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FT article follows my lead as the Government is re-shuffled and Geoffrey Pattie replaces Kenneth Backer at IT as the dock strike hits the headlines and Nigel Mansell joins Williams Grand Prix team
Up early all and a small breakfast, with Diana abstaining, before leaving Daniel to get Debbie off to school whilst I take Diana, with Daniella, to the hospital in Hichinbrooke, Huntingdon. I get her there, after filling up with petrol (a record £35), at 8.00am and she is well settled. Back home and to the office to start work, dropping in at the local newsagent to pick up The Guardian and see Peter Large’s article given prominent coverage on the financial page.
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Working the anti IBM/BT campaign with a submission to the minister and other industry bodies at the same time as a number of press interviews as talks to end the miners dispute fail again
Up at about 7.30am and awake to my morning tea and The Sunday Times. Short work in disposing of the papers – very little new items or enlightened comment at all. No mention in any of it of the IBM/BT licence. In fact a PR interview between Kenneth Baker and Tony Hearn where the recent NEDO report is discounted and the government given a clean bill of health. The Computer Weekly press are more on the ball and I will gradually build up closer links with the nationals to bring them round. Another single duck eggs during the moult and, considering I also ate one for my normal Sunday breakfast,
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Diana’s family celebrations in Bedford and maths help for Daniel as Kode’s share dive and the Queen tried to counsel Thatcher against divisive policies
Another poor night – this week has been too busy with late night sessions, but I am sure it will settle down. To the office for a couple of hours – me working on a letter and cheque to Hoare Garett and Daniel doing more long division. Still only one duck egg today as they are fully into moult and not getting very well looked after. Off together at 11.30am after coffee to town to stock up on money, get some more A4 typing paper and sea food for tea. Unfortunately, Westcom was not open for the sale of diskettes. On to Bedford and the 80th birthday celebration of lunch with ‘Uncle Tom’ and twenty or so relatives of Diana, many of which we did not know. Always trying occasions due to the advanced age and distance of these relatives. We completed our stint and drove home through Bedford.
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Being invited to join the Export IT council and getting encouraging feedback from the press including the Financial Times on my BMMG IBM/BT opposition campaign
Up and to my office to tussle with the word processor. But first to set Daniel to work on his mathematics where arithmetic is the latest priority and long division top of the list. I call ICL, UKITO and Nigel Smith to talk about the progress on IBM/BT and from an initial mood of despondency, I get some encouragement. I call Guy de Jonquieres of the Financial Times to back up ICL’s efforts and Tom Forenski of Computing calls for an update, which I hope will be printed next week. I then realise that I am due to meet Roy Porter, Director of Export IT, for lunch in Tempsford.