A bitterly cold day after a frosty night ending with cloud, sleet and rain but we take a trip to Bedford Auction but hear that Kimbolton teachers are dead against Daniel taking his ‘O’-level early before home to receive an amazing historical report detailing the building of Riversfield House and hearing that the Parish Council had already voted in favour of the Paxton Hall development. Prep for Daniel tonight and The Country Companion for Debbie as Mathhew Taylor wins Truro for the Liberals and becomes the youngest MPwith a huge majority and more feuds and bombs lead to deaths in Ulster
Slept reasonably, in spite of the strains and stresses and awoke quite easily to my morning tea. Up briskly and quickly showered and shaved, also washed my hair, which I had intended to do for a few days. A little late to breakfast and then went to my office to sort out a few things for our trip to Bedford. Had to pay in several cheques to the building society and also leave behind the money for Pete and Joan. I tried to phone the Kimbolton Head of Mathematics, Mr Petty, but was asked to phone a little later. We all set off for Bedford and, after parking at Lurk St multi-storey car park, I raced off to find a phone box to call the sage. Got through to him and had a reasonable chat. They are all dead against the idea, but at least undertook to consider it.
A little shopping then in Bedford and a walk along to Peacocks auction rooms, where I put in a couple of low reserve bids for an old pram dinghy and some crockery. Lunch at Debenhams and then home. Mr Roberts delivered the Riversfield Clerk of Works building records and several other interesting documents on loan. I heard from the Parish Council Chairman today, Alf Cousins, who gave me the bad news that the Council had already considered the Paxton Hall development and voted in favour of it, before getting my letter! Mr Petty had spoken to Daniel today, trying to talk him out of the change of plan, but we shall see. Worked with Daniel and got him to do some prep tonight and then read Debbie a Country Companion. The news today was of a resounding victory by Matthew Taylor, as the Liberal candidate for Truro. Now the youngest MP at age 24, the 15,000 majority is a record for the Liberal Party. Thatcher was typically disdainful of the result, as the Tories lost ground. Kinnock was generous in describing the victory as a memorial to former MP, David Penhaligon. In Australia, the court case has gone against the British government and in favour of Peter Wright, but the British government are almost certain to appeal. A High Court Judge has ruled that the explosion at the Abbeystead Water Works (that killed 16 people) was due to the negligence of the Water Authority, the designers and the builders. In another Ulster incident, a member of the UDR was shot dead by the IRA and a number of bombs were also planted. A multiple rapist, Errol Henry, has been jailed for 6 life sentences. A bitterly cold day today and a frosty night will be ended with cloud, sleet and rain.