The organist librarian

Tradition dictates that I will spend ages unravelling the lights despite putting them away so carefully! Listening to Christmas in Coulsdon recorded in 2005! It comes up fresh every year. Also Adoration from Romsey Abbey conducted by George Richford. Superb! It is also traditional to put the lights on the tree accompanied by Glenn Miller In the Christmas mood as of course they get tangled again! It is also obligatory to announce "Next year we go minimal. No more 100s of lights just one branch!" Fr John at Mass and Carl lit the second candle on the wreath. Thibault did not show. We sang Creator of the stars of night arranged by John Scott and I played Rowley on Conditor alme and Walther Watchet auf. Odd that all the hymns this morning were in D major. In fact I played Crucifer in C. The posada has arrived from St John's. The idea is that Mary and Joseph stay overnight with us and then go to Nina and on round the parish. This is a first for us! More decorating! A...

A busy day! Festival of St Cecilia at the Abbey. Glorious new Chilcott anthem and Blessed city. Great hymns How shall I sing, O praise ye the Lord, Christ is made the sure foundation. Bruckner Christus factus est. Sitting in the nave we got a lot of organ but the violin solo was great - Jennifer Pike. Sermon from Bishop of London was a tad disappointing and who is Daniel Barenboom? It's Barenboom. Lunch at Methodist Central Hall with Barbara from mosaic and her Polish friends.Welsh Chapel Asher Oliver played Bruhns and Franck it was interesting to hear them again but on a very different organ. Splendid Bach. Queens gallery George IV excellent. 7 came to the group to hear Raya. Holy Trinity Sloane Square Samuel Ali Brahms and Bach very good. Tea at Peter Jones prior to the revolte tonight. UK premiere of Guillou's La Revolte des orgues at the drome. I liked the percussion and watching the conductor but more noise does not mean music. International players playing tiddly bits? U...

Mass at St Andrew Thornton Heath and met the new parish priest chatted about Catenians (there are none in the parish) and Signposts. He quite rightly pointed out that both are gender specific which no longer washes. To art and finished 2 paintings for the charity auction. Festival of music and liturgy at St Matthew Westminster launched by Canon Jeremy Davies' inspiring lecture on priesthood. I have the notes let me know if interested. All priests should read this! Lovely singing by the Westminster cathedral Boys at vespers at St Matthew Westminster Martin Baker directing. Simon Earl from Christchurch priory played an interesting recital at St John's including Bairstow, Howells, JSB, Widor, Bedard, Saint-Saens and Dupre. I met Baroness Williams and the organiser of Thy Kingdom come for the Archbishop of Canterbury on the 507 bus!

A great turnout for Umberto's funeral and delicious cream tea. He will be much missed. The music was pretty awful - hymns we did not know, Lamb of God Israeli Mass? no sung Alleluia. James Gough replaced Doug Tang at Sloane Square Bach, Howells and Dupre. Henry Fairs played superbly at the cathedral Bach, interesting Alain, Franck, Schumann, Mozart and best of all the Bairstow sonata. BRAVO!

We sang Creator of the stars of night arranged John Scott. I played Bairstow and Sumsion on Veni Emmanuel and Flor Peeters on Conditor alme. A train full of noisy loud 20 something's. Nice lunch. One of my Advent meditation books makes the good point that Paul's "Rejoice in the Lord always!" is an impossible idea. However the way forward is to be grateful for everything and turn that into prayer and joy will follow. Watched Mary Berry at Goodwood house and showjumping from Olympia. For evensong played Willan on Bristol and Flor Peeters on St Stephen and Wachet auf. Very annoyed to find that my parking place outside my house has been taken and for the second time the bollards have gone as well! How dare they take them away! Sports non personalityof the year. Sir Mo won. Liz gone to Clare's. Ciaran playing his new guitar on Whatsapp. Apprentice joint winners! 

At evensong we sang Eyre in D and Bairstow Blessed city. The prayers were rather long and although Adrian gave me a lift to Crystal Palace station I missed the train but got to Finchley a bit late. JW3 is most impressive and there was a good audience for the discussion chaired by Ed Kessler with Rabbi David Rosen and Archbishop Kevin. I asked a question about how few Catholics and Jews knew the document and was described as a champion of interfaith! William advised going to Finchley and Frognal which was much closer than West Hampstead so quickly to Willesden but then had to get a replacement bus to Acton. Louise had forgotten I was coming! Monday took Ciaran over to Issy's. Cleaner came and so I left and had coffee at JW3. Good turnout and several people I know for the 2 seminars - particularly liked the rabbi who had been in Sydney and of course Michael Barnes who I complimented as the best teacher ever! He said afterwards "you naughty man" but these things should be s...

