The organist librarian

Dear Jonathan Many thanks indeed to you and the choir for a fantastic weekend of singing. Please pass on our very grateful thanks to all the choir and also to Vicky for her very sensitive accompaniment (visiting choirs are rarely heard in the nave in accompanied music but not so for you I gather). I wish you all the very best for the new year. Please come back soon. Very best wishes Luke A very nice comment from Luke Bond!

Photos by John Scott. Sunday we sang Byrd 4 part mass and we both had solos. Best of all Mawby Ave verum. Quite a lot of people at Eucharist 10 a.m. Dean was at pains to explain restrictions on not sharing chalice and no contact at the Peace - where will it all end? Coffee afterwards and then tenor John Scott gave us a fascinating architectural tour about Pearson and he lent me an interesting article. To Real Ale house and had local bitter and shared roast lunch with Liz - too full after big breakfast! Evensong featured Holst Nunc Dimittis, a lovely chant by Robert Walker for unaccompanied psalm and Arvo Part Beatitudes. Boellmann Toccata at end from Vickie (who is moving to Hamilton for 2 years). Taxi to station where we enjoyed cream scones on the platform and then a 6 hour 6 p.m. train trip to Paddington. Got tube and train to East Croydon and taxi home by 1 a.m. Listened to Prom - Holst First choral symphony (very fine) Delius Brigg Fair and Enigma variations.

At breakfast met the choir of St Michael's Bedford Park directed by Jonathan Dods - they are a happy and friendly group. Rehearsed in the Truro school music school. I am doing second tenor which is really too low for me. Bought calendars in cathedral shop. We had free time so walked around Truro visiting the library (not impressed but being rebuilt) and the excellent Royal Cornwall museum featuring a special exhibition of fabulous contraptions. Loved the special soup spoon to stop Edwardian gentlemen getting soup in their moustache! Some lovely pottery and pictures on the theme of light. Joined Liz and Louise for lemon meringue ice cream cake and tea at Victorian tea rooms while they had a cream tea. To buy a new watch strap and look around Waterstones. Sung Eucharist for St James Day - Rubbra Missa St Dominic setting is lovely and plainchant sentences. To an excellent meal at Saffron - had gurnard and steak beautifully cooked and lots of wine, tiramisu cream. Enjoyed chatting to t...

Friday was Dennis and Ann Marie's first wedding anniversary so sent them a card. I finished at 2 and spent time checking out on Iplayer last night's prom. To Paddington and met Louise for 6 hour train ride to Paddington. Lovely scenery especially around Exeter where the train goes along the coast line. Listened to the Prom on my headphones and mobile phone - an East meets West programme featuring the Japanese Sho. Debussy, Ravel, Sarasate and Takemitsu. Finished reading "Baking cakes in Kigali" by Gaile Martin which is a delight - very like Precious Ramotswe. Met up with Liz at Truro school - she had enjoyed being with Martine in Barnstaple for the week.