The organist librarian

It is a year since Eugene was tragically killed at Mitcham Common and the trial starts soon. I took part in the "dedication" of a bench in Battersea Park in his memory as his mother Maureen used to work at the library and here are the photos from the occasion when I said some prayers. We must do all we can to end this senseless gang warfare in which innocent people suffer and die.

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.

On Friday morning I was sitting on the station reading Morning prayer when along comes Maureen looking as smart as ever. Her son Eugene was tragically killed in a gang fight and he was not a gang member at all. I went to his funeral as he used to come to the library to see his Mum when she worked with us. She said to me "What can we do?". My inadequate reply "Try to do good, speak out against this tragic loss, fight to improve things". Saturday to the ordination of Richard Nesbitt at the cathedral. He was ordained with John Elliott by the Cardinal. What a wonderful celebration with good strong hymns for all to sing and some excellent cantors. Richard will be a fine priest as he is 40 and so kind. We gave him a candle Liz had specially made. The party in the Allen Hall garden which Richard tended for 6 years was delightful. Chatted to Deacon Peter and Fr Michael about music. Saw the famous mulberry which stood in St Thomas More's garden and visited the modern cha...