The organist librarian

To practice and the girls were lively and enjoying themselves. Audra Proctor came to join us - she is an alto so Janet was delighted! With Nigel Groome and the Bishop coming on Sunday, I think we were all a bit tense but actually singing quite well. i was so busy getting Audra robes I forgot to turn the vestry heater off so rang Vickie - she was just going to bed so I apologised profusely. I won't do that again! Bruce got the job of manager of the new Evans store in Birmingham so we are all thrilled for him!

To Age Concern Battersea group meeting and I again took the minutes. It was a lively meeting. I went to the venue on Tuesday having got the date wrong on the time sheet! Staff meetings in the afternoon and pretty positive. To Mass at cathedral and the Cardinal's lecture. He traced the history of the Westminster hierarchy and outlined problems for the Church in a secular world. He highlighted formation and prayer. In answering questions he affirmed interfaith dialogue. A good audience too. Saw Hannah back from Chicago, Connie, Eleanor, Louise and a brace of bishops and the nuncio. David played Bach, Buxtehude and Mendelssohn. Watched second part of "Margaret" about Thatcher's downfall and a Channel 4 programme on life events. Micky reports Miko has had a stroke. Did a card for Laurence as his mother died last week.

Karen's throat and sinus still bad. Said farewell to the trumpet with Stanley and Purcell Trumpet tune. Sunday to recital at the Cathedral by Ben Giddens of St George's Chapel, Windsor. Jeanne Demessieux Tu es Petrus, Buxtehude Praeludium in C, Franck Choral No 1 and Leighton's Paean. He plays very well. Liz stayed up for rite of election. Good TV - Antiques roadshow, Lark rise, Jeremy Paxman on Victorian art and life. Monday to chair organists committee at Moira's - many of the dates fall on my day on on Saturdays despite my best efforts. Home by 11 p.m. Carlo Curley is unwell. Tuesday home for chocolate pancakes with orange, lemon and Drambuie. Could not decide what to give up - chocs, biscuits, alcohol, cappuccino so decided to do something extra and started reading Timothy Radcliffe and Gordon Giles Lent books. Wednesday up too late to go to Fairtrade breakfast at Croydon College. Met Louise at her office foyer and had lunch at the Phoenix- salmon and brie fishcakes...

Friday Liz came up to the library by car and we went to the Duke of Cambridge. I had delicious chicken and leek pie and Liz had steak. Then on the bus to Sloane Square for concert at Cadogan Hall by Orchestra Europa a new orchestra founded by Scott Ellaway the young conductor. The seats were complimentaries for the Chorus so quite few chorus members were together in the gallery. Spotted Micky Gwilliam in the stalls. Lovely cellist with hair in a braid. thought the celli a tad weak in Schubert unfinished symphony. The conductor is very clear - he was organ scholar at Keble. Mozart requiem with BBC singers prepared by Edward. They were all mixed up which meant they sang soloistically and piano was not in it. There is one soprano who really pierces through. Soloists were good especially the tenor Robinson and bass Lemalu. Big bosomed soprano. Followed with the score. Saturday 13 at reading group and they all enjoyed "39 steps". In the afternoon Shaun Levin the gay writer came to...

Woke late so no swim today. I was tired after yesterday's exertions. Started emailing people who have not used the library in the last 6 months. To the lovely Van Dyck exhibition at Tate Britain. Wonderful clothes and horses and dogs to match aristocratic profiles. I must go again and get the audio guide. The booklet costs £2! To chorus and Edward was gatting rather tetchy. He seems to think we have time to learn by heart Bruckner motets - fat chance with my lifestyle! We worked on one of the Part pieces. It's sad that the concert had to be moved to Islington Union chapel and there will be no organ. Peter Wright is disappointed.

Monday to Branch development team - we had a useful discussion about small branches and their needs. To St Martin's in the fields for Churches together in Westminster visit and tour with the curate Richard. The vicar welcomed us and spoke about the £36 million refurbishment and rebuilding. It was great to see the Neville Marriner and Desmond Tutu rooms and the Dick Sheppard chapel. This was nearly finished when I went to hear Desmond Tutu dedicate the Zimbabwean statues. Nice eats and wine and met several cathedral people and Bloomsbury Baptists and 2 priests from Farm Street.

Swam as usual 40 and 36. I then went straight to the Cadogan Hall for run-through of "Fidelio" arriving late but not too late to sing! Back to work and then back for the performance. Why we were called so early is beyond me as the dressing room was too small and there was nowhere to sit. The performance was splendid with Elizabeth and all the soloists on great form and Madeleine conducting brilliantly. The chorus sang well although I think the last part of the Prisoners chorus should have been softer. Home on bus and train and chatted to some people from Battersea I know. Wednesday chat to Ann and then to library to move the fiction round with Francis, Wisdom and Urbain. All done in 90 minutes and looking good. Home to discuss holidays. To interfaith group. I was late as there was a fatality at Thornton Heath so ended up on buses! Amina Hassan a SOmali Muslim spoke really well and answered questions. 14 there which is great. To Gandhi Hall for assessment with Edward. In th...