royal. Good to see Adrian,Robert and the Wests. Mulled wine and cupcakes sent by Bishop Beverley. I met Edmund Max's brother who is a philosopher.  Watched The Bishop's wife. 

Up at 4.40 a.m. to get to Caterham for the vigil at 6.15 a.m. 4 psalms and had fun looking up some of the saints in the litany! Breakfast then 10 a.m. which drew a much larger congregation. The choir did well "Sing choirs of heaven" by Richard Shephard. Great to have Ben with us. I played Hallelujah chorus and Saraband for the morning of Easter. I have wriiten about the Easter organ music in the April magazine. To The Chalet Caterham to see the gardens for the NGS and owls and vintage cars and a helicopter! Fancy having that on your lawn plus a Rolls! Now beef and red wine for lunch when Dennis Woodhouse and co arrive. The Lenten alcoholic fast is ended (it didn't work too well on the cruise!) Slept after lunch. Missed Bruce's call. At evensong Stanford in A and Te Deum in B flat. Liz sang the solo in Blessed be the God and Father beautifully. Had wine and chocolate. Watched Generation game, Urbi et Orbi. Durrells, Sheffield cathedral,

The Triduum marathon is completed! I played for the 8 p.m. vigil at Anerley RC 3 hymns and Hallelujah chorus. 2 baptised, 1 received, 3 confirmations. It was much appreciated by Fr Sunith and Fr Stuart who sang superbly. So nice to have  Dennis Woodhouse  with us for dinner of pork and apple frangipane tart and at Mass. Home by 10.30 and straight to bed! Clocks forward and woke at 3.30 a.m. I was at St John Caterham by 5 a.m. magnificent full moon. It's 10 miles by car. The rain which had meant everything was indoors last night held off for the kindling of the new fire outside at 5.45 a.m. and we were launched on all 6 readings and Mawby psalms ably sung by Jill and Peregrine. Finished with Hallelujah chorus and off to a cooked breakfast. 10 a.m. at St John Caterham and an Easter egg well earned! Bach Christ lag in todesbanden, Christopher Tambling O filii and Rosalie Bonighton Easter hymn. Greening setting and Shephard "Sing choirs of heaven". New vestments blessed and ...

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.

At lunch time we had a long break so walked to Southwell workhouse - it proved much further than we thought but worth a visit. Sunday morning cereals and cooked breakfast. We sang a jolly operatic Mass by Durand (better known as a publisher) and a tricky Alleluia motet by Anerio. A good beef lunch at the Piano. Evensong was Jackson in G, Shephard introit and Bairstow Know ye not -  a York tribute Afterwards there was an excellent tea with lots of cakes. We drove to St Barnabas cathedral Nottingham where Simon was concelebrating and we went for a drink. Got lost getting petrol but eventually found the road back to Southwell. Monday pointed out water in kettle in our room tasted awful and suggested some improvements. To Woolsthorpe Manor where Sir Isaac Newton grew up - an excellent science display and hands on experiments and the famous apple tree. After coffee to Audley End which is a magnificent house - guided tour and cream tea. Lots of fine paintings and grand rooms! Drove home...

Swam 34 despite being late up. Discussion about what needs to be done and I have loads to read. Liz to serve at schools Mass. I went to Beckenham for Nigel's half hour of Handel, Bach, Darke In green pastures (which as he said is a delight) Archer and German. Home by 1.30 to get on with reading articles. I sent Damian an paper on policing which duly apeared on Helios! Not sure I understand or agree with the articles and not sure I've got time to reread them! Is religion inherently prone to violence? Can an inside understand a religion? Evensong from Winchester 3 choirs featured Howells Te Deum and Stanford in A. The evensong from Exeter included Shephard canticles and Laudate Dominum by Ronald Corp written for the St Cecilia festival this year.