Managing the family, the company and the press hoards, all anxious to cover my story as the NUM and the NCB start talks at last and Thatcher postpones the GLC’s election
Awoken again by the alarm radio at 6.40 and too tired again to arise until 7.00, which meant a rush to get the family the morning drinks. The scramble continued to breakfast with children’s sensitivities ignored in a welter of corn flakes and satchels. Daniel by bus to Kimbolton for later collection and Debbie dropped off by car on the way to Grove House. At 9.00am an assessment of the priorities. A good story on the takeover in The Financial Times we received, and mentions in The Times, Guardian, Telegraph and Express. I telephoned Peter Smith and Stephen Day, reporting all Comart Groups staff informed, and congratulated them on their handling of the Financial Press. Then to sit down and take calls from the Computer Industry papers. We had mailed out 250+ releases yesterday and today was the first calls; Computing, Computer News, The Guardian, and several others. Then The Cambridge Evening News Business Editor for a long telephone interview and arrangement to meet in person on Monday morning.
Several liaison calls with John Lamb and we are pleased that the arrangements and briefings are going to plan. Eventually to leave the office, collect Deborah and Daniel and drive up to Rowans Ward to see Diana again. We finally confirm the baby’s name as Daniella and all have a good time together on a very hot and dry day.
Away to The Happy Eater for a cool table by the open fire door and then back to Grove House to see my new desks. Met by Jill Abbott and informed that The Evening News had been after me and agreed to drive back to the Hospital for a photo session – front page news tomorrow! Daniel manages to look after Debbie well enough and get her to bed. Out in the cool of the evening to feed the ducks before the news and to bed.
News today of the kidnapping of a Nigerian politician, Mr Dico, from outside his home, and his being found later drugged in a crate at Stansted Airport labelled ‘Diplomatic Baggage.’ Also today the first substantive talks (for 9 ½ hours) of the Coal Board’s Mr McGregor and NUM’s Arthur Scargill, flanked by their top aids. These took place whilst the TGWU tightened up the discipline on strike breaking lorry drivers by expelling several. Legal moves also take place about Local Authority Police spending. Meanwhile in the House of Commons, Environment Secretary Patrick Jenkins got the worst of the Government’s embarrassment over the House of Lords defeat. Thatcher has decided to extend the GLC’s term of office rather than risk an unpopular election.