Very busy and productive day for me and the builders as lots of big news stories vie for priority but the loss of the Gartcosh steel processing mill and Heseltine losing the European Westland rescue deal in Thatcher’s cabinet is a significant nail in coffin of his career and in that of the UK industry’s capability
A better night – earlier to bed and then another half hour lay in – to awake to a bright and dry day. Down to breakfast of toast, marmalade and fruit juice as usual and then to the shower, where I also washed my hair. My recent haircut has made all the difference. Then to shave and dress quickly as the plumber was already knocking at the door. He had to drain the new house heating system to repair a faulty weld leak. I followed him around the house to help bleed the radiators and then the decorators arrived and I completed my unlocking routine. Today they finished the papering of the new nursery; gloss painted both bathrooms, the stairs and some kitchen windows and painted the outside doors and woodwork. The carpenter was also here and put on the last two doors in the hall/utility area, which really toned down the noise of our washing machine & tumble drier.
Also Smallbone kitchen fitters came and installed our hood ducting and drawer cutlery insert at long last. For my part, I started the day by replacing the light fitting in Diana’s ironing room and repaired our telephone by rewiring the second extension so that it rings again. Then I wired up the other push button for the control bell, replaced the front door transformer so that it could achieve the deep chime that we wanted, and then labelled the bell push so that callers lack no direction! Then I shaped and cut all the shelves for the playroom and helped Diana iron on and trim the edging strip, so that the playroom now looks magnificent. Diana’s Mum and Dad came for lunch today and were most impressed with the house’s progress. Daniel also helped by looking after Della for an hour this morning before he went out. News today of a French drama as gunmen held a judge and trial officials hostage in full view of television cameras that were in the courtroom at the terrorist’s invitation. They seem to be Islamic extremists. The row over the rescue of Westland went to Cabinet today, with Heseltine getting a rebuff and Thatcher/Brittain winning the day. It now seems that the Defence Secretary has his political and ministerial career in the balance. At the Old Bailey, defendant George Watson, was convicted of Kirsty Bryant’s murder, as his third similar offence. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a recommendation that it means life. Also convicted at the Old Bailey today was Tommy Comerford of gross offences for trading LSD and other drugs, including heroin. The government’s final proposal for City of London regulation was published today. There still does not seem to be enough independent control, as the markets become more chaotic after the ‘Big Bang’. The Scottish Secretary of State announced today that Gartcosh processing mill in Scotland will not be saved and this decision will eventually affect the viability of Ravenscraig and the entire Scottish steel industry. White Afrikaners packed into a South African church today in memorium of their colleagues killed last week by an ANC land mine. The US have welcomed the USSR proposals for mutual test inspection and monitoring of nuclear weapons, but will not join the Soviets in a complete test ban, as they want to test some new weapons. British farmers will now have to comply with EEC controls on the use of hormones in beef production, if the Agricultural Minister loses a battle in an EEC meeting tonight – I hope he does lose, as one hormone, that is now banned, led to veal-fed babies developing breasts and enlarged genitals. The weather is due to deteriorate, but the rain may be kept in the north of England. I hope that the roofing contractors call soon to protect my utility room.