The organist librarian

Mosaic. 6 episodes of The Crown series 3 love it! Enjoyed the nativity at school and Sean was enjoying himself - he was one of the Year 2 narrators. Henry came for 2 hours and loved 2 trains in the lounge - Christmas one and the diesel. Loved ROH Coppelia at West Norwood picturehouse beautiful dancing and music, humour and charming.To local hearing aid clinic only to find the lady unable to get into the hall but I got batteries and tubes. Delivered local Christmas cards. Spent a lot of time sending material to Louise for the auction catalogue. Watched final 5 for Apprentice. I reckon Scarlet or Carina! A fascinating talk by Lady Antonia Fraser at London Jesuit Centre on Catholic emancipation.

Woke too early so went for a swim. Mosaic steady progress.Furious with Tom Allen on The Apprentice you're fired ( a programme I usually enjoy). Why the tired old joke about Lottie the librarian shushing people? Does he not know that the librarian has to be a person who can deal with people? It is NOT all about books. In 38 years as a public librarian I never told anyone to be quiet! It was all about working well with the public. email to BBC Points of view. Worked on Tablet article and Catena publicity. To Beckenham circle. Liz to Acton for funerals of Gillian and Michael's brother. Heating boiler serviced and drips from pipes above roof sorted! Henry came for 2 hours. Quiet time. I enjoyed the talk at Newman House and Sister Carolyn Morrison told the students about the January events. The subject was Reflections of Divine Beauty in Illuminated Medieval Manuscripts and Jasmine Jones spoke well. I was very intrigued by the carpet pages in the Lindisfarne Gospels which it seems ...

A most interesting day at Trinity House on safeguarding for spiritual directors. Regrettably the Signposts course is cancelled. I did attend Mass in Polish followed by rosary and benediction at the Polish church in South Norwood. The unaccompanied singing was impressive. Adrian sang the psalm beautifully and the priest was very friendly. Liz went to Mass. Watched University challenge and The Apprentice.

Advent 3. Bairstow and Statham on Veni emmanuel and we sang Veiled in darkness by Rudolph. Dyson in C minor and Ord Adam lay ybounden at evensong. Sports personality and The apprentice won by Sean. 

Woke at 6 Liz was dreaming about a phonecall about ladies in the Catenians and I was dreaming about Panis angelicus at chorus and not being allowed to sing the second line by some soprano! Mass.  Dennis cried off the Beckenham Toby carvery lunch so I went alone as Liz had the servers council dinner in the evening. £15 it has been refurbished. Service was a bit slow. Straight to St John's for quiet time. Watched Apprentice and School. Finished the main tree. 

Liz to school, swam. Dashed to St Andrew's only to find Mass is now at 10 a.m.and not 9.30 so waited in the car for my healthcheck at Brigstock Road practice. Very nice lady says I am fit. Cholestorol is a little bit up, blood pressure good. To quiet day with Roger - 11 there on the Magnificat - great music. Being and doing, bringing Jesus to birth Saw Sean and Louise arriving for nativity play with donkey and sheep in the cathedral and saw last bit. The Dignity Carol service went well with choir of 6. Played Christmas pieces and Vierne Berceuse. Watched The Apprentice. 

Discovered a sauna next to the pool which is great! Liz went early to school.I spotted a mobilephone call from the Thornton Heath surgery so rang up to find my healthcheck is postponed as nurse not well so missed Mass and spent day at school library. Saw Anna, Miss Bond and Monica so hopefully meeting with staff in January. Year 2 classes borrowed but system not working well. Hoepfully Anna will be freed to go in at lunchtimes. Classes mess up fiction and Bibles for some reason. To Chislehurst golf club for joint Blackheath/Bromley meeting for Frank Bond with bow ties. Sausage and mash. I got a lot support for my comments on the items in Dec Catena one of which is anonymous. Watched The Apprentice - 2 fired. Thursday to Mass and art - thinking about migrants painting. Julie encouraging me to do figures. Interfaith lunch - Fr Adrian on crutches. Interesting presentation on Gratitude journal. Spoke about the commendation. 

Swim, Mass and coffee. Apparently the abuse I received yesterday could be considered assault. Alas I had no phone with me or even a pen. The dent in the car door will be repaired but there was no need for the shouting from the other driver. To Charterhouse Chapel which is being repaired for Peace of mind music and words on the theme of apples. I did not like the soprano much. What a joy to be in Croydon minster for their first broadcast evensong. Martin How's anthem splendid and thrilling end of Howells Westminster service. The organ sounds terrific. The Ireland and chanting were great. Next time can we sing a hymn please? Lots of singers in the congregation. Liz was at school. To Dulwich catenians - nice food. On return watched the Apprentice. Thursday Liz is 71 - she liked the books and musical mug. Scarf and flowers. Both to Mass. Art and good work on Lourdes oil. Both to dentist - one filling needed covering. Chaos over Brexit. Delicous birthday meal at Mantanah Thai restauran...

