The organist librarian

I have actually written another section on my life story blog https://johnnwoodh.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/the-holy-land.html as we have a quiet day as the boys are not coming until later! I am supposed to do this every day but it just never happens. St Alban's Easter day service excellent singing. To quiet time. Richard was there and he seemed determined to be controversial! Daniel came in very wet from the rain being on his bike. Repair shop. Lousie came with the boys and Sean was being quite boisterous. Young Musician is 40 years old!  Great British bakeoff. 

Ventured out to Bromley Parish church and saw evidence of tree branches down. Paul Derrett have us a most entertaining programme. Purcell Mansfield's Toccata a la gigue reminded me of the Teddy Bears' Picnic and it was good to have a tribute to Richard Popplewell. We also heard Buxtehude, Bach, Campra, Reger, SS Wesley, Lemare and Flor Peeters. A jolly encore Capriccietto by Leonard Butler. Liz went to fetch Hannah to visit Claire. Watched Brontes, Shakespeare's grave and Don Giovanni. Easter Sunday morning from St Alban's impressive. University challenge, Island parish and a fascinating programme on the Easter rising.

Swam 20. To Addiscombe for the funeral which I was dreading but in fact it was a fitting tribute. It did seem a bit odd that the organ was unused beforehand (recordings) and for some of the items e.g. Ann singing the psalm and Sanctus. Nice to see old friends from Catenians and the choir. Kit Bradley's daughters were there Hilary has retired from directing the Woodford Green choir after 25 years! Mary Endacott is in a nursing home. Jo and Paul said nothing but everyone else very friendly esp Fr Dennis. Evensong from St Albans and Come dine with me. Spoke to Sonia about the roof at the front and we will go halves on getting it done. Seems her builder has gone leaving a mess and a disaster! 4 replies so far to the Alleygate idea -  we need all 30 to agree! To the cathedral for Daniel Cook's recital - he plays really well, Willan, Elgar, Bossi and Holler. Not a very large audiece. Had a long chat to Reuben Thomas, Ben Bloor and the guys from Harrisons and Michael O'Leary.

Saturday 5 th . Honey muesli breakfast and Colin arrived at 9.45 to lead us to Parktown. He thanked me for the mosaic and gave us written instructions and keys for the 2 properties. Marius the young organist was there and thank God he was as the Rieger has a continental stop setup and he set up the stops on a programme for me. He changed stops and turned which was great. It went reasonably well but I could have done with hours more time to get ready. It was nice that people came including Mike Matthews and Doosy and his wife. . Colin introduced it and Paul Devaux came with him. Everyone seems to have enjoyed it. Heather and Fred then came back to the club for pizza and coke. The place was full of Springbok rugby supporters. I spoke to Ronnie Jones and insisted on Pretoria tomorrow which is good as there is no food here on Sundays! Ronnie Gill provided a better route avoiding Yeoville! Another glorious sunny day. Had a first look at the CD of the 63 leavers – it is full of fascina...

Did some garden things clearing out hanging baskets. At last did application to Heythrop and posted it. Listened to choral evensongs from Derby and St Albans and watched Weakest link. Saint-Saens 3 on radio 3.