The organist librarian

Swam 20. Emails about St Michael's organ recital series. Cambridge pretty well fixed up - 7 organs are possible! Read article on scriptural reasoning. To Methodist central hall for Boroughs interfaith forum - the room was noisy and my right hand hearing aid is not working. It was interesting to reflect on 10 years of the forum but I had to leave to go to Hinsley room for Lent group - 5 came and it was a good session. Crozier bearer for Bishop John at Mass and choir sang Berkeley. Bishop John reflected on Pope Benedict's last day. Faith matters with Archbishop Stack on art - it was a bitty talk with some good bits especially on the Crucifixion. There should have been more pictures and more on art in churches rather than in galleries.

Tuesday swam 24. There was no mosaic and tai chi yesterday as the new room was not ready. To Mayfair and found the library with comfortable leather armchairs so read Weller article. Drew Cantrill played well and I met Robin. Sad only 9 there. HIs programme included Sweelinck, Buxtehude and Dan Lockair, Chatted to Richard Hobson about a visit on May 4th. Came home and ater went to Clapham for the Faiths together in Lambeth meeting on Faith and sustainability with Lambeth coucnil officers giving useful advice. It was held at the Shambala meditation centre. Liz went to Acton and I read the long Bretherton article. Wednesday to Watermans and Sean really enjoyed music. The film was Flight which had a horrid start but an interesting end. Why must drug taking be shown? ackled the problem of the alcoholic and drugtaking pilot who saved so many in a crash well. To Guys campus of King's College for Lokahi foundation Cultural kitchen but little food left so to Heythrop library to start Cloon

Nick came to get the car for MOT and servicing. Good to see him - he is officially retired and the garage site is still derelict with recent flytipping. Met Louise and the boys at Natural History museum. Ciaran loved the dinosaurs - new high walkway is good but not so keen on T.Rex. Loved the large mammals and birds. To Science museum to see the model trains and loved the water play. I went to Heythrop for the Jewish society Purim party which was fun with dressing up, a play and Dan singing the Hebrew text of Esther. Home to get dining room ready for organists association committee. Cambridge visit moved to Sept 28th and St Michael's organ recital series agreed. Left with 2 opened bottles of wine and I have given up alcohol for Lent!

Took Liz to West Norwood. Played for service at Beckenham - choir of 3 were still not great in the psalm despite rehearsing beforehand. I played Franck and Willan. After service practised Bach but still no key so had to leave. Still I had done what was needed. Checked Dupuis essay and made some changes. Evensong from King's college, London. Evensong at St John's - Stanford O for a closer walk. Watched Call the midwife and Brian Cox. Lamb shank for dinner. It looks as though the Cambridge visit cannot be in May so September 28 is the alternative. May is quiet revision time for exams. Finished Weller article on the Rushdie affair.

On Thursday having spent the whole morning on the essay to Hinsley room for first Lent group meeting using "Amazing grace" the diocesan booklet which is well-illustrated. Peggy, Rita, Joan and Clare were joined by Winifred. She was late and disrupted the prayers. She had texted me assuming I was Father John! She was decidedly odd and started on about gay Masses. At the end she said she would not return which frankly is a relief. Friday I finished the essay on Dupuis. Saturday to the Royal Festival hall for London organ day which was well attended. Saw Angela Harris from Brentwood, Alan Hurst and is wife from Bexley, a lady from Kintbury Bershire, 2 ladies from Eastbourne, Chris Town, Peter, Michael Toplis, Norman Harper who made some useful suggestions on repertoire. Interesting talks on acoustics and voicing from William MacVicar and Andy Scott. James Orford played Brian Brockless, Williamson symphony did not sound good next to Kenneth Leighton Paean. Kevin Bowyer playing H

Friday swam only 18 as pool clock not working and the small one was missing so told Clare. I got out too early! Spent the whole morning finishing the Dupuis essay - it's not great but it will have to do. Liz went to cathedral for Mass in thanksgiving for Benedict. I glued the mosaic to the board but some pieces are missing so cannot do more until I borrow some tile cutters. Emailed Cambridge colleges about May 4th. Looked up previous Cambridge visits 2005, 2007 and 2009 so the blog proved very useful.

