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Urgent remedial action after initially forgetting Diana’s birthday on a busy day managing Comart Group and BMMG affairs and then undertaking press interviews about Norman Tebbit’s new ministerial job
Diana’s Birthday and something of a record on my part, having forgotten both present and card from myself and the children. Early up and after a quick breakfast to St Neots with Daniel to purchase Birthday Card from me, Daniel and Debbie. Just time to read The Times now I am taking it regularly in place of The Guardian from today.
Then to the office and a morning review with Byte Shop Managing Director Peter King who tells me sales are progressing well but Adrienne Coventry of Glasgow is not content with her administrative role and is an undue influence on Gordon’s Management. They are running The Byte Shop Glasgow as a family business rather than as a subsidiary of a National network. A huge Monday mail as normal and then a couple of telephone interviews with the Press. Computer Talk asks for a comment on the appointment of Norman Tebbit as the new Minister of Trade and Industry! I just manage to restrain myself in view of my unprintable view of him and mutter a few comments about unfortunate lack of continuity.
A successful afternoon writing editorial copy for the new BMMG guide to members and products and organising a BMMG newsletter for publication later this week. June is struggling with her normal heavy workload plus the numerous company resolutions and meeting agendas/minutes that I prepared over the weekend. Home early to check Di had received the birthday cards and a relaxing evening of television and reading.
News today of the trial of Detective Constable Peter Finch who had shot Stephen Wardorf in mistake for David Martin. Also that new job for Norman Tebbit who has been answering questions on his plans for further privatisation as a trial case proceeds with Mercury as the plaintiff against the post office workers union under Tebbits own 1982 Employment Bill. An RAF phantom has crashed accidentally in the Falklands, killing its crew of two.
The weather today has been cold and clear but a warmer sector is forecast to be spreading from the west tomorrow and this will be welcome. Early to bed with Diana in her silk nightie for a birthday treat.
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Rest and work in equal measure on a fine day with sunny spells as a visit to the factory displeases me and Thatcher has her problems too..
Late to lie in bed resting and catching up sleep on the hectic and tiring week past. At 8.00am to be woken with Newspaper and morning tea and an hour’s pleasant relaxation absorbing both. After a breakfast of fried egg, bacon and bread to the office to plan the complicated process of the commencement of Comart Computers Limited and the transfer of shares between Geoff Lynch, Xitan and Comart Limited. All done by evening but not before a second visit to the office after lunch and many hours work. As I stroll around the factory I am troubled by the perversity of human nature that leads to the pinning up of ritual “workers ode’s” in upsetting tribal tones of resignation. Thought to be funny, I do not find them so.
Also, since starting the tradition of unitary status and common use of the coffee machines, to be troubled also by the recent growth of coffee percolators and cups to have the Directors served their refreshment at the expense of secretarial time and housekeeping inefficiency. I know not whether to forbid the practice to stop it spreading and preserve the ethos or allow it to avoid the demotivation of the change. If only the managers themselves could see the overall view they would not subject me to their minor aggravations.
A fine day today with no rain and sunny spells alternating with cloud in a fresh wind. News today preoccupied still with the tragedy of Cecil Parkinson and even more background on the circumstances behind the affair. He owed both his position and future to his wife Anne and Thatcher was prominent in counselling him to stay with her. The worst possible news of Norman Tebbit taking over the DTI when a number of bright junior ministers could have been promoted. The government grows less popular and looks increasingly mortal with critical speeches from James Prior and Norman St John Stevens.
Relaxation tonight with television, book and journal as the week ahead promises to be busy again.
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Work, a family lunch and an afternoon visit to Mum and Dad where the children play nicely with Nanny and Grandad all on a wet and windy way
A day of coldness, high winds and torrential rain. I fear that winter is close and I will soon have to put The Lady’s winter shroud in place. Early, for a Saturday, to rise and first to take the road to Kimbolton with Daniel before arriving at the office by 9.00am.
A morning planning and writing draft Members and Director’s agenda and minutes to enable Geoff Lynch’s share transfer to be effected. In late morning to St Neots and Hepworths in the rain but my new suit was not yet altered and I will have to return again. To Little Paxton for the rest of the family and to the Little Chef for lunch before driving to Stanton to spend the afternoon with my Parents.
We are pleased to see the improvement in Mum and both Daniel and Debbie play well with Nanny and Grandad including Dominoes, Chequers and a long game of Scrabble. Grandad Broad is asked to read “Beauty and the Beast” three times to Debbie. Home after a tea of sandwiches, tea and cake to arrive tired and ready for bed. A relaxing hour or so listening to an interesting radio play on Charles Babbage and his Engine – required reading for a computer magnate!
Today more speculation and analysis about Cecil Parkinson’s affair and I am sure even now we have not heard the end of it. Thatcher, herself, is seen wanting of judgement as the result of the support she has given him in the absence of a view of the implications.
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A difficult review with Ian before a better meeting on Quality and Personnel as John takes he service department out for lunch and I stay behind writing. Thatcher is victorious at her conference as Sarah Keys emerges and Cecil Parkinson is ushered away.
On time to the office and, with irritation about the late arrival of my colleagues, I urgently complete a few matters in my office before reviewing the mail and meeting Ian at 10.00 to discuss a difficult review. An hour of wrangling over this issue prior to an excellent Quality Policy meeting with Ian and Carlton that agreed a number of good actions to help establish our Quality Plan.
After lunch, meetings with Derek Morgan on the fraught problems of financing our new building and Carlton Lowe on the probable increase in manufacturing levels made necessary by the forecast sales growth. Then to resolve a number of personnel issues with David and a briefing on the months orders and billings which are looking good. John Lamb took the Service department to a lunchtime drink today to improve their sense of involvement and morale. Late at the office writing up the minutes of the Quality Meeting and letters to PERA to apply for free consultancy.
News today of a public statement published in The Times by Miss Sarah Keys, ex-mistress of Cecil Parkinson, that led later on to the resignation of the Minister and lightening exit from the Conservative Party Conference. An amazing day and end to the conference as Mrs Thatcher is awarded the customary conference accolade at the close political associate of the PM is drummed out of office. Quite a week for the Conservative Party.
Diana and Daniel tonight in great disarray and argument over the food he is given each evening. Much upset all round as I tell them both off and ask them to stop battling.
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Rainy day of paperwork and meetings before travelling to Nottingham for a Byte Shop meeting before dropping in on David Whitby nearby with John Lamb as Jim Prior bravely speaks out against public service cuts
Early to the office on a rainy day and most of the morning attending to paperwork and checking yesterday’s work. Meetings with John over management and communications and June about the allocation and repair of company cars. At lunchtime to Nottingham eating sandwiches “en route” and to arrive at 1.30pm for an afternoon’s meeting.
We write off £5/6K of stock, tidy up the balance sheets and are pleased to see an improvement in branch communication. The Nottingham service engineer will be assigned to Birmingham and with it the concern with regard to assets and management. Urgent priorities for the recruitment of good sales and support people. The Byte Shops overall totalled £417K for September and £1.2M for the first quarter as a whole. Home to St Neots and a long journey with John discussing the solutions for problems on hand.
News today of Cecil Parkinson’s reception at the Tory Party Conference which was polite for the most part but subdued in its acclaim. Meanwhile Jim Prior was attacking the public sector cuts. Economic forecasts are mildly optimistic but the industrial output has fallen this month. The family having already retired to bed after my late arrival, I watched the news and after my meal to bed. I had visited David Whitby with John Lamb on our way back and they have been 2.5 years in Nottingham renovating a huge old house in poor circumstances.