To Hotel Montcalm for 11 a.m. This was my ruby wedding present to Liz. We spent 11 to 3 ralaxing in jacuzzi, small exercise pool, sauna and steam room and reading then champagne tea. It was lovely - the only odd thing was marmalade with the cream scones! Liz went to servers dinner and I went to the Wallace collection where I enjoyed the pictures. To Heythrop for book launch by Keith Ard, John Polkinghorne and Fiona ? Saw Anna and Michael Barnes. To Acton and Louise and Tom went out. Wednesday took Sean to Acton parish church but no sign of playgroup so 70 bus to Acton Park and cafe and then football skills session at the children's centre. 70 bus back and visited the new library and walked to car. He slept. Liz and I went to organ recital by Martin Baker at RFH. Not a great audience. I went to the 6.15 talk with Martin and Simon Holt but the actual commission was disappointing depsite the superb signing by Louis Negri who is head chorister at the cathedral. The Bairstow did not qu...

Book bearer at morning prayer and tenebrae - lovely Victoria and an excellent homily from the Cardinal. Shopping and tea at Marks. Beautiful  evensong from Chichester featuring Bairstow Lamentations and Jackson in G. Had a fun day putting family tree onto ancestry.co.uk. Picked up Ann and Paul from West Norwood and Dennis came. To Beckenham for Vigil and Fr Paul sang Exultet very dramatically and effectively. Only 19 there but the singing was good. One baptism. Hallelujah chorus got a clap and a Bravo! To cathedral by 10.30 in time for consecration prayer. Choir sang Gabrieli but of course missed the Vierne. Vierne 6 at the end - splendid. Home by 12.30.  It seems Martin Baker composed the Mandatum music on Tuesday and choir sang it magnificently on Maundy Thursday.

Arrived to find a new Mass booklet for Advent including Kyries. Bill sang a Haugen one and found accompaniment in Alan's folder so we used that. 4 rehearsed carols - Debbie last to appear so missed warmup but she seemed to improve but was back to the bad forced tone during the service! We sang Wake o wake and I played the Bach and Walther also Bairstow on Veni emmanuel. Practised a bit before baptism at 12.30. Mandela described as a prophet. I suppose he was but he himself said he was no saint! And I'm not sure about his faith either. 

At lunch time we had a long break so walked to Southwell workhouse - it proved much further than we thought but worth a visit. Sunday morning cereals and cooked breakfast. We sang a jolly operatic Mass by Durand (better known as a publisher) and a tricky Alleluia motet by Anerio. A good beef lunch at the Piano. Evensong was Jackson in G, Shephard introit and Bairstow Know ye not -  a York tribute Afterwards there was an excellent tea with lots of cakes. We drove to St Barnabas cathedral Nottingham where Simon was concelebrating and we went for a drink. Got lost getting petrol but eventually found the road back to Southwell. Monday pointed out water in kettle in our room tasted awful and suggested some improvements. To Woolsthorpe Manor where Sir Isaac Newton grew up - an excellent science display and hands on experiments and the famous apple tree. After coffee to Audley End which is a magnificent house - guided tour and cream tea. Lots of fine paintings and grand rooms! Drove home...

Finished reading the Pieris book. Liz went to course retreat at Tyburn. To St George's cathedral for Peter Wright's excellent recital of Bach, Vierne, Cochereau, Bairstow, Jackson and the Leighton Et resurrexit again. Not impressed that Mark Johnson ignored me - it was the St Cecilia day as well. Norman Harper was most welcoming and there was a reasonable audience. On 344 with Dorio to St Mary le Bow. An excellent demo by the church secretary of the Kenneth Tickell 2010 organ which is a real treat. I played two Andrew Moore pieces. There was a good turnout too. To M & S for tea and cake. At Mass RCIA candidates were enrolled. St George's Sudbury all male choir did not distinguish themselves! Nice meal of pork chop. Michael Portillo has continental railway journeys series!

Glorious sunshine. Began with Hosanna by Wilson, flute for Give me joy and All glory laud and honour. Glory be to Jesus, My song is love unknown, Ride ride on. Bairstow in E flat. Final chorus of St Matthew Passion at the end. Ouseley Is it nothing to you. Kids rehearsed and so did I. Liz not happy about my retirement farewell being on April 21 and last service May 13 when the Bishop comes - no replies to adverts in Tablet and Church Times - the former was expensive. However something will come up as Mr Micawber would say! What I should have said was I will retire when I have found a new position elsewhere.

More reading and swam 28. To St Stephen Wallbrook for Simon Hogan's recital. Met Caroline Archbold on London Bridge and Martin Ball was at the recital. Simon is organ scholar at St Paul's and very impressive. Bowen, Bairstow, Bach and Elgar sonata. Reading Eliza Griswold's book and watched Gypsy wedding. Turned off the Schubert Stabat mater - bit fed up with so much Schubert on Radio 3. Practice went well and covered all the territory. Got petrol at Tescos - several garages closed.