Woke at 7 and packed up and Ciaran was very helpful. To Godstone farm where we met Louise in the car park. Wellies on but feet got really cold. There were hundreds there - met up with Lou's friends in the cafe and saw the piglets and animals. Ciaran enjoyed the sandpit and the pretend train. We left around 12.45 and Liz dropped me at Purley. There was a meeting about fire drills in the Hinsley room so I sat in the small room and read Dupuis. Tried to read Rowan Williams on Rahner and Balthaser but it was beyond me! Bought cover for Dennis's new missal. Interfaith group 7 there and Katharine came. Went through the book putting down suggestions for the cathedral. To Heythrop and bought scarf for Liz and claimed voucher for doing student survey. Had a quick meal and an interesting lecture and presentation from Xavier on interreligious prayer. Home to watch Brian Cox. Thursday swam 22 and settled down upstairs to write essay on Dupuis. Several in the class have not started either

Saturday did some more reading. Liz went to rite of election. The organists association turned out in force at St Michael's and the organ builder John Mander explained the choice of a copy of St Giles Cripplegate for the new organ. It is arguable that a string stop would have been more suitable for an Anglo-Catholic church but one can cheat on that. I did a short demo and apparently they stayed until 6! Tea and cakes provided. Got train from Kent House. 2 servers admitted to the Guild before Mass by Fr John - all a bit rushed and hole in the corner.

Played for the service on Sunday morning the First Sunday of Lent. 2 in the choir and we did go through the gospel acclamation but not the psalm which was not well sung. Debbie cannot reach the top Ds in the Murray setting. Practised next week's psalm and pointed out the need to stay on the reciting note. It seems they practise unaccompanied on Thursdays - one must ask why? Talked about recitals and the Bishop coming to bless the organ and the plaque. No problem about the October South African trip. To Acton for lunch and brought Ciarán home. Liz was at rite of election at the cathedral. Did 3 jigsaws, played monster bingo and set up the track! Monday he woke at 5 a.m.! Took him swimming and he loved jumping in! To the lake and scooter and Liz picked us up at the playground. Baked some nice chocolate biscuits. Spoke to Bruce on skype and of course Louise and Tom. Went to bed O,K, but woke in the night. Tuesday to Crystal Palace to meet Calix and Boyan who had his bike. Bothered a

Photo from Ray Lecolle-Brown

Friday was amazing! Everything suddenly came together. Friday October 4th is the date for the Joburg reunion and Colin Robinson offered accomodation in Cape Town and Knysna so we have planned out rip after the reunion along the Garden route from Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay via Montagu and Knysna and then back to Cape Town via Mossel Bay! Excited emails were sent out all over the world to announce the glad tidings! Lauren came back with an earlier start for the tour because of security so 3 p.m. tour, 5.30 chapel with remembrance of the departed (12 so far) a hymn and me playing the organ. 6.00 kick-off. Have been trying to contact Ronnie Jones in Pretoria and in the process emailed Ronnie Gill! No reply as yet. I did manage to complete the Dupuis book overview. Watched University Challenge episodes and Come dine with me and Howard Goodall on history of music - still loads to catch up on! Jago Cooper in South America too but the day has gone on emails!

To Streatham for the interfaith breakfast. We heard about South London citizens, a movement to get MPs to contact bankers who gamble with our money and the police meetings. The meeting at Westminster Abbey Little cloister was in a lovely house with a Bluthner grand. It was a "meet and greet" with Clare and Canon Andrew Tremlett. Jon Dal Din and something may come of it. Oddly we were not offered any tea! To the Taj in Coulsdon for a large Indian meal which cost triple what it would have cost in India! Catenian outing and enjoyed a good chat to the Garveys.

Allegri Miserere from St John's Cambridge on radio. Nice vegetarian and egg meal. Cherries. To the cathedral and we were acolytes although most of our jobs were done by others! Superb Allegri and the small group moved down the gallery between verses. Had time to nip home and then to St Michael's so got ashed twice. Cheque for funeral. I played O mensch bewein at the end. Piano for 2 of the hymns. The choit were in robes but I did not bother - 11 there.

