Suit fitting at my new tailors, Huntsman’s of Saville Row , before on to Bishop’s Court for an Export IT Council election and some de Zoete stockbroker action before home to a rising river Great Ouse as several sea rescues are needed off of the south west coast in high storms
A good night’s sleep, but a somewhat groggy start to the day. I wake gradually to the morning tea and Financial Times, rising for a breakfast of toast and the last of the melon. Quickly washed, shaved and dressed and, just managing to collect this morning’s mail, I set off by car for Huntingdon and the railway station. There is always a delay at the Brompton airbase entrance with workers and forces personnel (British and American) arriving for the 8.30am start. I managed to make the station in time for the 8.40 train to London and settled down in a first class carriage to read my post. Confirmations from de Zoete and Bevan of the sale of our part-paid gilt edged stock and some informatics daily bulletins. Then time to study the Investors Chronicle before arriving in Kings Cross. I duck out to the more convivial atmosphere of the Great Northern Hotel and use their public telephones to call my tailors; Huntsman’s of Saville Row. I was pleased to hear that they were ready for my next fitting and so I took the Piccadilly line tube straight over there, walking from Piccadilly Station via Regent Street. A blustery and unsettled day.
A quick session fitting my suit jacket – taking a little off the sleeves and pinching in the lines across my back and under my arms – and then on by tube again to St Pauls Station and another short walk to Bishop’s Court off The Old Bailey. Early for my Export IT meeting, I chatted to other representatives present. Donald Willis of UKITO and I were surprised to see each other and it transpired that some 7/8 trade associations were due to join the Council. Eventually the meeting convened for the AGM; chaired by Frazer Mitchell and with David Fairbairn (NCC Director), Doug Eyions (CRA), Brian Smith (DTI) and representatives from ACORN, ICL, as well as the groups. The Chairman was elected, the council formed, the new articles of association adopted and we broke for a lunch buffet. Good opportunity to engage Doug Eyions in a discussion on Industry Policy and to spend time with David Fairbairn and Brian Smith. I am heading towards the December Pitcom meeting as an opportunity to start a policy formulation initiative and enlisting their help. Then to sit down again in a session of the new council. Activity areas agreed in many fields where the limited funding of the present time was not a hindrance. The meeting over I called the office for messages and consequently phoned de Zoete to answer a few queries on my BT applications. Then home, retracing my footsteps in a stormy, wet and windy squall, which ended the day. We had not had so much rain for some time and I was sorry not to get back in time to feed the pigeons. I did, however, feed and house the ducks after dark, noticing how much the river was rising. I also managed to spend time in all three sheds putting up belongings away from the floor as I predict a good flood this weekend. The evening reading computer journals from my office and other papers. News today of mild Tory revolts over overseas aid budget cuts, but warnings of more to come next week on local government cutbacks, metropolitan council abolitions and the changes to local bus services. The week’s figures for miner returns are publicised, but the strike goes on. In fact, more NCB inducements are offered past todays ‘deadline’ to attempt to continue the drift back to work. North sea oil prices are again under threat as the OPEC production cuts fail to stick, but I think this is a good thing. Several sea rescues off of the south west coast in high storms.