George Thomas, ennobled for his service as Speaker of the House of Commons
George Thomas, ennobled for his service as Speaker of the House of Commons

Duck hutch building, Byte Shop resignations/ mayhem and Speaker Thomas’s enoblement

An early morning completing my plans for the “Duck Hotel”. Then the Comart mail to peruse. As I am getting up to date on the Company Administration for Bytesoft Systems Ltd., now the new Byte Shop Southampton and a lot of small tasks. Off in mid-morning to Tebbut’s where I place a whole order for wood, to be ready cut into the correct lengths. 

This fact, plus the dimensions still being in feet and inches rather than in metres and centimetres is a manageable problem and I am grateful to have a promise to be ready later in the day. At the office, the second post has arrived and in it the resignations of both Bob Robinson of London and David Slater of Nottingham Byte Shops. The second is unexpected but both branches have not been very successful this last year. Determined not to be daunted by these facts, I arrange to see BR next Wednesday and reflect on the other. Discussing BR with Derek Weatherby and John Lamb, we are clear that his going is no problem. We have a youngster Russell Jaques who can take over temporarily and Bob has presided over a succession of people leaving the branch whilst failing to build a replacement team. With Nottingham, the location has struggled to reach a viable level of sales and, without David, we may have to consider its amalgamation with Birmingham. With these events, plus Southampton, the idea of a Byte Shop Managing Director to take over more of its line management is an increasingly-attractive proposition. Back to the wood-yard, with my cuttings list well produced and then home to enlist Daniel’s help in assembling the new sections. Good progress but tired to bed. A warm but showery day. Talk of progress by the Imperial Cancer Fund in establishing what results in cancerous growth and another Viscountancy for George Thomas, late of the Speaker’s chair. McEnroe is still troublesome at Wimbledon.