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Quality meetings at Comart and lunch at Tempsford before away by car to The House of Lords for a PITCOM reception and many industry political figures engaged before listening to the Lord Chancellor’s contribution to the Matrimonial Proceedings Bill
Early up and to the office to dictate all manner of correspondence before the arrival of Mike East of MEPR. Then to discuss the publicity arrangements for the Comdex exhibition which should be a good job though done at a late hour. Then to a Quality Steering Committee meeting with Carlton, Ian and later joined by consultant from the QAAS division of PERA. With them to describe Comart’s plans for quality and obtain approval for 15 days free consultancy aimed at establishing the company’s structure and communication systems for Quality Assurance. Encouragement to apply within 1 year for BS5750 P&1 which may not be such a difficult task as previously assumed. Lunch with our visitors at The Anchor in Tempsford.
An afternoon continuing with a meeting with John and David to try in too short a time to further encourage closeness of cooperation and communication. Arising from last week’s sales meeting were some mounting concerns about product competitiveness and product marketing and support policy. Quickly away by car to London and by tube to The House of Lords for a PITCOM reception. An informal occasion and good opportunity to meet above a half dozen of the multitude who I knew. An exchange of news with the MD of Tandy UK over computer stores, with Dr Tim Keen about the CRA, with Doug Eyions and Alison Newall of the CSA about Alvey and Export initiatives in a joint approach. Miss talking to Ferranti’s Bill Robinson of UKITO due to limit of time but heard from Philip Virgo of NCC that the Comart Communicator was a first choice from the Federation of Microsystems Centres but they say that Comart did not respond to a tender request – which subject I am resolved to investigate as I believe it to be untrue.
At 8.00pm at the reception’s end to be taken with much company to the private South East Gallery of the House to hear their Lordships debating the Matrimonial Proceedings Bill. Many good (and less good) speakers arrange in predetermined order with brief contributions rendered in high civility. All except the final response to the debate from Lord Hailsham the Lord Chancellor, whose Bill it was, castigating the Church of England for late and critical input to it. The second reading was passed quickly without division and I know not whether the House could divide on such a cross-bench subject
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Recovery day fighting my cold and catching up with the news with children ill-clad after Diana’s illness as conflict continues in Ulster and The Lebanon
Late to rise and a pedestrian morning after an exhausting week. Tea in bed to start but then to prepare breakfast for the family. Time enough to read the Sunday Times and Economist to catch up on current affairs. Not much cause for good concern or celebration. After to wash, dress and take the family off to The Happy Eater for lunch. We would have eaten at the Riverside Park Restaurant but I was embarrassed by the sad and sorry state of them: Badly dressed and dishevelled in the circumstances of Diana’s ill health, we could not risk being seen by my Comart employees and colleagues and could not have relaxed.
A late afternoon and evening reading papers and working on company matters that could only have been tackled away from the office. Today three people were killed by gunfire during a Sunday evening service in Northern Ireland. The congregation were sprayed by bullets fired by terrorists after the three men who were welcoming the worshipers were shot dead. In Lebanon, an Israeli jet was shot down by Syrian artillery whilst in Tripoli more shell and rocket barrages are exchanged by Palestinian adversaries. The news is of the sextuplets born to a couple after taking a fertility drug.
The weather today continuing colder with northerly winds working down the country to foretell a night of frost if the weatherman is to be believed. Off to bed with much preparation for the morning left undone. I hope that the family will be reasonably self-sufficient in the morning and the onset of my cold no worse.
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To Northampton to choose our fireplaces and then Daniel home with Gary to play computer games before a more relaxing evening than of late, although I have a sore throat and cold coming on
Tea in bed from Diana and downstairs to help with the breakfast preparation after the best nights rest for many days. After Daniel was sent on his way to school off by car with Diana and Debbie to Northampton and a view of Mr Bell’s fireplaces. A confusing choice because every fireplace seems different and with many variations but eventually to choose a ‘hole in the wall’ design HW5 in bronze with a copper hood. A quote will be raised but we will be pushed to have it installed by Christmas. Back to St Neots to collect my new seal (‘DAB’), Daniel and on to ‘The Happy Eater’ for lunch.
