The organist librarian

Gave out leaflets about Norwood circle at 3 masses at Virgo Fidelis Upper Norwood. Bill spoke really well. 190 leaflets taken and I found it best to give them out as men arrived at Mass. SOme of the brothers will not wear name badges or really engage with strangers! Liz came to the evening Mass. The new priest Fr Clark is conservative and the music is dire! Did lots of reading and in fact finished the Clarke book. After lunch to Penge Congregational church to hear 4 organists play the magnificent Lewis organ - Martin Ball, John Webber, Marilyn Nicholson and Robert Cooper. We had some splendid Dubois and Vierne, Schumann, Rheinberger and Buxtehude. A sumptious tea! Watched Downton Abbey, Antiques roadshow and Come dine with me. Songs of Praise from Royal Albert Hall.

Watching Olympics BMX, diving, athletics, hockey, amazing men's walk. Dennis dropped in - he was going to women's volleyball final.  To pre Prom talk with 3 members of BBC National orchestra of Wales and it was revealed that the offstage brass were to be on the stage which brought outrage from the large audience. I asked a question about the delay for the brass. TV screens could have been used but the conductor claimed ensemble would be better. More likely the BBC wanted to sell more seats! The performance was disappointing with a poor first entry from the sopranos and chorus anticipating the beat. So much brass on stage meant we were blasted and the choirs sang too loudly. Toby Spence just about managed although it was touch and go. 10 timpanists. Fischer's beat was small. The whole thing left me unmoved. Met Martin Ball and Chris Dobb.

To Vespers at 5 p.m. with combined choirs of the Abbey and cathedral.This was an invented first vespers for St Philip and St James with a lovely hymn setting by Praetorius. I was acolyte. Wonderful sound in Marenzio Magnificat and Bruckner Os justi. When the boys went for the high note in the Bruckner it was quite thrilling! Bach Toccata in C at the end. There was a good congregation too - Martin Ball was there. Liz could not make it as Grandma was ill. she had taken Bruce to Dorking (he came last night) and been to Bow to meet the plumber. After choir practice Vickie came for a meeting with the choir. I went up to Grandma's but we could not lift her so got the ambulance and Liz spent most of the night at King's. Got election results and spoke to Ann in Washington D.C.