The organist librarian

Programme on Kusama.  Today Dean of St Paul's, Salcombe and Lucy Winkett, faithinisolation and we watched the Cardinal celebrating Mass and the Pope. Father Brown. Now watching National Theatre Jane Eyre.  Night prayer form Clifton cathedral.  Sung morning prayer and office of readings from Bishop's Stortford. Fr Carlos Ouito I think with guitar. The liturgy from St John's, Tenebrae from Dominicans Oxford and Tallis lamentations from Nova Scotia (all on youtube)  The liturgy from the cathedral was very moving. How we miss the people being there. The cardinal is very close to the people, he did not receive communion because we cannot.  Sanders (from Ely) and Victoria reproaches on YouTube. Cosi fan tutte from ROH with Thomas Allen.

To Bedford Park for start of the festival. Oxbridge organ duo were fun. Ad Wammes worked well, the Wesley was a bit too long. Briggs on Veni creator Welcoming at cathedral and met 2 nice Americans and new shop manager. She is keen to produce children's guides. To Tate Britain to see Frank Bowling. Artists who pour paint on canvases do not impress. The photos and films by Joanna Pietrowska are wierd. A film of a hand stroking another arm and hand felt repulsive where it should be a tender gesture! Choir practice Tallis too slow and such a strain. Alan complained of loud singing from the tenors and David is loud but it was Brewer in D with top Gs! Louise and the boys arrived. Finished printing the memoir of John East and the prayers for Liz. Sir Stephen Cleobury and Sir Simon Russell Beale! 

Mothering Sunday and a church full of cubs and brownies. Played Bach, Lascaux Fugue and Vierne Berceuse for the prayers as everyone wrote names on their rose picture. I played this at the crem for Mum and Dad. We sang For the beauty of the earth by Andrew Carter and a piece Oscar brought using Tallis Canon and I played Peeters on the tune. Fr Jerry's reflection on celebrity mothers and what they call their children amuses me. Crazy to call your child Sir! Quite a lot to play but it went well. Actually 16 pieces of music! Salisbury cathedral evensong not very inspiring. Worked on jigsaw. Excellent lunch of lamb shank and poor man's Viennetta! At evensong we sang Walmisley in D minor and O pray for the peace of Jerusalem by Howells. I read the first lesson Manasseh's plea. Liz got lovely chocs from Bruce.  Nice to see June who had come for Mary Johnson's 90th birthday. The rose altar frontal dedicated in memory of Marshall. I showed them the Leslie Craske leaflet from Gu...

Maundy Thursday to art and completed painting of Mum and Dad for May 9 Bereavement support day. Played Night so traurig William Wordsworth and Bach O sacred head. We sang To mock your reign and Ps 88. Good Friday 3 hours excellent meditations with art. Practised the Vigil psalms. Ben came and Susan but not the new soprano. Sketch of Picasso's portrait of Poulenc.   Watched BBC young dancer, Decline and Fall, jaguars. 

Swam 20 and to mosaic started on Madonna and child. Liz did not make it to Cadogan Hall. 2 good Proms Tallis with Cardinall's music and Andrew Carwood and a fine new work by Cheryl Frances-Hoad.  I did not take the Spem in alium score - too big! BBC Phil and Storgards Haydn (hurrah) Gruber concerto with Colin Currie and Petrushka. I went to the hall to get seat tickets (a waste of time as not many there) and to Royal Academy to see John Cornell Wanderlust  -only of interest to Magritte and Duchamp fans! Saye dunable to speak on Friday but a flurry of emails and we got Tv imam Ajmal Masroor! 

Woke at 8.22 and checked website thinking the course started at 9. It actually started at 10 at St Margaret's Westminster and there were only 8 on it. Adam Boulter is Anglican chaplain at Al-Aqaba for the Missions to Seamen and Hatta is his mother-in-law! It was an inspiring day and we used grey background and erasers to take the grey away. I did 3 drawings 2 on the theme of Jacob at Bethel. Could the ladder to heaven have been a stone one? Nice lunch provided as well! The lay clerks sang evensong - Ives and Tallis and a Bruckner prelude and fugue. Tea at Pret with Liz who served at rite of election. Fr Alexander and we had a full compliment of servers. After Mass I picked up on boat and acolytes neatening up their movements. Mark and Isobel met us and we had a delightful meal at Zizzi. I had calzone and lemon meringue sundae. Have given up alcohol for Lent.

