The organist librarian

Hot again. Played Sheep may safely graze (Liz's Mum's favourite) and Sortie Noel Rawsthorne. We sang Marry Haugen's Let us build a house, We have a gospel and David Ogden's Christ has no body now but yours. Next Sunday I will play Finlandia Liz's Dad loved that. Good thing Finland not in the World Cup! I am working on Easter hymn by Mascagni. I need a piano score without vocals so will have to arrange it myself I expect. To the first Death Cafe at Sylvan Road which was fascinating. At evensong we sang Coll Reg and O pray for the peace of Jerusalem - a feast of Howells. To Christ's chapel Dulwich for Andrew Benson-Wilson playing Couperin and Tournemire. How nice to know that Ellie Gauge whose mother I met today is still singing in church. She was in the choir at St Andrew Coulsdon. Poldark was good. 

Lou and Bruce arrived last night and I got Ciarán off to bed after watching lots of Thomas. The prom was excellent - Elder conducting Halle. Lou took Ciarán to friends and I set up the new HDD recorder and the DVD player and we now have TV sound through your radio stereo speakers! At 2 p.m. we all went to Croydon crematorium for the burial of Grandma's ashes and lovely to see Fr Denis Paul again. Claire and Josie came and we all went to Dennis's for tea and cake iced by Liz. Ciarán on great form. Bruce took Lou and Ciarán home. We ahve enjoyed having him! Liz went to pub near school and I went to the Prom. BBC Philharmonic with new Spanish conductor - Ravel, Debussy, Falla. I found Ronde de Printemps score hard to follow and checked on recording when got home. Sat next to a nice Japanese lady and a man who works in Oxford. Met organist from St Andrew Catford.

Saturday was a day at home. Liz worked in the garden in hot sun. I rearranged the shelves in the back bedroom so that the heavy photo books are now at the bottom and gained some shelf space. I put up my mirror in our bedroom and hung the pictures from work in the study and upstairs. At last I fixed up the water butt by cutting out a piece of drainpipe! We watched the Derby and had a chat to Graeme in Scotland on skype. To smoke vespers and Mass for the Ascension. Fr Michael Durand gave us a scare when he sort of tripped while censing the Lady altar but all was well. Nick was an excellent cantor. Watched QI and "Have I got more news for you". On the piano I have a score which was presented to Phyllis by Elsie and Harry May 1945. It is the Teddy Bears Picnic piano only by John W.Bratton. It belonged to my grandmother in York and was given to her by her sister and brother-in-law Harry Bean who was an organist. His son also played the organ in York. Harry John Walter Bratton (...

MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE LIFE OF VIOLET VERA GEORGE 1st August 1918 – 30th June 2010 St Mary’s West Croydon 9th July 2010 12.10 p.m. Organ Sheep my safely graze Johann Sebastian Bach (Violet’s favourite music) During the procession into church Organ I know that my redeemer liveth George Frederick Handel Opening hymn The king of love LHON No. 656 Opening prayer followed by Eulogy Reading Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ Psalm 42 Bob Hurd The cantor sings the response and we all sing: As the deer longs for running streams, so I long, so I long, so I long for you. Gospel acclamation Gospel John 11: 17-21 I am the resurrection and the life At communion Pie Jesu Gabriel Faure During the censing of the coffin the cantor sings and we repeat May the choirs of angels come to greet you. May they speed you to paradise. May the Lord enfold you in his mercy. May you find eternal life. Ernest Sands Organ The angel’s farewell from “The Dream of Gerontiu...

• On a sunny day on the 1st August 1918, New castle upon tine Ethel and James Carlyle welcomed Violet Vera. • At age 5 she moved with her family to Calgary in Canada where her sister Florence and brother Jimmy were born. • In 1938 at the age of 19 she returned to London to work in what the family believed to be a hotel run by her aunt. This actually turned out to be the Wheatsheaf pub in Camden where fait intervened and she got a talking to a young 22 year old regular by the name of Brian. • 2 years and a couple of pale ales later, they were married at Our Lady of the Angels in Bayswater and were inseparable/happily married for 57 years. • During the war while granddad was in service she worked for the Women’s Home Defence and her favourite task was fire-fighting. • Her daughter, our Mum was born in 1947 and Grandma spent many happy hours teaching her how to cook and sew. She was especially proud of her achievements in becoming a Queen’s Guide and a teacher. She was happy to see Mum...

Ciaran awake early and fed him his bottle. Put up pictures in lounge. I have put photos above shelves and thus left a large space for new pictures. To Glyn Close to get pictures and photos for the church. Picked up Dennis, Ann-Marie and Josie and funeral car came at 11.40. All went well and we all sang and read well. Bruce did the eulogy. Liz sang the psalm and I did the reading and Sands. Louise sang Pie Jesu. We only had 5 minutes at the crem so left out hymn and just sang psalm. Canon Joe and Fr Kevin came. It was all very Grandma. It was great having the church hall and Gill and Daniel looked after tea and sandwiches. Michael and Elizabeth had come from Swindon. 2 ladies said they had seen something on the coffin like a cross in a swirling light like water - remarkable. Ciarán behaved very well - he is starting to crawl and likes standing up in the bath! Louise took Flo and Tom to East Croydon and Dennis and Ann-Marie stayed at Gatwick overnight. So glad it all went well. We had pi...

