More activiity

 ACertCM presentation by the Papal Nuncio because Cardinal Hume could not attend includes Michelle Aitkens next to the nuncio Archbishop's House

Fr Peter at Louise's wedding 2007

p.827 Louise excellent results, Dennis climbing in Snowdonia and Bruce on a cricket course. p.829 I sent a service for the rededication of the organ at Notre Dame. I have been involved in two such ceremonies - the new Cathedral digital at Addiscombe and the organ at St Michael's. p.835 Dad wrote out music for me or this might be an extension of "Be still for the presence of the Lord". p.836 details about Ralph Downes and ffrench-Beytagh. p.839 videos I had sent. p.841-2 the composition of the Bishopthorpe suite which I still play. The march was played at their funeral. p.847 Dad is 74. p.854 Bruce's guitar exam. p.855 I wrote from Birmingham. This could have been a weekend when we sang at St Philip's cathedral. p.865 we both gave up singing in the chorus for a while to complete our Archbishops certificate in church music. For this we went to Heythrop college for the first time and had lectures from Tom Creagh-Fuller (he later became a priest). Very flamboyant we would get onto his favourite subject five minutes before we were due to finish e.g. Odo then he would sing old Catholic hymns loudly on the tube back to Victoria (if the floor could have opened..). He was very knowledgable and needles to say we both passed. The choir at Our Lady's were more nervous than I was about the exam when I had to direct them! The examiner was the director of music at St George's cathedral and she was very charming. The certificates hang in our dinging room and are signed by Cardinal Hume whom we met briefly. We had to visit various places - Liz went to the Adventists at Selhurst and the Streatham synagogue. p.871 Robin Milford pieces I had sent "Papa". p.875 I praised the Advent carols service choir and the Bishop! p.877 phone Dennis was working in Croydon I think at the outdoor shop. p.884 Christmas organ voluntaries and Dad remarks that the priest-in-charge appeared not to appreciate all my practice. I think this must be Monsignor John Moran. He had worked for the Catholic children's society and was sent to one of the biggest parishes in the diocese. His desk was always a muddle. He would get an envelope out and put my cheque in it. The best thing was that he did not interfere and left us to get on with it! Fr Peter Stodart was the curate and unusually succeeded the Monsignor. I was actually rather fond of him. In the end when he had to retire he was reluctant to leave the presbytery and moved into a flat. A bridal couple in the block said they kept an eye on him. He would go to his regulars for whisky. His funeral went really well but it suddenly hit me that I would never see him again. His favourite hymn was "Breathe on me breath of God". Fr Farmer no less complimented me on the music at that funeral - he said priest's funerals were usually abysmal!

Fr Peter and Mgr Moran

Peggy on left At the back Tony Potter and John Beers who composed some items for us

Ted in the middle with alto Kit Bradley and Mary Endacott, Ada Macdonald is at the back next to me.

Ralph Downes who died in 1993

Fr Farmer preached and remarked that the music was good! 

Mgr Moran died 1995

RSCM magazine