The organist librarian

liz returned safely on Tuesday. Quality control had a lot ot say about how little had been done in her absence so got on with putting up tree lights and decorations which is after all a major task and best done together any way. One set of 100 tree lights took 2 hours to unravel! Little Dorrit came to a fine conclusion and a happy ending! The review meeting with Vickie proved to be quite critical but on Sunday she was keen to affirm my position which is good. Quite what happens in the New Year is uncertain so it's all systems go for Christmas and today Sunday I practised for over an hour. Wednesday to chorus with Edward. Thursday to Christian's for the organists supper - not many there, excellent food. Friday to Jane Allen's retirement party at Balham library hall. Chris Lally, Elaine and Victor there and a good turnout. Excellent eats and champagne! The speeches went on for ages and she ended up thanking everyone. I could not leave till the speeches were over which meant I...

Liz has gone to Hexham for a few days. I have managed to sleep better this time but I still miss her. I am getting pretty fed up with carols in Advent. The Archbishop of Canterbury's Advent message stresses the need to wait so why does the Church pander to the secular world. Friday's practice went much better. Saturday to Coulsdon town centre to sing carols with Churches together at 1 p.m. There was a lot of noise from other attractions. No carol CDs were sold and my view is that next year we should give them away with a notice about our Christmas services. We have several boxes left and have neither the marketing skills or time to sell them. We have made some money for the hospice and the church. To Vespers and Mass. I went up by train and when I arrived saw 3 black wedding cars and a white stretch limo outside. The wedding had started 49 minutes late and Fr Michael did well to get through in time for Vespers. John was there and 5 of the kids. The new cantor started "Crat...

40 lengths 3 times this week, also went to tai chi. Been up late missing Liz. Watched "Little Dorrit" and "Beautiful People" on Thursday evening - cold over night. Liz safely back after practice on Friday - the girls came and did some work on carols and music for November.

Only 3 in choir at Coulsdon so we sang the unison Rutter setting and "We love the place O God" from A & MR. Words are good! The girls seem to have assumed that if there was no Sunday school there was no choir too! There was a powerpoing presentation about planned giving - not good timing! The church needs another £267 a week! I have now done my tax returns showing my expenses for 3 years - I cannot claim for travel from home or for another pair of trousers! To Royal Hospital Chelsea. I was early so visited the excellent National Army museum - good art gallery with some famous pictures of the Boer War! Very well presented for kids especially about Waterloo. The chapel at the Hospital is very fine and Gabriele Damiani plays well. Denis Bedard's Suite Romantique is very like Suite gothique in structure and quite delightful and amusing. Corelli Concerto grosso OP 6 No 10 and John West to finish - not quite to my taste. Met a member of the library reading group. The dining...