The organist librarian

Swam 20 the pool opened early so thanked the attendant as it is a holiday.  How many composers have you met? Stravinsky, Walton, Bliss, Macmillan, Darke, Francis Jackson, Rutter, John Barnard, Andrew Moore, Tavener, Alan Rees, Judith Bingham, Judith Weir, Martin How, Michael Fleming, Alan Smith , Roxanna Panufnik, David Hill,  Stephen Cleobury , Colin Mawby, June Nixon, Thomas Hewitt-Jones, Matthew Martin, Bernadette Farrell, Andrew Wright (in no particular order) and I am counting the widow of Vernon Griffiths as it was like sharing a meeting with him as she gave me a lot of his organ music! Enjoyed St John's Day at Upper Norwood and we sang Eyre. Lovely lunch in the vicarage and good chats to Gareth, Daniel Trott and Fr Mark Williams from Kennington. Watched university challenge, elephants, Alan Bennett's diaries, lovely midnight mass from St Chad's cathedral Birmingham

Friday and wet and windy - woke late. I am using a large black umbrella as my German one has finally given up the ghost. The German ones are so much better than cheap Chinese ones - much sturdier! Finished reading "Basil Hume 10 years on" and enjoying dipping into "John and Myfanwy Piper" by Frances Spalding which has stunning illustrations e.g. the windows at Robinson college. To the cathedral for farewell to Bishop Bernard off to Birmingham. The Archbishop quoted the song "We don't want to lose you but we know you have to go" although it was hard to hear his homily and hot on top of the heater. The full choir sang Rubbra Missa St Dominica, Berkeley's Psalm 23 and we had 2 fine Newman hymns "Firmly I believe" and "Lead kindly light". Elgar Imeprial March. Cardinal and lots of clergy and bishops present and ecumenical reps as well. I was communion torch with Michael and dashed to get the Coulsdon South train which I just caught....

To 10.45 a.m. Red Mass which is attended by the judges and QCs. The choir sang Palestrina Dum complerentur motet and Mass. Bishop Arnold presided and there was much Latin! We were acolytes. There is talk of us sitting at the back again which won't do as we cannot hear and it gets very hot in winter! Much better to be in the choir stalls. Saw Muriel who taught with Liz and her son. Bishop Longley is to be new Archbishop of Birmingham - he is so charming and always remembers names and thanks everyone. We will miss him very much. Saw Fr Allen Morris in Victoria station. Home to start painting the kitchen ceiling and walls - nice ivory colour. Had not been done for 8 years and lots of cobwebs and one large spider! A lovely day again with a touch of autumnal coolness. Still no sign of birthday cards in the post! Victorian Farm was interesting on BBC2.

Had an argument as I had been able to access my records on the new Philharmonia Chorus website (I vary from 6 to 8 but usually good and semi-chorus) but Liz could not access hers so she changed email back to the a.woodhouse one. Can still get emails to new address but it's confusing. I said open a new email account and give that to the chorus or use my google mail account. To St Michael's on a lovely day for the 12 noon recital by Arnfinn. I was late because Conservatives came to the door. What were my concerns locally so I said parking and not wanting residents permits as they will charge us to park in the end. I should have mentioned the housing developments locally which are taking away green spaces and not in keeping with the area. David said he votes green and has no time for parties or unions! I would certainly never vote Tory after the way I have been treated with job cuts in the past. I enjoyed Arnfinn's playing - even Franck's Pastorale! Bach, Marchand, Litaize...

One more thought on Lear. The removal of Gloucester's eyes is too horrible and the scene was carefully set by Cornwall which made it even worse. The excellent programme says the play is cruel to everyone including those watching it and that is right. Friday swam 30 lengths and Chinese guy I met suggested 2 more lengths of the 25 metre pool would be half a mile! To Hinsley Room to meet Sr Campion my dear spiritual director who have not seen for months. We had a useful chat about what courses I could do. Bereavement counselling is one option but becoming a spiritual director is more me we think! Lovely to see her again. To 5.30 mass and ended up serving. Bishop Longley is so nice - he had been at World youth day in Sydney. Alto lay clerk was cantor and very good too. Good to see Deacon Peter before he moves to Scotland. Watched Glagolitic Mass from proms (could not find our score) and cleared up and hoovered lounge. Mohamad leaving at work so Doris has done a nice card for him - will...

After the beauty of Faure last Sunday, we have the glories of All Saints Day and we served at Vespers and Mass celebrated by Bishop George Stack. We then went a Foulds Requiem rehearsal and "The Tablet" has an interesting article about this work which is to be broadcast live on Radio 3 on November 11th. Today there was the simple event of a bench in memory of Eugene Attram who was killed a year ago. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nobody has come forward to testify. Maureen Enyonam his mother used to work at the library and she asked me to say some prayers which I took from the Office for the Dead. It was a lovely day and the bench is in the new rose garden. We had adult confirmation this evening conducted by Bishop Bernard Longley. He is so nice.

The weather today was mixed -some rain and wind! Spoke to Ann and Paul on Skype. Ann will be here next Wednesday!The dentist did me proud - giving me 2 fillings for the price of 1! I was late as Liz had left the car but gone off with the car keys. I also had to go back as I had left my spectacles behind! It was decided that Grandma had cystitis and she should stay in Mayday a little longer! I went through lots of magazines throwing out ones I have read or will never get to read including Catena, Music and Liturgy, Laudate, PMM magazine, Church Music Quarterly, Choir and Organ, etc. I also deleted a large number of items on the HDD which again I do not have time to watch. The 5.30 mass at the cathedral was celebrated by Bishop Bernard Longley who sings so well and is so friendly. I was consecration torch with some girls from St Mary's. Wantage. They missed the Alton Towers day but I can't see that serving at the cathedral is as much fun as Oblivion, etc! Mgr Mark and Fr Christo...