The organist librarian

Watched quite a lot of the ordination at Plymouth cathedral. The Cardinal spoke particularly well. Good to see Brian and Fr Paul taking part. Music was OK too. 

Confirmation that I can play St Thomas New York in October and accommodation booked. Watched Portillo in Surrey, Great interior design challenge, Restoration house, catching up on Songs of Praise. 

Slept in as exhausted! To Streatham Hill for lunch and reported on upcoming events. Ken brought the leaflet from the Holocaust ceremony which I missed on Sunday - says it was good. Discussion on spirituality and restorative justice. 

Set off early and first train was delayed - problem with doors. I just got the train at Willesden so was there in time to take over from Louise. We went to Tamar's - only got charged £3 this time! It was wet and Liz went back to Trailfinders with Sean. I took Ciaran to swimming and he was excellent and came out at the right time so had a chocolate muffin. To ENO and secret seat at side of dress circle so able to see Gardner's dynamic conducting. All the cast and chorus were excellent and the orchestra thrilling. I had shivers down my spine in the storm interlude and that doesn't happen so often. This score is becoming more and more familiar and revealing many hidden glories. Spotted James O'Donnell in the stalls being a little camp. Also spoke to Debbie briefly. Home to NJ and bus to Selhurst to get car - home by 11.30. Left hat behind! 

To St Paul's Knightsbridge for BBC Singers open rehearsal. Debbie was singing and spotted some Prommers. The 4 pieces were diverse and the most inspiring was "All nature has a feeling" by Mantas Savickis. Ben Parker's The Affects of a butterfly using wordless sounds throughout was just odd. Rubens Askenars Cuerpos Futuros featured wa was and some fine singing. Anne-Marie O'Farrell "Skimming Stones" was spoilt by a silly refrain but had some fine singable lines. Matthew Hamilton conducted. We left before the performance so missed the 2 new organ works. I had to get back as Harry picked me up at 5.45 but it took ages to get through Bromley and we missed the prayers at provincial council. I handed over the banners. Liz went to Trailfinders about the October trip. Watched Wild Burma.

I have started to record sleep patterns including what I eat and drink before going to bed. Last night watched a bit of the interior design challenge which was interesting and University challenge. I very much enjoyed the confirmation class on "Who is God for you?" Some were dumbfounded by the question and expressed confusion. Others were quite clear and spoke of reading the Bible and prayer. My group even spoke about studying science and whether that led away from God. I dreamed about playing for midnight Mass at St Mary's West Croydon with no preparation and numerous books to carry. The choir including Pam and Tony launched into Stainer's God so loved the world and then there was a Hindi song which went on for ever - all very odd. Paul M was there too! For some reason there were no organ voluntaries or carols! All this meant no swim again. 

To mosaic and tai chi ( a new member from Italy and a good turnout). Nice lunch. I was supposed to go to West London synagogue yesterday for the service but took a rest instead - seem to be tired. Had a wierd dream about somebody kissing the Queen at a meeting - outrageous! Washing machine is fixed and Dennis's roof has been checked and all is in hand. Weather turned wet again. 

Played Peeters and Willan on Song 1 and Thiman on Thornbury to mark Week of prayer for Christian Unity which has been very low key this year. Also Walther on Jesu meine freude. I started indexing Alan's music and found some treasures by Whitlock and Tallis. Got quite cold in church! The storm last night caused damage to the roof at Glyn Close - probably lightning. Nice lunch and Liz sorting out under the stairs. Clare came yesterday to get the cutting about the Pope and breastfeeding from The Tablet. Interesting programme on Hidden Kingdoms in the woods and Songs of Praise featuring a church changed into a soft play area. Programme on Toye family of regalia makers and Fake or Fortune on Constable. Enjoyed Call the midwife and watched Christmas lecture about cells.

