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

York Minster

Page 178 the dreadful fire at York Minster. 9 July 1984. Page 181 grandchildren's birthday card. page 182 Walton concert of Belshazzar with Andre Previn for Walton's 80th birthday shown in Oz. I saw Sir William in the large lift at the hall in a wheelchair. He looked a lion made of granite and being a Lancashire man I do not think you would mess with him. Dad comments that I was in the front row - I was in the semi-chorus. Page 187 Dad mentions Roger Davies I remember him very well. Mum and Dad were always keen to keep in touch with people. Page 188 Christmas chat to us.
It was in 1984 that I first went to Lourdes to sing concerts in the Easter festival with the chorus. It was strange meeting people I knew on the HCPT pilgrimage from Southwark and being on the outside of the processions!
7 Sept 1984 Prom programme Zemlinsky Lyric symphony signed by Elizabeth Connell.
14 Dec 1984 I played for a Christmas Prompt corner at South London theatre in the converted fire station at West Norwood.

England

climbing the minster with Nellie

 With grandma and Aunt Ada

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Auntie Nellie the dog was not there in 1952

In 1952 we landed at Southampton and took  trains to York. I was quoted as saying how green is all was, why were there so many chimneys? and why did it always rain? Remember we lived in a flat with central heating and Africa was often brown and dry. My grandparents and Auntie Nellie were delighted to welcome us to 22 Park Grove. In fact Grandma went to considerable lengths to organise a 5th birthday party for me see above.  I announced that it should have been an ice cream cake and was duly packed off upstairs in tears. The importance of always being grateful was being drummed in! I recall another birthday party later on when I realised I had been given a second copy of a book I already owned but I think by then I had learnt to smile and say thank you! Nellie was indeed an excellent guide to York. We climbed the Minster tower and I look very smart in my coat with its buttons. I discovered TV which we did  not have in South Africa until much later - Andy Pandy and Bill and Ben. I did find it annoying to have to go to bed when it was still light. In Johannesburg it gets dark quite quickly.  Photo shows Granddad, Nellie, Uncle Walter, Uncle Jewitt Worley. In front Aunt Emily, Grandma, me being silly, Aunt Ada Worley. In the garden at 22 Park Grove.

It was still a time of rationing and Mum had brought tins of fruit. Eventually only guavas were left and Granddad said he would have those things with pips if nothing else was left! I suppose the family's world in York was a very small one and it remained so. I loved the city and especially the Minster. All that history and tradition. Above all I felt I was English. I was not South African. 

22 Park Grove York taken when we cleared the house after Nellie went into care