The organist librarian

Swim, Mass Fr Stuart Meyer leaves tomorrow - I will miss his inspiring homilies! Henry back from Ireland came to play then we went to the Ashcroft theatre to see Dear Zoo. It was excellent. Surprised to see the seats have not been refurbished at all! Too late for quiet time. Liz went to St Mary Bourne St for the funeral of Mark Bushby he had not reached 40. Sang Parsons Ave Maria. To dinner at St Martin in the fields. Excellent dialogue on mercy and music between Lucy Winkett and Bob Chilcott. She answered my question on division caused in church by music brilliantly - there should be a place for all styles. St Martin's singers including Jonathan Dods sang Tallis, Chilcott, Moore and Bach beautifully. Wine downstairs so a chance to thank Lucy personally. Watched Bake off. Vitriol on Facebook from so-called Catholics.

Swam, mass and coffee and took some of Fr Stuart's castoff books. Returned scores to Central Music library. To quiet day with Sister Agatha from Sisters of Mercy, Bermondsey. Surprisingly she left at 2.40! At lunchtime heard part of Nigel Groome's recital at St Matthew Westminster - he was replacing Travis Baker. Heard some of the War Requiem rehearsal in the cathedral - boys and soloists excellent. Bach choir did not impress - poor leads. Some of the choir could not see because of tall people in front of them! David Hill has a grey beard which does nothing for him. Saw Martin Baker. Came home as Liz had returned from school unhappy. 

A fine homily from Fr Stuart Meyer at Mass today on the Gospel reflecting on how John Profumo and Jonathan Aitken gave so much to others after their disgrace. The media have a lot to answer for.  Unhappy to see crib at Mass. Why not close the curtains? Tree up as well.  Watched lovely programme on Sheku. Both of us  t o St Mary at Hill for a delightful concert by Follia featuring Telemann and Noels. I think I play some of them too quickly. Sam Stadlen outstanding on bass viol and he played an amazing piece by Marin Marais Les voix humaines. Great to see Yat-Soon Yeo. We were late thanks to trains and bus running late. Good practice for Tuesday's carols at Caterham. Surprised to find Brian putting up tree at same time but it did not bother us Tanya has arrived! Liz came.Got Radio Times and cake and pudding at Aldi. Sweetmakers at Christmas and Harrogate Christmas.

Tim tog o home after a fantastic family holiday. Lovely clear day and can see Guernsey. We went to La Braque for a lovely breakfast - I had banana pancakes. Bruce joined us. It has been so good to see him and he is working hard. To NT bird watching hide. A and D returned by ferry - it took 23 hours. We returned cars and got flight without any problems arrived at 2.10 and taxi was there. In the end did not go to cathedral as unpacked and I went to Mass at Anerley and saw Fr Sunith and Stuart.

Took Liz, Louise and Tom to Crystal Palace as Liz went to Derek and Brian's first masses at Homerton and Poplar. Brian will not be doing confirmation at the cathedral alas! Not much mention of Peter and Paul as there was a baptism - 90 there. Paul went on far too long 90 minutes in all. I played Bedard and Stanley. The hymns were pretty naf too. To Becket fete to promote Catenians and we got 3 names - I blew up balloons and left at 2.15. Fr Joe "Oh my God" and chatted to Brendan so no change there! I had black bean fajita - very nice. David Dibbs played the recital - 14 came. Bit of a mixed bag including Sullivan, Handel and Coates. Nice new march by Bishop. I think if you must play popular stuff you have to be accurate and his Walton was certainly inaccurate. I got given the left over wine and Paul would not take payment for it. To Anerley St Anthony's for Mass - Sunith a bit slow again and saw Stuart afterwards. Home to eat and rest. Come dine with me and Antiques...

We set off in time for Liz to get a train from Kent House to go to Vespers. I heard the first 45 minutes of King's in the car including The Lamb and Britten New Year carol. The new carol by Thea Musgrave worked well. Not so sure about Joy to the world. The crib service and Christingle at St Michael's was awful. It was preceeded by a tape (this always annoy me). We sang quite a few carols but the sight of children tearing round the church looking for crib figures was not a happy one. Paul lost it at times suggesting that Jesus travelled on Santa's sleigh and confusing the Christingle symbols - 4 angels or 4 seasons. It just went on too long - nearly 90 minutes and I will certainly play for it again! I got to the station to find trains were every half hour so abandoned the plan to get to cathedral for 6 p.m. Mass and went to Anerley. Organ played OK and Fr Sunith mentioned me at the end. Fr Stuart remarked that I had sneaked in from the cathedral! I picked up Liz at West Nor...

Woke early. Felt like I was going to be sick - might be alcohol reacting with malaria tablet but in fact I was OK and had some fennel tea. Spoke to Lyn and Rosemary on Skype and they are not coming to dinner tomorrow because of the snow and ice. They fly to Sydney Feb 12th. To St George's cathedral for ordination of Stuart Meyer with Nicolas who is a married former Anglican priest from Winchester college. Archbishop Peter Smith was impressive. Less impressed at Norman's loud fast playing and the men rushing plainchant. Nick Gale conducting Haydn far too vigorously- result too loud! Benedictus really hald things up. Durufle motet and organ music and Villette motet less well done. Sunith was there and Stuart will be based in Anerley! Colin was there and a couple who used to come to St John's. Nice eats afterwards and spoke to Fr Philip Glanfield and Ann who used to be in interfaith group. Fr John as friendly as ever and got bus to cathedral with Canon Christopher. Fell aslee...