The organist librarian

A quiet day with a strange ending. I went to Sainsbury's and got more boxers. Timpson's cannot fix my organ shoe. Watched Asian railways and Clive James in Cairo. Canon Christopher told me The Tablet letter had caused upset and I was not to serve for 2 weeks. I was astonished at this severity and bullying. I shall take 3 weeks off from the Cathedral. Yet again the behaviour has been outrageous. 

Mass at Addiscombe. Dennis came. He has resigned from Catenians. Watched Yorkshire steam railway and Asian railways with Michael Portillo. It was too wet to go to Croydon Minster organ recital. Got the car cleaned. Liz went to Stevenage to sing in Lourdes concert. At practice we started work on two anthems by Ian Brentnall Ave Maria and Bread of the world also learnt Willan in E flat Evening canticles.

Swim. Liturgical car crash at Mass at Thornton Heath. Reader starts to sing Alleluia, priest says firmly Praise to you, congregation start to sing Praise (Walsh) in at least 3 different pitches. Ouch! Reminder at start of homily No A word and no Gloria in Lent. Another builder came. To art and not many there. Bridgid and Steven lost their first grandchild and Pauline has not returned. To South London interfaith group lunch and discussion about the AGM. Prem played the guitar! I decided not to go to the talk about Coptic martyrs at the Oratory and returned home. We had a snow shower this morning! Watched Victoria and Albert, Chester Zoo, Thai railways.

To Mass at Addiscombe and an excellent homily from Fr Keith. At coffee afterwards had a good chat with Agnes. Watched programme about George Benjamin and his operas. Choral evensong from the Temple church. After the prayers we are suddenly plunged into a modern piece which appears not to be listed. Is it MacMillan? Pity not to have the Allegri. Gareth Tresedar contacted me. It was commissioned by the Temple last year.  It's about time Southern stopped using such long trains at quiet times. I missed my train because I could not get down the platform then the whole train pulled out. The back carriages were lit but locked. Why? It is not conserving energy. Going to Caterham first train late so just missed connection at Purley then a delay because of signals. I got there in the end but I can do without the stress. We sang Sweelinck Miserere and I played Andriessen on Aus der tiefe and Willan and Peeters on Aberystwyth. Now on buses going home.

Had a good chat to Ann on Skype using my new laptop. Very pleased that our grand niece is to be called Edie Olive - Mum would be delighted. To Mass at Addiscombe in the side chapel. Fr Keith spoke about children in church and described how Jacqueline was on the organ at Midnight Mass and Lewis fell over. In between verses of the carol she loudly announced "Will somebody pick up that child?". Fr Jackson got a birthday cupcake. There appeared to be a second verse of Happy birthday unknown to me! A quiet day some schools still have not sent details for the public speaking next week. They have had loads of time. Went to quiet time at St John's. Fr Daniel is off to Putney in May. Watched programme on V and A and University challenge. Pancakes for dinner.  # ROHcellistmixed superb beauty and wit. We are West Norwood picturehouse. Dances at a gathering Jerome Robbins simply marvellous and The Cellist is a most moving ballet. I was fortunate to attend Jacqueline Du Pre's la

Linda says it my best yet. Van Gogh Starry night. Took 3 sessions to grout. Next time I use bigger pieces! Need to find a good home for it!  Jonathan Rennert gave us a most enjoyable programme at St Michael Cornhill. The Franck chorals with 2 Stanley voluntaries. I liked the contrast in styles very much.  To Barbican to see photographs Masculinities. Lots of gay and black material. Films by women of men were interesting. Fascinating. Interesting that religion hardly got a mention.  To Museum of London new displays about Becket anniversary of his birth. Watched fascinating films of Londoners.  Art and Christianity talk On holy ground. Rupert Sheldrake on pilgrimage fascinating. Asked question about rebaptism in the Jordan. Met Charlie who is studying jazz at Guildhall and Anthony Weaver. 

