The organist librarian

Woke at 6 and then at 8 a.m. Revd Deborah Matthews rang from St Paul's Clapham so going to play/audition on October 14th! Checked on Prom recordings and SSG forum - sounded off about yesterday's Mass. Listened to 3 choirbook items from recent evensongs - Jackson, Osborne and Skempton.

Liz to morning prayer and preparing for confirmation. I worked on the essay up to 3200 words which is good! I missed playing Wyton and Thiman on Veni creator! To 12.15 Confirmation with Archbishop Vincent. It was hot and long. Sad that the sequence was again said! I got the food from the kitchen to Vaughan House for the simple party which was pleasant especially as the outside area was available. I went to 3 p.m. recital by Thomas Trotter at Methodist Central hall where the organ has been rebuilt. He played from memory Handel concerto, Schumann and the Elgar sonata. Stephen Disley was there and met a man from Madras! Liz to evensong and took plates back. I had a shower and listened to 2 items from the choir book for the Queen with the score. Church Music by Julian Philips sung by Truro and Sincerity by Michael Finnissy sung by Wells. Both difficult but beautifully done. Wells also sang Skempton and Howard Goodall's Love divine.

I am way behind on the blog which is unusual! We got the train to Manchester on Monday and tram to Salford Quays to the Etap hotel - clean and basic but fine. Dennis did not see us as he had to go to London after work! It was wet! Went to the Lowry centre. Gill and Chich Hewitt picked us up and we had an excellent Italian meal - lovely to see him again - last saw him at school in 1963 and he was Dean of Grahamstown and is now losing sight. Tuesday to the Lowry centre and had salad lunch there. To RNCM for Howard Skempton celebration - free concert of string quartet Tendrils with an outstanding cellist. A new guitar work played by the composer David Futers. To the Manchester museum and an interesting collection. In the evening had Harry Ramsdens fish and chips at Lowry centre and to Journey's End at the Lowry theatre. Very moving play especially the curtain call with the Last Post. Very powerful! Wednesday to Clare's for a lovely lunch - she is married to John who plays cla...