The organist librarian

Latin Requiem Mass for All Souls at cathedral. Liz sang Faure at St John's. Lunch at cathedral cafe. To Estorick to see reconstructed Boccioni sculptures. Football crowds. Royal Academy very crowded Antony Gormley. Missed out 2 rooms but I doubt if I will go back. Did some work on the spirituality day at Pret. Fr Daniel celebrated Mass for All Souls and the end of the marriage preparation course. At the party afterwards we met the Beaumonts who lived next to Josie McCulloch! They moved to Leamington Spa and had 6 kids. Their daughter is gettng married in Warwick.

Swam 20. Took Bruce up to the garage to get his skies. We arrived in good time at St Andrew's and went through the Faure. Lewis Horner kindly came and indicated good stop choices so that helped. All went well and the hymns were just right. Got to Croydon crem early and saw Ian Verran and Edward Rook. I played Thalben-Ball Elegy and Nimrod. Bruce was a pallbearer. It was lovely that Adrian mentioned the honorary grandma for our 3 and that quite cut me up. She was such a kind and loving person always smiling and we will all miss her. Lovely reception at the Surprise not least the chocolate cake. Saw several Addiscombe folk at crem and at the pub. All the family read really well - Josie would have been so proud of them. We left at 4 as Bruce had a flight back to Jersey. 

Swam 20. Battled with the Indian visa website - there was a small error on my application so ended up doing it twice and so many stupid questions, After all that appointments cannot be booked! Furious and sent a furious email which got a bland reply. To Mary's to discuss the funeral. Malcolm, Adrian and Ken were all there so that was good and I think it will be a lovely service at Thornton Heath. Bruce is coming over for it and Louise will sing. Strange that Josie never expressed opinions about favorite music and just enjoyed everything. Took Liz to East Croydon to go to Acton. I had supper and then waited in rain for bus from Selhurst to Croydon to go to police meeting. I spoke about how a year ago I was worried about South Norwood station being closed but at least I do see officers around but would people with poor English be able to contact the police. I met the new Borough commander and the Neighbourhood watch co-ordinator. On the whole the crime figues are encouraging as they...

Strange that I thought about Josie all through the service for All Saints and the news came through that she died at 3.30 a.m. So glad Liz got to see her and sad that Malcolm didn't make it in time. There were only 16 at the family eucharist but we did sing For all the saints. The organ tuning does not suit Jesus is Lord! I played Flor Peeters and Boellmann. Straight to St Paul's cathedral for Margaret Silf's excellent talk on faith. Bus stop closed so walked to and from London Bridge. To St Andrew's Coulsdon for centenerary concert which was enjoyable and everybody so welcoming. The large choir sang Hallelujah chorus, O thou the central orb, I was glad and Jo Richards' new Jubilate. She (formerly he) is not a good conductor and seems to say what she likes! Stephen Bowey played really well and the organ has been fixed. Nice supper afterwards. Watched Downton. 

Spent the whole of Thursday with a runny tummy. Did go to art but did not stay long and abandoned any ifea of going to interfaith lunch and ENO to see Girl of the Golden West. Liz went and enjoyed it. As it happens I was OK until bedtime! Watched The Apprentice, the rest of the WWI commemoration day services from Glasgow cathedral and the two programmes on immigrants with Nick and Margaret which were most interesting. I also did the programme for the day in Notting Hill visiting 4 organs on the 8th. Friday all seems OK but have stayed home and not gone to the cathedral for St John Southworth guild first dummy run! Nor did I go to Beckenham to hear Rosemary Field. Spoke to Bruce on Skype. Josie is fading fast which is so sad. Did two Tablet crosswords and have caught up with only one to read!

It is weeks since I went swimming. As I have had a chesty cough and cold it is not a good idea and I have been waking in the early morning. I do seem to have lost some weight since Christmas 10:2 at the moment. Monday 30th took Bruce and EJ to IKEA and Boots in pouring rain and they went to the National Portrait Gallery. Liz and I went to Clapham Picturehouse to see Saving Mr Banks which was excellent. Fascinating the clash over what should be done to Mary Poppins - do children want a softer version? Excellent songs and the flashbacks to Australia were very well done. Home to see Sacred Wonders of Britain. 31st grouted the mosaics I made yesterday - Bruce kindly cut the MDF for me. I have now made 3 of the Walsingham ones and 2 Keep calm and pray. Bruce and EJ went over to Louise and Tom's as they had a baby sitter. We went to the Clapham Picturehouse for 4.30 to see the Berlin Philharmonic New Year concert live conducted by Sir Simon Rattle OM with Lang Lang playing Prokofiev 3. ...