To All Saints West Dulwich for Tim's funeral which started at 12 noon. We got there early and the service lasted 2 hours. It was touching and the singing was splendid both from the church choir and the choir of friends. Ian Partridge spoke. James Bowman, Peter Wright, Stephen Disley, lay clerks and the Tobins with Colin Mawby from the cathedral. Norman Harper played Wesley. We heard some of Tim's music and Edgar Bainton, Byrd, Wesley and Purcell. It was all splendidly done but with a human touch catching Tim's eccentricity. Liz stayed for the buffet but I went to Bloomsbury Baptist where I heard John Peacham talking about German chorale preludes and their use. After tea Ben Bloor played brilliantly. He is to be scholar at the cathedral. Wills, Bach, Karg-Elert, and Farrington. I doubt if he will play Bolcom on Amazing Grace at the cathedral. His technique is brilliant and he looks like a schoolboy. He plays in flat shoes which look like sneakers! Confirmation by Bishop Joh...

To Sanderstead and Rene Barrett had sorted out David's booklets for me so I chose a lot about London and Surrey for possible circle walks. We had tea and a good chat. Liz had gone up early to the theatre and I parked at Norwood Junction and just got there for 6 p.m. Spamalot was hilarious and very well done. Laughed a lot. I can just imagine Paul and Dennis and Ann at the show especially as one of the characters was called Dennis. Loved the jokes about the guards. Watched Birds of a feather and An Island Parish and Naples cuisine and art. 

Swam 12 as I was late. Liz went off to college. I finished first draft of the article for Xavier. Also finished reading Mark Barrett's Crossing. To St John Smith Square to hear Martin Baker. Excellent Bach and de Grigny. Effective Reger and a sparkling improvisation on a jumpy theme! Apparently he was not too well  -you would not have guessed it. It was good having the screen. The Klais is very fine and a reasonable audience. To Royal Academy to see Sensing Spaces. Fascinating use of light and natural materials by architects. It was great to see the film and to be able to interact on IPads. I loved the Japanese use of cedar wood for the scent and light and the lovely forest with birchwood. Also being able to climb up to the ceiling of the grand rooms. I am considering not renewing my membership of the Friends - the tea room was very crowded again. To National Gallery to see the Vuillard - his technique is fascinating. One tends to miss him against all the Monets and Seurat. To tea...

To cathedral early to serve at Mgr Ralph Brown's funeral attended by several bishops and the cardinal. I was crosier so was able to congratulate Archbishop Vincent on getting the red hat. John his chaplain remarked on the Pope's letter and the need to pray for him in his new service. Michael was quite scathing about Pope Francis so I pointed out that everybody I meet praises him! The choir sang Victoria Requiem mass. Lots of priests there and a very nice lunch in the hall. Came home to go on Global Net webinar with Andy Love MP. Liz took washing up to Dennis's as our washing machine broke down. I was back at the cathedral for evensong sung by St Paul's cathedral. Taverner Coll Reg canticles which are effective and Arabic in feel. Malcolm Boyle Thou O God. I saw Martin Ball. I looked for Liz's hat but didn't go in the common room instead went to Pret. Ismaili centre for 7.30 reception and lecture by Prof Zakar on Muhammad's life. A large audience - Jon dal D...

To Bethnal Green for day on dealing with conflict in faith communities and interfaith. We filled 3 sheets of causes and came up with some useful tools Stop, Acknowledge, Move forward is good. Only 3 Muslims there but it was good. Siriol only came for a short time. I bought another fridge magnet. To Royal Academy for Bill Woodrow - interesting ideas. To Mass which followed Mgr Ralph Brown's body being brought into the lady chapel. Fintan Phelan was there. Then to confirmation on Whoa re you? The ice breaker went well and I was impressed by the group. Saw Mark Nash and congratulated him on moving to Southwark! Tuesday Mgr Brown's funeral attended by cardinal and bishops. Congratulated Archbishop Vincent. Nice to see Canon Jim Pannett. Nice lunch. Saw Fr Tim Dean and sent greetings to Pam Winters via Philip Dean. Don Farino was there. Washing machine broken so Liz went up to Dennis's. I took part in webinar with Andy Love MP.

