The organist librarian

Friday October 4 th a day to remember always! Met at 8.30 Colin Robinson (who has not changed a bit), Quentin in charge of cash and badges (somewhat shaky), Fuzzy, Paul Deveaux  and George the manager joined us for our planning meeting. We all have our allotted tasks. It seems amazing that the great day has finally come after so many emails and Skype chats. The CD is a lovely production and a  Power point has been prepared. Colin later produced a printed version for people to see. Liz handed Quentin a large sum of Rands to cover the CDs for the British guys. As a result we  took a drive to the Bank at Killarney Mall going down Munro Drive. The Houghton streets seem pretty deserted compared to other places. The stories people tell are fascinating especially about Yeoville. At 11 a.m. I enjoyed an hour on the chapel organ – the school is as stunningly beautiful as ever. Met Fr Jaques and Cameron Macintosh the head of music who was very friendly and explained about the do...

Monday was a Bank holiday but we had mosaic as usual so I missed the Bromley PC recital. I put the kettles on but this seems to have set off the fire alarm which eventually got turned off. The classic was the guy who turned up to help who asked "Have you got the key to the fire alarm cabinet?" If we had had that we would have turned it off mate! Home and worked on essay. Liz went to confirmation class. Watched Come dine with me form Edinburgh which was hilarious. Tuesday seam 20 and to St Dominc Waddon to play for Kitty's funeral. Since I played for Pat's funeral it has been refurbished and the Allen organ is in poor state - pedals very poor. I told Fr Paddy about Alan's house organs and he was very keen. Played manuals only stuff - Handel and Trumpet voluntary. Nice eats and Gill Beach was there. Helped Liz complete her work and it all got submitted - I helped sort out the bibliographies. She had been up late last night. To Royal Society of Medicine Wimpole St...

I have been dipping into the biography of Tavener. Watched Don Carlos on Iplayer, spoke to Dennis for his birthday and watched play on Gracie Fields and documentary on her life. My Dad was very keen on her. Johannian came with my full article about the school reunion and a photo of me with eyes shut! To Terence's to have tea and watch the Westminster Abbey Remembrance for World War 1 service attended by the Queen. Excellent sermon from Rowan Williams and an effective new anthem "The Peace which passeth understanding" by Tavener. Ian Bostridge sang Britten's Agnus Dei so well. To Vic and Albert and enjoyed the Islamic gallery - once again the musical instruments were closed off. To cafe bar above Natural History museum ice rink for a cappuccino. Lovely carousel but no stalls this time! To Holy Trinity behind the Albert hall for chorus carols rehearsal. Ridiculous to have people trying to sing Bach without scores. John Rutter Gloria is fun and much influenced by Walton...

The chapel, college tower, Rob Baillie, Graham Saunders, Ray Lecolle-Brown, Rob Stewart, Richard Peregrine

Deane Yates, Rob Baillie, Mike Matthews, We actually arrived at the club at 10 p.m. Unfortunately driving in the dark I had not realised that Harrow Road was now called Joe Slovo drive and turned into Yeoville. We passed St Aidan's and the Catholic church (both barricaded) and Fortescue Road with potholes and plenty of "urban decay". Eventually we returned to the mian road and reached the college without a problem. Our cottage was comfortable and very convenient. We enjoyed a kuhlau before retiring. I had a horrid dream about buying a house and seeing a man in a tree and insisting on going out while Liz said stay inside!On the plane I had seen much of "Earth" based on "Life on earth" and listend to Aled Jones! Thursday 11th. Rob Baillie swept us up after lunch for a whistlestop tour of the college and I played the chapel organ for 30 minutes - it is a fine Cooper Gill and Tomkins job from 1972 in memory of Noel Iverson who never wanted an orga...

Have been in touch on facebook with Stan Trollip from my class of '63 who is now retired in Knysna and is an author! We are going to the reunion at St John's College in September and then on to Margate for a week.

We had a smaller choir today so we sang Martin How's "Day by day" and William Harris's simple communion setting in F. There were 3 baptisms and my playing of "Land of hope and glory" at the end was much appreciated. Well why not reflect the Last Night of the Proms? The wedding photos were much enjoyed at coffee and the late bride and her husband came to apologise! There were various muddleups with flowers and people getting lost! I visited Grandma in hospital and Dennis and Liz went later. Liz was helping at the Tour of Britain at Crystal Palace. At evensong we sang Harris in A minor, Psalm 121 to Barry Rose's fine chant and Purcell's "Rejoice in the Lord alway". I played Arthur Milner's variations on a Northumbrian tune and Flor Peeters' voluntary on "Tallis Canon". It was Racial Justice Sunday. Watched the recording of Michael Wood in India and the South African children filmed at 7, 14 and 21. Delighted to see Yeoville ...

My second trip last Saturday to Cambridge for the Bromley and Croydon organists association. The highlights 2 years ago were Our Lady and English Martyrs (OLEM) and St John's. This time we started at 10 a.m. at Great St Mary's where Sam Hayes demonstrated both organs, the parish and university ones. He played a piece by Ibert on the Father Smith organ. Then to Emmanuel College where Joseph Fort was a delightful host. Next to King's where Peter Robinson demonstrated the organ and Martin Ball showed him how to adjust the tremulant! We were not allowed to play here but it was marvellous to be in the loft! After a quick lunch to Pembroke chapel where Gregory Drott demonstrated and relaxed too! Selwyn College has a fine Letourneau and Sarah Macdonald was excellent. Then back to Sidney Sussex college where Jamal Sutton played for us on the Harrison organ. There was time for several of us to play each organ. Time for tea with Marilyn Harper and lots of MAs about in their ...