Troubled by resignations, I work to remove the Charterhouse charges and then tend to administration and premises plans before managing the DTI and DHSS, working on the BMMG Alvey delegation and our chances of the contract before an evening of family games and sympathyas the Syrians try to eliminate Arafat in Tripoli
Early up and to the office after a troubled night. We have been losing too many key people of late and, though our problems in this respect are indeed no worse and perhaps better than our competitors, I believe that organisational stamina is sapped by staff turnover. Also concerned about the twin problems of recent past quality and present service which is of prime action at the moment. First to sort out my in-tray after my day out yesterday and to sign correspondence similarly prepared. Then to collect Diana from home and to go to solicitors Wilkinson and Butler in St Neots. There to swear declarations for the removal of the Charterhouse charges from Comart’s records at a cost of £2. W&B’s is a typically run down rural solicitors, poor in furnishings and remiss on maintenance of a fine old building at the end of the High Street. Back to the office, dropping Diana and Debbie off at the rising 5’s club, and there to clear this morning’s post and write up the minutes from yesterday’s Xitan meetings. Also to research the details of accountancy training and to phone Geoff Lynch to brief him for this afternoon’s meeting with Barry. A lunch of sandwiches, soup and tea and after to return phone calls to the DTI. First to their trade advice section to provide information to prevent the Crown Agents buying the non-British Osborne computers. Second to exchange notes with senior contacts about the forthcoming BMMG delegation on Tuesday to Brian Oakley of the Alvey initiative and also to hear of the DTI’s views of Comart’s chances on the DHSS contract. Our view that we have a greater than even chance may be optimistic as we are seen in a second place to another vendor whose identity I am pledged to find out. Late afternoon to rest after a truly taxing week where exit interview procedures have been working overtime. Earlier this afternoon David Barford visited to brief me and Derek Morgan on the financing position with respect to the new building. Misfortune fed back my contacts with Hering Son and Daw who were already in DB’s loop with Crusader (our present landlords) but good will was restored when I explained the reasons as lying in the need for a political lobby.
Tonight to rest and read after another ‘DogFight’ computer game with Daniel and very early to bed with Diana at 8.30pm who is suffering from the nausea of the early months of pregnancy.
News today of a lull in the PLO civil war in Tripoli but of Syrian determination to eliminate Yasser Arafat and his fighters. In the house the passage without opposition of the video nasty censorship bill after a recent showing of some in camera to MP’s.
Weather misty and foggy early but clear and dry later.