Monday to the hospital for meeting with the consultant who is so nice and explains everything. Decision made to move Grandma to a care home and Dennis confirmed he had told her. None of us think she would want to go. The astonishing and shocking news that Chris Greenhalgh had died of a massive heart attack. He joins Rev John Hill and Fr Mark Hartley in the heavenly choir. Tuesday on to 8 and Liz had a contretemps with the discharge sister. Dennis complained about her to her manager. Wednesday cut up carpet and to St Michael's for Richard Pilliner's recital of Jongen, Liszt and Vierne - a couple of mechanical problems. Lit 4 candles. To Newtons to test drive the Honda Jazz which Liz liked on Tuesday. Long wait for the rep but car is excellent. Liz went to chorus and I went to Southfields library through the Wimbledon crowds for the retirement of Neville and Margaret. Neville produced a Stanford Irish song to sing together and I brought some economy carols in view of all the cuts...

Tuesday I finished at 2 and went to the hospital. Grandma was agitated and I changed her hearing aid battery. She kept trying to pull the lines out so I repositioned her rosary so she had something to hold. To the cathedral for the Volunteers Mass on the feast of St Thomas More and St John Fisher. Phil Roberts was there. The boys sang well and I was consecration torch. Liz was late. Nice canapes in hall. Good to see Mark Doran who is working hard on the Papal visit. To Battersea Park library for a well attended talk by the US Embassy Press attache Philip. Knew most of the people there. IT not working again. Andrew Green thanked me for coming and made useful contact with Economic development office people. So nice to see everyone again. Library looking good.

To St John's Redhill and examined 5 for RSCM awards with Chris Greenhalgh. Played for 1.30 wedding at Coulsdon - all over in 40 minutes. To hospital and not sure Grandma even knew I was there as she was on oxygen for breathing problems. To vespers and Mass and girls choir of St Nicholas Harpenden sang well. Sunday we sang "Be still" and Richard Jones's Mass for Hilary which has poor notation. Molly rehearsed and I practised. To Clare's 70th birthday party at Falkland Park Avenue and a rare opportunity for a photo of the whole family! Eventually came home for a rest and finished unpacking. Dennis and AnneMarie went to see Grandma. Booked 10 pin bowling. Monday swam 38 and back to work and 85 emails! It has been busy. Delighted by grade B PRP! Watched first programme on fatherhood.

Had a short lie-in and it was a busy day as it is half-term. Grandma took a turn for the worse but decided to come home at 8 as tired. Louise and Liz visited. Flo and Tom are due to come on Sunday. To cakes and tea at BBC across road from library to discuss the Arts festival successes. Lady told me I should not retire! Latest photos of Ciarán who is off to Italy for the wedding this weekend!

Tai chi for a time. Bought plug covers for children's and hall in Balham shop. It was Cup Final day and a lovely day so we were not so busy in the afternoon. A new Saturday assistant started and I dealt with Health and Safety and various matters including an old man in the loo for an hour reading a book - he did apologise! More weeding! Underground closed at Oval because of a fire so to Kennington and got bus back to catch a 36 to Camberwell. I got to King's at 7 and Grandma looked a better colour and still trying to speak. Dennis had got the photos with Ciarán blown up for her and she liked them. Dennis goes home tomorrow night - he has been great! Walked through Ruskin Park - lots of blossom out and drove home. Liz got in just after us and we had mince and squash, gooseberry tart and custard. Fell asleep watching HDD of BBC young musician semi-final. Dennis asleep on settee.

Tuesday to JCC at town hall. Reading group enjoyed Homecoming by Clare Francis. Liz and Dennis at King's all night as Grandma had op for leg clot in the morning and then a major stroke while in the ward. I picked up car and went to Adrian's for RSCM committee meeting. Francis Novillo and Drew Cantrill were there. Got petrol. A restless night so had a lie-in. Spoke to Ann. Took garden stuff to tip and then to the hospital to meet Dennis, Louise, Ciaran and Bruce there. Bruce and I stayed when the others went home for a rest. To Catenian council meeting.

Chat to Ann - wants me to wear a bow tie on Saturday like Dad did and I found a keyboard one in my drawer! 3 at Lent group - Monique and Joan. To Tate Britain to see Henry Moore exhibition - lots of people there. A fine video by a woman artist Laura Prouvost- very striking. To Tooting for the opening of the library. A stunning space and a vast improvement on the old place. Saw lots of former colleagues. Mr Vaizey Shadow minister for the arts was pretty colourless and talked about the Deputy Mayor's car! Met Balham society rep and Age Concern lady. Nice eats and useful chats about lift and self issue! To King's College hospital on tube and bus to see Grandma who is in pain form back and arm. She will not make the baptism on Saturday. Watched Syrian school and programme on the relationship between baby and mother in the womb - a delicate balance. Liz made mayonnaise salad. Chat to Ross on Facebook.

