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...

Daniel Moult played brilliantly at Bromley Parish church - about 50 there and nice cakes! Jean Francaix's Suite Carmelite interested me. It is 6 portraits of Carmelite nuns. I know a nun just like No. 4 - rushing about and constantly chatting with little apparent conclusion! I drove there behind an old lady going at 20 mph. On the way back no less than 8 drivers waved their thanks as i waited for them. Courtesy is not dead! Sme work in the garden. Played Elgar on the piano - Salut d'amour, Chanson de matin, Enigma variations. Fr Jerry wants to discuss Shona taking practice on first Sundays. Emailed and have deputy organised. A couple of singers withdrew - everybody is making excuses. Barry Williams thinks St Michael's behaved very badly and Coulsdon not much better. Watched Sewing Bee, Venice and Versailles programmes. Upstart Crow about Shakespeare is funny. 

Strange that I thought about Josie all through the service for All Saints and the news came through that she died at 3.30 a.m. So glad Liz got to see her and sad that Malcolm didn't make it in time. There were only 16 at the family eucharist but we did sing For all the saints. The organ tuning does not suit Jesus is Lord! I played Flor Peeters and Boellmann. Straight to St Paul's cathedral for Margaret Silf's excellent talk on faith. Bus stop closed so walked to and from London Bridge. To St Andrew's Coulsdon for centenerary concert which was enjoyable and everybody so welcoming. The large choir sang Hallelujah chorus, O thou the central orb, I was glad and Jo Richards' new Jubilate. She (formerly he) is not a good conductor and seems to say what she likes! Stephen Bowey played really well and the organ has been fixed. Nice supper afterwards. Watched Downton. 

At vespers and served at Mass with Fr Michael Archer. Intern Michael and organist Matthew finish next weekend - both have been excellent. To prom - not many there! Goehr, Knussen, new work by Helen Grime Night songs, lovely Debussy Martyrdom of St Sebastian. Home by 11. Sunday to St Andrew's and played Vaughan Williams, Dad's suite (his anniversary), Finlandia for Liz's Dad's anniversary and Vierne. Someone had left last week's service booklet and the clapping Gloria ready and in a moment of  confusion started that but Vickie said it's the Rutter which I had ready any way! Nice to see folk again. The choir room has been repainted and rearranged and the Great stops now all work! Interesting presumably all done for Jo Richards who will be appointed in September. Gave Vickie Music and liturgy and jokes to Jill. Delivered baby stuff to Patricia Allen in Caterham to take to Chardie's. Neil Armstrong died - a very brave man. A lot of fuss over Prince Harry naked p...

I was surprised and delighted to receive £180 as a gift from St Andrew's during the service. We sang Bob Chilcott's The Lord is my shepherd - such a lovely setting. I played Worthy is the Lamb and we took photos. The after service party was very pleasant and gave me an opportunity to  thank everyone. Several spoke very highly of the choir and my playing which was kind. The at home this afternoon was abandoned because of the rain and people not being able to get to Vicky's. I cleared out some more files and the keyboard and its stand. There are just more organ music, hymnbooks and robes to come home. I certainly have no intention of giving up playing. I saw Martin and he knew nothing of the All Saints saga and says Tommy may not be leaving after all! I picked up Liz and headed for Streatham for the LAMAG meeting on Faith and Politics. Neil Jameson of Citizens UK spoke really well, Ghanesh Lall less so but the real star again was Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi. He went to Whit...

Vicky and Audra not there and practised organ and went through everything up to end of May. John announced he is not there on May 13 so Locus iste is replaced by Barry Stronge's piece. It was announced last week that Jo Richards is coming subject to CRB check. So why is the changeover not held over to June with a sendoff to me on a Sunday morning. It seems people are not coming to the at home on Sunday at Vicky's. Liz will not go to it. The advert went in the Catholic Herald today.Daniel Beach rang about the Bishop's visit in September and Jonathan asked us to sign the petition against police cuts.Choir helped to load files into the car.

A quiet day trying to get reading done but not succeeding well due to distractions - getting a new printer, changing cruise plans for next year, listened to chamber music proms. To practice had to sing bass. Big discussion about the need to come down to communion rail earlier, Karen announced she was not going to come to my birthday party as she was at another party! How rude!