The organist librarian

Honours announced and Pat Astley-Cooper has the OBE. It was a disgrace that all her work at Wandsworth Museum was mothballed and closed down. To St Edmund's Beckenham to play for wedding of Liadan Bond and Dan. The new Wyvern organ sounds very good but the conole has been turned round so I could not see when the bride had reached the altar! Mrs Carroll directed the Carroll singers and they sang well. It was very cold. Watched part 1 of Royal Opera Hansel and Gretel, Vasari, Howard Goodall on carols. Fireworks from London Eye were spectacular. Dishwasher is playing up again!So 2008 ends - a year of travel and great experiences. What will 2009 hold?

The year is slipping away. The pool was late opening so only did 20 lengths. Good thing I left when I did as the 8.03 train was cancelled. I got the earlier one to Victoria and was in the library by 8.45. Watched programme on early career of Mrs Thatcher and fell asleep during Michael Palin programme.

I have gained 2 pounds. 38 lengths - only 3 at the pool at 7 a.m. The trains were up the creek and had to go to Victoria to get back to Battersea Park. Did a lot of weeding fiction and contacted the reading group about borrowing more books. Cold again outside. On return home at 7 watched Peterborough cathedral TVcasts which were very good, Morecambe and Wise with Andre Previn, Vasari. Gill's Mum died in Norfolk so that is sad. A young man came in to the library and was doing a survey about people's belief in God. Were men and women different in their belief? Why do people believe? All grey areas of course.

Baptism at Coulsdon so no Gloria. 7 in choir including Bob and Tony Trent (no choral services at Croydon Parish Church for 2 weeks!) We sang Coventry carol and I played Pachelbel "Von himmel hoch" and a rather attractive piece on Coventry Carol by Gordon Phillips. Tony was going on about a boys choir again so he spoke to Vicky. We met again and talked about the ethos of the church and choir discipline. Practised in a cold church and home for lunch. Liz had been to the sales and got Christmas cards. Watched Kings carols, Vasari, How to build a cathedral, Peterborough cathedral midnight Mass with excellent sermon by the Dean. Did Christmas Tablet crossword and quiz. Wrote to editor about Fr Aidan Rossiter's new word "Willcoxian" -should it be "Willcocksian"?

My feast day. The Anglicans have my favourite gospel which was always read at St John's College at school Masses about Peter asking if John will live to see the return of Jesus. Catholics read about Peter and John running to the tomb "he saw and believed". To St John's for Eucharist - attractive Mass of St Cedd by Peter Nardone, Philip Ledger's Christmas gloria and Eyre's O fragrant the lilies. Gave out carol CDs which were much appreciated. Jo Richards said he had seen me as crucifer at the cathedral. Josie, Clare and Grandma for lunch which was very nice. To vespers and Mass for feast of Holy Family - 4 priests at Mass. Told Fr Swavek Liz had opened Polish gherkins and had to be eaten in 48 hours! Here is John Keble's great hymn for today. 1. Word supreme, before creation Born of God eternally, Who didst will for our salvation To be born on earth, and die; Will thy Saints have kept their station, Watching till thine hour drew nigh. 2. Now...

Church of the Nativity Bethlehem Going down into the cave and the star for the birthplace. Listened to Rachmaninov vespers on way to Coulsdon Christmas Eve - it was the Estonian philharmonic choir at the Proms - we will be singing this next year with Edward Caswell. Bruce went to St John's Upper Norwood for Midnight, Louise to St Michael's Bedford Park. Dennis and Louise to St Chad's South Norwood Christmas morning where they met Grainne and Clare and Sophia. So between us we have been at 6 churches! I drove to Coulsdon 3 times but it was worth coming home and having a short sleep before Midnight. I finally got to hear more of King's carols today! Many of them we had enjoyed at the Albert Hall - the soloists are particularly good this year especially the baritone. Bruce went cycling in Richmond Park on Christmas Day morning with friends and won the champagne. Boxing Day was relaxing. Waited until the football crowd had come before taking Dennis up to Grandma's - he...