Sunny and fine day in London meeting industry colleagues and PR gurus whilst being treated to lunch for the third day running because my DTI meeting was cancelled with Nigel being ill. This as Dixons take over Curry’s due to their computer exploits and the US passing more protectionist legislation as conflict reigns at the Labour Party Conference whilst unemployment under Thatcher reaches 3.5million!
Up early and the 8.02am train from St Neots and underground passage across London to Victoria. The train had been delayed for 30 mins by a brake seizure at Huntingdon. Some confusion over dates and my DTI Local Area Network meeting was not at 9.30am at all; but planned late in the day at 3.30pm. Phone calls to establish this and then to meet Dr Chris Shelton instead in White Lion Street. I was encouraged by the work he had done and state of preparation of the LAN Reports – I am beginning to see the end result in sight. In the event, the meeting late in the day was not duly convened – as Nigel Smith was also unable to attend because of flu. Off by taxi, caught at The Angel Islington traffic lights, to Saffron Hill to see Jarogate before a lunch appointment with Alistair Jacks. The third day running I had received the hospitality of lunch and I was beginning to think of the effect on my waistline. Away to SW London and the Travellers Club – an old club in elegant tradition. Autographed photographs of past Princes of the Realm on the walls and 10 foot wide corridors. Smoked salmon to start, grilled sole to continue, and blue stilton to finish. All washed down with a bottle of white wine and followed with coffee. A good exchange of views and opinions and the outcome that MPSL (BOS) Software will join the BMMG.
On by taxi again to Kings Cross Station and the offices of MEPR. There to meet Mike East and talk over industry affairs and hear of his plans to extend the PR Agency and take on a General Manager. By this time to have collected copies of Computing and Computer Talk from my hosts – no particular news or revelations here. Home by train and, rather tired, to catch up on some reading. News today of unemployment up at a record 3 1/3 million adjusted, which means that the jobless have been rising an average 150,000 per month. Scargill is still facing legal charges in contempt proceedings. Dixons stores mount a spectacular takeover of Curry’s after the C’s profit set back and problems retailing Business Computers. In the States, an appallingly protectionist State Industries Bill seems set to pass both Congress and Senate, in which case we all rely on the President to veto it. The Labour Party Conference in conflict and disagreement. The weather today, sunny and fine – which makes my raincoat and hat today rather unnecessary.