The organist librarian

Friday swam 20 and Bruce arrived from Jersey. Took car to check tyres and who walked up bur Archbishop Kevin. He was going to confession with Fr David Standley and he has an article in this week's Tablet on Ecclesiam Suam. Ann Marie took Molly to the kennels and we set off eventually at 11 a.m. Got to Chedworth Roman villa (NT) and had sandwiches and cake and Liz and Ann Marie arrived as we started going round. The audio guide for a £1 was excellent and the mosaics are stunning. We did try the musical museum but we were too late. On to Hereford with a diversion in Cheltenham. Lovely countryside and arrived around 5 p.m. The family were here and the four of us had fish at Hedley Lodge. Liz and I went to compline. Dennis's train arrived at 11 but by then I was in bed. Up at 6.15 for vigils and lauds then Mass at 8 with Liz and breakfast with everyone. To Croft castle (NT) and delighted to play the piano (30s numbers) and the Samuel Green organ (William Croft and Purcell). Lovely...

At service played Purcell, Oldroyd and Sumsion Pastoral. Lovely to have the organ in tune. Bill sang the psalm really well - the chant by Harry Bramma. Debbie away - what a treat! Excellent sermon from Fr Paul on the woman washing Jesus's feet with her hair. Practised Buxtehude. Home for lunch and then back for 2 and picked up Liz. She had been at Mass at Acton. Composite recital worked really well and 35 there especially United Reformed folk. Ian Verran very musical Rutter, Borodin and Sousa Liberty Bell. Michael Toplis Handel and Festing. Ken Baker played Croft, Greene, Burney and Bennett all ideal for this organ. Widor Toccata from Gloria Toplis worked well. Had some wine. I went to evensong which celebrated Sumsion. Bruce rang for Father's Day and I told him we were doing "Stagger like a drunken man". "Oh I like that one Dad". Spoke to Ann in Nuremberg. Dennis and Louise rang. Watched The White Queen about Edward IV and Review show, also Antiques roadsh...

Dennis up early and he returned to Burnley today. At Coulsdon we had some great hymns "Hail the day" "Crown him with many crowns" and "The head that once". We sang "The Lord ascendeth up on high" by Praetorius and I played the Bach "Heut triumphiret". Practised with Molly and the organ and then to Purley for 12 noon Mass. Sat next to Irene de Souza and her family. Bill again played Wachet auf and Passion chorale! The deacon does nothing! Drove to hospital and Grandma more chirpy -counted up to 5! Drove back to Coulsdon for 4 pm rehearsal for 5pm evensong. Gibbons Short service and Croft God is gone up, William Smith responses - the hard work paid off and all went well. I played Bach Orgelbuchlein Easter preludes and John Cook's Improvisation on "Veni creator". The hymns were "Rejoice the Lord is king" and "Jesus lives". Home to see Louise briefly and watch Young Musician final. Callum played Mendelssohn...

Liz set off early as she was acting as sacristan for the morning so Gerry could play in the folk group. At Coulsdon we sang "If ye love me" by Tallis and Bairstow in E flat. We rehearsed Gibbons and Croft for evensong and I felt so confident after the conducting workshop and was using some of the techniques I had learnt. Vickie says the church will pay for it! I practised and then to Purley for Mass. David Palmer group and it was far too long. Blessing of water with sung responses then sprinkling then Gloria. A good young cantor for the acclamations. Canon Frank went on rather long about the need for all to evangelise. It was a Mass for new members of the congregation followed by a reception in the hall but by then it was 1.15! To Dulwich to meet Liz. Restaurants all full so had soup in cafe and then to Christ's Chapel for excellent recital by Timothy Penrose counter-tenor and Norman Harper. The organ has been rebuilt by Drake and is ideal for Purcell and Gibbons. Timothy...

Superb singing at the cathedral Mass this evening of Mass and motets by A. Gabrieli with the boys soaring up and basses ending low! Padrerob has excellent comments on his blog about the Ascension which RCs now have to celebrate on Sunday and St Brendan's Day. We are told that the shortage of priests has meant that holy Days of obligation must move to Sundays. I think this a great shame. There is no shortage of Catholic priests - what of all those who left to marry? Bring them back into ministry and the problem is solved. Last night we had Sung Eucharist at Coulsdon. We sang Harwood in A flat and Croft's "God is gone up". Last year we managed the Finzi! Thanks to PadreRob's blog for the picture which is fun! Find it here