At evensong we sang Murrill in E and I waited for the Lord and Adrian played Mendelssohn 3 - always a treat! Listened to Robert Quinney live from Peterborough cathedral playing the Wedge, CPE Bach, Brahms, Francis Pott and Elgar sonata - excellent. Put Bruce and EJ's photo in the clock. Advertised events on Face Book and webinar. 

A simple communion service led well by Stephen so no Sanctus and Agnus. 4 in choir as Phillipa joined us. I started going through Alan's music and brought home Nutcracker suite and Grieg Wedding day and lots of Bach which I enjoyed playing on the piano. I have agreement to sell the unused scores.  Found an interesting voluntary on Diademata by Barry Ferguson, played Bach New Year's day prelude, Stanford on Gartan and Les cloches by le Begue. Very nice roast duck and red cabbage for lunch with wine. Evensong was from Salisbury and The Choir mentioned Tim Penrose. 

Posted parcel to Jersey and returned incorrect frame for graduation photo. I was early at Charing Cross so went to see the Titians in the National Gallery. Met at Starbucks Octave group - first meeting. 6 came and John organised it. Looked at the Buddhist laon terracotta in British museum then to Friends house off St Martin's Lane to see slides of "objective" art  and a video of dancers. Liked the Leonardo and Blake and Chartres but not the Sphinx. No story, just the face trying to express the divine through the human. It is was well done but we could have talked about how objective art can be. Interesting lady who is Orthodox and works at Trinity Hospice. Decided to come home and joined up for  meetups so I can post my events. Practised with the boys while Liz and Julie dealt with the confirmation candidates who were enrolled at Mass. Vaughan girls sang Vaughan Williams and Terry Mass very well. Fr Paolo on good form. Gave mosaic to Fr Michael who is moving to Chelsea. ...

Set off to Selhurst. As I was backing into the parking place which I have done 1000s of times knocked the bumper of a BMW. I was so cross as I do not think he left me enough space but I can't prove that he did not move back. I was shocked at how cross I was. The upshot was that he rang today and I agreed to pay £200 directly to the mechanic rather than involve insurance - I would have to pay £150 any way. I am usually calm in these circumstances but I suppose I was recalling incidents when others have knocked my car and spoken of gentleman's agreements and then one finds they have given false details. To Clapham Picture house to see The Railway Man (only £4.50!) That certainly put a small knock to a bumper in context. Such appalling treatment of prisoners of war but then came the reconciliation which was very moving. Colin Firth and Nichole Kidman acted out their silent encounters so well. Definitely a must see picture although I can see why Liz did not want to go. Liz went ov...

No nursery so took both boys to see Tamar and they enjoyed it. Seán did most of it walking! We had lunch at Watermans very nice korma and I went off to the interfaith group meeting with Jeremy Rodell a humanist. 10 came including 2 newcomers. He was very clear and answered questions well. Met Liz at the Duck, Battersea and we had our free pizzas (compensation for the Cow at Cambridge). Home to watch Question of Sport. Thursday back to swimming and did 20 and my right knee felt much better. To Addiscombe for John Fitzgerald's funeral and sat with 2 Brendans. Fr Joe said Hello and was OK. Nice eats and Brendan was telling us about life in Archbishop's house.

Tuesday to Whitechapel Idea store for Christian/Muslim forum Conversations. Muslims heavily outnumbered so paired with Jackie and we discussed violence and suffering. She taught Muslim students. It was interesting and good that it was held there although the library was not publicising it. To Whitechapel gallery - Kader Attia's take on a library - the light of Jacob's ladder, Elizabeth Price's film At the house of Mr X was intriguing. The Damn braces: Bless relaxes display seemed very muddled. To Somerset House to see Quietus which is underground and consists of funerary urns and coffins. Stanley Spencer's murals from the Sandham chapel are most interesting. Met one of my class there. To Pret and then to Vespers and Mass. The boys sang Jeremy de Satge's Westminster Mass which used the chimes but it didn't really work very well. Hurford's Litany was beautifully sung. I dashed to St Paul's Knightsbridge for free BBC singers live concert of early music con...

