Shrove Tuesday – Day ending with fine pancakes but starting with the my upset over service personnel management shortcomings and horrific deviation from our standard sales terms as the Scottish miners join the strike and the IRA kill the Maze Prizon Assistant Governor in front of his wife and small child

Diana woke me a little late and the rest of the morning routine was a bit rushed as a result. To the office just in time and then to settle to a desk full of work to do. Lots of meetings today and action with regard to client visit plans, job offers, purchasing and stock plans, unit forecasts and quality. Service results are good but threatened by the imminent loss and turnover of skilled personnel. Upset this morning at the terms negotiated for a large end-user deal with Cambridge Health Authority. The promises on equipment performance and for future of our protection under our standard terms of sale were so horrific that I had to telex a disclaimer and telephone David Fear at home on holiday.

I hope that things can yet be salvaged but wonder at the results of this inexperience and lack of control. News today of further NCB pit closures and the decision to strike by both the Scottish and Yorkshire miners unions. Also of a terrible shooting by the IRA. William McConnell an assistant governor of the Maze Prison who is responsible for allocation of work was gunned down as he left home in sight of his wife and small child. The England cricket team lost its first ever Test Match to the Pakistan team whilst on tour. On the other hand Barclays Bank lowers their Base Rate but only by ¼% which is less than the ½% hoped for. Pleased to eat Di’s pancakes today as Shrove Tuesday.