The organist librarian

Swim. Liturgical car crash at Mass at Thornton Heath. Reader starts to sing Alleluia, priest says firmly Praise to you, congregation start to sing Praise (Walsh) in at least 3 different pitches. Ouch! Reminder at start of homily No A word and no Gloria in Lent. Another builder came. To art and not many there. Bridgid and Steven lost their first grandchild and Pauline has not returned. To South London interfaith group lunch and discussion about the AGM. Prem played the guitar! I decided not to go to the talk about Coptic martyrs at the Oratory and returned home. We had a snow shower this morning! Watched Victoria and Albert, Chester Zoo, Thai railways.

Had a good chat to Ann on Skype using my new laptop. Very pleased that our grand niece is to be called Edie Olive - Mum would be delighted. To Mass at Addiscombe in the side chapel. Fr Keith spoke about children in church and described how Jacqueline was on the organ at Midnight Mass and Lewis fell over. In between verses of the carol she loudly announced "Will somebody pick up that child?". Fr Jackson got a birthday cupcake. There appeared to be a second verse of Happy birthday unknown to me! A quiet day some schools still have not sent details for the public speaking next week. They have had loads of time. Went to quiet time at St John's. Fr Daniel is off to Putney in May. Watched programme on V and A and University challenge. Pancakes for dinner.  # ROHcellistmixed superb beauty and wit. We are West Norwood picturehouse. Dances at a gathering Jerome Robbins simply marvellous and The Cellist is a most moving ballet. I was fortunate to attend Jacqueline Du Pre's la...

To South London Islamic Centre for interfaith harmony breakfast. Being in the centre of Streatham it was particularly poignant and I read a Sikh prayer. Bishop Christopher spoke really well and told us what he had told the Lords on Monday about Streatham community. Unfortunately some people talk too much. To art and first layer of Henry portrait. Catriona application started. She is going to Iona! Public speaking list sent out. Did not go to Gresham lecture. Working on new laptop.  Enjoyed the programme behind the scenes at the V and A - the Dior display was stunning! Ed Balls gave us some good insights on France and Italy. Wrote submission about the cathedral music situation.

Swam. I took the lost student card I found at the bus stop back to Brit school - his mother was very grateful. Also picked up the CD left in the old car from Newton Honda. To Worth Abbey for the funeral of Fr Charles Hallinan 91. It was a happy occasion in many ways - such a good, kind man. He spoke of the importance of prayer of the heart and singing Magnificat after confession. Lovely organ music and Faure Pie Jesu and Sanctus. Oddly on a retreat there I was at the funeral of one of the monks attended by Buddhist monks so I have processed to the graveyard twice. Lovely peaceful spot. Saw Paul Ryan (in choir), Fr Philip, Dom Aidan, Chris, Stella and got waylaid by Oona van der Poole from West Norwood! Actually watched England beat Colombia in World Cup with a beer at Acton! A hot morning in the library. 600s a mess as were the 700s. To Hinsley room Spirituality Roger talking on the coming of the Spirit. Found good quotes in books by John Main and George Appleton.BP portrait award at...

A good quiet Advent day with retired Bishop John Crowley of Middlesborough at Sisters of Sion Kensington. Alan Rainer was there.I prepared my talk for Abrar House and chatted to several people at lunch. Bishop had to leave at 3 to get back to Harpenden so went to see the new 1600-1815 galleries at V and A.Lots of goodies and musical instruments. Also went to see the Indian instruments. Brian on at Mass and Liam was thurifer. On the way home an email from Paul suspending Liz from serving. It's outrageous and puts us both in an impossible position. Coming on top of the unhappiness and closure at Beckenham in June this is another blow. 

Woke at 4.30 a.m. and looked up Westminster catalogue for scores as suggested by John East. Watered garden as it was hot. To the hall and took photos of CBeebies characters outside hall and did some sketching Louise, Ciaran, Candy and Jonah arrived and I could see them in the box from the gallery. There were only 3 up there! BBC Phil conducted by Stephen Bell were excellent and the different presenters collected sounds. Surprised there were no characters but enjoyed it. Had an ice cream  and then to V and A to see modern Indian paintings and protest objects which was fascinating. Sketched a silver rosewater ewer. Had an overpriced sandwich and tea at RGS garden Travel photographer display and then to Mary King's workshop on St John Passion. More there this week and tenor next to me strong voice but behind. To M & S and saw Fr John VN's secretary. Told Fr Christopher there was a good photo of him in Lourdes. Told Alistair had met Master musicians lady. Present to Fr P...

