Completing the purchase and fitting out of Grove house as the Peat Marwick accountants are satisfied with what they find whilst Daniel gets a TV and computer ban from Diana for carelessness as the Miners dispute develops further
Up on time and, after a normal toast and fruit juice breakfast, off early to the factory calling at D H Barford on the way to drop off the Grove House keys. A morning of meetings and phone calls organising the acquisition of Grove House in terms of structural survey, legal terms, and arrangements for power supplies and furnishings. Also eventually to hear from Richard James of Ashursts and to discuss the takeover terms and conditions. An afternoon meeting with Carlton Lowe to complete personnel reviews and also to discuss the reactions of Derek Morgan to what he has taken bitterly as a demotion. Assurances all round that this is not the case. A late update with Stephen Day of Kode and the Peat Marwick investigating accountants who still remain satisfied with progress so far.
Home before dark and with Daniel to put the ducks away and chat about the day. He has failed to purchase a replacement French text book again and also managed to get raspberry juice all over his sports jersey and, with it, upset Diana enough to call an evening’s television and micro-computer ban. News today of the collapse of secret talks between the NCB Chairman, Ian McGregor, and NUM President, Arthur Scargill, which were due to start tomorrow. Also of suspensions of Lancashire Miner’s Union membership because a thousand of them have not been on strike. A continuing row between the TUC and the regional officers who are deferring on the question of TUC support of one day sympathy action. Today Sheffield and Leeds transport services were also restricted due to the day of action. News also that James Prior, tired of the problems of office and lack of support from Thatcher, is wishing to be removed from the Northern Ireland Office. The weather today cool and dull with the ground well dampened by yesterday’s rain.