The organist librarian

To South London Islamic Centre for interfaith harmony breakfast. Being in the centre of Streatham it was particularly poignant and I read a Sikh prayer. Bishop Christopher spoke really well and told us what he had told the Lords on Monday about Streatham community. Unfortunately some people talk too much. To art and first layer of Henry portrait. Catriona application started. She is going to Iona! Public speaking list sent out. Did not go to Gresham lecture. Working on new laptop.  Enjoyed the programme behind the scenes at the V and A - the Dior display was stunning! Ed Balls gave us some good insights on France and Italy. Wrote submission about the cathedral music situation.

Swim, Mass, coffee, visited John at hospice and Sidney and Roger were there. Gave a tour of the cathedral for Council of Christians and Jews. Diana Mills gave an excellent talk on Amos trust in Palestine. Catriona joined us. Watching Repair shop. 

To Streatham drop-in centre for Asylum seekers and migrants which is a lovely hall for Interfaith harmony week breakfast. Great to see so many there including Catriona Robertson and Jill Gregson. Painting and Mind, body, spirit. To Farm St Church Hall to hear Barry and Margaret Mizen and Fr Michael Holman on violent crime and what we can do. Great to see Jimmy Burns and Dominic Robinson and meet Ruth chair of Westminster Faith interchange. Watched Couples come dine with me and University challenge. 

Jill Benet took morning session of the quiet day on Wisdom. Had to walk to House of Commons because of taxi demo. The Interfaith harmony event had some good speakers especially a Muslim head and Muslim police officer. I spoke about the need to defend faith schools. Met several new people and some young people which is encouraging. Some of the MPs were difficult to follow! To Caterham for Grow meeting so missed Kirkham cup at Maidstone. I did not want to drive the hired Kia there at night. To Streatham drop-in centre for Asylum seekers and migrants which is a lovely hall for Interfaith harmony week breakfast. Great to see so many there including Catriona Robertson and Jill Gregson. Painting and worked on faces and Mind, body, spirit.

Only swam 12 as water was cold and it was cold outside too. Liz came but did not swim. To Emertons to get Uhu glue for mosaic class and then to Glyn Close to pick up Bike Bruce wants to sell. To mosaic for an hour nd then to kitchen shoppe to get 2 fridge magnets. To Abrar House off Edgware Road fro United Muslim forum dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Catriona was there. Had lunch with Revd Cresswell from Oxshott and Julian Bond. Excellent speaker from Syria Chawkat Moucarry who gave me his book and later Sayed and Fr Nadim came. I spoke briefly about youth and invite for Thursday. It was mostly interesting. Invited to dinner at 8 so went home and changed. Train and Jubilee line to Willesden Green and walked to Imam Ali Foundation 65 Brondesbury Park a large house with superb Persian carpets. We sat on the floor and man next to me explained what was going on - he had a PhD from Wales in Maths. Speeches in Arabic no English at all - Professor then mullahs and a sheikh. Eventual...

Li to college early so she could buy trim for Seán's baptismal white tabard/garment. Did some reading about Hinduism and Christianity. To Balham library and then coffee and crossant with Catriona. Lent her our Russian samovar and had a lovely chat. Home for lunch and watched a bit of Island Parish from Sark. To Croydon Minster for Martin How's Advent cantata. My name was not on the list and ended up among basses but carried on regardless. Lovely to see Jean and Alan Barber, Roy Nicholson and various faces from the past! A moving and effective work especially the well-known hymns and anthems. Very good tenor soloist and narrator but the real hero was the organist. The handbells and children's choirs were lovely. Left at 6 in rain and got to Victoria by 6.30. Harrow school Byron consort sang Rheinberger at Mass. Splendid Bach at the end. Met Peter at Il Posto and had a delightful chat and meal.

I had a swim on Monday (26) and left Liz working in the garden. Drove to West Wickham and the centre is in a beautiful spot. A large and small chapel, comfortable but not en suite accomodation and excellent food. I found the company most stimulating e.g. a fascinating discussion with a young Muslim woman about marriage and the veil. I also tried out my essay questions on several people. It was particularly good to see and hear from Sayed Ali and Fr Rizwan. Dr Datta from the Women's interfaith network was a bit overbearing I thought. I did not sleep well but finished Deborah Moggach's delightful book "These foolish things" which was much better than the film. Much had been altered for the film "The best exotic marigold hotel". There was time for a walk in the rose garden and woodland and This was valuable as we were challenged about motivation and ego by Ajmal Masroor and Revd Dr Toby Howarth, advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury.The final part on Near nei...