Swam 24. Nice letter from Arthur Hughes. Louise came with Seán who was smiling a lot. Robert Cooper tuned the piano (at last!) It is a 30s piano with a new case and was bought 58 years ago so it has done well. Played some Bohm and Mendelssohn. More contacts from Old Johannians - now have 10 for dinner on May 7th. Still await a date from OJA. Did the police survey online. Started reading Bean Quash'd Abiding, the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent book which is great - first chapter he talks about working in Johannesburg Western suburbs!

Liz came to Alan's funeral and sang alto. The choir was augmented by members of the organists association and others and the Kontakion was great! I played reasonably well considering so many organists were listening and went to Beckenham crem where the organist played Bach well! Fr Paul was on great form and really inspiring. There were 70 people there and a nice lunch with wine. Met a man who knows Harry True a young organist so gave him my contact details. Read Dupuis and watched Come dine with me. Liz went to servers council and I went to police meeting for Croydon organised by Mayor for London. Leader of council chaired, deputy leader for London, deputy commander and borough commander presented the plans and invited questions. I said I was appalled that South Norwood station is to close leaving Croydon with only one station and more officers on the beat. Also New Scotalnd Yard is to close! Spoke to Steve Reed our M.P. and the borough commander. I offered to join a Safer neighb

Monday woke to snow so waited 30 minutes for a 468 and eventually got one northbound. I saw the first southbound one at Hermitage Road and it was full. 2 empty ones went by! To West Norwood and at mosaic by 10.35. Nicky was unpleasant about tea so told Linda we needed a rota. Unimpressed to have to pay £4 for wooden blocks and on the day when everything had to be taken home too! Hendrika took tai chi - she is much lower to the ground than Tony! Liz picked me up. Finished the Dubois articles. Watched programme on art in Rome, University challenge, Food and drink and Dancing on the edge. Pope shocked the world by resigning although he had hinted at it before. A brave and sensible decision. We watched the BAFTA awards last night and it was quite interesting! Tuesday woke early and no snow!

Took Liz to West Norwood in order to get to college. Train to Dalston Junction then bus to Stamford Hill. Magnificent St Ignatius church and I was early so saw Fr Swavek who was MC for Bishop John. 7 deacons ordained for Jesuits from different provinces -Peru. Germany, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam. Bishop John spoke really well. David Gammie played. Walked to reception in school hall and met Peter Redemptorist and Sr Eileen - had  a good chat. Bus and tubes to Edgware Road and arrived early. South London circle centenary Mass - the booklet was rubbish, lots of mistakes despite my emails. Rehearsed with singer Katie and string quartet and all went OK although she did not sing the Sanctus at the service! Archbishop Peter Smith and Fr Philip very friendly. Liz served and we then walked to the Landmark hotel expecting to just go to the reception, Turned out we were guests at the lavish banquet and we sat with Harry Mellor and Peter Higgs. Finished at 11.30 taxis and train quite quickly home.

Had a dream where the Old Johannian reunion was at Sandringham at the village fete and the Queen was on a stall. Liz wanted me to buy some items but I said I should have worn my special cufflinks! Woke too late to go swimming. Read some Dupuis and preparations for this evening. Sent off letters to UK Old Johannians not on email. We have 9 for the May 7th dinner which is great! They include Tom Ridley and Brian Greaves who I have not seen for 50 years. At 7 Brian arrived with flowers for Liz and Xavier came later with Australian red wine. We had a lovely meal soup, fish curry, dhal, pavlova and Keralan rice sweet. Most enjoyable conversation.

Swam 22. Frosty morning, the water was cold while the changing room was hot! Liz went to serve at a funeral at the cathedral. To Mass at Heythrop and just got there in time. Accompanied by keyboard and 2 guitars. We sang a St Francis prayer for peace set by John Foley SJ which I did not know but rather liked. Martin Poulson presided and preached well. Lunch and coffee with the chaplains - had an indepth discussion about St Paul with john who lectures on New Testament. My new college scarf was much admired and Liz wants one! To Our Lady of the Rosary Marylebone to meet the organist Roy Emerson who was very helpful on registration. It's a fine Bishop with rather slow pedal action in a cathedral like church. On bus to Mile End for the opening of the restored Rutt organ in People's palace Queen Mary college and Liz came. Prof David Preece spoke and I bought his book on organs in the East End. Alan Wilson played. Met John Norman and his charming wife.