Monday to mosaic (I was late as trains were delayed). Worked out lettering on 4 blocks. Tai chi was good - my right knee still twinging. Train to Crawley and straight on bus to the hospital. Philip pleased to see me and I gave him a mosaic. Physios were assessing him so I went for a coffee and muffin and when I returned his sister was there. He spoke quite clearly at times and is moving on to thickened liquids. I was amused at Mary trying to stop him writing. He now has a small radio - they can't get digital there! I left at 4.30 straight on a bus and train to Victoria. Met Liz at Pret. Power was off for new street lights. First confirmation session and met everyone. Julie took register and cash upstairs so I went round the room introducing myself. Fr Paolo is very good and clear and I am looking forward to the sessions. I was impressed by the young people. Eugene is among them. Watched film on Mandela. 

Played Christ the Lord to Jordan came of Bach both versions in Clavierubung. Found a box at church for the organ music which I am selling and also had a first look at Alan's organ music - he must have spent a fortune! Watched Christmas university challenges and some Christmas Songs of Praise. How can O holy night be the nation's favourite above In the bleak - it's not even a congregational carol! Evensong Stanford in B flat and There shall a star of Mendelssohn. To Christ's chapel Dulwich for a joint recital by the Harpers in memory of Tim Penrose and also the organ builder Bill Drake. Purcell, Wesley (which didn't work so well with the tuning), Buxtehude, Bach, Nigel Ogden. Vincent Nicholls is to be Cardinal - brilliant! 

Had a lie-in reading MacCulloch History of Christianity which is excellent! Found another box in shed containing front room photos and decorations. Spent ages choosing 52 photos to be printed off very cheaply by Starfish. Missed train as I had forgotten my hearing aids and there was a delay getting parked. Dashed to cathedral and just ready in time. Picked up the cope to put on Fr Michael Q and was informed it was not a feast day. I said "Oh really?" Of course Baptism of the Lord is a feast day! As I went to put the cope back they left for vespers which I thought very rude as I always go to vespers. Any way rehearsed acolytes and communion torches with the 4 youngsters. It transpired Fr M had hurt his shoulder and I had to carry the gospel book for him. Peter played Jupiter from the Planets brilliantly at the end. John East met us and we found Cafe Rouge was being rebuilt so we walked to Uno and had a lovely Italian meal. I had pizza with asparagus and tiramisu. We showed hi...

Peter has posted his last post in Hills of the North rejoice! He will be much missed. 2500 posts is impressive.

Thursday Liz was off to college. I took part in an interesting Webinar on Public service commissioning. I got petrol and took down Dennis's few decorations. We now only have Christmas trees to put away! To Clapham Picturehouse for Mandela the long walk to freedom - a moving film excellently acted and directed. Friday to St Matthew's for an interesting session in denominational differences. I spoke on RCs, there were Anglicans, Church Army, Methodist, Salvation Army, Moravians, Baptist and Charismatic. Had a chat to Howard the retired hospital chaplain. I observed an interesting discussion between Steve and Lesley. Shocked to hear that Tim Penrose had died suddenly - pneumonia.

