The organist librarian

What a pleasure to visit Croydon minster. A new Advent piece by Martin How! I played Howells Sine nomine. Lunch at Coffee Time. Andrew Scott gave us a great welcome and St Michael's organ is a joy. Played Elgar cello concerto Adagio. He played Oldroyd and it's great to hear of Harrisons work internationally and in so many cathedrals. York Minster is going to sound fabulous! Amdy said Cameron Carpenter is an arsehole. He would only talk to him through his agent! Fairfield Hall organ is playable but still needs an overhaul. Watched the Royal British legion festival of remembrance. Some great moments especially the descants BUT why Morning has broken ( and sung by a soloist) Bridge over troubled water and the words of the song I am not your son could be seen as objectionable. Are we afraid to mention God? Good to see Jewish and Sikh army chaplains taking part. So a bit of a curate's egg. An abiding memory of the fall of the Berlin wall was the joy of Horst Neumann our East Ge...

Portraits in acrylics with John O'Donnell at Bethlem museum of the mind. 2 hour session. That chatterbox was there again! The new exhibition is interesting and includes Nijinsky and Wain. I did not go to organists AGM as I would have struggled to get to the cathedral in time. Watched Home is where the art is series. St Thomas-on-the-Bourne, Farnham choir sang beautifully at the cathedral. Palestrina, RVW and Ola Gjelo. Fr John gave an excellent homily and we had an appeal from Aid to the Church in need.Played Guest on St Fulbert, Michael Fleming on Noel nouvelet and Gordon Slater Easter Alleluya. We sang "Sing God's Easter people". Fr Jerry blessed the Risen Lord icon and he will be in St John Caterham until the end of the Easter season. Long chat to "Dan" the homeless man and was quite blunt with him about common sense decisions. I do not think he wants help. To St Paul's to hear Graham Tomlin Bishop of Kensington on freedom. Christians have the free...

To St George's cathedral to sing in RSCM service of remembrance. A good programme well conducted by Norman Harper. Considering this covered three RSCM areas not a large choir and do not like the idea of areas being joined up. Victoria choir at Mass still not much improved. Royal British Legion service from Royal Albert Hall was different. Bryn Terfel and Sheku.  

The Lord Mayor's show was terrific and we had great seats thanks to  Vicky Stone . Sean enjoyed it. To Swiss church for Focolare On the way to be one: exploring a spirituality of communion. Excellent speakers and bishops speaking of the pain of divisions. A variety too including a Bach cello suite. Old friends and new ones and great to see so many Catholics there. Acoustics bad. Fr Andrew Bowden at Mass and he sang beautifully. RCIA start. Royal British Legion festival of remembrance. 

Tom cooked delciious breakfast - lovely sausages. To St John's for 10 a.m. 10 of us on the visit including Woolf van Silver who is working on All Saints Tooting organ restoration plans. Sam Barber is the organ scholar and Jamie welcomed us. Then to St Peter's where there was a fine exhibiton of paintings - the artist is to preach tomorrow! A lovely building with a good organ. Portobello Road very busy. Had lunch at Portobello ristorante - pizzas with chewy crusts. The Camerons were dining there! To St Matthew Bayswater which has a lovely Walker and then St John's Holland Park where Paul Joslin gave us a slide show and I played Willan. He played there and Sir Walter Alcock opened the organ. Got to the cathedral in good time and Fr Alexander enjoyed the Bainton anthem from Cardinal Vaughan school choir. They also sang Mozart and Byrd. Watched the British legion festival of remembrance featuring a new item by Paul Mealor sung by Royal Holloway.

To St John's Wood for SSG AGM and Crichton lecture. An interesting talk on the New-Catechumenate which raised questions. Served at Mass with Bishop Alan Hopes. Lovely music from the Inwoods. Fr Allen was very welcoming. The "lecture" was given by Bishop Kieran from Arundel and Brighton  - amusing and too the point. Keep going! AGM was short and sweet. It seems thet need another trustee so not quite sure why we are to be clerks to the Trustees 3 times a year. Why not make one of us a trustee? Had tea at Pret and served Mass with Fr Paolo. Ed played from Elijah and Bach Fantasia in C minor. Mgr Mark O'Toole is to be bishop of Plymouth. Watched Royal British legion festival of remembrance.

My left eye became increasingly sore during the day. Liz went off to college. To St Laurence Catford for recital by Hannah Parry-Ridout. Purcell, De Grigny and Bach Wedge very well played. Had coffee with Christopher Town and Michael Toplis recovering from seocnd carpal tunnel operation. On train and tram to Croydon only to find the NHS walk-in full up so came home and completed coursework. Watched Prom of Yeomen of the Guard. To Vespers and Mass Fr Paolo immediately noticed my eye! After mass went to walk in but it closed at 8 so to Mayday A & E. Eventually came outside and rang for an appointment upstairs with Croydoc and saw dcctor who sad it was a bad infection so antibiotics, ointment and drops! Watched part of Royal British legion festival of remembrance form the Albert Hall. It has again been updated. BBC Director general resigned which is sad. Bishop Welby of Durham is to go to Canterbury.