After to complete our St Neots shopping for groceries and sweets and I met Daniel’s friend Gary who we carried home for the afternoon and played computer games with Daniel until after tea. Then to put away the ducks for the first time in a week. This evening Marilyn came round for duck food and joined us for a glass of cherry brandy and a chat. To use my seal for the first time tonight and it worked beautifully.
An evening watching television and a film on the work of President Kennedy. News today of further fighting in Tripoli, and comment in the papers on the mini-budget of Thursday with little of it positive. I also this afternoon watched England beat the New Zealand All Blacks at rugby for the first time in a great many years.
The weather has become colder but remains dry which is the more unfortunate because I have now got a sore throat and cold coming on.
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Diana improves greatly as I spend a day working on Comart quality and support as we gather an unprecedented array of resource to tackle customer satisfaction before stopping off to collect a fish and chip tea for the family before having an early night. There are Commons peace movement protests as Tripoli battles continue
Diana has returned to the task of preparing morning tea and during the day actually started some ironing as a landmark on her way to recovery. To the office for a day of organisation and concern over our ability to sell and make the budgeted target of computers. The production is proceeding well with overtime and outwork making up the total of some 170 systems this month. Sales are well below par against a background of critical comment from the sales team on the performance, past quality and currency of the designs. All of these points display the very competitive nature of today’s marketplace and the way in which standards have risen. Concern also today on the quality of the systems we produce and also on the workshop and internal repair service. Acute shortage of staff and sickness have torpedoed attempts to get the backlog down. On the other hand support have won the services of Robin Adams and, with a suitable internal candidate found for the training instructor job, now have an unprecedented array of expertise to improve customer satisfaction.
Home early and via the fish and chip shop to collect food for the family.
More protests at the House of Commons today from the peace movement, fighting between the PLO factions in Tripoli and, in the US, the FBI report that the previous estimates of USSR defence spending of 5% increase per year was an exaggeration by half.
To bed early with Diana who is much improved.
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Preparing breakfast again before an easier day at the office on Comart company affairs as Diana starts improving and Marilyn helps out. Lawson raises taxes and cuts spending
Up at 6.30 and to prepare breakfast and drinks for the family. I persuaded Diana to take a glass of fresh orange juice before rushing off to the office. A busy day of office work and catching up on the work of the last two days, starting with an interview of the new Purchasing Assistant who is potentially very good. The GPO are in changing the telephones and, with both Helen and June now working their own computers, the corporate office is beginning to hum again. Useful base-touching with John, Ian, Carlton and the two Dereks as the company’s affairs progress. The last months financial results have Comart breaking even and the group reliant on the Byte Shop profits. November is trading slowly with the effect likely similar.
Home early after collecting the Rover from Marshalls who report that the suspension ball joint had nearly fallen apart and that I had just got the car in on time. Diana was a little better this evening. A mid-wife had been in for an hour this morning with sympathy and reassurance. Marilyn and a friend had dropped by and, appalled by the state of Diana and the house, had offered titbits and persuaded Diana to start eating fruit.
By request, off to a fish and chip shop and to return with sausages and chips for all. Surprisingly Diana ate a large plate and was well for the evening. Marilyn is now popping in regularly and was back tonight in her black figure-hugging slacks and jumper (which perked us both up). With the kids helping to clear up all rooms and clear the backlog of washing up during the first time I have had at home for days.
Today a mini-budget by which Chancellor Lawson signals tax rises and further expenditure cuts. The popularity of the conservative government takes a dive. The weather today slightly damp and reasonably mild. To bed at a reasonable time for the first full night’s sleep for a few days