The organist librarian

Fr Christopher, Andy and Harry Bramma. The view from my office window of the roof od Balham library hall. Last Saturday was my last function as President of the Bromley and Croydon organists association. The annual dinner was at St Mark's hall, West Wickham and I got there from work on train and bus. Andy Scott the organ tuner a delightful guest and Fr Christopher Smith from St Michael's Beckenham equally nice. Loved the idea of playing Figaro at school musical shows. Harry Bramma was given honorary membership. Excellent beef and ale pie and profiteroles. A super evening.

Sat 6 June continued. To West Wickham for the annual organists dinner. As President I had to make a speech and focused on change and the Holy Spirit as joy. Scott Farrell from Rochester was an excellent guest and Canon Colin Boswell from Croydon parish church delightful. The meal was good too. Martin How and Harry Bramma were there. Really enjoyed it. Loved the story about the 2 brothers who became admiral and bishop. Bishop to Admiral on station (both in full rig): "Tell me my man what time is the next train to Epsom?" Admiral to bishop "I have no idea madam and ought you to be travelling in that condition?" Train stops outside station but man in bowler hat, suitcase and umbrella gets out of one side of the carriage. Minutes later bowler hat returns, then suitcase, the umbrella. Man climbs in brushes himself down pickes everything up and promptly gets out on other side of carriage!

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...

Sine Nomine from Rugby sang at Mass. Beautiful Monteverdi Kyrie and Agnus Dei, Poulenc's "Salve Regina" (why was this at communion?) and best of all Anthony Piccolo's "I look from afar" with a spine tingling ending. Fr Michael was the priest. To Beckenham for organists association supper at Christian Strover's, Delicious chicken with ravioli and tomatoes. Lemon meringue pie and blackberry and apple crumble. Excellent food and company! Dennis and Bruce staying the night having visited Grandma and helped Liz with stairwell painting at Grandma's.

Saturday there were lots of people at Vespers and Mass as there had been a day with Mary in the cathedral. We found ourselves helping to cense the altar at Vespers and doing everything at Mass as young Philip is still in the Philippines (sounds sort of right!) We drove to West Wickham arriving just after grace. As President elect I presided at the annual dinner of the Bromley and Croydon organists association. Dr Stephen Cleobury from King's, Cambridge was a delightful guest and spoke so well. He was very complimentary about the chorus and told us of the new appointments at St Paul's and Norwich. Oliver Brett is going to Westminster cathedral as organ scholar. He is senior scholar at King's and a very good organist. The other guest was our old friend Fr Tomas Creagh-Fuller now at Beckenham Hill and and he too spoke well. The meal was excellent and much enjoyed by all. Stephen's challenge was to encourage more young people to play the organ and sing and also to bear in m...