The organist librarian

Trains replaced by buses from Purley. For the Assumption played Ave Marias by Bach/Gounod and Schubert and Vernon Griffiths on Maria zu leben. We had a procession and we sang Lourdes Gloria and Gathering Mass which went really well, Simon Lindley's lovely Ave Maria. Dandrieu on Ave maris stella. Drinks in the vicarage garden and we had lunch in our garden.  An interesting interview with Charlotte Bray and we heard 3 chamber works which I rather preferred to her new cello concerto. At last a Haydn symphony played by BBC SO conduted by Oramo and a fine Mahler 5.

Sunday Dennis came down - he had been to handball yesterday and boxing today. Set off and held up near Bromley North tip so Louise used satnav to get us to M20. We arrived in time for a practice with the cantors - could not find music for Mystery of Faith so said it. All went well despite the horrid organ and 2 new hymns or choruses. Very nice picnic in Bishop John's garden and had a good chat to him. One spot of rain. Ciarán had a great time with the other kids and the Scaletrix! We were home by 5.30 so I went to the Prom -  to my surprise got a 52 straight away both ways and chatted to Harry Bramma. He too does freelance on Sundays. An excellent concert Aldeburgh World orchestra playing Britten, Mahler, Charlotte Bray new work and Stravinsky conducted by Sir Mark Elder. Chatted to a lady from Edinburgh and her mother who lives at the Barbican - they know Matthew from Sydney playing contra bassoon in the orchestra.