Tuesday, 2nd December

It's been a week since I wrote as one way and another ,I have been very busy.
Last Wednesday I set off on the train for skipton, via Leeds, a journey of about two and a half hours, across the Pennines. My friends, Sharon and John were there to meet me , in cold rainy weather. We drove back to their home in Blacko near Nelson via a lunch and shopping stop at one of the big retail marketing places , which supposedly sells things marked down or at factory prices. the place was packed, but I did manage to buy a nice evening skirt from Marks and Spencer's for just £20 (half price) as I have a posh Christmas 'do' to attend this Sunday. Things are not cheap here , so this will be my only clothes purchase, unless some miracle occurs. We also called in at Barrowford Branch Library.
Then we headed off home for a quiet evening in and a lovely dinner.
On Thursday I went out with Sharon to visit a friend and then her 90 year old aunt while john did his voluntary work at the hospice. Sharon dropped me at the Burnley Library , as they have a designated Music Library started by a benefactor Edward Stocks Massey who was at the time the choirmaster at St Luke's Church, Brierfield in the late 19th century. The Massey family, well known in the area, were cotton manufacturers and later brewers and founders of the Massey Brewery in Burnley. Edward was born at Hawks House in Brierfield and had a keen interest in music. The Stocks Massey Bequest music library in Burnley reflects Edwards interest in music.
http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/services/mandd/index.asp
According to the bequest this library has to be allocated certain funds every year and so is still maintained. they have open access scores and CD's in a separate room on the first floor (other audio-visual material is also housed there. I was able t talk to two of the staff , Jane morris and Marie Lord, who kindly provided me with photocopies of the history of the library and other information. A very profitable and unexpected visit.
In the afternoon we went to visit my ex-husbands family in Burnley and it was lovely to see his Mum and sister and her family , if only briefly.
Then we went out to dinner with sharon's brother, Tony , and his wife Helen at the Sycamore Arms , a new pub near Lowerhouse cricket ground. Ernie and Tony went to school together and started work in local governement on the same day. Went back to Tony and Helen's for a nightcap.
Friday john took me to a local Heritage Centre for a look around and before I knew it , it was time to go for the train back to Durham.
The weekend was fantastic with Geoff and Julie and their children coming round in the afternoon for champagne and nibbles , as it was Millie's 7th birthday the day before. We also 'staged' and Enid Blyton play from a yearbook Barbara had found ! Geoff took the part of Mr Muddle and us girls played the ladies.
Barbara and I then trooped off through frosty weather down the back public footpath to the Cathedral for the Advent Carol Serice , which was stunning. The Service began in darkenss and gradually the Cathedral came to light as the service progressed. Barbara and I then retired to a Victorian pub , called 'the Vic ' and with coal fires and original fittings etc.
On Sunday we went with friends of hers, Liz and Roger to Richmond , North yorks for the day . A wonderful town with a castle etc. Frosty but clear weather and the temperature was just above or below freezing. We had a 'cream tea' at the Kings Head hotel, to finish off the day.

Yesterday , I spent getting my hair cut etc and visiting the library, of course and as the weather was foul - cold and rainy, I went home reasonably early. Went to Durham singers again last night and this time I was allowed to join in !

Today has dawned bright and snow is on the ground. I'm off now to the Cathedral and the Palace Library Green Muisc Library which is part of the University.

the next two days a re going to be very exciting as I will be going to Newcastle to see ExploreMusic at the Sage and on Thursday I am being treated to a tour of the new Newcastle Public Library which is yet to be complete. The Library Manager is a friend of Barbara's and I am being included in a tour of councillors etc from other areas of the UK. This library will be a landmark institution when it opens and so I feel extremely priveleged. all this just seems to ahve fallen in my lap.

Sadly, then I go back to London on Friday.