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Busy day managing the Comart Group, receiving the Torch Computers Chairman and seeing the BMMG Vice Chair later to curtail the banks and organise the British microcomputer industry’s fight against IBM
Early to rise and to the office. My room was very warm because of the fact that I had left on the fan heater yesterday, but the weather was generally very cold. First to brief June and pass over the results of my previous days activities. Detailed letters for the Bank with a memo to brief Derek Weatherby on what to say; minutes of the Xitan Review Meeting; results of reviews exit interviews and appraisals of the Xitan people. Then to review the post and a little after 10.00 o’clock. The Chairman of Torch Computers arrives in some wonderment as to why I asked to see him. I ran through the range of initiatives that I am presently involved with and then turned to the question of the IBM issue and CCTA.
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Early morning reading the newspapers and then to the office to review the mail and take a briefcase of work home for tackling our bank relationship and Directors’ reviews as I resolve to investigate selling the business
Another slight lay in and brief reading of The Sunday Times and business supplements which did not reveal much. A breakfast of fried egg, bacon and bread – the first time for weeks that I have had one of our duck eggs now they have resumed lay. To the car and on to St Neots where I find the Cambridge St. Garage car wash free and I take advantage of it – wash and blow dry for 80 pence. It is normally far too busy with queues of cars waiting but I am glad to be able to use it on this cold day. Whilst the office warms up, I review the mail and in it read the latest letter from that pest Burkinshaw at Barclays Bank. I am so upset by the matter that I write to both him on the details and then to his manager, Brian George, to ask for his replacement as our representative. I do not know what effect it will have but it made me return late home for lunch at 1.30pm.
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Early morning reading before shopping trips for a new TV , straw and duck food as they lay their first egg and then to start studying local history this evening as the weather is too cold and very windy to be out
A slight lay in and scan of the papers and The Economist before rising for a breakfast of toast and fruit juice and getting washed and dressed. Off by car with Diana and Debbie to the farm for a bale of straw and to Jordon’s Mill at Sandy for two bags of layers pellets. The ducks have now started to lay one small egg a day and we live in expectation of better things to come. By appointment to meet Daniel at the newsagent, Reedwell, and there I bought a copy of Huntingdonshire history notes. On to the Electricity Board where we chose a replacement television after much ado with the display shelf falling down and other things besides.
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Byte Shop Directors meeting to review future of Glasgow's Gordon Coventry and bank negotiations before an evening’s playing on computers with Daniel and writing as people die on overnight gales
On time to the office and, somewhat tired, to start the day. First a brief meeting of The Byte Shop Directors to decide the fate of Gordon Coventry who has asked to withdraw his resignation again! We agree for the last time to let him continue and hope that the disposal of his shares will provide a better perspective for his future judgements. A day of paperwork, calls and arrangements but disturbing news this afternoon as the bank ask again for our intercompany securities to be relinquished which will be contrary to our interests. Tonight a pleasant time playing on Daniels computers and writing up my journal for these last two days. News tonight that seven people died in the overnight gales as the winds still rage in certain parts of Britain.
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By fast car to Southampton for Xitan personnel crisis meetings and then to Alton for historic and successful merger talks between the BMMG and UKITO computer industry organisations
Up very early and by fast car to Southampton. I successfully managed to miss the traffic in the London area and arrived at 9.30am for a morning to review personnel matters with Geoff Lynch. He is having a very difficult time with people matters and is in real danger of losing more key personnel. A sorry tale but if only Geoff would take things in a more logical and considered manner, he could take a great deal of the heat and acute concern out of the situation. Then an hour with Jane Danks, who has already resigned, to attempt to reconcile her relationship breakdown with Geoff but I fear she will go if Geoff is not prepared to change his style and organisation.