The organist librarian

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!

  Liz asked him to sign his book for me!

Swam 22. At court for 10 and after some deliberations defendant found guilty on both counts and sentenced for 4 and half years for drug possession. Once again the loop was not on and I had to use my hearing aids instead. The defendant's mother was there when we got out of the jurors lift but didn't say much. Glad it's all over but feel I have done my duty to society. Met Liz at Norwood Junction and parked the car ready for late home coming. Had tea at cathedral and Liz served at Vespers of Immaculate conception. Rowan Willams gave a fine address. I sat with Sylvia behind Mrs Williams. Robert Parsons Ave Maria beautifully sung. The sad but was the congregation only got to sing Lord's prayer and Alma. Why no fine hymn like "Ye who know the Lord is gracious" or "For Mary mother of our Lord"? Bach at the end. Shook the great man's hand and he signed my book for me thanks to Liz. Ate at nice cafe in Covent Garden where there is a splendid Christmas...

Our front door! After the excitement of the amazing river pageant, we travelled over to Acton on Monday morning in good time for the street party. Liz made some excellent cupcakes and we enjoyed meeting everyone. We eventually retired to the house to watch the concert which was spectacular and included Lang Lang, Rene Fleming and Alfie Boe. Tom was out with Mark and Stella but cam home to rejoin the street party. We were up quite early on the Tuesday and drove home to watch the St Paul's service and the lunch and procession of carriages. Dennis and Ann-Marie had grandstand seats for the whole day opposite the Palace! We went up to Victoria and just saw the Red Arrows in the flypast. We served at the special mass with Mozart's Kronungsmesse with orchestra and a fine homily from Archbishop Vincent. Nice to see Brian and Fr Michael Dunne. Wednesday worked on the 2 essays and eventually decided to send them in. Sorted out organ music and now have a large pile to disp...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src=" http://www.youtube.com/embed/ax4I-A6RHDM " frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>iframe> Here is Bede Griffiths on the subject of creation and transfiguration. The Archbishop of Canterbury asked yesterday "What will we do in heaven?" The answer is "Enjoy God" and hell would be no longer wanting to enjoy God. The art of dying is something we all need to learn every day and my Mum and Dad certainly taught that. I asked a question about The Dream of Gerontius and pointed out that many of our hymns about heaven are 19th century e.g. Jerusalem the golden lovely as it is is a Victorian version of an older hymn. "Glorious things of thee are spoken" is a great hymn as is "Blessed city" but we need more. People use spirituals but Bishop George Rowell said maybe he would write a new hymn to fill the gap! The last verse of "One in royal" expresses comfort for those...

Enjoyed Angels of Mersey about chaplains last night. Up early and X68 to King's college London for Building Bridges seminar with Rowan Williams who I spoke to about Eliza Griswold. Daniel Madigan, Michael Redman, Siriol Davies, Hugh Goddard, Barbara Wood, Diana, Alan Gadd, David Stanley - quite a gathering! Excellent speakers on Death and resurrection in both traditions. The afternoon session on the art of dying and community involvement were outstanding and so was Bishop Tom Wright. I asked a question about Gerontius, purgatory and 19th century hymns about heaven and Bishop George Rowell of Europe said he would think about writing a new hymn about heaven! It was an excellent day. To Courtauld to see Mondrian/Nicholson (free to NUS students) and enjoyed the Impressionists and early works. To library to pick up book and then bus to Windmill Clapham Common for Catenian meeting and meal Balham circle. Croydon brothers there. Brian and Patrick. Chris a pain about Samoa and his cars!

Woke at 5 a.m. knowing I had to be up by 6.15. Got 6.50 from Selhurst and 7.35 Oxford Tube. In Oxford by 9 a.m. which was too early but had time to walk part of the organ tour route! Excellent discussion between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Eliza Griswold about "The Tenth parallel" and read half the book. Michael Barnes was in the Sheldonian. To Blackwells shop and coffee and croissant at Costa. To Walton centre at Christ Church cathedral school to hear Elif Shafak talk about her life an "Honour" - she was so interesting about why she writes and why we read novels. To Christ Church meadows to Sunday Times literary festival marquee. Oxford tube back in London by 3 p.m. Tea and then recital at Bloomsbury Baptist where you can see the console on the screens. Mo Wah Chan played Karg-Elert and Durufle. David Graham played the Wedge and then we had duets. I left before the Langlais to get bus in time for vespers. Paul there and all went well. St Mark Passion for Palm ...

Swam 30 on Tuesday and 30 today and had a nice chat to Ann on Tuesday. Went to mass at Chiswick yesterday and good to see Graham. Booked to go to Oxford on March 31st for the literary festival - Rowan Williams interviewing Eliza Griswold and Turkish novelist Elif Shafak! Should be good - whole thing costing about £37.

Saw the rest of Catholics programme 3 and heard Guildford's stunning evensong again featuring Philip Moore and John McCabe and Howells Psalm prelude set 2 no 1. Did a lot of reading including Rowan Williams (who sadly is retiring) and Timothy 1. At vespers we sang Jerusalem the golden because the liturgy begins Laetare Jerusalem. The psalm at Mass definitely imitated the song "By the rivers of Babylon" in the psalm tone - Gelineau wrote a very fine setting with Eastern feel for that psalm and Walton set it in Belshazzar's Feast. Chatted to Rose who was in the programme a lot. Amici Choro directed by Andy Scott sang Palestrina, Batten and Morley well and saw Anne Fleming at the end. Diarmaid MacCulloch on TV history of England excellent.

Tidied up and then to visit church warden Cynthia's garden at 43 The Vale Coulsdon in aid of the centenary appeal. Lots of the congregation there. A beautiful garden on a slope and nice tea and cakes - she has a gardener. To the cathedral for ecumenical celebration of St John Roberts martyr. Welsh bishops and Archbishop of Canterbury preached. Hymns in Welsh to sight read tenor part! Harp. Stuart Kale sang a special piece with choir by Brian Hughes. William Mathias Toccata Giocosa at the end. We were acolytes. What a joy to talk to 2 Belmont brothers and hear Dom Brendan is off to Syria this year. They knew my SSG articles and I urged them to attend PMM! To Tate Britain to see "Rude Britannia". This did not even raise a smile and the really rude bits were oddly unimpressive. An erection is just that - funny I suppose in a way. The video of Sarah Lucas the woman artist eating a sausage and a banana was intriguing. Preferred the 2 wonderful fighter planes in the Duveen gal...