Went to visit Josie after lunch and she is well and remembering better. Then to Dennis's and they walked home. Liz went to the Prom and Ann, Paul and Dennis went to Spamalot. I went to an excellent lecture on Meister Eckhart by Anthony Finnerty at Meditatio - there were more there and he clearly liked my question about No thing and God. Friday swam 20 despite the pool being busy. Took Ann shopping and got mdf piece for mosaics. Took Paul to get map copied and laminated in West Norwood and had a drink and carrot cake. Louise arrived with the boys so we had lunch and Ciarán had stories and played in the garden. Claire came and took family photos. Bruce arrived from Jersey in the morning and looks well. Good to see him. We all went to Dennis's as Louise was staying the night there with the boys. Fish and chips, ginger beer and champagne! Home to Baileys on ice. Dennis off to Ireland in the morning - good to see him smile after the disappointment of not getting the transfer South....

We took Liz's cakes for servers and clergy and they were much appreciated. Fr Michael at Mass so he leant on me to get up and down the steps. Took clothes to the passage. Have got most of the things out that we need for the trip. Took present to Josie and Ken was there so had a good chat. Saw the end of "The Hour" and watched 2 programmes on Rome by Simon Sebag-Montefiore.

Nice day and considered various options but in the end played at home. Cleared up lounge and hoovered. In course of this found dead mouse in trap in cupboard next to fireplace also one closed trap had gone off - why no smell? Must have been there a while - ugh! Ciarán played in garden and with tracks. He dropped off while watching John Wilson prom so I listened to Debussy sonata from the prom with the score I got from Bromley. Liz went to see Josie in the assessment centre - it was her birthday. Spoke to Louise on skype - she had seen midwife. Ciarán baked Thomas cakes with Agga.

To St Chad's to play for Mary's funeral. There was a good turnout and the grandchildren all did well. The first thing was to find the new on/off switch which is inside the organ! The blocks I left there years ago to raise the stool had gone! All went reasonably well. We took Josie to Beckenham crematorium where we had Irish recordings and then to the Surprise for a very pleasant lunch and met lots of Addiscombe and South Norwood folk. To the pre Prom talk by Matthew Rowe on the B minor Mass, Harry Bicket's professional chorus were almost unrelentingly LOUD. Soloists were good especially Matthew Rose and Iestyn Davies the countertenor.

A glorious day. Sat in garden and Grainne and family came and played on small trampoline on new mat and with stones and oranges! Come to sunny South Norwood forget Cyprus! Then we went swimming and Ciarán goes under water and loves it! I walked him in buggy to Josie so he slept and Louise and Liz went to sort clothes at Glyn Close. Great to chat to Malcolm and Ursula and Bernard quizzing us on geography! Liz to Acton with Lou and Ciarán. Enjoyed programme on Holst and Easter at King's.

Swam 22. My back playing up as a result of hoovering and tidying up the house and garden. Malcolm, Ursula, Emily, Aidan, Bernard and Josie came for tea. Great to see them and hear about the horrors of Christchurch. A lovely afternoon and great eats from Liz. Liz went to servers meeting and then to Louise's.

Friday 40 lengths - meetings at work. Choir practice a bit frustrating again - "I don't like this" is hardly helpful and a comment about Gareth Malone's talent did not please me. Saturday was a quiet day catching up on things and went to the recital at St Dunstan Bellingham by Paul Derrett. A fine Hill organ which came in the 20s from Chapel Royal St James Palace. I followed the Trumpet minuet of Alfred Hollins with the score - top C sharp on the pedals was not working. We also had Handel, Bach, Wesley, Elgar, Wolstenholme and Robert Cundick. I missed second half. Had tea with Andrew Cessana, Christian Strouver and Tom who goes to St Michael's recitals. There were about 50 there. To vespers and Mass and as I was early I met John East in the cathedral. Last night of the proms on TV - an odd mixture of songs about death (Purcell and Mahler) and Ketelbey, Arnold, no Sea songs. Excellent trumpet playing from Alison Balsom and Sarah Connolly sang beautifully. Enjoyed ...