Thursday to see Dr Attard with Liz. Worked 11 to 8 because I had done until 7 on Monday. Not a happy arrangement. Lift not working again. More weeding. Friday worked until 2. Chris D came to look at notices and arrangement. Attended Golden years reading group session - a lively group. Buses to King's to see Grandma - a nice room with a lovely view. The Catholic chaplain came to give her communion. No practice and watched part of a programme about Schubert and Embarrassing bodies.

To Oscars at Croydon Park hotel for as much food as you want for £19.99 and wine or soft drink included. Delicious sea food , roast beef, chocolate cake. Louise, Tom and Bruce looking very smart in purple shirt and suit and with large bouquet enjoyed it. Discussion with Grandma about going away with CVAB to a hotel which has special facilities for the blind but she didn't want to know basically because she doesn't know many people. Listened to the Prom and commented on website. Why was the Philharmonia Chorus for the second year running not asked to sing in the Berlioz te Deum? We sang in this at the Proms in 2000 with Colin Davis. It didn;t come over well on the radio - no sense of a big choir, boys (Trinity and St Paul's) only heard twice, organ pedals too loud at one point, lack of controlled legato line especially from some raucous basses. Ben Foskett piece not good - much preferred Goldie's! Griff Rhys Jones delightful programme on TV about rivers.

Spoke to Ann on skype and Claire has left Hong Kong. Liz to dentist. To Grandma's to cut bushes back and clear up garden. To St Michael's for recital by Jerome Faucheur from Lille. A different programme - Lemmens, Capocci, Dubois, Dienel and Percy Fletcher Festival Toccata. He then improvised on 3 themes Michael Fleming's "Palace Green" (which is named after a green at Durham university from Michael's student days) Kyrie of Oldroyd Mass of the quiet hour and Henry VIII's O lord the maker of all thing - this last theme was rather disguised but it was very clever. Back to Grandma's and finished the job. Choral evensong from Winchester - Parry "Hear my words" and Durufle Toccata blisteringly played by Simon Bell. This was one of Ben Nicholas's specialities too!

Claire arrived OK and Liz picked her up at Stansted and there was a hold-up on the motorway. We had 2 baptisms at Coulsdon and the Boyce Alleluia went really well. We added in a communion hymn to "Liebster Jesu" so I played the Bach preludes on the melody. At the end I played Finlandia Grandad's favourite as it is near his anniversary. As it is Sea Sunday we sang "Eternal father". Fairtrade stall so I stocked up on muesli and biscuits. Spoke to Ann, Paul, Dennis and AnnMarie on skype with Claire. Abandoned plan to go to Alexandra Palace to hear Francis Jackson as it would have taken too long to get there. I practised for Tuesday's songs from the shows. To St John's so Claire could see where the ashes of Mum and Dad are buried and I sang at evensong - Noble in B minor, Balfour Gardiner Te lucis, Michael Fleming's splendid Palace green tune to "Sing praise to God on high". Christopher Moore played. Josie and Grandma came for a meal which Clai...

Bank Holiday Monday woke early. To 10.30 a.m. Mass for migrants. The Cardinal was unwell but Bishop Thomas of Brentwood and Bishop Pat greeted us warmly. Also say Fr Adrian now at Streatham Hill, Bill Saunders, John O'Toole, Allen Morris, Alan McLean conducting the Southwark diocesan choir, deacon Kassa - big turnout of ethnic chaplains. Could not hear homily at all and the psalm was too long. Lots of Marty Haugen including "All are welcome" at start and end! We were consecration and communion torches. Met Deacon Joe Parsons from Purley, Sr Sheila was also there. I delivered Cardinal's present to Archbishop's House. Did not go to Strangers into citizens rally at Trafalgar Square - I prefer meetings to such big gatherings. Met Deacon Jon Dal Din from Battersea and went for tea with him at Marks and discussed interfaith in Westminster - very good to share ideas. Bought meal for 2 for £10. To Grandma's to cut back shrubs and watched snooker and Celebrity Cash in ...

Wednesday to Unison committee meeting and raised health and safety matters and the snow - we have to take leave for that day which is most unfair. Liz went to Colin Grant's funeral at Addiscombe and was warmly welcomed. To Coulsdon to choose hymns up to May with Sue and Vickie. To chorus rehearsal with Madeleine Lovell who is very demanding. Thursday I was early at Queensgate Terrace, Kensington so to Starbucks for a cappuccino and finished reading "Rome and Canterbury" by Mary Neath. A delightful concert with piano and we sang the prisoners' chorus. Only 4 of the originals from Orange 30 years ago were singing tonight. Madeleine was excellent and a wealthy and friendly audience including Lord Trimble. Very nice selection of wines and nibbles. Returned home to freezing house - the motor on the boiler was finally fixed on Saturday but it all went off again the same day! Brought the fan heater from church. Friday's practice I was furious as one member said she would...