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Published: 26 April 2014

Busy Office day preparing for the Byte Shop Review where IBM shortages are hitting profits badly and then relieving stress at the end of it by chatting to my neighbour’s daughter as the Iranian Embassy was be-sieged

Up early on another sunny day but the cool breeze was more in evidence today. As June had arrived 10 mins early we sat and reviewed the day’s action together with priorities for circulating the Byte Shop Agenda, drafting the Job Offer for Ian Smith, and replying on a few commercial and trade mark issues. Then to prepare for the Byte Shop Review Meeting after reviewing the mornings mail, meeting with David Fear, Carlton Lowe and Derrick Morgan and checking that Peter King and Derek Weatherby were prepared after receiving the Byte Shop Papers. A difficult meeting – acute shortages of IBM’s had been experienced and from March’s record performance April was looking appallingly low. Peter has taken this badly but is working constructively with IBM to make up the difference in May and June.

Read more: Thursday 26th April 1984

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Published: 25 April 2014

Another fine day, negotiating with 3i to try and dissuade Brammer from bidding for Comart and then some great news from the DTI and then late home to hear of the Libyan Embassy evacuations

Up and awake on time to another fine morning, the sound of the woodland birds mingling with Daniel’s computer music experiments. Diana had slept lightly last night with a temperature and cold caught from the children. Breakfast together and then off to the factory to a succession of meetings and the morning post before Tony Diment of 3i arrived to research the company’s activity for Brammer PLC. I spent all of the morning and early afternoon briefing him on my plans and persuading him to recommend Brammer to forgo any thoughts of acquisition and negotiating, viz the alternative, for the disposal of their share option. Late afternoon returning Tony Keston’s call to find out that DTI support for both the BMMG LAN proposal and the Comart SFI bid are looking very successful and we should have both confirmed within a couple of weeks.

Read more: Wednesday 25th April 1984

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Published: 24 April 2014

Successful day chairing a good Comart Board Meeting that reviewed a record month and approved a 3-year plan, writing up the minutes and then studying the UEH option, it being the final obstacle to my company sale

Up early and, after breakfast, to the office arriving a half hour early to prepare my papers for today’s Comart Board Meeting. A very heavy mail to sort through and then a panic to sign the field payroll before the start of the meeting at 10.30am A good meeting, progressing the Comart Computers 3 year plan, 1984/5 Budget, and reviewing the results of our record March and the actions that went by the board as a result.

Read more: Tuesday 24th April 1984

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Published: 23 April 2014

Bank Holiday Monday trip on The Lady to The Anchor at Tempsford for lunch and children’s shows before taking our boat back to Buckden Marina all on a day when lots of boats and people are enjoying the river Great Ouse

Earlier to rise and brought a nice cup of tea in bed. Then breakfast and to let out the ducks early and relieved to see that they had survived the creosote hutch for the night. Then, the family being ready, we loaded up The Lady and took a day trip upstream to the Tempsford Anchor. A steady cruise on a fine sunny morning but the cold easterly wind kept the temperature to around 10/11*C.

Read more: Monday 23rd April 1984