The organist librarian

Spent the day resting in bed. Listened to radio 3, watched English heritage on Battersea Power station, Strawberry Hill and Sandcombe House, master chef, Simon on Byzantium. The news broke of the passing of Nelson Mandela with great tributes.Liz went to Acton. Recalling the day of his release, the first multiracial vote and visiting Robben Island.

To spirituality day led by an American Michael Moran on the Cloud of unknowing - certainly made you think. There was much comment on my leading the day in August on being a pilgrim for which I am collecting material. To Royal Academy to see the Waterhouse exhibition. I'm not that keen on the pre-Raphaelites but he did have some lovely colours and ideas. To power station forum and the new plan looks more and more feasible!

Thursday to the power station to see the latest plans. I stressed the need for a library and 33% of the survey supported the idea. An ideal location would be near the new tube station and on the main road. The plans look feasible and include a new park on the river and lots of water features. To volunteers Mass at the cathedral so there were loads of servers - we were acolytes. Nice reception in the hall afterwards and we slipped away to go to chorus. Introduced Liz to Virginia and met some more people. I was full of cold and so we sat upstairs and didn't sing! In fact I was sleepy. Friday did 20 lengths and got some paracetamol cold tablets and to the town hall. All went well and talked also about new developments. Only 4 at choir practice so finished early. Did ironing while watching Apprentice and programme on poetry. Bruce arrived as he was going to a wedding at Chessington. That was a nice surprise. Rats seen in garden - ugh! Doctor Dennis says whisky thins the blood!

To Chrism Mass at 12 noon. Ended up being communion torch with Liz. The MacMillan St Anne's setting and Galloway Gloria worked well. It was packed and the Cardinal got 2 claps. Deacon Kassa was carrying the oils. One of the deacons smiled as Fr Michael gave me the chalice and held my candle! The MacMillan Ave verum was thrilling. I was back at work by 2.15 p.m. and worked on PRP and game plan estimates. To Power station for presentation by Red Bull about their August motorcycle event. Got a lift to the station so early at Croydon Parish church. Went for a walk - what a grim area. When I play for the all night July marathon I will take the car. Croindene sang Mendelssohn cantata Aus teifer not beautifully. There were poems by John Donne - would have liked to have had the text to follow. Martin How and Colin Boswell asked after Bruce. Julie and David Smith and Tony Trent greeted me. 14 in congregation. Home to find a parking place in the road despite the match and Liz arrived too. Wa...

Monday spent a lot of time on the game plan redoing it. Tuesday to Power station community forum - I flew the flag for a new library in the revised plans which are looking much better. I shall have retired long before it all happens! Liz was at servers committee where she is now taking the minutes. She got the hired hat back from Louise who sang at Gerry's wedding in Ireland on Saturday. Wednesday to choose March hymns with Vickie and Sue. To dentist Rebecca Naidoo ahs taken over form Judy and is very nice - no work needed!. To Catenian council meeting which was very long and some things never got mentioned!

Thursday to Berlioz rehearsal. At the weekend it was announced that Edward Caswell is to be our new chorusmaster with Madeleine Lovell as associate. So Mark Griffiths, Aidan Oliver and Stefan Bevier are passed over. It remains to be seen how this will work out. Edward is always on about voce inarlare or something similar! Madeleine is a bit school marmish for my taste but an excellent musician. Friday to choir practice. Molly and Ella's attention span rather short but we did do some good work for Harvest. Only 4 there but John was back after his dental work. I did the November music list and wrote an article about St John's visit on Sunday afternoon. Ryan did not turn up on Saturday (again!) but Gillian was there and Francis and Urbain have made a good start. To Vespers and Mass - Fr Michael's first. Paul Clubb accompanied us to Pizza Hut for a special half price offer - enormous pizzas and unlimited soft drinks! Sunday we sang Howells My eyes for beauty pine" at Couls...

To work early but no sign of pickets. Alvering library was closed and we closed at 5 instead of 7 because there was no senior available. I was the only senior all day and it was busy. Rather nasty drunk Irishman had to be asked to leave - not pleasant. Tony Tuck of the Battersea society had some interesting comments on the Power station plans. The strike seemed pointless as the government say there is no more money for us. To the cathedral for first part of mass - the platform on the scaffolding is now in place. To Elijah rehearsal as last night - Edward kept us and mixed us up but it seemed pointless. Excellent series on Channel 4 on seven wonders of the Islamic world.

Sunday was a quiet day as we were both tired and Monday 22 lengths (late up)and after work we watched Andy Murray come back from nowhere to win at Wimbledon! Tuesday to Battersea Power station for Wandsworth business forum breakfast and meeting and a chance to see the display about the new plans. Horrified to see an enormous chimney which will dominate the whole area and the skyline! Why an extension of the Northern line from Kennington - the Battersea society proposal of a tram is much better. No plans to upgrade to 2 local rail stations either! Still the concepts are stunning. I arranged for staff to go and see the display. I returned to the Power station for the start of the community forum meeting which was poorly attended - perhaps like me they did not get the invite! I filled in my comments form and was pleased to note that apart from running 2 cars we tick all the boxes on green issues. To Westminster cathedral hall for the farewell to the remarkable, lovable, infuriating Fr Mi...

Still blowy but at least it was fine today. 36 lengths of the pool. Said goodbye to Marina who is going to work at Northcote. To Battersea power station community forum and then Catenian council meeting at Brendan's. Kevin is organised for the incoming year. We all went to Xin Chinese Thai restaurant for a good meal but I as usual didn't feel full eating so many little bits and pieces! Company was good - Bill is off to China in April. Gerry reckoned he had never been to a Chinese meal before! I have sent out emails re the Oxford organists visit on May 10th and had some responses.

Oxford tube back to London and Liz went shopping and to the Advent schools service in the cathedral (complete with donkey). To work and then to Anchor centre, Garratt lane for Wandsworth pensioners forum Christmas party at which I sang and played carols on an out of tune piano. They really enjoyed it and I sold more CDs! Back to work on the bus and to the Power station community forum. The news here was more positive about remedial work and plans which will take around 3 years. I cried off Kevin's Catenian membership meeting.

A busy day at work with lots of people joining and discussions about dealing with difficult children. To the power station community forum which I have been on since it started 5 years ago. The new owners are starting again so yet more delays and the building is needing remedial work. We were asked for our priorities - mine are jobs, transport, housing which must be affordable, entertainment like leisure facilities and cinemas. We did see the training centre which has trained 800 people in Health and safety in construction which is a success story. Watched Tribe on TV.

Did a workshop about the library at the Age Concern activity days conference. Sylvie from NAPA was very inspiring about getting the elderly involved. Jeff did Tai Chi - I had to miss Monday's session because of lack of staff. I didn't get a lunch break as I had to go back to the library form 1 to 2. The Power station community forum was disappointing. It seems the new owners are going back to square one and getting plans drawn up again so more delay. Doddington West residents association gave me a chance to talk about the library. it was interesting to hear of pigeons, rats and crime on the estate. Graham Harris chaired very well indeed and we heard from Tony of BaseD. Unfortunately the meeting went on to 10 p.m. so I was knackered. Today I had a rest and went to St Michael's from Thomas Corns' excellent recital. He played a fine piece on Veni creator by Kenneth Leighton and in interesting fugue by Brahms. Franck, Bach and Mozart were all well played. I lit candles for ...