Day started groggily for me from my travels and the kids from their school tribulations but then again by train 1st class to London reading the Financial Times and by tube to Victoria and the DTI at Bressenden Place to negotiate them over the BMMG LAN proposals but they wanted ACT or ICL support and then time at the London Silver Vault before home and the necessary telephone calls. 40 children are arrested for throwing stones at Reading police over YTS plans, the teachers’ action continues and a DHS review is delayed. All this on the 10th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam and World War in Germany
Awake a little earlier at 6.30am with morning tea. Both Daniel and I groggy from our heavy head colds and exertions of the week – me from travelling and he from return after the school holidays. Breakfast of toast, as usual, and a growing disillusionment with this ‘seedy’ wholemeal bread, which may be “good for you” with roughage, but is as dry as a board as well. The bathroom, which I shared with Debbie – more relaxed and friendly than usual, now that the school are allowing her to take a packed lunch. Dressed and out in a rush to arrive at St Neots 10 mins early for the 7.39am train. I was greeted by a bearded man who hailed me a “good morning” and addressed me by name. I confess I could not recognise him at all and felt he must be a neighbour. Even by 1st class ticket, only just a seat on the train with the second class passengers standing everywhere. The journey to Kings Cross and time to read my Financial Times and then across London by tube on the Victoria line, arriving at 8.30am and with time for a coffee and cake at ‘Grandma’s Coffee Shop’ opposite Victoria Station. To the DTI at Bressenden Place by 8.40 and there John Dipess of LDR Systems and, just before 9.00, Chris Shelton.
No Nigel Smith or Robin Tracey and therefore an awkward first half hour awaiting their arriva,l before a solid hour until 10.30am putting our case. I impressed them with the new BMMG members of ICL, Sinclair, FTS, ABS, Nine Tiles, but could not promise any major names for our LAN project yet. We both will try to persuade ICL and ACT then, with some other policy adjustments, it might be possible to win the DTI’s financial support. After, coffee with John and Chris and then off to the London Silver Vaults. I buy a half dozen SH/DC desert spoons, source ladle and a couple of odd desert forks from Linden, then 10 desert forks and a couple of table spoons from Block – all SH/DC – and am well pleased with my purchases. Home by tube, train and car; a cup of tea; and then half hour at the telephone returning calls to Bill Barratt and cancelling tomorrows meeting in Bournemouth. Attempts at transfering money by Homelink were thwarted by cheque clearance delays and so home for tea of chicken and chips. Out to put the ducks away and feed them, a pause at No.39 and then back home to relax, read and catch up on my journal. The Alliance candidate, Michael Pope, dropped round a few election posters tonight and I’ll put them up in the morning. News tonight of the TWU holding a new election for General Secretary, after complaints of vote-rigging. In Reading, police detained 40 school children throwing stones in unemployment rallies, protesting against the Youth Training Scheme. The teachers action goes on and battles of words continue. At Fords, the women upholsterers win their fight for re-grading after many years of battling against the odds. Cabinet discussions on Norman Fowler’s DHSS reviews were put off today with continued problems between the DHSS and Treasury. Chelsea FC’s electric fence will not be switched on this weekend because of the GLC’s legal threats. The 10th anniversary today of the end of the Vietnam War and also the conquering by the Allies in 1945 of Germany. The weather cold today, with wintry weather returning. Rain is spreading from the north after a frost tonight.