Spoke to Dennis and Ann Marie and Ann on Skype. They had been to Taronga Zoo and on the ferry, also St John's Glebe and Christ Church St Laurence. Still no plaques for Mum and Dad after 3 years! Planning the weekend. Haircut. Took Josie and Grandma to Buckingham Palace. Once again the disabled facilities were excellent with a new lift and garden cafe. Liked the special exhibition about the Queen's tours and gifts - some wonderful dresses and her own orders. To Victoria to get battery for Liz's swatch and then to National gallery but it is now open late on Fridays instead of Wednesdays! To the cathedral for David Sanger's interesting recital and a bigger audience. Saint-Saens, Karg-Elert, Vierne, Martin Passacaille, Seth Bingham. On way home listened to Strauss Symphonia domestica with score but train very noisy and reception poor. Watched Tudors part 1 and Barenboim conducting East West divan orchestra at proms in Liszt Les Preludes and Wagner Tristan prelude and liebes...

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...

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...

My feast day. The Anglicans have my favourite gospel which was always read at St John's College at school Masses about Peter asking if John will live to see the return of Jesus. Catholics read about Peter and John running to the tomb "he saw and believed". To St John's for Eucharist - attractive Mass of St Cedd by Peter Nardone, Philip Ledger's Christmas gloria and Eyre's O fragrant the lilies. Gave out carol CDs which were much appreciated. Jo Richards said he had seen me as crucifer at the cathedral. Josie, Clare and Grandma for lunch which was very nice. To vespers and Mass for feast of Holy Family - 4 priests at Mass. Told Fr Swavek Liz had opened Polish gherkins and had to be eaten in 48 hours! Here is John Keble's great hymn for today. 1. Word supreme, before creation Born of God eternally, Who didst will for our salvation To be born on earth, and die; Will thy Saints have kept their station, Watching till thine hour drew nigh. 2. Now...

No rose vestments at Coulsdon. Teresa got 3 kids to light candles on the wreath but did not light the pink one! We sang Bach's "Zion hears" and I missed the repeat so managed to get back on right track again! We also sang "The Lord will come and not be slow". Walker's "Stay awake" and Palmer's "When is he coming" both going well. I played Bairstow and Statham on "Veni emmanuel" and Gordon Giles has an excellent meditation on this hymn in his book "O come Emmanuel". A lovely Christmas lunch with Louise, Tom, Bruce and Josie. Big turkey, spinach soup, ginger and pear souffle, Christmas pudding. To the hospital with Bruce and Josie to see Grandma who has moved wards for the 3rd time - this time to the urinary one. Watched Antiques Roadshow, the last Cranford and last Parkinson. David Beckham on his best behaviour!

I went to visit Grandma and she had at last had the scan on her leg. A blood clot had been found so she was on new injections to thin her blood. Dennis and AnnMarie came from Harlow and Dennis had a meeting with the whole team about the nursing and medical care so at last something is happening. I went round to Sharon's to take the cheque and she was busy working on the stunning flowers. Did various odd jobs -cleaning shoes, ironing while Liz was the hospital. Also listened to 2 proms on HDD - Concertgebouw playing Debussy and Wagner sublimely under Haitink and the Martinu piano concerto No. 4. Liz went with Ann to collect the cake and take the decorations to the Roehampton club. I went to hear Dame Gillian Weir at the cathedral. De Grigny, Vierne and a splendid Toccata, Fugue and hymn on "Ave maris stella" by Flor Peeters. The Reubke sonata was the most familiar piece and the highlight. Peter Eben's Moto ostinato and Finale seems pretty pointless even though "...

Tuesday last day at work before holidays so did lots of clearing up and preparations to make Calix's life as easy as possible. Arrived early at Chiswick for the wedding rehearsal. Lyn and Rosemary came too. Nice to meet Mark the best man. Fr Jim very friendly. I acted as the celebrant and took them through the vows and we worked out where everyone will stand. The church is lovely and it was very touching listening to them. They clearly love each other very much! We went to the local pub for a Guinness and I had steak and Guinness pie. Louise has everything organised. We dropped them off and stayed at the Travelodge on the M4. This was fine but on the wrong side of the road so we had to return to the Chiswick roundabout in the morning to get to Heathrow! We rose at 5.45 but in fact Ann's flight was early so she was waiting for us! Lovely to see her again and we drove home via Josie's! Skyped Paul. Listened and recorded Mum's tapes about her life. Watched the Salonen prom...