The organist librarian

Organists visit to Union Chapel Islington and a most interesting concert saxophone and organ. Colin Matthews and Naomi Sullivan. Good to meet one of the composers Andrew Glover-Whitley. The piece was about ravens so tried to draw some. 3 pictures from the Breda at the Estorick which I sketched. Modigliani and Campigli. Excellent Westminster cathedral interfaith group meeting. Dr Irina Bradley on icons The family is holy and Rita on Sufis and the family. Alan Rainer spoke. 12 there. Took Dennis to film on Newman. 

Swam and Stuart at Mass. This must be one of my favourite gospels. Zechariah's incredulity mirrors Thomas. At the funeral of Jim Fitzpatrick MC at East Grinstead his silver medal of the Guild of St Stephen was placed on the coffin, the second reading was the martyrdom of Stephen and the prayer of the Guild was read at the end. He came to Catenian Six provinces Mass at Westminster cathedral and attended the annual servers Mass at Arundel cathedral. The parish priest described him as big,lovely, gruff! May he rest in peace. Father Brown on TV again - great! Seen it before but it is really great. I went to quiet time but head full of carols! Carol service at St John Caterham Valley went really well. We sang In the bleak midwinter Darke and Rutter Nativity carol and Shepherds Pipe carol. 17 in the choir and it was lovely to have Louise Maher and the boys there. Mulled wine and mince pies. I cam back on the train with Alan Rainer. Good to start a relationship with Sacred Hear...

Carol service discussed with Fr  Jerry Garton . All well.  Ann- Marie Woodhouse and Henry came to Beckenham circle pub lunch at Eden Park delicious roast and pud. To Acton and boys in bed at 8.15. Listening to Brahms on radio 3. Liz at servers council with cakes.  The opera exhibition at V and A is fab! The Duke of Kent was there. Science museum has an interesting display on science and photography in India. Excellent session on welcoming at the cathedral. 25 came to hear  Alan Rainer   on failure of British education and Irina Bradley on icons. Lovely birthday dinner at Cote with  Louise Maher  the boys and  Dennis Woodhouse .  From Acton to art. Dentist checkup but just a clean £20. To Alexandra Palace for Donald Mackenzie on the organ for 1949 colour film London's river playing Fantasy on British sea songs and The Navigator. Buster Keaton at his funniest.

Swam 20, grouted 3 mosaics and then to St Michael Cornhill for Kevin Bowyer's recital which was not Widor 5 but some interesting smaller items. I wish recitalists would use the microphone! Bought wood and cut it to patch up bottom of shed. Very hot! Had a chat to Ann and they had found Frank  William Woodhouse at Canberra ANZAC museum and sent great photos. Both went to iftar at Notting Hill Unitarian small Sufi group nice chanting and hot food, Habib and Alan were there. Home by 11.30 and slept downstairs.

Swam 24. A  varied day. Guiding confirmation candidate's families from Hounslow round the cathedral, then outside Westminster Abbey in the rain for Co-exist pilgrimage and heard the Dean of Coventry in St Margaret's Westminster. To Alistair Hardy society meeting on educating the whole person with Alan Rainer and Mariann then to St Paul's cathedral with Alan and Liz to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury  speak about a good Lent - very Benedictine and thoughtful and practical!

Tuesday to Clapham picturehouse for 11 a.m. relay from the Met thrillingly conducted by James Levine in a wheelchair. The intensity of playing was amazing considering the opera last 6 hours with intermissions. The cast were excellent. Johann Botha has a fine tenor voice but is unfortunately rather large so his acting is minimal. There are many touching moments but I found the Wach auf chorus in the last act very moving having sung it in the Chorus (in the foyer of the Festival Hall). and so soon after Jean Taylor so sadly died. The glorious ending and I think the whole cast should hace had a curtain call. It's not just about the principals wonderful as they are! To Acton and Tom cooked a lovely meal. Watched The Apprenitce final 5. Wednesday we all went to school to see Ciaran as Joseph in the nativity. He was so charming and cute and said his lines very clearly and joined in the singing. Seán was on good form and enjoying having Mummy home although she had ...

Tuesday to St Ethelburga's for conversations in the tent. After lunch Angharad talked about conflict so the session with the London interfaith group went on to 4. Kirit was there and Phiroza. I came home and then to Farm Street for Age to the church in need service for Syria. Oratory choir sang Allegri, Byrd and Lotti and we had benediction in Latin. Steven was there and Fr Dominic thanked us for coming. One tenor and a boy who sang top C stuck out. To Acton and watched end of the Great British sewing bee. Wednesday tried Acton parish church but it was locked so took Sean to Acton park café. We all went to Gunnersbury Park and had lunch there and enjoyed the playgrounds. Liz stayed overnight and I came home to take part in a webinar with Matthew Scott about resilient communities. I had fun with the  buggy twice getting the straps back in place! Bruce arrived unexpectedly and I went to art class and drew 4 bottles in charcoal. To Notting Hill Unitarian church for Alan Rainer's...