Oxford 2008

The most ambitious 10th May 2008. Greyfriars with John Brennan. St Peter's college with Roger Allen, Balliol college with Owain Williams and We did not play the hall organ. Holywell !music room and Wadham college with Katharine Pardee. Ashmolean! st John's college with Max Barley. Lincoln college with Jonathan Turner and We saw the Wesley room. Jesus College. Evensong at magdalen College. 7 organs and 2 more not played! The booklet is well illustrated!

In Spring 2008 Cardinal's lectures Faith and life in Britain. Rowan Williams and William Hague were outstanding. Thomas Wilson and Oliver Brett were the organists. I have a copy of the question I asked Rowan Williams. "the Westminster cathedral interfaith group recently did an "understanding Islam" course. Do you think that spirituality rather than doctrine would be a good p lace for dialogue to start with other faiths? " the answer friendship first and look for the light on each other's eyes. A great answer.

Cambridge 2007

May 12 2007. Tim Harper helped. 2 organs at Great St Mary's with Sam Hayes. Joseph Fort at Emmanuel college. King's college console with Oliver Brett. Martin Hall enjoyed pointing out things he had not been told! Greg Drott at Pembroke college then Sarah MacDonald at Selwyn. Jamal Sutton at Sidney Sussex. Then evensong at King 's and John's.

6 organs and 1 more not played
In June we sang Fidelio at the Shedonian theatre Oxford and I stayed with Helene la Rue.
11 Nov the chorus took part in A world requiem by John Foulds
at the Albert hall. Madeleine Lovell is listed as our chorus master and it was our 50th anniversary. Unfortunately the BBC stopped broadcasting our concerts after this on the grounds that some did not know the music! 9 October we took part in the reopening of the Royal Festival hall attended by the Queen.

2007 Christmas letter Louise and Tom married Bruce graduated 

Verdi at Westminster cathedral conducted by Riccardo Muti

The Westminster cathedral interfaith group visited this

Oxford 2006

May 13, 2006 with the help of Martin Ford and Helene la Rue. Magdalen college with Martin who I knew from Croydon Parish church and time in Armagh. David Stevens at Oriel college. The town hall has a fine Willis organ. Lunch at Christ church college. Pembroke college with Edward Mitchard. Exeter college with Carlene Mills. Hertford college where Christian Strover was scholar. Back to Magdalene for practice with Grayston Ives and evensong. 6 organs.

 

The episcopal ordination of Bishop John Arnold. I held his crozier . A wonderful moment was when the open book of the gospels was held above his head during the consecration

Bishop Charles was buried at St George's cathedral. I knew Joy well as I was vice-chair of the Southwark unity commission for several years. I once asked Bishop Charles "How long do we have to wait for unity?" His urbane replay "We have come so far John" 

A letter from Bishop Charles. I played the awful organ at Aylesford.

Cambridge

Robert Dean conducted RFH 23 Feb 2005 Brindley Sherratt, Peter Auty

April 30 2005 Girton college where Marilyn Harper studied. Martin Ennis met us. Daniel Soper at Corpus Christi. David Hill arranged St John's college for us. Gonville and Caius and Tom Harper at Clare College. The finest organ definitely Our lady and English martyrs with Nigel Kerry. The day ended with evensong at St John's. 6 organs. 

Oxford and Cambridge

I joined the Bromley and Croydon Organists association with Christopher Town it's amazing Secretary and I have been on the commitee for many years. I was President. We have visited many organs and held workshops. Unfortunately the annual dinner which we have attended falls on a Saturday making it impossible to get there from Mass.
I organised visits to college organs initially doing a recce and using email. The first was 6th March 2004 with the help of Helene la Rue. Her mother knew Dom Gregory Murray and attended Our Lady's. Helene was curator of the Bate collection of musical instruments so she knew all the organ scholars. John Brennan who wrote the definitive guide to Oxford organs met us. University church, Bate collection, Christ Church cathedral and lunch at Christ Church, Merton college, Brasenose college (Ed Davey went there), New College and best of all Queen's. 6 organs!

Lists

I was reflecting on those who are not listed on the friends or teachers pages. The bullies and self important who do not listen to others and thwart good ideas. But were such people ever really friends? Some I got on with quite well e g. Vickie and Leon but then they seemed to change their minds? It must be said that sometimes change is needed to get out of a rut. Leaving the chorus meant that we went to Heythrop. Leaving Addiscombe meant the cathedral and interfaith. Retiring meant new opportunities and travel. 

