The organist librarian

The funeral of John Michael East at St Etheldreda's was beautiful with 3 male cantors singing the Latin requiem plainchant. Fr Tom sang the Mass in Latin. 29 present including many old and new friends. Enjoyable reception in the crypt. There were 3 Old Johannians present and 3 directors of music at St Etheldreda's. The Society of St Gregory, Latin Mass society and Monastic musicians were also well represented. We both went to the Royal Academy. Phyllida Barlow did not impress and as usual the Summer exhibition was a hotch potch! Liked the elephants and one or two paintings and prints. The architecture section was very interesting. Mali Morris RA had a small colourful display of works on paper. Ate at Itsu. Liz took robes back to the cathedral, went to servers council and dropped her Freedom pass. I went to an excellent lecture on the architecture of British mosques and I met 2 Muslim ladies one of whom asked a question about involving youth in planning mosques. Cambridge mosqu...

2 superb Proms. Carolyn Sampson and Iestyn Davies with Joseph Middlelton at the Cadogan hall singing Purcell arranged Britten, Mendelssohn and Quilter. Met the Rowntrees and Liz spoke to Petroc. Monday mornings have been expensive with fruit tart and cappuccino at Peter Jones. We celebrated with a delicious lunch at Cóte. Dresden staatskapelle with Barenboim playing Mozart 24 and Bruckner 3 - stunning. Fascinating talk on Capability Brown with Anna Pavord and the irrespressible Ian.  Very sad to hear of the passing of Heather Brokenshire. She had dementia and had to go in a home as Fred could not cope. 

Drama when Liz heard Sr Jean calling out and she had pulled the emergency chord which only let off an alarm in the corridor. She had caught her arm between the bath and the disabled handle. Fire engine and ambulance came and 7 people emerged from her room while Martin Foster and I looked on. I went downstairs to let the emergency services in through the night door. Fortuanately the gates were open. Monks could not be raised but at 4 a.m. Jean did get taken to A and E by Br Finbarr. Tuesday was a full day starting with Lauds in St Mary’s church and sung Mass with John Rowntree on the organ. Martin Foster introduced us to English proper settings based on chant and after lunch workshop on Farrell and a Mass based on Shaker melodies by Wood. Dom Gervaise spoke on Latin? Rehearsed Latin vespers and the singing was much better tonight. Good food. Listened to more Radio 4 programmes on Shakespeare. I cannot get internet on the laptop. Wednesday 7 a.m. Lauds and then to Mass. After break...

Fr Philip's homily about being a musician, Sr Anna's oboe playing, Martin Baker's psalms and improvising, John Rowntree's Psalm 150 (unaccompanied!), the Kenneth Tickell organ and the Tamburini organ in the abbey church, Sister from Minster reading Colossians 3 today, Sr Gillian from Quidenham on the need to wait before giving a reply - very wise!

Set off on Monday - 2 and half hours by train via Clapham Junction to Reading then Thatcham and back to Midgham. Met Sr Julian from Stanbrook now at Wass and Br Reginald from Canterbury. We were met at the station and driven to Douai Abbey which is a lovely place with a high light airy church with clear windows. The accomodation was comfortable with a shower in the large room and nice outlook over woods. The school is now rebuilt as housing. I soon slipped into the pattern of Latin Vespers and compline and Mattins and Lauds at 6.25 a.m. and midday office. The food was excellent and the company delightful. I particularly enjoyed talking to Fr Martin from Downside, the sisters from Lewes with their international connections, Michelle from Roscrea and the sisters from Quidenham, Minster and Ware. Michelle Moran gave us insights into the Synod in Rome on the Word of God which were very valuable especially Tom Wright's. It turns out she used to live in South Norwood! David Bednall co...

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...

I woke early so did more work on the Oxford trip brochure. The reading group welcomed Angela Young. Her book "Speaking of love" had proved difficult to follow because she wanted to convey the schizophrenia of the mother who is a story teller. Angela mentioned several good storytellers who would come to the library so I will follow this up as we have storytelling for children but not for adults. 9 went to Antipasto for an excellent lunch. Graham was unfortunately ill and Micky could not join us either. I had fusilli with spinach and mushroom, tiramisu and white wine all for £12.50 as the food is half price on Saturdays. Took some photos and then back to work where I have been doing clearing up and weeding the fiction again. To Vespers and Mass and much enjoyed Douai Abbey choir in blue robed and led by Dr John Rowntree. They sang a new Mass by David Bednall written for them last year with a French plainchant feel. Lovely end to the Benedictus. Philip did well as thurifer for t...