We sang Howells My eyes for beauty pine. I played Ley on Down Ampney and Last movement and fugue from Mendelssohn Sonata no. 6. Transfiguration Sunday. No evensong today so caught up on emails. Finished the London jigsaw last night. 

Very good breakfast at IKEA and we found a dining room table. Now we need to dispose of our large one. To St John's for delightful Ensemble 26 concert Leclair, Schubert and Beethoven violin sonata. Nice chat to Ellie Fagg the violinist. Eleanor Meynell the pianist and Laurence her husband who sing in the Monteverdi choir. Brexit and USA making travel for musicians very difficult.  To Brook Green for the annual dinner of the Arch confraternity of St Stephen a good meal and excellent speech from Archbishop Bernard Longley who has to be my favourite bishop!  Enjoyed my swim this morning. Another builder came to look at our damp problems and garden wall. THis one actually went on the extension roof and reported water lying up there. 

To Mass at Thornton Heath with Liz and then art. I gave up on Mind body spirit the teacher was 25 minutes late so we would not have got a full hour at all. She is often late. To organists committee meeting and I am organising Arundel and Bayswater outings. The boys went home.  West Norwood picture House watching NT Cyrano de Bergerac live. The text delivery is amazing. A real tour de force but quite exhausting to follow. I was glad I was not in the theatre.  The Tablet published my letter about the cathedral choir.

Liz took the boys to see Sonic. I started the London landmarks jigsaw.  15 came to hear an illuminating talk by Raphael Wein from Stand with us. How to help the Israel/Palestine situation 1. Education 2.Support charities 3. Discuss respectfully 4. Get in touch with organisations in UK to give support and try to forge links with Israelis and Palestinians. I would add support the Christians in Israel and Palestine who are working for reconciliation. It was a most inspiring session. Good programme on Chinese community in UK.

The boys are chilling out listening to Harry Potter! To Croydon crem for funeral of Alan Barley. There were some fine tributes .I know Pauline from art group and only met Alan twice both of those occasions at the exhibition and we was so happy for Pauline. The reception was at Cricket for change opposite Bandon Hill cemetery. The real mystery was recognising a couple at the centre - he is called Peter Sellars but we could not work out where we had met! Fr Dominic rang about Christopher's bid. Barry Williams rang and had a long chat. The publicity for National Organ day at Caterham done. Watched the Queen's jewels, Only connect, Red arrows in America and Michelangelo. 

Mosaic not happening but seems they decided last week and I missed the info. Wallace collection lovely display of Indian paintings.  Benjamin Newlove played well at St Michael Cornhill but could not hear what he said. Please use a microphone. I also think if you are changing the first item in a programme you need to say so before playing! I was looking forward to Orb and Sceptre but we got Crown Imperial then some Harwood. The movements of the Elgar sonata were reversed. It is great to hear the big reeds but too much use of them is just that - too much!  Enjoyed Emma at Clapham picture house. Got to the Kirkham Cup at Westerham Golf club. Good to see so many there but only 5 speakers 2 of whom were previous provincial presidents, Sevenoaks hosted and won - a worthy winner. Good that Matt promoted the public speaking heat.

Horrible weather. We sang Fairest Lord Jesus arranged Martin How. I played Sidney Campbell Impromptu on a French church melody Grafton and the Dorian fugue. Met Vi Nightingale's daughter and son-in-law. She was 92 and still singing! Had to change socks and trousers on return home. Nice lunch ham hock and cabbage. At evensong we sang Psalm 148 with its line about wind and rain, Walmisley in D| minor and Bullock Give us the wings of faith. There was a meeting with Daniel, Andrew and Adrian about Trevor's funeral. Adrian said that as members of the choir we could not be asked not to sing the Faure but could we keep a low profile. Fr Daniel is to speak with Kathy. Spoke to Louise about it, My mobile working properly at last. 

