Off to London for NEDO meeting at Millbank Tower and then meetings and exhibition visits before home in the dark to hear of good press coverage as East West arms talks may resume and the miners dispute becomes decisive
Awake at the normal time and, after much goading, Deborah brings up my paper, which I partially read before breakfast. I finish it afterwards; then wash and dress and set off for Huntingdon station, dropping Daniel off on the way in St Neots to catch his Kimbolton bus. In good time for the 8.40am train and I buy a Guardian to read on the train. Opportunity during the journey also to read the papers for my meeting and note down some ideas. Across London by taxi and to arrive at the Millbank Tower 20mins early for a meeting of the NEDO/BOTMA Editorial Group. An awkward affair with a number of self-interests pursued by a few parties, which did not help, but a productive session in agreeing the guides form and methodology. A buffet lunch afterwards and chance to talk about the wider issues before leaving by taxi for Great Queen Street and a meeting with Shean Maroney of IC Publications.
He is thinking of starting a new venture and publishing a monthly magazine –‘Computers in Africa’ – and is canvassing advice and support. I advise him that it could count on UK company support on a modest basis for 1-2 years, but commercial success would really come on a 3-5 year timeframe, once world financial affairs had improved and overseas aid budgets re-established. I also foresaw that British manufacturers were only gradually increasing their export operations and other more immediate territories would pre-occupy them in the immediate future. The meeting finished, I set off for the Barbican by taxi for a brief opportunity to see round an exhibition ‘Computers in the City.’ A colourful affair with over 100 companies exhibiting and run by Online with accompanying conference sessions. I picked up a range of literature, noted the companies specialising in this sector, and spoke particularly to BMMG member, LDR Systems, who asked for the BMMG/LAN report to be circulated as soon as possible. Then off quickly by taxi to Kings Cross in time for the 4.04pm train to Huntingdon and thence home by 5.30pm for tea. It was hopelessly dark by this time, but the pigeons seemed all right by torch light and I managed to feed and put away the ducks, which was good. A fair range of mail all round but most of it of personal and financial interest. Telephone messages from Nigel Smith who tells of some spectacular coverage of the BMMG’s criticisms of the Minister in Computing and a message to call The Sunday Times in the morning. Daniel is at Garry’s party this evening, Debbie ill after having to spend the day at home with a cold and Diana crying with shock having reversed her car into another today in St Neots Market Square car park. The weather today bright and sunny, but turning to a fine rain this evening. News tonight of Church leaders meeting the miners and giving some pretty frank advice and urging both sides to be more flexible and willing to negotiate a solution. In the minefields there were more petrol bombs and stone damage to vehicles and barricades built. In The Commons the opposition forced a statement from the government on plans to change social security benefits to the striking miner’s detriment. The last Austin/Rover plants on strike voted in mass meetings to return to work today because of the impact of the union legislation being forced by the courts. Mass redundancies announced today by British Shipbuilders at Teeside and Southampton and British Steel will also be closing a Scottish steelworks.