A year of Industrial and civil strife domestically with anti-Nuclear demonstrations and atrocities at home with conflict abroad. For a difficult time holding together UK manufacturers into the BMMG and planning to manage th Comart Group through an acute transition of product development and market re-entry. The hildren both well settled at school and happy, am pleased to be expecting a third. I now have resolved to make an end of my computer business affairs being of the belief that my colleagues are not able and ready of the needs, the government and industry not supportive of the necessity, and myself not willing therefore to risk all on a crusade of endeavour when not so encouraged.
This past year has not been of the best outcome to my liking but has been full of incident and change.
In January the press strike ended at The Times, a dog fell into the Blackpool sea and four people died trying to save it, Breakfast Television began, and many shooting incidents and deaths occurred. In February gales of over 100mph killed six Britons, unemployment reached a record 3 ¼ million, the government renounced duel key control on cruise missiles and large loss of life took place in Australian bush fires and Italian cinema and cable car accidents. In March the miners decided by ballet against a confrontation with the government, the Prince and Princess of Wales toured Australia with popular welcome, a drought in Ethiopia brought unto famine risk a million people, and BL Cowley workers started a one month strike over working practices.
In April Ban The Bomb demonstrators formed hands to join Burghfield with Greenham Common, America’s space shuttle Challenger was launched, Russian diplomats were expelled from France for ‘spying,’ the £1 coin was minted, and the London Marathon took place. In May, Stern and The Sunday Times were hoodwinked into publishing parts of the forged Hitler ‘Diaries,’ Speaker Thomas retired and Bernard Weatherill was elected in spite of Mrs Thatcher’s disapproval. From the general election onwards from June to this present day I have noted the other significant events as I observed them.
In summary, then, a very strange year of weather yielding continuous rains in the spring until a record hot and sunny summer, followed lastly by a cool autumn and mild winter to date. Politically the Prime Minister has carried (nearly) all before them winning the June election upon past Falklands euphoria and gradually implementing more and more extreme plans for UK mainland deployment of nuclear ‘defence’ weapons and for denationalisation (“Privatisation”) and the reduction of expenditure on Education, Health, Welfare etc in real terms. A poor year for the opposition parties and these seeking reconciliation and moderation.
An acutely volatile year for business with the pace of change accelerating again. The IBM PC was launched in January and by November was carrying all before it in America and promising to do something similar in the UK before long. Only recently has the oil-rich pound sterling moderated to encourage exports and in the last few days it starts to rise again. I have had a difficult time holding together UK manufacturers into the BMMG and now I am unsure that fellow Comart executives have both the talent, experience and dedication to help me manage Comart through an acute transition of product development and market re-entry.
In personal possessions, with the children both well settled at school and happy, am pleased to be expecting a third. Our health good, apart from minor and seasonal colds and child sickness, and life content. We have had good enjoyment in 1983 from a boating holiday in the fine summer weather and also an American trip to California and Disneyland/Knott’s Berry Farm. My Arms in the latter stage of grant and business reputation well thought of. But with all this I now have resolved to make an end of my computer business affairs being of the belief that my colleagues are not able and ready of the needs, the government and industry not supportive of the necessity, and myself not willing therefore to risk all on a crusade of endeavour when not so encouraged. Events could yet change all but, after 7 years effort, I think not.
In my hobbies I have taken well to local history and the study of the 17th century and I may yet have more time to spend on this distraction. For 1984 I resolve only to stay active, diet to a return of my 12 ½ stones, and enjoy my business interests and pleasurable family life and pursuits with dedication. Also to maintain this journal for the pleasure it gives me and the task it has to record my worldly activities and thoughts. Thus ends the year of 1983.