In the end I took Henry swimming and he did well! They set off for Ireland despite wind and hurricane Dennis.  Cardinal Donald Wuerl at Mass. Huddersfield youth choir sang Haydn and Palestrina. Cardinal Vincent introduced him and the team did very well. He thanked all of us personally and I told him I had played the organ in the Anglican Washington cathedral but not the RC one. He is a controversial figure, Sunday  Horrible weather. We sang Fairest Lord Jesus arranged Martin How. I played Sidney Campbell Impromptu on a French church melody Grafton and the Dorian fugue. Met Vi Nightingale's daughter and son-in-law. She was 92 and still singing!  Storm Dennis definitely worse than last Sunday. Socks and trousers changed on reaching home and my spare socks in my rucksack were too wet to use when I reached church! Better start building the ark. Elaine was being bossy again! Liz upset about Trevor's funeral but Adrian confirmed we are singing on Thursday so the boys will go to Du

Rang Elaine and it was a breakdown in communication last Sunday. She will rehearse after our practice. Met Steve Murphy on Balham station - he had seen Meryl. Long chat to Des. To Foundling museum to see portraying maternity which was excellent. Watched secret life of the zoo and V and A museum. Dennis and Anne Marie brought fish and chips. Liz went to choir. Henry stayed the night. Tiger came to tea at least 3 times! Watched amazing play with 4 women on the rape of Artemisia. 

Picked up Henry at nursery and I was soon surrounded by little boys fascinated by no hair and hearing aids. Henry ate a lot and played ha ppily. He is staying overnight. He took a time to settle.  Took Henry to nursery - he slept right through after 3 Caterpillar video stories and 3 stories. He was keen to go on a bear hunt but I said the bear's asleep! Have ordered a new mobile phone.  First visit to St Matthew Bayswater a fine Walker organ and Charlie Warren played Widor 5 well. A friendly welcome. To Horniman museum Marilyn Harper played chamber organ. Norman on good form. Nuala was there and Jim Sands. Mass at the drome full choir Rubbra and Palestrina. Catholic creators UK addressed by actor Alex McQueen and author Piers Paul Read. Met Stephen Tsang.

Delightful lunch with Sue Albery.  800th meeting of Chichester circle at Chichester Park hotel excellent meal soup, fish, sorbet, pheasant, panna cotta, champagne and wine all for £36 and very good company. Hotel has a nice pool and spa. Met Josephine painter from L'Arche Bognor Regis. Bishop Richard and Tibkes.  Swim, jacuzzi and sauna, Full English beakfast, At Petworth House a lovely exhibition Skyscapes from the Ashmolean, a talk on Turner and Petworth and lovely photos of stars over the Sussex Downs. Met Kathy Edwards who worked at Battersea library in the 80s. We recalled Eric who was reference librarian. Love the Turners. Home by 4.

Search for my mobile phone in the street and note through letterboxes. The wind may have blown it down the drain! The Find my device app shows it in our road. Another session of grouting the mosaic and still not finished!. Samuel Ali played a lovely programme at St Michael Cornhill Lloyd Webber, CPE Bach, RVW and Stanford. A delight! Went to see Clare. Liz to maths. Only connect, University challenge, Mary Beard on the nude. 

Ghastly weather but at least the buses were running although I just missed a 407 coming home! I played Peeters and Willan on Song 1 and Gigout Toccata. We sang David Ogden's "Christ has no body now but yours". It seems Andrew Chadney had over a 100 at Munch with music so the potential for an event on National Organ day is there.  With dinner we had a Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 from near Cape Town on special offer at Lidl for £2.50! Watched University challenge. First thing on reaching home trousers and socks changed! Watching Great pottery throw down. Keble College Oxford evensong featured Lennox Berkeley and Parry. No way am I driving to Christ Church Dulwich this evening for the organ recital in this weather!  At evensong Statham in E minor and Philip Ledger Loving shepherd of thy sheep. Psalm 4 to Bairstow chant.  Call the midwife and the Great pottery throw down continue to delight. BBC on Picasso very interesting. Up early Monday searching for my mobile which must hav

New hob installed. Delightful saxophone quartet River City saxes at St John Upper Norwood. Including a Geordie hinny arrangement by James Rae. Acolytes at Mass and blessing of the sick for Our Lady of Lourdes with the Cardinal. Two hours! Some new music from the cantor and choir. I liked the Magnificat setting and Nun danket Karg-Elert. Tea at Pret and Mass with Fr Daniel. Callum played Howells Rhapsody at the end. Pretty tired a lot of standing holding things!

