Preparations for the Installation
Monday 30 lengths and my right leg twinging. I went to tai chi and that helped. David joined the class so Tony went over the moves more slowly which helped. Left at 6 to get to first rehearsal and explanation from Paul. We are first acolytes leading the clergy of the diocese in from either side and consecration torches. Home early and caught up on Channel 4 programme on male beauty.
Tuesday 40 lengths. Did lots of posters including book sale and reading group. Saw Zia about training and IIP. Left at 6 and this was a long rehearsal. The servers are in the Blessed Sacrament chapel which means we can see nothing and there is no TV monitor. The BBC were there and Thomas and Paul went over several things twice. The new MacMillan antiphons were sung by the boys. The beautiful consecration torches (black wood and silver) borrowed from the Oratory are quite heavy and tall. The actual move up into the sanctuary doesn't feel right at the moment. We are doing a fan movement and we might be better off doing a square. Still one does as one's told unlike certain servers who are inclined to have opinions!I must say there is a friendly spirit of co-operation among the servers and clergy. What a pleasure to see Mgr Mark again (he is doing commentary) and I said how much we missed his blog! We got the 10 p.m. train and found the classical Brit awards were on TV. Alison Balsom the trumpeter was female artist of the year. I put up notices about the cancellation of the interfaith group (Hinsley Room needed by stewards) and contacted most of the group to warn them. It will be a splendid occasion but a tiring one I think. Sitting around waiting is hard - one feels like a Cecil B De Mille extra!
Tuesday 40 lengths. Did lots of posters including book sale and reading group. Saw Zia about training and IIP. Left at 6 and this was a long rehearsal. The servers are in the Blessed Sacrament chapel which means we can see nothing and there is no TV monitor. The BBC were there and Thomas and Paul went over several things twice. The new MacMillan antiphons were sung by the boys. The beautiful consecration torches (black wood and silver) borrowed from the Oratory are quite heavy and tall. The actual move up into the sanctuary doesn't feel right at the moment. We are doing a fan movement and we might be better off doing a square. Still one does as one's told unlike certain servers who are inclined to have opinions!I must say there is a friendly spirit of co-operation among the servers and clergy. What a pleasure to see Mgr Mark again (he is doing commentary) and I said how much we missed his blog! We got the 10 p.m. train and found the classical Brit awards were on TV. Alison Balsom the trumpeter was female artist of the year. I put up notices about the cancellation of the interfaith group (Hinsley Room needed by stewards) and contacted most of the group to warn them. It will be a splendid occasion but a tiring one I think. Sitting around waiting is hard - one feels like a Cecil B De Mille extra!
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