Doaui and Stonor
Drama when Liz heard Sr Jean calling out and she had pulled
the emergency chord which only let off an alarm in the corridor. She had caught
her arm between the bath and the disabled handle. Fire engine and ambulance
came and 7 people emerged from her room while Martin Foster and I looked on. I
went downstairs to let the emergency services in through the night door.
Fortuanately the gates were open. Monks could not be raised but at 4 a.m. Jean
did get taken to A and E by Br Finbarr.
Tuesday was a full day starting with Lauds in St Mary’s
church and sung Mass with John Rowntree on the organ. Martin Foster introduced
us to English proper settings based on chant and after lunch workshop on
Farrell and a Mass based on Shaker melodies by Wood. Dom Gervaise spoke on
Latin? Rehearsed Latin vespers and the singing was much better tonight. Good
food. Listened to more Radio 4 programmes on Shakespeare. I cannot get internet
on the laptop.
Wednesday 7 a.m. Lauds and then to Mass. After breakfast a
tour of the splendid library opened by Rowan Williams with a fien selection of
portraits and section on liturgical music and especially strong on history. More
examples of English propers – Dom Romauld Simpson’s and John Rowntree’s
arrangements of Taize and other ideas. Interesting talk by Allan Doig on
acoustics. Dom Alexander McCabe rehearsed Latin vespers. After lunch to Stonor
– quite a long drive in convoy and we went wrong at one point! Took Dom Anthony
from Worth and Sr Anna from Quiddenham. Rehearsal then tour – fascinating
religious treasures and Edmund Campion room. Lovely Rubens picture and some
Italian art and silhouettes. Met Lady Camoys at tea – charming and very chatty.
Vespers went well and a good homily by Dom Aidan Bellinger from Downside. On
way back, visited Maharaja’s Well 19th century built by Maharajah of
Benares. Lovely drive. Dropped off Dom Anthony at Pangbourne. After dinner
compline and listened to last Shakespeare talks.
Thursday 7 a.m. Lauds and Mass. John Ainslie has arrived.
More examples fop ropers from Guy Nicholls, John Ainslie and Alexander McCabe
of Ampleforth – some more successful than others. In the late afternoon I
skipped the discussions to enjoy an hour on the fine Tickell organ which was
ideal for Couperin. Having given Dom Sebastian Wolff of Buckfast a recital
programme he invited me to his room in the monastery to see his organ music. He
is a dear and lovely to chat to. I have been reading Francis Jackson’s book –
how poor they were on £400 a year! After supper there was wine with the community
and Compline. When I was playing a young man called James came and chatted
about going to Heythrop -he has a fine
tenor voice!
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