Sunday Baptism of the Lord. Dubois Mass and Palestrina Sicut cervus. Coffee then Mattins with Elgar Te Deum and Bach Christ unser Herr and the Bach prelude on the tune to follow. Met Dennis at Art gallery cafe and asked about Ridsdale Tate - they have some pictures. Evensong Stanford in G with 2 excellent soloists and Gardner Tomorrow shall be my dancing day. Good chants too Bairstow, Buck. Splendid organ playing from Charles. To Bettys for afternoon tea and saw a book about 1952 when I first went there aged 5! Dennis got train to Manchester and we walked back to b and b over footbridge past the new Wheel of York. Watched Antiques roadshow and Great Barrier Reef.

To Beckenham for organ recital and found Harry Bramma was standing in for indisposed recitalist (that seems to happen often at St George's!) We were treated to some great Bach chorale preludes. More reading. Liz to confirmation planning. Only one soprano at practice and had a chat to Audra afterwards about PCC comments which was reassuring. Saturday to Heythrop mass for St Francis Xavier and the mass was for Sr Hilda. Liz served. More reading in library but felt quite tired. Tea at M & S and bought a new hat as mine lost at Brentford on Wednesday. Fr Paolo sang well at Mass and excellent choir from Prior Park school Bath - Bairstow Let all mortal flesh, Vittoria, Tallis O nata lux, Gounod. Took Sammes score to Adrian and Dennis came down. Fish pie I cooked yesterday was OK despite spilling pepper on the broccoli.

Slept badly again. We sang Simon Lole's "O God of mercy" 6 in choir and the Stephen Dean St Andrew's acclamations going well. Jill Cliff celebrated 80th birthday with Pimms. I played Webber on Lobe den herren (first played that when I was a teenager and had to play for the Mayoral service in Dad's absence) and Finlandia Dad's favourite. He passed away July 1999. It was appreciated! The children sang Panis angelicus really well. Edward George was at cathedral for Mass - he is here from South Africa. Had an hour's sleep after lunch. At evensong we sang Noble in B minor, Bairstow Save us O lord, The duteous day now closeth and Adrian played Bairstow's Toccata Prelude on Pange lingua - very satisfying. Cleared up garden pots. Liz is cutting down on them.

Sunday stayed at church. We sang "Rejoice in the Lord alway" (anon) and I played Bairstow and Statham on Veni Emmamuel. We sang carols at Clifton and Crystal homes and it was much appreciated. I took the keyboard back to church and took Caroline home. Tried to print off Christmas letter without success but emailed it. Drove to Acton and on cookery course at Prue Leith's for the week. At first a muddleup over the booking and cheque but Liz started Intermediate and I on basic key skills. Monday making pastry and crudites with hummus and Tuesday delicious mango and chili salad with spinach. Demo on roast dinners - lovely meat. Wednesday made Italian bread and filleted sole with difficulty. Baby sat Ciarán. Tuesday to mass at the cathedral - the boys sang Stanford's A song of wisdom, Rorate coeli and Faure Messe basse superbly. Fr Alexander sang Mass beautifully and homily on St John of the Cross. To talk on Newman and friendship by Fr Seward from Oxford oratory - interes...

An outstanding evensong on radio 3 from the Eton choral course - Blair, Bairstow, Wesley's The wilderness and Mendelssohn sonata No 3 first movement. Finally caught up on Peter Simpson's blog!

Wednesday to osteopath and 3 students this time who worked on my left shoulder as I have no discomfort in side or back. They were impressed at my promming and swimming! Came home and Lauren had prepared nice BBQ with lots to eat. She ws having a quiet day and the new router meant she could use her laptop downstairs. Tried to use laptop to download music without success. To St John's to put pot of orange begonias with message for Mum and Dad's 2nd anniversary. Spoke to Ann and Dennis. Ann had been to Christ Church St Lawrence with Snowy and they had marked the first anniversary with Bairstow just as I did! Mum and Dad were prayed for and the priests remembered Ann. To Westminster Cathedral for organ recital by John Scott on sparkling form. De Grigny, Durufle, Alain and Eschaich all worth hearing but not Messiaen. It seems I am not alone on this one! Met Martin Ball, Adrian, Arnfinn (soon to compete in Montreal), Isabella, David just arrived from Dublin, Martin Baker. It was a go...

After a long string of feast days we are back in green. Teresa celebrated at Coulsdon as Vickie had to go to take the service at Sanderstead. She has had an arthroscopy so I suggested she asked for hydrotherapy as I had. They now do it as keyhole surgery and she was only in hospital for one night, whereas I was in Mayday for 4 days during Holy Week and off work for 6 weeks. However I did get back to playing manuals only within a week. The whole thing was a profound experience as i had my feet washed in hospital and on Easter Day we read about Emmaus when Paul brought me communion and I just knew Jesus was in our bedroom that day! We sang Bairstow in E flat and Tallis' "If ye love me".