Timothy Penrose and Ben Bloor

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 John. Liz was upset at Rebecca training the boys as mitre and crozier. I was book which of course Bishop John does not use for the confirmation itself! Vaughan schola sang. Watched Julian Bream at the BBC - he was born in Battersea and started on jazz guitar at his grandma's pub near St Mary's which is no more. Also saw a bit of "West is West" and Morecambe and Wise at home.