The organist librarian

To Crystal Palace Festival. The sign posting from the station is useless so I followed 2 sheep! Sang the new Anthem for peace with Katie Rose and the Crystal Palace Transition town choir. Met Jill a friend of London Mozart players. The Anthem for peace by Richard M. Brown words by Shaniqua Benjamin.Blink theatre are impressive and full participation by the disabled. John Grindrod and Travis Elborough author event about parks and brutalism. Interesting. Pity about the music nearby. Lunch at Crystal Palace station cafe and enjoyed 3 London Mozart players wind players in the concourse. Battersea Park peace pagoda prayers for peace. David there. Bruce Kent and Sikh friend still going strong. Habib and Jon dal Din there. Found John Johnson's bench. Vespers and Mass with Fr John. Liz back from Northampton servers Mass. 

The long-serving officer, who lived locally, had twice been named community constable of the year. An extremely popular local figure, following his death there have been a host of tributes received by Wandsworth Council and other organisations with which he was involved. Cllr Lister said: "There will never be another officer like John. He was simply the best-known policeman in Battersea. He loved being out with the people and had devoted his career to serving his community. "He was an old-style police officer who was very much in touch with today's problems. He saw the effect that anti-social behaviour had on the community and knew that by staying close to the ground he was in the best position to deal with it. "Wherever you live in London you'd want a community policeman like John. The news of his death was shattering." John Johnson had served for 29 years in Battersea. He was an active supporter of the Battersea Crime Prevention Panel and a regular helper ...

Missed swim and good thing I went in. Sorted out stuff for summer scheme tomorrow in Battersea Park. To St Mary's Church Battersea - last bit walking along the river. I arrived at 10 a.m. so got a good place although pews very hard. Met lots of people I know and signed book of condolence. The church was packed. The tributes to John were very moving and it was so sad to see the local young constable carrying his helmet behind the coffin draped in the blue police flag. We sang Love divine and Alleluya sing to Jesus. Sir Ian Blair the Police commissioner spoke well as did Martin Stratton CBE and a friend from Norfolk was funny. What a man John was! The vicar tackled head on the question of why God allowed John to commit suicide. He pointed to the cross and its mystery. John had so many facets in his life - he will be sorely missed. Excellent soloist Pie Jesu, Psalm 23 and Ein feste burg unaccompanied, And I saw a new heaven well sung and thhe organ built by Saxon Aldred very well play...

Swam 24 lengths. Sad to hear PC John Johnson had died. All seemed to have gone OK at the library. To BDT at Battersea. To Bromley Town hall for Catenian joint meeting of Bromley and Beckenham. Grand President David there so I showed him the Catenian anthem Bill had given me. It was sung at conference 4 years ago and the composer's grandson was present. Another hot day so did not go to St John's spirituality evening - the last time I went to one it did not happen!