The organist librarian

Back to church and on good form. I  played Willan and Archer on Nicaea, Quentin Thomas on Laus Deo, Mawby on Angel Voices and March on St Patrick's breastplate by Alec Wyton at the end. Fr Leon liked "How shall we sing that majesty" to Coe Fen - what a tune! Only 15 there.  Fr Leon very supportive and keen to sort out the organ tuning. I emailed lots of people about the recitals. At evensong we sang Weelkes and Gibbons but Kathy's tuning was awry again. Keys to Adrian. Made videos of holiday photos. Monday back to mosaic - not many there. Ursula gave me a wooden elephant! To St Michael's Cornhill to Hear Jane Parker-Smith. She is brilliant but it was all so loud and no information about unknown composers! To Catenians and took minutes. Dennis came!

Swam 20. Saw Dr Attard about bruise on upper leg - cortisone cream - he asked if I had had shorts on - fat chance the weather we have been having!  To Acton for when Ciarán came out of nursery - met the nanny for the autumn - very nice. To Carluccios for a lovely lunch - had asparagus risotto and lemon sorbet and white wine - starter with gorgonzola. Ciaran had made a card for me and presented with a lovely hat - very smart. To Interfaith group after tea at M & S. Got ticket for Venice concert. Only 3 there to hear an excellent Power Point by Morten Thuysen from the World Development movement. Shocking to hear how government are linked to finance and fossil fuel companies even Vince Cable! Their campaign is Carbon Capital. To Foyles bookshop and impressed by their religion section - in fact found some Eckhart references! To Soho Square but by then the sun had gone. Earlier had met Fr John O'Leary and Fr Michael Archer and commented that I wished I had my shorts on. To St Patri...

Tuesday an unexpected treat as Louise came over to help Bruce pack up so had Seán and Ciarán to look after. Liz took Ciarán for a tram ride to Wimbledon. I went to St Paul's cathedral for the 359th festival of the Sons of the clergy. Tewkesbury Abbey and Norwich cathedral choirs sang well - Britten, Will Todd, Gibbons and Greig Ave maris stella. A good sermon from the Bishop of Norwich. Rejoice in the Lamb worked really well as the combined anthem as did Hymn to the virgin. We had some great hymns to sing "Christ is the king" "Ye that know the Lord is gracious" (but why to Blaenwern and not Abbots Leigh?) and Christ triumphant. Bishop of London wearing horrid black and red cope and mitre. Bus and time for a sandwich at Pret before meeting Liz to see Boheme at Coliseum. Upper circle centre two for one £25. Wonderful production with some great singing. Duncan Rock particularly impressed, Glyn Hughes Jones got some fine top notes and Kate Valentine and Angel Blue ...

Swam 16 as I was late up. I had been finishing Bethan Roberts's "My policeman" an outstanding novel. Could not put it down! Sent off first draft of Taylor essay to Damian. Liz did some shopping. We served at joint vespers between the Abbey and the cathedral - Marenzio and Gibbons. Wine reception so chatted to Graham, David Knight, Reuben and the 2 Martins. Liz to St John's practice. Listened to evensong from St Pancras church and watched Come dine with me.

Thursday took Ciarán and Bruce to Gambados Beckenham and read the Tablet while they enjoyed the slides and cars. To Voces 8 concert at St Peter Eaton Square - lovely church with a big organ. A lovely concert - really enjoyed it. John Wardle and Tommy Hewitt-Jones were there. Nice that we got to the group as we left so saw Chris Wardle. Louise picked us up at East Croydon as she had been out to dinner while Bruce babysat.

Ciarán slept from 7 to 7 a.m. and was perfectly happy to see us when he woke. I drove to Coulsdon taking in stops at home to try and find the charger for the hedge trimmer (it was in the car all the time!) We sang Gibbons Almighty and everlasting God and I marked 70 years since the Battle of Britain with Walton's Spitfire prelude, Eric Coates Dambusters march and the RAF Marchpast. I got my Fair trade items and practised with Molly. Mass at Purley was rather long thanks to a sermon for Racial Justice Sunday and the David Palmer band and choir. 2 fine Haas psalms and "Sing of the Lord's goodness". Saw Bill and Christine. Lou and Tom returned and Ciarán cried but was soon OK. We had an excellent lunch at the Station House - roast beef and pizza with nutella, banana and cream! We were home by 7.30 and watched a tribute to Dame Vera Lynn who is 92!