To 2 Temple Place for 10 a.m. for Discoveries - some amazing items from Cambridge museums in an interesting house once owned by Lord Astor. Dodo skeleton, ichthyosaurus, egg collected by Darwin, casts of Greek sculptures, Polar and astronomical items. Bought a shaker and Penguin book for the boys. To talks at Royal Festival hall, Prof Brendan Walker on the 50s and the changes they brought. Struck me that many changes of products came from America but design was influenced here by Scandinavia. Was this because of cost or education? Listened to Wondrous machines in the foyer using the 4 specially made organs. Ed Breen from Morley College spoke on instruments and their influence on organs and showed David Munrow footage. Harrison and Harrison builders spoke about the project and showed plans and photos then Kerry Downes spoke about his father. I spoke to him about how kind Ralph Downes was to Dad and I allowing us both to play and how he attended at the Oratory the Rachmaninov Vespers wh...

One of my favourite feasts and a day at the cathedral. Liz to college. 10.30 a.m. Mass I was boat and Emmanuel was smoke - he is a pain. All in Latin. Choir sang Tallis, Victoria Mass O magnum mysterium and superb Holst Nunc Dimittis. Dubois Toccata. Time for tea with Jason then 12.30 Mass for religious/with Bishop Alan Hopes. I was acolyte with Andrew. Fr Alexander was cantor and Edward did a clever improvisation on Christ be our light. Nice lunch in hall and saw Miriam and had a long chat to nuns from Hayes, Middlesex - two Sister Marys one who knows Michael Barnes and the other had been in Oxford and is now 84. She taught history in Moscow University. Did some reading and to St Paul's bookshop for sale and tea with Liz at M & S. St Martin Anglican choir from Roath, Cardiff at Mass with their vicar - excellent Mawby and Will Todd - one of the best. Home to watch Art Deco icons, a Spanish Hollywood house in Devon and the Orient Express, also Make me a Muslim  

Woke at 4, 6, 7 and finally 8. With Liz to Heythrop and worked in library. Gemma Simmonds gave a good session on writing a dissertation. Went for tea at Kensington M & S and then to Vespers and Mass with Fr Archer. Advent is here! Cardinal Vaughan memorial school schola sang Byrd, Palestrina and Tallis and Peter played Bach Fantasia in C minor at the end. Home for dinner and Ocado delivery. Eggs and stuff covered in buttermilk so got a refund.  Dennis drove to North Otterington and got back to 1786 on the family tree!

After yesterday's 32, only 24 today but Liz came to the pool for the first time for ages! Did some work and both to Heythrop. Liz was cleared of plagiarising herself at the hearing and was able to explain the problems she has had. Both sang in the schola for Mass celebrated by Fr Michael Holman the principal. He makes everyone feel welcome! Had lunch together. Helped at Freshers' fair although the real busy time was the morning. Chatted to Jewish society and Islamic society folk but avoided the lesbians! Worked in library and got more books on Buddhism then tea with chaplains where I met Likwane from Cameroon and Muhammad from Lokhani. Michael at dinner and then finally found Goodall room. Martin Ganeri as expected is dull and boring just reading the notes but Michael Barnes cheered us with pictures and quick guide to Buddhism! Home to watch part of Gareth Malone enthusing Bristol Royal Mail choir!

Took garden compost to the tip. To Heythrop for 1 p.m.Mass. Fr Patrick O'Riordan SJ. We sang "Come down O love divine" "Ubi caritas" and Servant song. A small group sang a Tallis motet. Coffee chatted to Michael Smith and also saw Siriol. To Citizens UK Croydon planning meeting for June 9 at St Andrew's - lots of Catholic input. Watched Apprentice and Shakespeare in Italy.

Too much to read so did not go to lent group at Virgo Fidelis. Liz went to Glyn Close as new bed came. To cathedral for first part of mass - Palestrina and Tallis Salvator mundi. Excellent homily on fasting from Fr Christopher. Picked up shoes for funeral as Liz got robes on Thursday but forgot them. Choir OK. 2 youths walked behind hall but by the time John came and we went back to look they had gone. Jo Richards had been received warmly last Sunday and will take practice on March 2nd. It is all looking a bit fishy like it's a setup. However let's hope All Saints comes up trumps as it is so near home! Rehearsed evensong and Tony Trent there. Watched QI.

More reading and a bit daunted by the seminar article for next week! To Brook Green for the annual dinner of the Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen with Archbishop Vincent as principal guest. He made sure he greeted everyone personally. Fish pie and a good white Chardonnay. We sat with Canon Danny Cronin who proved to be excellent company and Catenians from Ware. In fact a lot of Catenians were present! The Archbishop gave an excellent speech. We got a cab to Acton which was great and quick as it was cold. Saturday Liz off to Heythrop for Mass celebrated by the new Principal. The heating went down but was fixed after lunch. We went to Acton library and had lunch at a nice cafe and did some shopping. Louise and Ciarán came on the train to Gunnersbury. I was able to do a lot of reading of the Goddard book for essay 1. To St Paul's bookshop and served by one of my class who gave me a Heythrop discount! Fr Alexander at Mass and the Byron consort of Harrow School sang MacMillan, Palestr...

