The organist librarian

Watched semifinal of Young musician last night -lovely cellist, recorder excellent and felt sorry for the percussionist. Nice to see Kevin Hathaway on screen. Played Henry G Ley on Down Ampney which I played at Keble college yesterday and Dubois Toccata. Choir sang well - Barry's introit and he was there to hear it, Rutter The Lord bless you and keep you, Locus iste. Tony sang bass. Janet gave me a lovely framed portraits of composers. Molly gave me a musical pen. Met the Bishop of Southwark and said would see him at St John's lunch. To Mass at Purley and asked David Palmer about torch relay bus. They sang a lovely piece by Christopher Walker I had not heard before. Chat to Dennis.

Lovely Victoria at morning prayer and tenebrae elements with strepitus most effective. I was mitre bearer again! To Acton and a lovely lunch cooked by Tom - scallops and salmon and chocolate mousse. Front garden now cleared and grey slate. Ciarán had a great time playing in his room and reading his new Mr Men books. To the vigil at 8.30 p.m. stunning Dvorak Mass in D, Palestrina Sicut cervus, Handel Israel great fun. Lots baptised and received and confirmed. Another fine homily. Fr Alexander sang well and we had bees twice! Fr Paolo sang the litany. Brian read and nice to see him. Concentration torch - because eminarians are there Liz has been torch all week! To the common room for champagne and drinks. Took Patrick home and got home about 1 a.m. Up OK and to Coulsdon for my last Easter there. Baptism - one hymn got left out "The day of resurrection" (can't say I really like that one much) and we sang "The strife is o'er" and "Jesus Christ is risen to...

Liz to Upper Norwood for Bev's last Sunday and I joined her for lunch in the vicarage. At Coulsdon Marie's bus was late so we got there about 9.08. I photocopied more copies of the anthem but this meant practice started late. The result was no organ voluntary as my shoes got tangled in the string bag when I put them on! Any way the choir sat in the transept and I used the piano. Arcadelt Ave Maria and Ogden's As a mother with the children singing verse 3. Worst of all I forgot to put my hearing aids in. I played Bach Fantasia in C minor. Barry Stronge was at coffee - he had an op and was ill for 6 months. Practised organ pieces.

Thursday to London boroughs interfaith forum - not so many there. It was held at London Fire brigade HQ and we had a free tour of the musuem with some fine engines from the past. Liz to Douai abbey until Saturday for course retreat. She took the car so used buses. Served 5.30 mass with Bishop John Arnold for Catholic union - I was book. Watched Rev and Symphony. Friday to Ealing Abbey on X68 and tube. 25 mass settings and salmon lunch. Visited the abbey garden with Fr Alban. Sr Jean did a good job and sisters wanted to know Liz was. On tube with monk from Worth and home briefly before buses to choir practice. Saturday more reading and to Coulsdon to practise and 6 p.m. Songs of Praise which went well. Acting archdeacon Barry Davies dedicated the new furniture - the last time I saw him at interfaith forum he was going to lose his post! We sang the Greek chant Beatitudes and Barry's introit although he was not there. Fish and chips and a difficult quiz - I got 7 of the paintings r...

To Coulsdon and picked up Caroline and Gwen on the way. We sang Barry Stronge's introit again and Come down O love divine by Hilary Tadman-Robins (Molly's favourite). Hymns included Christ triumphant, Christ's is the world, How great thou art and O Jesus I have promised (to Beaumont tune). I played theme from Elgar's first symphony and Pomp and Circumstance No. 1. Sean doing really well - he sang Anderson Gloria perfectly. I practised and looked at some more transcriptions of orchestral items including Wagner and Saint-Saens. Dropped in grandparent card at Serpillos' cafe and quick lunch. To Battersea Park peace pagoda on a fine late summer's day for Prayers for peace arranged by Jon dal Din for World Peace week. Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim leaders and prayers, 4 of the Bahai choir sang and I had to leave so missed the rabbi. To the cathedral for Paul Carr from Birmingham blistering playing of Bossi, Dupre and Hendrie - he was pleased to see me again. Then to Westmi...

To Coulsdon where we sang Barry Stronge's attractive introit written for us "Levavi oculos" I had to do bass which doesn't suit so I accompanied it. Hughie was baptised - what a name- Hughie Green? We sang Beethoven's The heavens declare and I played the Mozart Jupiter symphony theme and the Holst Jupiter theme. No practice and after coffee to OLd Coulsdon congretional church where I met the minister and had a look at the interesting Bibles exhibition. To Victoria and open day at Westminster City Hall - great views and lovely silver and maces. Lovely gifts to the city as well form Jordan, Israel and Oslo among others. Got on 11 bus to go to Quaker meeting house only to find it was diverted. I got off at St Thomas hospital and walked over Westminster bridge which was closed because of the cycle race and got underground back to Victoria. The mass was at 3 p.m. empty seats. The new bishop very friendly, saw Martin Foster and Canon Jack Madden, Bishop Richard Moth, St...

Liz went to meet the gang and they had a great time in the sunshine. I went to St George's hospital. Arrived 1.20 no 8 in queue for hearing aid clinic seen at 2.20. Left hand mould not in ear properly but said it hurts any way. Suggested I make appointment for a new impression and softer mould then said how long since hearing test - I said private one last year. Result go back to GP and get referred for a new hearing test and new hearing aid! Reading Colin Thubron "To a mountain in Tibet" and "The Tablet". To garden centre for compost but it closes at 7 p.m. Choir went through new anthem by Barry Stronge and some from Oxford book of flexible anthems which we have not done including 2 by Beethoven. Bsrry supplied a CD but player would not work. Watched "Have I got news for you" and Graham Norton show. Paul Merton on birth of Hollywood.

My favourite hymns at the service. "When morning gilds the skies", "Father hear the prayer we offer" (sung at our wedding) and "Immortal love for ever full". I love the line "who know with John His smile of love". Stanford in C and F and "Holy is the true light" by Harris. Played Dad's minuet on "Bishopthorpe" from Master Blacket's suite and Karg-Elert "Nun danket" (played at our wedding). Barry Stronge told me Peter Warner had died unexpectedly - cancer of the pancreas - sad news. He was a gifted book illustrator especially of animals and musician. Nice cards from Liz, Ann and Vickie and 2 excellent books of daily meditations from Liz. To 12 noon Mass at John the Baptist Purley. 4 hymn sandwich and the organ well played by Philip but the people do not sing!