The organist librarian

Glorious sunshine. Began with Hosanna by Wilson, flute for Give me joy and All glory laud and honour. Glory be to Jesus, My song is love unknown, Ride ride on. Bairstow in E flat. Final chorus of St Matthew Passion at the end. Ouseley Is it nothing to you. Kids rehearsed and so did I. Liz not happy about my retirement farewell being on April 21 and last service May 13 when the Bishop comes - no replies to adverts in Tablet and Church Times - the former was expensive. However something will come up as Mr Micawber would say! What I should have said was I will retire when I have found a new position elsewhere.

Photos by Liz Shaw

Phone the Tate - snowdoors sculpture This retirement lark is great! Wake early and get breakfast and read prayers and meditations. Back to bed for warm lie-in. Snow everywhere - 6 inches on top of 5 inches Wed. Managed to dig out path but that got covered twice! Got to car and rescued food and cards and cake. No sign of the cheque with the cards so another will have to be issued - Andrew funny about that on email. Must have gone in the bin. Wed. watched the Apprentice - Laura got chucked out. No way I could get to spirituality day on Wed - no trains, buses not coming down hill. Thursday drew up list of jobs and cleared top rooms into the garden to make snowdoors art display with dustbins! Another trip to the car in Whitworth Road - some idiots still trying to drive up our road! Got 468, 196 and tube from Brixton to get to chorus. Stefan said Vivaldi was very good and then after carols did 3 movements again. I got home OK by same route. It was cold! Watched Art of Cornwall and The Divin...

My last day and it snows! Walked to station and train OK. Liz drove with rest of stuff - she brought a lot last night. We went for coffee and cake at Bertie and Boo. Did a list of useful numbers and cleared up desk (nearly left my favourite paperweight which is a glass book inscribed John Woodhouse librarian!) and Valiant for truth Dad's article! At 5 offically closed emails. About 25 cried off because of the snow but plenty of folk came and it was a great party. Bertie and Boo were filming in the hall at 5.10 but we got set up in time. Bruce came from Birmingham. Ciarán behaved impeccably. Liz official council photographer took lots of photos and group ones. Balham staff gave me a voucher and cards. Andrew, Chris, Fiona and Cindy walked from Clapham Junction! Speeches went well and I sang "A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square". David came from Leicester and gave me a Schaeffer pen. Dom Perignon champagne from the children. Champagne from Jane. I gave roses to Liz, flowe...

To York library for SDF meeting. It seems the Mrs O episode was my fault - nothing was said about how I had turned the situation around and then the final straw was the suggestion that I could not have my leave next week. This was sorted by Chris coming in next Friday and Fiona offering to come in early if needed. I spoke to pensions and got a quote. I spent the last hour clearing the issue desk prior to it being moved next Wednesday. I have had enough! Fish and chips when Liz returned from Bow and watched part of Royal Ballet tribute to Kenneth MacMillan. Dennis arrived and much discussion about retirement.