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.

To Old Coulsdon for the funeral of Bill Beach who was 96 and 29 years secretary of Norwood circle. A good turnout. Daniel got me to turn over in the first hymn "Praise my soul" and we had "Love divine" to Blaenwern. No other music apart from organ so rather a plain Mass with no incense or server. Kevin read a lesson and Fr Bliss did the eulogy/homily. Kevin embraced me afterwards and Liz helped with tea at Bill's house. I walked down to Coulsdon South and was at Balham by 12.30. Went looking for plug covers and bought some plastic crates. Several queries kept me busy all afternoon and I finally left at 5.30. Sandwiches left from funeral at home and then to Croydon parish Church for the concert of Tudor music by the Sixteen. We sat at the back and could not see much but the sound was superb. Byrd, Tallis and Shephard and introduced beforehand. Most of Croydon's musicians were there. It was David Squibb's funeral today - I never met him alas. Liz saw Ian w...

Here is Fr Michael with the Archbishop's chaplain at the musicians party last year on the same terrace! As I had the day off from Coulsdon (open air service for Pentecost in the park) we headed for the cathedral in a laden car. I was cross at Morning prayer and Consecration torch at 10.30 a.m. Mass. The boys sang the sequence "Veni sancte spiritus" beautifully and we had the Palestrina mass Dum complerentur and Tallis motet Loquebantur. Straight into 12 noon confirmation at which I was acolyte and the Archbishop preached a great homily. The 40 youngsters were confirmed on the sanctuary and stayed up there with their sponsors. Liz did the prayers and Fr Swavek went to tell her to get closer to the mike! The chaplain from Westminster school was sitting where the Archbishop of Canterbury sat for the installation! I cleared up and then into the hall for coke and nibbles. Lovely photo of Fr Michael and the 4 catechists then we went up to the terrace for a nice lunch with wine...

At Coulsdon we sang Bairstow in E flat, Peter Jones Gloria, Celtic alleluia and Tallis's "If ye love me". I played some Bach Easter preludes and Healey Willan on Vulpius. Fair trade stall at coffee and Karen went through Ave Maria of Schubert for next Sunday. I picked up swim stuff from the pool (left since Friday as Liz could not there as she went to meet Jeanette Fishwick from Hobart) and back to church for 3 p.m. memorial service for Friends of the elderly. Played Vierne Berceuse and Mendelssohn Andante and 3 hymns - rest was CDs. To garden centre to get compost. Liz was at WC and meeting Jeanette again so out all day. To St John's for evensong. Roisin snag the solo in "Blessed be the God and Father" really well (although she needs to work on breathing - she is doing Bronze award exam). Walmisley in D minor and that splendid Wesley hymn "O love divine how sweet thou art". Finished June music list. Saw in Churches together in Upper Norwood leafle...

38 lengths and the last swim for a few days. Sad to see that the pool is open Good Friday and Easter Monday - the staff need a break too! Spent the day completing PRP statements and getting them signed. Staff meetings went smoothly and there was time for once for some discussion rather than just me telling everybody everything! I also had to fill in the training statistics which is never easy. I left at 5.30 and picked up the car. Thornton Heath is being dig up for gas works for 5 months so chaos reigns and it means using the Selhurst route. The service at Coulsdon went well. The choir moaned about being in the nave but it was more intimate and sensible as the congregation was sadly small. We sang Rutter Gloria, Wood Mass in the Phrygian mode, To mock your reign to Tallis tune, Psalm 116 and at the end Psalm 22 and Taize Stay with me. The altar of repose in the Lady chapel looked lovely. The hymns were "Soul of my saviour" "An upper room" "Now my tongue" t...

Had a lie-in and a sumptuous breakfast. Stayed till lunchtime so clear up. Flo and Tom went with Louise and Tom and Alice. Some great dancing last night from Jeremy who was in Chicken shed company for a few years! Dennis and Ann Marie emerged from the signal box suite wearing matching Just married T shirts! Eventually set off for the hill of Tara where we saw an audio-visual presentation in the church. Then via Navan to Tara - nice b and b Castleview. had a walk to look at shops and village and the reordered Catholic church. Excellent meal at The Poet's rest and drove up the hill where the first Easter fire was lit by Patrick according to legend. Have been there before - great view. Saturday drove to airport on M1 and handed car in. New company had taken over disabled assistance that day but they did well apart from an anxious delay waiting for the buggy. However the flight was 30 minutes late any way. I went straight off with just my rucksack and got train to Redhill and then Coul...

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".