Teachers

My Dad, Miss Kadden, Walter Macfarlane, John East, Angus Rose, Michael Barnes, Julie Smith, Ian Knowles,Fr Robin Burgess,  Chris Chapman and Nelson Ferreira stand out for their care and outstanding teaching. To these must be added choral directors David Hill, Martin How, Michael Fleming, Norbert Balatsch, Horst Neumann,  Walter Hagen-Groll, Robert Dean. I have also learnt so much from other performers. A useful lesson too is how not to treat people! 

Friends

Mum and Dad had many friends and kept up correspondence with them despite strokes! They moved several times and happily started again in each place. I have had very few close friends. The one constant has been Liz. I have numerous contacts on social media but I think the big 141 party revealed who our real friends are. In this time of lockdown it has been interesting to see who has kept in touch. Clare, Carol, Rosemary and Lyn, Josie and Malcolm stand out. In my early life Mum and Dad's friends featured a lot. At St Mark's John Alexander and Heather Brokenshire helped me to come out of my shell. At school John Thing, Richard Peregrine, Chich Hewitt and Tom Ridley were there from 1953 and we still meet every year. It has been good to get to know Clive Nettleton, David Parks and Mike Strong better at these dinners and of course the wives. I was very fond of the late Scott Macrobert. At university Elizabeth Connell and Lyn Stagg who was a great help when I arrived in London. In the chorus Kevin and Gill, Jean Taylor, Judy, Janet, Ron, Maurice, Derrick, Lindy, Barbara, Ethel and especially Francis and Simon shared some amazing experiences. We were so lucky to be singing in a golden era of travel, soloists and great conductors. I had many friends among the library staff especially Meryl, David, Calix, Zia, Elizabeth, Pauline, Julian and Marilyn, Chris and Wisdom. Reading group friends too among the public. John East was a lifelong friend. David and Veronica encouraged me to sing opera on stage.
Church choirs and groups especially Josie and Malcolm, Tom, Simon, John and Mildred ,Ross, Susan, Ann, Ada, Mary, Eve, Tony, John, Ann, Linda. So many of these have gone before us to a greater light. I have many interfaith friends notably Alan, Ivor, Phil, Gisela, Roberto, Rizwan, Sayeed, Ken and Heythrop and spirituality contacts Eileen, Rita, Joan, Ann, Campion, Clare, Mick, Sr Carolyn.
Lots of organists -Chris, Michael and Gloria, David and Sheila, Dorio and Sheila, Ken, Thomas, Oliver, Peter,
St John's choir has been a constant for 40 years Adrian and Terence, Bob. Many priests have been good friends Peter, Antony, Daniel, Marcel, Adrian, Brian, Robin, Xavier, Mark, Ann Marie, Paul, Paolo, Swavek, Dennis, Michael Archer, Michael Quaqoe, Michael Donaghy, Tim Dean, David, John and we continue to pray for them.We have been privileged to know great bishops and cardinals too especially Bernard, John x 2, Paul.
Catenians exist to support each other and I still miss David Barrett and Gerry Haines. So many come to mind notably Harry, Philip, Brendan x 3, Bill, Jim. It was the Dulwich brothers John x 2 and the Almeidas that I turned to when Norwood circle closed. A more relaxed atmosphere. Our gallery proms friends came to our party in strength what a great bunch of friends! Looks like we will not meet this year.

Coulsdon

Our friends at St John 's helped us keep going. It was Terence who suggested Westminster cathedral so we started to go there. Of course I had often heard the choir at Mass before going to rehearsal.  About the same time there was an appeal for servers and I was quite wrong thinking that Liz would not be welcomed. Later driving home after Sat mass I commented how much I missed incense so Liz said Come and We will t each you which I did. In all 5 left Our Lady's to go to the cathedral. In September I auditioned at St Andrew's Coulsdon. This had a 2 manual Hill recently restored and an established choir and proper choir vestry. 11 miles from home by car but train and bus also available
Available. I had a proper contract at last. Fr Martin Goodlad was a bit of a rebel as far as the diocese was concerned! I settled in quickly and gradually youngsters got involved. Christmas
was big with a Carol concert, 2 crowded Christingles, Midnight and Christmas day at which the choir did not sing. Holy Week there was a Good Friday devotion but no Vigil. It was always hard to find a suitable work. Faure requiem and Stainer Crucifixion twice did not appeal. Cross of Christ worked better. Adrian was a great support in my 10 years there.

 A farewell meal with the junior choir

We sang Mozart at the cathedral with Robert Dean on 20 Oct 2005 and my article in Or emus says Liz was serving at Sat 6 p.m. mass and I was in the congregation. Later I joined her and she started serving on Sunday mornings. I went to the Reynolds exhibition at the Tate and The Tempest at the Globe with 3 actors including Mark Rylance. 2nd May 2005 was a memorable bank holiday in Liverpool. Ian Tracey played the Dorian at St George's hall and Andrew Nethsinga played at the cathedral. Richard Lea and Terence Duffy played at the metropolitan cathedral.