Dennis up early and he returned to Burnley today. At Coulsdon we had some great hymns "Hail the day" "Crown him with many crowns" and "The head that once". We sang "The Lord ascendeth up on high" by Praetorius and I played the Bach "Heut triumphiret". Practised with Molly and the organ and then to Purley for 12 noon Mass. Sat next to Irene de Souza and her family. Bill again played Wachet auf and Passion chorale! The deacon does nothing! Drove to hospital and Grandma more chirpy -counted up to 5! Drove back to Coulsdon for 4 pm rehearsal for 5pm evensong. Gibbons Short service and Croft God is gone up, William Smith responses - the hard work paid off and all went well. I played Bach Orgelbuchlein Easter preludes and John Cook's Improvisation on "Veni creator". The hymns were "Rejoice the Lord is king" and "Jesus lives". Home to see Louise briefly and watch Young Musician final. Callum played Mendelssohn...

Picked up Marie at the bus stop on way to church as a little later than usual. We sang Rutter setting and "Fairest Lord Jesus" arranged by Martin How. Molly is doing well and should get first badge on Mothering Sunday. The hymns were "Come let us join" "Thou whose almighty word" "let us with a gladsome mind" and "All creatures of our God and King" as the theme was creation. Practised and then home for soup. To St Edmund's Beckenham for recital at 3. 12 came and nice tea afterwards at No 11. Miriam Power has done well with the fine Wyvern organ. To St John's for evensong with Kit in charge - Gibbons short service and "Lord for thy tender mercy's sake". Antiques roadshow, Lark Rise and watched Songs of Praise from Southwark cathedral. I was on once and Liz a lot! St Edmund’s Beckenham Sunday February 7th 3 pm A musical meditation on the period from Christmas to Candlemas played by John Woodhouse ACertCM FGMS Director...

Byrd's "Senex puerum" went really well at Coulsdon and the Gibbons Nunc Dimittis as well. I played Andrew Moore's "Light of the nations" and the Bach prelude for the day. Dennis strapped up my right ankle which I think I must have knocked. I rested while he and Liz went to visit Grandma. To evensong at St John's where we sang Wood Coll Reg and Hail gladdening light. The organ was much too loud again especially in "Fairest Lord Jesus" - does Kit look at the words? Antiques roadshow, Lark Rise and slept peacefully through David Dimbleby on treasures of Britain. Monday lift to station and hobbled along. My last tai chi session which is sad and I will try and get a DVD. Tony is an excellent teacher. To Catenians - tram not running and replaced by bus which dropped me off one stop too early so a walk to the club. Long chat to Barry about diaconate. Eric gave me a lift home. Computer running slow this morning and ankle sore.

Reality beginning to creep in checking the diary up until Easter and the implications of 9 to 8 twice a week and 9.30 to 6 on alternate Saturdays which will mean going to Mass somewhere else once a fortnight. Still it is an exciting prospect. There have been many congratulations and a feeling of sadness after so many happy years in one building. Choir practice went smoothly and we worked on Byrd's "Senex puerum" and Gibbons Nunc dimittis for Candlemas. Luckily I had changed Saturdays because of Paul Clubb's wedding as in fact the reading group turned up today (RA agreed to cover it next Saturday!) Nearly all did not like "The cleft" by Doris Lessing but I think Gillian and I convinced them there was more to the book than met the eye! A very wet day. Abi is coping very well indeed. To vespers and Mass Fr Kingsley and a new server Eugene. Home to watch Lawrence (of Arabia) Island parish and Chester Zoo. Had a M & S meal of roulades and profiteroles with Mo...

Liz had 5 celebrations in all! On Thursday I took her to Tree House South Croydon where we enjoyed sea bass and hot chocolate fondant. Liz had a Japanese fish mani mani. She kept saying Bagattis would be nice and I've contacted Croydon Park hotel about Sunday! Friday friends came for eats and mulled wine and drinks and I hot back from choir practice to enjoy seeing Grainne, Sophie, Clare, Lyn, Rosemary, Gill and later Adrian and Terence. Saturday we served at Mass which was RCIA so finished late. I said to Liz I have to deliver you in South Croydon at 8.30 so just time to change and we got the bus OK. Louise, Tom and Bruce were at Bagattis and AnnMarie and Dennis brought Grandma. It was so lovely to hace everyone together. Liz got a voucher for the Sanctuary, lots of flowers and a watch from Bruce. The food was excellent - I had sardines and risotto. Restaurant full and very noisy - nice birthday cake arranged by Louise. Sunday Louise organised lunch - Dennis had flown back. We had...