Got to the cathedral at 4.15 and found a good place on the centre aisle. Liz was serving - the rehearsal was on Wednesday so I could not do that. Several servers were in the congregation including 2 Michaels and Tony. A very fat man sat next to me but eventually he moved up which was a relief. The choir rehearsed and the cathedral was full! Splendid Bruckner Ecce sacerdos and I had a good view of the pectoral cross. The 3 pontificals were carried in procession and mentioned in the homily Cardinal St John Fisher, Cardinal Pole and Cardinal Allen. Schubert Mass in G, Victoria Te Deum, Mawby Ave verum. At the end Widor Marche pontificale. I saw sister from Heythrop and Ann Welch who said how much she enjoyed the Buddhist centre visit. I then went straight to the V and A but found the tunnel entrance closed and a huge queue in the rain. As the Islamic art meetup group were meeting at 6.30 and it was then 7.30 and I do not know anyone in the group I abandoned it and came home. Liz arrived ...

X68 to Waterloo and northern line to East Finchley. Asked TFL chap at station for St Mary's church and he said to walk up High Road - we should have taken the bus! Any way found church and it was a 2 manual Wyvern and all went well. Carole's mum was 92 and was buried with his first husband in Marylebone cemetery - Stokowski is buried there. Carole and Kevin took us to the very nice lunch at Albany House which has a museum about Stevens ink! Walked to station and got 82 bus to town and then to the queue for Last Night list. To V and A - fashion is open but the ballgowns display is not that cheap. Saw the Tony Cragg sculptures there and in Exhibition Road and the British photography display. Had tea and chocolate muffin -  a lovely day again! Bruce took our swimming tickets. To presentation with Juliet Stevenson of Proms poetry awards with Wendy Cope and Ian McMillan who is a scream. A lovely prom Haydn and Alpine symphony - what a storm - thunder machine, wind machine, full orga...

18th staff meetings and to ACCL for excellent party to farewell Selma Elrayah. Met her husband. To choir practice on train because of snow. 19th to reading group. Philip Neale and Lyn were late coming from Essex and used Power point. Unfortunately this meant that we did not really discuss "A ticket to Tewkesbury". The lunch at Antipasto was excellent but went on rather long - I had zabaglione! Met Liz at Hammersmith hospital to see Doris and no time to meet Louise. Only there for 20 minutes and then to Mass. Archbishop was starting 5 deacons off! Ann's birthday. 20th Stayed at church all day because of snow and read The Tablet with lunch from Waitrose. Nine lessons went really well. Only one mishap where Norman was late at rehearsal and came in on wrong note in Noel nouvelet! To Vickie's for nibbles and drinks. Most enjoyable. 21st King's Cambridge concert at Albert Hall. Stephen Cleobury as friendly as ever. Rutter Gloria good and Messiah choruses. The choir on g...

30 lengths and drove to work so car was available near the library after the concert. Just in time. Finished at 1 and after lunch to Victoria and Albert to see the wonderful new ceramics gallery. I'm not into ceramics but I was impressed. The glass gallery is also very fine and the sculptures. Had a brief look at the special exhibition about Fear and death in contemporary design - unimpressed. To Royal Albert hall for rehearsal and concert with Northern Sinfonia. Jonathan Schiffman a 29 year old conductor did well. Alex James from Maestro did Khachaturian Adagio - his tummy was hilarious! Carl Jenkins conducted his Benedictus (very slow and lovely cello solo) - spoke to him as Liz says his wife recognised me at the theatre in Bath - she used to use Putney library. It was packed and a good programme. We sang Carmina 1, Zadok, and 1812 (fireworks!) The Priests sang Panis and Pie Jesu of Lloyd Webber. They signed our CD and Liz said they were charming. They seemed reluctant to take a ...