Tuesday swam 22 and set off to Heythrop for 1.30 meeting Have your say. I spoke first and raised tutorial in first term, problems with theological and philosophical language and the Saturday group being bottom of the pile. I also spoke to Nadeem about that group not getting college emails. Fr Michael Holman responded well and so did Kim and the staff. Also spoke to Peter of the union about being on a liaison group and functions for all age groups. Nice lunch and glad I went. Chatted to Tony Carroll who has married. Bus and train to Acton and played track with Ciarán. Liz arrived later and Seán woke when Louise and Tom were out so gave him a bottle and he fell asleep. Watched Dancing on the edge. Read Cornille article and then to spirituality day. I had not been there for months and Eileen did a meditation on washing the feet. After lunch we washed each other's hands in turn and dried them - rather moving. I decided not to stay and delivered posters about the Lent group. To Heythro

Woke at 8 a.m. To mosaic and worked on project 3 which involves following curves with small tiles. Spoke to Linda about the damaged project for Ivor and Alan so it will go on a board and have to be regrouted. We wasted time going to see the outside of the room we will use when the centre is demolished. At ta'i chi I pulled a muscle in my left side trying to stand on my right foot in a new exercise so rested and it went off after Toni massaged it. Read more Cornille and watched Great British railway journeys in Ireland with Michael Portillo. To Catenians and my election as President is confirmed. 19 visitors and a lighthearted meeting. Got more takers for the Conference and Mass although Liz and I are the only ones going to paid events. Lift from Colin.

The late Alan Burtonshaw playing the new Mander organ he gave to St Michael's Beckenham. His will cannot be found!

Liz to cathedral. I went to St Michael Beckenham and arrived at 10 a.m. Met Steve the thurifer who plays and is doing ordination training in Oxford 2 days a week. Met the Bishop of Rochester who I met at Hayes and Paul introduced me to lots of people. Robed choir of 3. I played Bach, Mawby and Cook for Candlemas and all went well. Shared lunch and I reckon every member of the congregation of 35 spoke to me very enthusiastically.Paid cash by treasurer. We went through the Kontakion for Alan's funeral and I corrected vowels! The Bishop came and had a play too! He is very approachable. I got to St Paul's cathedral late for Stephen Cotterill's talk on Stanley Spencer's paintings of Christ in the wilderness which are in Perth, W.A. It was standing room only. To Suthwark cathedral for evensong - 4 cathedral chaplains were welcomed and Frank and Phillipa Millingotn were there to support the curate from St Mary Addington whose post has been deleted. Noble in B minor, William

One of my favourite feasts and a day at the cathedral. Liz to college. 10.30 a.m. Mass I was boat and Emmanuel was smoke - he is a pain. All in Latin. Choir sang Tallis, Victoria Mass O magnum mysterium and superb Holst Nunc Dimittis. Dubois Toccata. Time for tea with Jason then 12.30 Mass for religious/with Bishop Alan Hopes. I was acolyte with Andrew. Fr Alexander was cantor and Edward did a clever improvisation on Christ be our light. Nice lunch in hall and saw Miriam and had a long chat to nuns from Hayes, Middlesex - two Sister Marys one who knows Michael Barnes and the other had been in Oxford and is now 84. She taught history in Moscow University. Did some reading and to St Paul's bookshop for sale and tea with Liz at M & S. St Martin Anglican choir from Roath, Cardiff at Mass with their vicar - excellent Mawby and Will Todd - one of the best. Home to watch Art Deco icons, a Spanish Hollywood house in Devon and the Orient Express, also Make me a Muslim  

Swam 20 - chatted to Dave Cameron. The music group from Thornton Heath plays for Mass at Brixton prison every second week! He said Julie Henry was unwell. He had not heard much of Catenians. Also spoke to the little ginger lady - she is a Pentecostalist and worked at Lloyds bank at the Olympic village. Reading for course and set up charity standing orders. Claire came to get empty jars. Listened to evensong by Clare College from Aldeburgh parish church featuring Britten and Holst. To Rosemary and Lyn's for a very nice meal with champagne - fish pie. Both Lyn and I dropped off after the meal while Liz was showing ordination photos! They will be off to Sydney very soon. Liz gave me the book of the history of Belmont Abbey and Rosemary gave back the Minotaur programme.