Swam, Liz went to school, Mass, coffee and to Post Office. Quiet day at cathedral led by Antonio Benet on the Kingdom of heaven is within you. Watched secret life of the Zoo and The Apprentice.

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! 

Swam. Chat to Fr Stuart at coffee after Mass. Year 3 and 4 Christmas Musical at St Vincent's very well done.Ate at Field's. Took Ciaran to Hanukkah at St John's Wood Liberal Jewish synagogue. He liked the doughnuts! Saw lots of friends.  3 left The Apprentice. Julie Walters on rail in Devon.

Played for Harry Mellor's funeral with Marie-Christine Gordon on sax. Congregation got way behind in Lord of all hopefulness. Their fault not ours. Panis angelicus , Pie Jesu, Faith of our fathers. Nice reception at Alleyn's Head. Catenians well represented.  Late at Holy Trinity Sloane Street as bus slow over Chelsea bridge. Jamie Rogers played well. Tea at Peter Jones not impressed by their Christmas fruit cake. To the cathedral for superb recital by Martin Baker. Buxtehude, Orgelbuchlein project, Widor Symphony No. 3. The Fox and Widor arrangements of Bach were OTT. How Widor can end Tears of grief with a major chord beats me! Good audience. Home to watch The Apprentice.

Swam.  Stunning music at St Cecilia service at Westminster cathedral.  Michael Berkeley  new work a wonder from a small cell. Schutz, Malcolm and Croce and superb Stanley on trumpet. Martin Baker said to tell him if there are concerns about music. Lovely singing from Francesca Pringle accompanied by Martin Ford at St Matthews Westminster - she just needs to get her face to match what she is singing! Nice chat to Martin who is now at the Guards chapel.  Lo The day ended with an excellent meeting at St Mary Magdalene Canning Road with Helen Bradley and the Bishop of Croydon speaking on Safe passage and religion in the lives of young asylum seekers. It is appalling that everything is done to make it hard for the people who have the right to come here to actually do so. What has happened to this country's proud record of welcoming people? v Triple firing on The Apprentice!!! el Triple firing on The Apprentice!!! y to see and hear   t St Matthew WestminStster ...

Swam, Mass, coffee, post office. Turns out Maureen knew Canon Brian very well indeed. Watched University challenge and start of programme on Russian revolutionary art. To Acton and set up a track with Sean. I was supposed to go to Temple Church for the Israeli/Palestinian bereaved parents who I heard at the Synagogue but I dropped off! Home to watch The Apprentice.

Liz was delighted that Fr Dennis is here with 4 who were ordained wth him as Anglicans! Up at 6.30 a.m. St Francis of Assisi. Very annoyed with Catenians now not wanting talk on dementia at Nov circle and not inviting outsiders. Danny happy to go ahead. I am inclined to resign or transfer to Beckenham! George Arthur Richford from Romsey Abbey led two excellent sessions on contemporary church music and the problems we all face. Very helpful. Watched The apprentice and having posted Spain photos on Facebook doing trip advisor. David Starkey on the reformation quite interesting. 

Played Willan on "Bristol" and Bach Wachet auf. We sang Fling wide the gates to Crucifer Come thou redeemer and Myn liking. Good carol practice. Nice chops for lunch. I have gained 2 pounds! Cape Town cathedral evensong.  At Evensong played Willan and Peeters on "St Stephen" and Peeters "Wachet auf" I like his cheeky approach. Jerry, me , Julie and one other. What is the point? I used the keyboard said psalm. Picked up Liz from St John's carols.  Wartching BBC Sports personality.  Andy Murray for the 3rd time and he has no personality. Alana won the Apprentice.

Tuesday to organists supper at West Wickham URC hall. Only £10 and good company. I drove to Kent House because of the strike and got to Acton by 10.45 to watch The Apprentice the final 5. Wednesday took Sean n bus and train to Watermans for Snow play - 2 actors brilliantly reacting. Had lunch there. To Kent House to get car and Kevin's drinks at The Crown Shirley. The 6 of us won champagne 2nd prize in the pub quiz. I got a bit bored near the end! Liz was at servers council dinner.

Swam 20, art and started a new oil painting. Liz looked after Molly while fences were being redone. To Medway Towns Christmas dinner. We eventually found Medway yacht club - excellent food and company and carols. Hour;s journey back 30 miles each way. Worked on Christmas letter and waecged Edinburgh tattoo and Apprentice, Ben Fogle in Outer Mongolia with missionaries.

To Croydon conference centre for Preventing modern slavery in Croydon. Mayor Wayne and chairman Peter Cox silence for those killed and hurt in tram accident yesterday. Good speakers and shocked at extent of the problem which is hidden. Anybody can be trafficked . To East Ham to meet Xavier and we went to an excellent Kerlan restaurant, Great to see him. The Apprentice and Masterchef. Chat to Ann. 

A quiet day at home blog and Face Book photos now up to date, emails done, boards for mosaics painted, study tidied. Watched Apprentice and Bake off. My 9 entries to Wimbledon photographic competition got through.