The organist librarian

We both went to St Paul's cathedral for Sons and Friends of the clergy. The noise beforehand was bad so I tuned my aids off and sketched a lampstand! Peterborough and Wakefield cathedral choirs sang well and we heard Tavener, Bernard Rose, Kenneth Leighton and Elgar Give unto the Lord written in 1914 for the festival. Hymns were Disposer supreme, Christ is our cornerstone and For all the saints. Dean preached well and ended with Brewer Marche heroique. I went straight to Willesden Green and found the Muhammadi centre in Walm Lane. Sayed spoke well but Dr Shah-Kazemi did not use the time well and I dropped off. The ladies did not get their questions answered and many left when I did before the prayers! The person singing the earlier prayers had a fine voice. It was a pity they used so many Islamic terms.

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 38. Staff meeting and some concern about staff internet use being monitored. To hospital and Grandma clearly said Oh No and Oh Yes and something about tomorrow going home. Louise came and Dennis gave Ciarán bottle of expressed milk. Train from Denmark Hill to Blackfriars Thameslink for Festival of Sons of the clergy at St Paul's Cathedral. Lot of noise beforehand and we did not get Imperial March. Blues and Royals trumpeters. Wood Hail gladdening light from 3 choirs at the back. Angel voices ever singing. St Paul's sang Exultate deo by Poulenc. Westminster Abbey choir a Tomkins anthem. Lincoln including girls sang Stanford Coelos ascendit. I dropped off during Alan Harper's sermon - he is Archbishop of Armagh. The combined anthem was splendid and a great favourite of mine Wesley's "Ascribe unto the Lord". Rejoice the Lord is King and All my hope were the other hymns and grand procession out to Elgar Sonata Allegro maestoso. Archbishop of Canterbury and Lo

Monday to neighbourhood librarians meeting at Earlsfield which is looking good. To Catenians - 13 of us and 9 visitors. Kevin Ingram is a granddad for the first time, Eric for the 7th time! Some good jokes. Tuesday 12th staff meetings about Investors in People. To St Paul's cathedral. Lerone and Frank did not take up the spare tickets and Philipe got the time wrong so missed it! This was the 355th Festival. Exeter and Salisbury cathedral choirs joined St Paul's under Andrew Carwood's direction. It was great they both brought girls and boys. The tinnitus was not so bad this time. The Purcell Hear my prayer from the combined choirs at the back was stunning - those marvellous clashes and as we were at the back we got the full impact. Of course the procession is always magnificent with the Lord Mayor of London, Sheriffs and Aldermen. The magnificent sword and mace and the city marshal is splendid uniform. Great hymns "All hail the power" "Breathe on me breath of