Manchester visit to reorganise the Byte Shop Group and appoint a new MD and then sadly home too late for Daniel’s school meeting and the news that he has passed his Kimbolton School Entrance Examination
A 7.00am morning call and Guardian Paper to read. In common with last night’s television news the principal stories are the forthcoming hanging vote for which there is thankfully not a majority and the budget cuts to the Nationalised Industries. The miners are, yet again, to seek Pit-Head Ballot support for strike action. The treasury are wishing to cut back on Health and the government are not denying that the real value of unemployment benefit will be allowed to fall.
Meanwhile defence spending on Cruise is beginning because of the Russian rejection of the Zero Option; and also the Fortress Falklands policy are both increasing the spending on Defence. An 8.30 Breakfast meeting with Manchester Managing Director, Peter King and in it a briefing on the Byte Shop management developments. I offer Peter the position of Managing Director of The Byte Shop and with it the line responsibility for training and developing new managers. He accepts. On to our Byte Shop Manchester Branch and there a full review meeting of Manchester’s performance. A happy tale of success, profit and asset control. After we complete the business a walk to the Piccadilly Hotel, a quiet lounge and a full interchange with Peter, John Lamb and Derek Weatherby on policies and plans for the Byte Shop. We are all happy and excited that our new structure will maximise the Byte Shop opportunities. A branch visit and opportunity to meet the staff and then home by John’s car to Little Paxton. There too late to join Diana for a meeting with Daniel’s schoolteacher. By all accounts, disappointment that Mrs Pearson has not made more progress with Daniel’s writing but genuine pleasure (surprise?) that Daniel has passed the tough Kimbolton entrance examination. Yesterday he visited Kimbolton for his first trial day and was quite settled. I help Daniel put the ducks to bed, complete my journal for these past two days and then go for a short walk along the river and back through the village.