The organist librarian

Played Walter Webber and Neils Gade on Lobe den herren. A new recruit in the choir and we sang Robinson's Lord give me faith. To St Paul's cathedral to hear the wonderful Patrick Woodhouse (no relation) speak about Ettie Hillesum. Played for evensong at St John Caterham - Andrew Moore pieces. To iftar at Hyderi mosque Streatham - 4 speakers on extremism and a good meal. Liz went to South London's president's lunch at Lorenzo's having been to Our Lady of Victories for Mass celebrated by Fr  Tony T homas. 

It being Sea Sunday I played Walter Webber Trumpet tune on Lobe den Herren, Bonighton on Melita and Neils Gade Lobe den herren which has a fun waltz section. Toccata from Suite Gothique which always makes me think of the sea!  Superb virtuosic playing from Richard Pilliner at  St Michael and All Angels Beckenham  - he loved the organ. Delicious cucumber sandwiches and strawberry cream sponge cake. At evensong at  St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood   we sang Coleridge-Taylor's fun setting and Britten Jubilate Deo. "Sing choirs of heaven" to Richard Shephard's tune and "Songs of praise the angels sang". Bridge Adagio in E.

Liz dropped me at church. She got in late from the late night Prom which apparantly was fascinating - it did not impress in radio! I played Webber and Gade on Lobe den Herren, also Frank Bridge and Dad and Healey Willan on Bishopthorpe, Home for quick lunch and got to the hall early as a result. At Victoria a C2 bus splashed me so I spoke to the driver "Look at me, all because you drove too fast through that puddle" "I'm sorry about that" was the reply. When we got to the hall I went in the disabled loo and used the drier to dry off stripping off everything! I couldn't get the socks dry. Mary King on the War Requiem. A pity she did not cover more of the music and I dropped off at the end during the CD.  Tea at the RGS travel photographer and picnic in the park. Excellent discussion on the lost generation. I commented about the poor being unable to go to graves in France but forgot to mention family names like Worley dying out. Helen Dunmore and Stephen Hef...

Watched the mass concelebrated by the 17 new cardinals and the Pope from St Peter's. Nice brass and the choirs sang well especially the Westminster boy who sang the psalm beautifully. Liz went from Kent house. I played Webber and Gade on Lobe den herren and Willan and Hurford on Song 24. Practised some Faure. We took the Sebo to John Lewis because it keeps cutting out - turns out we had the wrong bag! Evensong from St Alban's an archive recording directed by Barry Rose. Watched programme on Sicily, Blandings and Call the midwife. An interesting programme on Lutyens and Castle Drogo and the impressive closing ceremony of the Sochi Olympics.

Slept badly again. We sang Simon Lole's "O God of mercy" 6 in choir and the Stephen Dean St Andrew's acclamations going well. Jill Cliff celebrated 80th birthday with Pimms. I played Webber on Lobe den herren (first played that when I was a teenager and had to play for the Mayoral service in Dad's absence) and Finlandia Dad's favourite. He passed away July 1999. It was appreciated! The children sang Panis angelicus really well. Edward George was at cathedral for Mass - he is here from South Africa. Had an hour's sleep after lunch. At evensong we sang Noble in B minor, Bairstow Save us O lord, The duteous day now closeth and Adrian played Bairstow's Toccata Prelude on Pange lingua - very satisfying. Cleared up garden pots. Liz is cutting down on them.

A fine Sunday. No choir and played Neils Gade and Walter Webber on "Lobe den herren". Molly enjoyed Rhosymedre by RVW at communion. Clapping Gloria and the yellow card for 6 weeks. Dennis's wedding announced. Molly and Ella will try choir end of September. After practice to Bill Beach's to discuss archives and history update. He has many good photos. Delivered directory to Eamonn at Windmill and cheque to Adrian.