The organist librarian

The last time I was at Caterham was Vi's funeral 11/3. Last time at the cathedral 29/2. Could be months before we go back. Last time I received communion 11 March at Dulwich circle. Monday 30th 3 more sessions with Ian. I still have not finish my drawing of the face. As I will have to use oils there is no hurry. Faith in isolation was excellent. Watched final of Only connect, University challenge and Aubrey Beardsley with Mark Gatiss. Will not see the Tate exhibition I guess. Act 1 of Butterfly from Swedish opera with an excellent tenor and modern production. Jim Connolly died and Tom Tannion wrote and Arthur Hughes rang so had a good chat. Recorded Passiontide hymns and pieces by Henry Coleman. Jennifer Bate died a sad loss. Today was the funeral of Archbishop Peter Smith. We would have been singing in the choir. Excellent homily by John Wilson.  He was an approachable pastor and a man of principle. He came to judge the Catenian Province 7 public speaking competition and there w...

Set off to go to Whitechapel idea store to be interviewed by Zara but she cancelled so the plan to visit the boys fell away. However I really enjoyed Richard Hall's playing at Wallbrook. He included Walton, Parry, Vaughan Williams and Howells with Vivaldi, Handel and Vierne  - an excellent programme. Prepared Celtic prayers for next Friday and watched Australian Come dine with me. To Brook Green for annual servers dinner. We sat at round tables with no top table so we enjoyed Fr Andrew and Fr Philip's company. Archbishop Peter Smith spoke well especially as lots of youngsters there. Good meal too. 

Saturday May 11th up at 5 a.m. and took Liz to Proms queue where she was 48th. Got seasons OK and then went to college. The conference itself was interesting - long debate on practising Catholic issue which was defeated. We all had green, yellow and red cards to comment on changes which were approved. Australian was very funny about white ties being unknown in Perth and some Ozzies do not own a suit! Let's hope we see some changes! To cathedral on bus and servers all arrived except Emmanuel who had indicated he did not need to rehearse at 2 p.m. The choirs did well, Fr Tom cannot see well and animating was a problem for him. The booklet was a disaster despite the hours I had spent on it - an early version got printed so wrong collect, epistle and gospel, line out of Gloria, choirs wrongly attributed, most annoying. All went off OK and the people certainly sang. Group photos afterwards. We served at vespers and then changed into black tie for the reception and gala. Food was accept...

Took Liz to West Norwood in order to get to college. Train to Dalston Junction then bus to Stamford Hill. Magnificent St Ignatius church and I was early so saw Fr Swavek who was MC for Bishop John. 7 deacons ordained for Jesuits from different provinces -Peru. Germany, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam. Bishop John spoke really well. David Gammie played. Walked to reception in school hall and met Peter Redemptorist and Sr Eileen - had  a good chat. Bus and tubes to Edgware Road and arrived early. South London circle centenary Mass - the booklet was rubbish, lots of mistakes despite my emails. Rehearsed with singer Katie and string quartet and all went OK although she did not sing the Sanctus at the service! Archbishop Peter Smith and Fr Philip very friendly. Liz served and we then walked to the Landmark hotel expecting to just go to the reception, Turned out we were guests at the lavish banquet and we sat with Harry Mellor and Peter Higgs. Finished at 11.30 taxis and train quite quickly h...

Woke early. Felt like I was going to be sick - might be alcohol reacting with malaria tablet but in fact I was OK and had some fennel tea. Spoke to Lyn and Rosemary on Skype and they are not coming to dinner tomorrow because of the snow and ice. They fly to Sydney Feb 12th. To St George's cathedral for ordination of Stuart Meyer with Nicolas who is a married former Anglican priest from Winchester college. Archbishop Peter Smith was impressive. Less impressed at Norman's loud fast playing and the men rushing plainchant. Nick Gale conducting Haydn far too vigorously- result too loud! Benedictus really hald things up. Durufle motet and organ music and Villette motet less well done. Sunith was there and Stuart will be based in Anerley! Colin was there and a couple who used to come to St John's. Nice eats afterwards and spoke to Fr Philip Glanfield and Ann who used to be in interfaith group. Fr John as friendly as ever and got bus to cathedral with Canon Christopher. Fell aslee...

To Westminster cathedral hall for Faith Matters lecture - once again the woman on the door was rude and unpleasant asking people to fill in the envelopes at the other table. Dr Anna Rowlands was brilliant on Catholic social policy and she answered my question about the Body of Christ really well alluding to Aquinas. Not such a good audience. She is director of the Mary Beaufort institute at Cambridge. Several people there I knew including Hai and David. To Acton and watched Gypsy weddings. Ciarán really enjoyed Amandas and Starbucks play area and again more kids came to play. Lunch at Giraffe and got student discount. Taxi to 99 Oxford Gardens and Louise showed us the transformation which is stunning. I had to leave to go to Hinsley Room. Alfred Agius came and there were 11 there and an excellent discussion. To 61 Whitehall for religion and society event on social welfare. Excellent presentations especially Archbishop Peter Smith and David Blunkett. Saw Philip Glanfield a...

Tuesday swam 30 had not been for ages! Liz to Dublin for Breda's year's mind Mass on Wednesday as Dennis could not go. To see Vickie - all sweetness and light. The assumption is that I want tor retire which of course I do not want to do. Still have gone online to see what is available. We shall see if Jo Richards is interested - she is playing on Sunday so I have a paid day off! Wednesday to Acton and we went to the park with Ciarán on scooter and had lunch at the cafe in the High Street. I went dressed in evening dress and changed - C arrived at bathroom wondering when I was coming to play with his kitchen! Changed again and he did his Thomas jigsaw very quickly! To cathedral interfaith group for 2nd session - new faces and 12 there. Patricia was a pain! Margaret vague as usual. Still we had an interesting discussion. To Eltham by train and Colin picked me up - via Welling to Bexleyheath Marriott hotel for Blackheath's 1000th meeting. 170 there including Grand President To...