Swim, Alan Tree surgeon came, more work on computer. To St Michael Bedford Park. Stephen Farr is one of our best players. So why not use the microphone 🎤 system as most of the 30 present are elderly? I heard very little of what he said. I have heard the MacMillan Gaudeamus in loci pace before. I don't think it works as music. It just sounds gimmicky to me. Byrd, Bruhns, Walther, Guilain and JSB all ideal for this organ but it was all rather esoteric? And the clock was ticking loudly not noticed that before! So I am a bit disappointed. Quiet afternoon welcoming at the Drome. My children's guides are being amalgamated into a larger children's guide. To Tate Britain to see Baroque Britain lots of lovely ladies and wigs. Gorgeous picture of exotic birds. Miniatures which glamorise William III and Anne! Ate at Breadline café. Mary Poppins is brilliant singing, sets, production. Wow! Petula Clark was the bird woman in Mary Poppins! What a show! Prince Edward theatre. We had

To South London Islamic Centre for interfaith harmony breakfast. Being in the centre of Streatham it was particularly poignant and I read a Sikh prayer. Bishop Christopher spoke really well and told us what he had told the Lords on Monday about Streatham community. Unfortunately some people talk too much. To art and first layer of Henry portrait. Catriona application started. She is going to Iona! Public speaking list sent out. Did not go to Gresham lecture. Working on new laptop.  Enjoyed the programme behind the scenes at the V and A - the Dior display was stunning! Ed Balls gave us some good insights on France and Italy. Wrote submission about the cathedral music situation.

To Tooting to get my data transferred to a new external drive to use with my new laptop. I highly recommend Ink Cartridge Warehouse 166 MItcham Road and the whole thing only cost £70! Mass at the drome with Fr Michael. Quiet day with Michael - 9 there. So glad it is continuing! Signed a card for Joan. To RA for Picasso and paper - some lovely work in the early periods. A genius. HIs fascination with bulls and David and Bathsheba. To Allen Hall for the lecture by Fr John Hemer which was outstanding - the link between OT and NT. Met Jacob from the US, David, Andrew and Rosemary. Lovely compline and the chapel looks lovely.

Henry came for 2 hours. We both went to East Dulwich picturehouse to see Porgy and Bess from the Met. Super production and cast, the chorus were amazing!

To Death cafe and evensong where we sang Byrd and Whitlock. Richard played Bossi Scherzo. Crib down. Call the midwife good. Programme on nude in art followed by study of being naked with strangers. . Grouted half of Van Gogh mosaic.I hate grouting. Peter Wright at St Michael Cornhill such musical Bach! What a joy! Vierne Feux follets with score - amazing piece! SPIDIR commitee pretty dull. 

Candlemas is one of my favourite feasts. Mass for religious with the Cardinal followed by lunch. Great to chat to John Hemer and met several very interesting nuns. Tents of meeting for Year of the Word a study of the psalms, did a picture and listened to Peter Cowling on his polyptych. To Peter Jones for a new laptop and tea. Fr Rajiv at Mass and Armand did very well first time as thurifer. Returned home laden with bags containing laptop and unsold pictures. Played Bach Mit Fried und Freud, Andrew Moore Light of nations and Dubois Toccata. We sang Nunc Dimittis to Dyce chant.. The lighting of candles twice took ages. The uniformed organisations were there in strength. Linda's dog ill so just Elaine. Peregrine gravely ill in hospital cancer has spread.