The organist librarian

Thursday took Ciarán and Bruce to Gambados Beckenham and read the Tablet while they enjoyed the slides and cars. To Voces 8 concert at St Peter Eaton Square - lovely church with a big organ. A lovely concert - really enjoyed it. John Wardle and Tommy Hewitt-Jones were there. Nice that we got to the group as we left so saw Chris Wardle. Louise picked us up at East Croydon as she had been out to dinner while Bruce babysat.

Super evensong from St Alban's repeated from Wednesday - Stanford in G, Philip Moore anthem and Simon Preston toccata. To St John's for evensong. Trouble at mill - Psalms unaccompanied to chant instead of plainchant and Parsons Ave Maria instead of Rheinberger. Kit Perona-Wright conducted and 2 choristers walked out as the changes had not been indicated and the items should have been rehearsed on Friday. Chris Wardle was there with Eleanor - he sang alto - good to see him. The Choir featured David Hill and Latin american music. Dining room now finished and tidied up - looks great!

Friday to work until 11.30 a.m. then train to Crystal Palace. Adrian's mum was 91 and a dear. The funeral was lovely with Faure Requiem, And I saw a new heaven, Justorum animae of Stanford, All my hope and Thine be the glory. This fitted well with the gospel of Mary meeting the risen Jesus. Elgar Sonata No 1 from Chris Moore at the end. Kit conducted and Nicholas Ansdell-Evans played. He said he had been doing Walkure in Salzburg with Rattle! Adrian played Bach beforehand. 2 of the grandchildren who are in Birmingham cathedral choirs sang in the large choir. It was very moving to see Beverley touch the coffin and speak so well. Robin Martin was next to me and Chris Wardle sang too. Lovely eats and a good chat to Beverley about spirituality -I missed her January evening alas! To choir practice and we started work on the new Oxford Book of flexible anthems and Byrd 4 part Mass. The CD helped a lot. Watched a programme on the harp and the sad life of Hughie Green.