The organist librarian

To Bedford Park for start of the festival. Oxbridge organ duo were fun. Ad Wammes worked well, the Wesley was a bit too long. Briggs on Veni creator Welcoming at cathedral and met 2 nice Americans and new shop manager. She is keen to produce children's guides. To Tate Britain to see Frank Bowling. Artists who pour paint on canvases do not impress. The photos and films by Joanna Pietrowska are wierd. A film of a hand stroking another arm and hand felt repulsive where it should be a tender gesture! Choir practice Tallis too slow and such a strain. Alan complained of loud singing from the tenors and David is loud but it was Brewer in D with top Gs! Louise and the boys arrived. Finished printing the memoir of John East and the prayers for Liz. Sir Stephen Cleobury and Sir Simon Russell Beale! 

Woke early. Mass. Kelsey Park and sketching birds. To Bromley PC to hear William Fox from St Paul's cathedral play Whitlock, Ad Wammes, Elgar, Mozart, Byrd and Bach. An interesting recital.Dennis brought Henry down and train to Shepherd's Bush. Nice tea and waffle at Le Pain and great to see Bruce, Emma and one daughter and boyfriend. The boys liked the Chester Zoo guidebook and soon started drawing! Home to watch Professional bakers and Walks of life featuring Quakers and Iron bridge. 

Snow! Superb playing at Bloomsbury Baptist by Thomas Trotter. Bach,Wammes and Elgar sonata. Organ club there in force. Watched Michael Portillo in Georgia and Azerbaijan. Also Civilisations with Simon Schama. Emails about public speaking.       Played Brahms O God thou faithful God and Herzliebster Jesu and we sang Ah holy Jesus. Took hot water bottle to warm my hands! No service tonight which is a relief as the buses take an hour each way.                                            

Daniel Moult played brilliantly at Bromley Parish church - about 50 there and nice cakes! Jean Francaix's Suite Carmelite interested me. It is 6 portraits of Carmelite nuns. I know a nun just like No. 4 - rushing about and constantly chatting with little apparent conclusion! I drove there behind an old lady going at 20 mph. On the way back no less than 8 drivers waved their thanks as i waited for them. Courtesy is not dead! Sme work in the garden. Played Elgar on the piano - Salut d'amour, Chanson de matin, Enigma variations. Fr Jerry wants to discuss Shona taking practice on first Sundays. Emailed and have deputy organised. A couple of singers withdrew - everybody is making excuses. Barry Williams thinks St Michael's behaved very badly and Coulsdon not much better. Watched Sewing Bee, Venice and Versailles programmes. Upstart Crow about Shakespeare is funny. 

To Bromley Parish church for Daniel Moult's recital. Gave out posters for Beckenham recitals and some said they would come! Daniel's programme lacked any real meat - it was all flashy like he is! Mozart, Bach, Liszt, Wammes and Dupre. I suppose the only reflective piece was the Bourgeois variations on a theme by Howells. Went on Chislehurst to get 2 scrolls for the new brothers from John Macmahon. Ironed short sleeve shirts and worked on recital programmes. In the end the printer disconnected again. I got it right eventually juggling A4 and A5 and scissors and paste job. Now I need Daniel and David to send their choices. Saw Dennis before he went back to Salford, He goes to Ireland for Dylan's confirmation this week.  Watched Antiques road show and programme on Georgian kings.

On buses and tram to Wimbledon for a free organ recital given by David Gammie and others to celebrate the centenary of the Walker organ in Sacred Heart church. Bach Passacaglia and Ad Wammes Miroirs, Widor. Nice to have the screen. Soler duet and Robert Ampt's Variations on Waltzing Matilda for 4 feet. Nice cake like an organ and wine in the hall. I told David Gammie I had met Robert Ampt and Amy but he didn't seem very interested. Andrew Cessana was there.

Hoovered downstairs and Liz went to the cathedral and evensong at St John's. To St Paul's cathedral crypt for talk on ordinary time by Paula Gooder - excellent. I commented on worship and LCD making the ordinary dull and comparing with the extraordinary in a cathedral. Brought in Andrew Carwood's comment on singing from the heart. Michael Redman was there. To St Barnabas Ealing for organ festival on Hill organ brought from Southsea. Some variable playing and big screen. Chris Eastwood was outstanding in Bach, Wammes and Reger. Paul Ayres own piece Fantasia 150 was the best part of his slot. Mendelssohn Sonata No. 3 rather thick sound and second movement too fast. John Hudson seemed lacking inconfidence - his Bach was cautious. Easthope Martin Evensong with tremulant not to my taste. Guy Eldridge pieces showed off the soft stops. Tea in garden and chatted. Edward Tambling now has a moustache and his performance was a bit offhand. If you are going to play Rhosymedre you must ...