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Full day in London on computer industry business with the NCC and DTI, time at the Compec exhibition and then home to spend some time with Debbie and Daniel as strikes continue at Austin Rover and at the mines
Up on time and quickly washed and dressed, a breakfast of honey and toast and then off to St Neots station for the 8.02am to London. A first class seat and opportunity to catch up on these last two day’s journal whilst travelling to Kings Cross. Across London by tube until arriving at Victoria and then a short walk to Bressenden Place and the DTI for a meeting of the Federation of Microsystems Centres DTI Advisory Committee. For once I was early and managed to contribute valuably to the debate over future funding, getting across the points that either longer term security must be established to support small firms with assisted consultancy or the projects direction changed. Tom Fitzpatrick weighed in with a suggestion of merging the Federation into NCC activity and need was agreed for a strategy document to provide for ministerial choice. The meeting adjourned early as NCC Chairman, David Fairbairn, had to leave for a lunchtime speaking engagement and we all ate a rather modest DTI lunch of sandwiches and wine from plastic cups. I lingered a while to talk to Tony Keston of the DTI and Federation Manager, John Turbull, before catching a taxi to Olympia for the rest of Compec.
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Damp and dismal office day working on industry and private affairs as US shuttle Discovery saves its second faulty satellite and the Church of England Synod kicks off the process of allowing female priests
Up a bit late, but not concerned after last night and my planned day of office work. Read the paper in detail to catch up with much of the recent news. Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, has lost a battle to prevent a cut in overseas aid; the US space shuttle, Discovery, manage to save the second ‘rogue’ satellite and, in China, thousands of criminals are being executed in a public ‘education’ programme. In Istanbul, the England football team trounced Turkey 8-0 in a World Cup qualifying round to bring long needed confidence into the Nations football circles. In financial markets, the levels are slipping again over US budget deficits and lowering confidence and the BT share issue is beginning to overhang the UK markets a little. Worldwide insurance companies are doing worse with large claims and unwillingness to pay increased premiums. I make it to the office eventually and process a deal of mail and reply to many matters. Ticket applications for the next two computer exhibitions, copies of my investment portfolio to stockbrokers and accountant, instructions to the BMMG secretarial and replies copied on general correspondence to Baptiste, a Tory MP, and potential BMMG members. Several export opportunities to South Africa and Sweden were also passed on and text written for a membership export plea.
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Further day at COMPEC and a re-union with Dick Baines and Peter Dodds as old colleagues before a memorable dinner at Rosetta’s courtesy of Nigel
Up after reading this morning’s Financial Times and out in old clothes to the doves. It had been raining overnight and rained still as I muck out the dove enclosure and replace the seed, grit and water. The doves are now half way through their acclimatisation. I change and set off by car to Stevenage again to catch the same train – still as crowded as yesterday. More so in fact, so I had to go to 1st class and pay a supplement to sit down. A hurry to cash a cheque and then get across London by tube to Earls Court and then by taxi to a Hotel in Hammersmith for the BMMG meeting. I was, therefore, three quarters of an hour late and the meeting was also poorly attended to boot. A few things agreed, however, and then back to Compec by taxi. More chance to look around and more meetings with friends old and not so old. Welcomed Robin Tracey of Jarogate to the BMMG and then, to my surprise, I was invited by Dick Baines of Trend to their stand to meet their brand new Managing Director – Peter Dodds!
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Good day being greeted as quite the personality at the COMPEC Olympia computer exhibition with plenty of interviews, Tessa Curtis being the highlight, but I decline an invitation to co-author a history of the industry
Up to my normal breakfast and just time to review my mail before getting ready to leave for London. Too late to catch the 10.15am from Huntingdon, I catch it at 10.40 from Stevenage after a rather exhausting trot from the car park. The train was packed full of trippers from London taking advantage of the reduced rates for that time of day. I just managed to get a seat vacated by someone who left the train at Stevenage. I just relaxed for the half hour trip to Kings Cross and then took the tube across town to arrive at Olympia Exhibition Centre. On the way I met the former CRA Chairman, Paul Rayner, who kindly gave me an admission ticket. In fifteen years, I had always been a COMPEC exhibitor and it was the first time I had to gain admission by other means. I arrive at Olympia station and enter the show. The Comart Stand in its usual place immediately to the left, exhibiting the new Comart Workstation, now launched for their first public viewing after all the trials and tribulations of the design.