12th October 2005 induction of Vickie Sims We sang I was glad. Adrian played for part of it. 

There was also a magnificent Orthodox vespers on 22nd January 2005

The photo was taken at Vickie's induction

Worth Abbey SSG summer school 2005 (the room was very poor but the music was great!)

Drastic change

The choir party with Louise Sage and Fr Adrian 

Reading the Christmas letters up to 2003 there is nothing but progress with choirs flourishing at Our Lady's. Fr Gary was replaced as assistant by Fr Adrian. There is no sense of impending crisis which came on Good Friday 2004. I need to be careful what I write. Our new priest did have some good features. I liked having lectio divine on the gospel at the start of liturgy meetings. His changes of mood were very difficult to cope with especially just before Mass or immediately afterwards. Actually clergy should NEVER change things at the last moment. There is seldom a good reason for this. One example will suffice although I should have spotted the signs much earlier. Shrove Tuesday we entertained at home with brandy pancakes and all was sweetness and light. The very next evening  I was informed that the choir was not wanted at Ash Wednesday. We always sang at the evening Mass. That he lost it and reprimanded me in front of a full church on Good Friday was appalling. Somehow we got through the Vigil and Easter day. The following Wednesday he demanded that I resign which I refused to do. I was extremely upset. Liz was never consulted. Both choirs were finished. After 19 years of unremitting service I had lost my parish and a huge part of my life. A stormy AGM and appeals to the bishop made no difference. Sadly people I had encouraged to become Catholics never went back to Mass. Barry Williams gave me the best advice which was to remove all my music. Amazingly I kept going to Mass although Liz often left in tears. We toured local ch urches and the liturgy was dire no music or indifferent, poor preaching. Richard Moth was one priest who enquired about me. Do not forget I was very well-known in the deanery.
I have today 30/4/20 destroyed all the paperwork. It has taken a long time to come to doing this. I also wrote to the priest concerned about 4 years ago and pointed out that I was to be his host at a Catenian function and it was time to bury the hatchet. He replied immediately. At least we now greet each other and he is retired. I have returned to Mass at Addiscombe quite calmly.

Story so far

My first blog The organist librarian started in 2007 and we are now 2021. So there is a gap between the end of Dad's book and the other blog. The Holy Land pilgrimage is covered in a separate blog. The question is Why wr ite all this? From a practical pint of view I do need to get rid of a lot of paper in the study. So one thing's are recorded here I can chuck the paper. Also I can find things. My other reason is to pass on to my dear children and grandsons what I believe in. Dad certainly did that and I can we certain themes organs and church music, ordination of women (still not happening in Sydney diocese), orthodoxy and change, Family is very important and clearly my letters and emails were treasured especially in the later years.
I think much can be learned from disappointment as well as success.  Life at the library was not always rosy. It took a long time to get promoted but once it happened I generally did well. The secret of this is to treat everybody the same from the cleaner to the boss. Always smile and be welcoming. Never bring work home. Learn to switch off life is too short! Enjoy hobbies. Don't be afraid to share belief. Always try to attend funerals. Ask staff about their families.
Make the most of one to one time especially with teenagers. E clear about limits. Be on time - essential in a library. Keep records up to date. Answer emails straight away but wait overnight if your reply is a difficult one. Res pec t privacy. What amuses you may not amuse the other person. Think of people in nappies especially if they are giving you grief. Say sorry and don't Le arguments fester overnight. Please and thank you. Be thankful every day for so many blessings. 

Kokstad

We visited Joburg zoo and zoo lake. We then flew to Durban and met up with Dennis. We visited Hluhluwe game reserve and saw rhino, elephant, buffalo and lions. Then drove to Kokstad visiting the Coles on the way Denyl being John Alexander's sister.  John was ordained and head of the school. Next we flew to Cape Town to stay at Professor Mark Alexander 's home as they were away. Felt more relaxed there and a glorious day on Table Mountain. Cape of Good Hope, Constantia, Kirstenbosch and Stellenbosch.