Tuesday went to Acton to get her hair cut and she was fine. I went to Holloway Road to the Dialogue society for the first time for a Faith Matters meeting with military chaplains. The Anglican chaplain did not show but we heard from the first imam now MBE and very impressive he was too. Hugo Clarke of the Curzon Institute challenged us on how we should commemorate WW1 centenary this year focusing on commonwealth soldiers. The discussion was rather dominated by some Jews and somebody wanting humanist chaplains. The Dutch idea of interfaith chaplains does not appeal - RCS would not like it nor would Muslims. Only 1% of the force declare a faith but my point is that chaplains do serve all. I got a bus to Finsbury Park, tube and train to Acton where they were watching the awful Nigella Lawson. Wed babysat Sean and took him to Acton church playgroup. I did go in the church but the person on duty scowled at me so I left. We had lunch at Osterley garden centre and they played on the soft pla...

We had delicious croissants for breakfast and then Liz started her fast and nasty stuff to take. She went to CCCJ meeting at West London synagogue. I went back to tai chi (there was no mosaic) and it was good to be doing the soft exercises again. Took down decorations in hall, porch and dining room. To Catenians and Willie was there so Frank signed the scrolls and they and the mosiacs were presented. 19 there but no visiting gents but a very pleasant meeting. Tuesday up early and took Liz to Shirley Oaks and she had the colonoscopy which included biopsies - nothing found so far. I watched Wanted down under and read papers and the Tablet.

I played Buxtehude and Gade on How brightly shines and we sang O worship the Lord, As with gladness, Unto us a son is born, O thou who camest and Brightest and best. Worked on Christ the Lord to Jordan came and some other pieces. Interesting programme on 17th century writers including Newton at Woolthorpe and the Puritan Josselin. Nice butternut squash curry for lunch. The St JOhn's epiphany carols had a lot of good hymns and only 4 choral items viz Howells Coll reg Nunc, Holly and the Ivy arr Walford Davies, Three kings and Gardener Tomorrow shall be with Fr John on tambourine! Home to John Smiths and Antiques roadshow and Sherlock part 2 which was very clever.

Saturday Put prices and condition on organ music list and chat to Bruce. Epiphany Fr Alexander celebrated smoke vespers and Mass. Fr Michael Durand is moving away as is Fr Augustine (Walsingham!). We went to Clapham Junction as we had a voucher for the Duck as a result of the Cambridge disaster but it was very crowded and noisy so we went to Buono Sera - excellent Italian food - a bit noisy but very convivial. On getting home watched Little Fokkers which was hilarious. It was Ed's birthday and he played very well as usual. 

Up at 6 a.m. and took Bruce and EJ to the station. They had quite a bit more than they came with! We went over to Acton via Willesden junction. I fell asleep on the sofa and the family went to the park. After a nice lunch we took Ciarán to see  Cloudy with a  chance of meatballs 2 cartoon at Watermans and we all enjoyed it. Very clever use of food. When Tom came home we came home. Friday Liz took me to Leigham Court Road and I was early at Streatham health centre. Saw audiologist and my tubes were blocked with wax which is also causing the whistling. Any way both hearing aids are now back in action. Liz went to doctors, took the car to have window mechanism and brake light fixed and saw Josie in the home. I added prices and condition details to the list of surplus organ music. Shocked to hear John Helen's wife Sue died just after Christmas due to a blood clot so sent him a card. He used to be a Catenian. To Charing Cross theatre which is under the station for excellent musica...

Watched Matthew Bourne's version on TV - very well done! Woke up early as had to be up at 6 to take EJ and Bruce to station. They should be home by 10.15.

Woke at 6 still coughing and cold in head. Liz went to Mass at Anerley. A small piece of tooth came out of the socket yesterday so I did the warm water salt treatment. Still using Bruce's cough rememdy and cough mixture. Dennis rang. The fireworks last night were fantastic. Watched Vienna philharmonic concert conducted by Barenboim. I have now listed all the spare organ music (at long last!) It strikes me how some tunes like St Hugh and St Bride have gone right out of favour. Nice meal with Bruce and EJ - they have enjoyed their stay. Watched second part of Ben Fogle and James Cracknell in the Arabian desert. Delicious Christmas cake made by Liz and roulade.