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Catch up day at work on my 37th birthday, letters re industry affairs and overviewing Comart plans for Compec as Gordon goes ape on our Byte Shop Glasgow plans all before an evening watching ‘Battleship Gallactica’ with Daniel.
Early to the office and preparations for the day. At last I am getting up to date paperwork and minutes of meetings. Letters to the DTI’s Alistair McDonald about Export IT and to the CRA in objection to their planned moves to include computer manufacturers. I hope to get satisfaction in both of these matters with the survival of Expot IT and withdrawal of the CRA to behind the demarcation lines. Meetings with David, John and Ian to establish Comart’s product launches for Compec and the basis for expansion by further recruitment within the sales team. To assist June in clearing her office and adding a temporary table for the new personnel assistant who is to start on Monday. Progress by John with Robin Adams who is, however, unlikely to stay. An alarming letter from Gordon Coventry who is daily occupying more extreme positions and will undoubtedly soon be leaving us in Glasgow.
Home tonight early to a birthday tea and candle-lit cake with the children. Good selection of cards and presents in recognition of today my 37th birthday including my family, secretary and a sad addition from Irena which does not please Di. An evening distracted from work by the television screening of ‘Battleship Gallactica’ which was of great pleasure to Daniel. On time to bed without word of news before tomorrow.
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Comart people problems and job offers, industry magazine interviews and new stock security measures occupy my time as Grenada talks continue, Greenham Women are jailed and a monument is dedicated to Earl Mountbatten
On time to the office courtesy of Diana and a lift in her car, and first to correlate the mail and hold an exit interview with Ian of Robin Adams. I am not sure that Ian has learnt all of the lessons as a result. Late this morning a long interview with Liza of Computer News about Comart and the BMMG. I am now getting press interviews in person and by phone thick and fast and it is all to the good. An afternoon signing more job offers and resolving matters of security (of equipment removed from the building) and implementation of the stock pools.
News today of partial US withdrawal from Grenada with a wish to pass over to a Commonwealth peacekeeping force if this could be arranged within a week or so. Injured Cubans are returned home. 8 Greenham Common women are jailed today as more missile launchers are flown in. A team of women with a lawyer fly to the States to try to get a court injunction on grounds of ‘inhumanity.’ Neilson’s mass murders are still a subject of popular interest as the case is summed up at the Old Bailey. A poignant moment today as a memorial was dedicated to Earl Mountbatten and unveiled by the Queen in Whitehall.
Tonight I elect to stay at home and work as the pouring rain puts me off of the Kimbolton firework display. Diana and Daniel still go, however, and are rewarded by an excellent display as the rain ceases. Di is upset by my non-participation and not very sympathetic to my present workloads and preoccupation with business affairs.
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Early Byte Shop day at the office after settling Comart management differences whilst Cruise missiles arrive at Greenham Common as women’s groups here join others protesting at US invasion of Grenada, Doctors over Kidney Operation cuts and milkmen at Long-life milk imports
Early to the office and after a brief chance to review my mail, and then early meeting with Peter King on Byte Shop issues as preparation for the Review Meeting. After the post and a session with John, into an all-day Byte Shop Review Meeting where the progress of sales and profits is good but not uniformly consistent from branch to branch. A decision to decline Gordon Coventry’s requests and insist on the line responsibilities of a normal Byte Shop was made which simplifies the way ahead. After the meeting to intervene in a row between June and Ian over the passage of information. A key executive had resigned yesterday and Ian had not been informed on his return this morning. Tonight to sift through outstanding matters and try to arrange priorities.
News today of the arrival at Greenham Common of the first cruise missile launchers and the continuing campaign of passive resistance from the women’s peace movement. The four zones of concentric fencing are vulnerable to sabotage and the government would not confirm in the House of Commons that guns would not be used to protect the bases. News from Grenada of the US invasion and with it suggestions that the Cubans were engaged in principally civilian work. Protests also today from Doctors over kidney operations deferred with deaths due to government economies, Milkmen over the permission to allow long-life milk imports and an independent report set up by the government calling for benefits for the retired and long term unemployed to be increased to prevent deterioration. All in all, the government are not making many friends at the moment!
The family are well and weather dry but chilly. Debbie has started back with rising fives.