 

 

York Minster

Audrey Young on the right

P.1551 cine films changed to video. I saw the Royal Shakespeare company in Christchurch. I became Vice-President of Norwood circle with Simon Grummitt as President p.1552 p.1553 Archbishop of Southwark was impressed by confirmation at Addiscombe Michael Bowen. P.1561 we had been in Budapest for a week enjoying the baths, organ recitals and concerts. We started by getting a fine for not having the right underground tickets when we were trying to buy the correct ones! Dennis had been in Colchester? I think this was more likely to be Harlow. He did his training in different hospitals some more happily than othets. Sept 22 I played York Minster organ after evensong. A very special hour thanks to John Scott Whiteley. The next day we the prize plaque for Nellie was unveiled at Park Grove school. Audrey was there and sent us the press cutting. We stayed at 21 Park Grove vegetarian b and b.p.1567. I tried to get choristers at Becket school p.1568. In fact I spent a term but the idea of kids singing in their break failed. I heard David King play at Fairfield Hall. Dennis flew to Durban for his elective year in Maputo. P.1571. I played the grand organ at Westminster cathedral p.1573 we went to South Africa in Feb. P.1575 somebody told me my prelude was too loud! Bruce had a girlfriend? 2003 p.1576 group photo including girlfriends of Dennis and Bruce. Liz thinks this is Jody from Homebase where Bruce worked for over a year. This means I must have met Ann Marie in Harlow in 2002. I do recall being surprised. There was one journey escaping Bristol when Dennis went for a driving test and I was not allowed to throw papers away while waiting. We reached Harlow in the dark! P.1577 we heard CCSL choir sing at the Abbey and spoke to the director.p.1579 Dad's second heart attack. They moved to Castle Hill which Dad liked and Mum hated. She missed her Glebe circle. The book concludes March 2003.

The reopening of Battersea Park library Elizabeth, Zia, David Campling, Guy Senior, John Hallmark

I spent the morning weeding outside in my suit. Guy turned up from a charity run (I later saw him  at the Proms) John got the chop from the council by the Tories he is now in a wheelchair and I met him for lunch. The opening was a huge community success. The next day David had the keys and was late. He never recovered and I advised him to find another job which he did in Leicester. He came down for my farewell party at Balham. Elizabeth introduced me to Barnabas fund. Zia got my on the interfaith idea a Muslim postman and very intelligent man asked me about the official Catholic view not my own! 

York Minster organ 1993 the gates of heaven for me

 John Chumrow retires as chorus chairman and looks back

From Andrew Wright 1994

Book reviews

Marcel McCarron was ordained at Addiscombe and I played for his first Mass at Selsdon. He became an Anglican prison chaplain

One of Dad's letters to IAO news

Sydney

P.1546 played the new organ in St Mary's cathedral and we went to CCSL. Dad insisted on climbing the cathedral steps he could have gone round the back! Liz went to the Sacred Heart conference at Darling Harbour we had attended the cathedral Mass. The zoo!.We enjoyed meals together. The Thomases joined us at Doyles. Liz had to return home via Singapore to go back to school. She was upset. I stayed and we went to Manly p.1547 and I visited the contemporary art gallery. Dennis delivered his first baby! I went on to Christchurch and Los Angeles where I drove to the lovely Huntington gallery and bought a Panama hat in Santa Monica. I was late returning the hire car but the British Airways crew said No problem Sir! I was home by 26 April. At the time it seemed that I might not see Mum and Dad again.

Ayers Rock Uluru 

2001

P.1515 we set off for Bath and then Belfast and a tour of Northern Ireland. P.1517 agreed a gift from Nellie's estate. 4 items from the CD were broadcast in "Evensong" in Sydney. Dad and CCSL sold them. P.1522 I moved to Battersea library for a year while Battersea Park was refurbished and asbestos removed. I lost a stone in weight because of all the stairs. I missed the park very much. P.130 the annual prize at Park Grove school in memory of Nellie was being set up. Earlier the piano from no 22  had gone to the school. It took a while to set it up.

P.1536 Bruce's prize from building college. He was asked to make a case for the Master of the Carpenters company and we went to the presentation.p.1537 we planned another trip taking in Ayers Rock and New Zealand. Louise sang Hear my prayer beautifully. I am to buy Chanel no 5 for Mum. Whisky for Dad 1538. the Queen Mother died a few months after Princess Margaret. P.1542 the CDs raised £700 for the charities. We arrived April 6 and stayed at Rooftops in Glebe. This had a rooftops pool and we could see Mum and Dad every day. We had a lovely time at the Blue mountains and Ayers Rock even trying kangaroo. The Olgas were very beautiful. We attended 2 Catenian dinners and gave a talk after one. I took the Coleman's on a first

 With the Colemans

Cyril and Denise Thomas

visit to another circle and we stayed overnight with them. It was lovely to be at Mum and Dad's 61st wedding anniversary. We went to St Andrews cathedral organ reital and saw Kurt Is on and Mark Quarmby. We took Dad to the opera house p.1545 Olivier Latry played the Poulenc and the dreaded Messiaen. Edo de Waart conducted. Fr Petre came from France each summer on relief to Addiscombe. Fr Peter went to St Bueno's and Ghana. Fr Denis retired aged 70 in 2001.