Lively day with John Lamb and Nigel Smith attending the Parliamentary IT Committee House of Lords reception in my brand new Saville Row suit, and meeting lots of industry leaders and politicians after Alan Ball had dropped round and I had been ‘playing doves’ and trying to get some work done. Nigel liked the shooting opportunities of my woodland investment idea and the news is of a flood of miners returning to work
A slight lay in, morning tea, and to find that Diana is up and preparing the children for school. The Financial Times, and then breakfast of toast (1 slice) and honey and I return to finish most of the paper. Up, dressed and a restricted wash following last night’s bath and hair shampoo and then dressed rough to go out to the birds. A merry game with the doves as I insist that they feed from the bird table and so little seed taken this morning. Six eggs from the ducks again who are now laying regularly. A busy morning in the office trying to catch up on all manner of work and correspondence. I complete letters to RML and others and end up with a fair bundle for posting later on. Many phone calls to disturb the process, but many problems ironed out as a result. I arrange to collect Nigel and John on the way down to London this afternoon and ascertain that my new suit will be ready from Huntsman’s.
To the house for lunch of salad and meat sandwiches and to check afterwards on the television for city developments. Sterling is edging down again, interest rates in the market are rising, and stocks and shares sliding down. Back to the office to finish off my letters. Diana had invited Alan Ball round to quote for a new bathroom design and he took the chance to drop in and see me. A long chat and it seems that he had not left Trivector voluntarily; but in a political battle with the other directors. Vinten, the PLC that took him over, had asked him to leave and put Chris Blake in the driving seat. Alan is missing the industry and has offered to assist the BMMG voluntarily, which is good news. He has also asked about any companies willing to take him on. I respond that I will pass on his first offer and would expect it to be welcomed. For the second, I asked him to write to me with a summary of his desired position to pass to potential companies. Then a long call from Martin Isherwood, who briefs me on his activities, when I really do not have much time to talk to him. A rush to get changed and off by car. First to collect John from Comart in Eaton Socon and in the car I ascertain that it has probably been LSI Computers that has been up for sale – not Trivector. On to Baldock for Nigel Smith, who we extract from Modus Systems after a struggle. During the journey to London I talk to them about the need to publicise the effects of the moratorium and set up the agenda for the Council Meeting – we meet tomorrow night. Nigel welcomes Alan Ball’s offer and we are to invite him to our next meeting. We navigate to Savile Row and I collect my suit from Huntsman’s and change into it. Then put on matching shoes and tie and we drive on to the Houses of Parliament, parking at a meter. A brisk walk through the security controls and on to Committee Room 10, where we take our places for the PITCOM AGM. I recognise Alan Frazer of GEC, with Robinson of Ferranti, Tim Keen, David Fairbairn, Philip Virgo and others and it is good to arrive on time for once. A militant pace set by Ian Lloyd MP, as the PITCOM Chairman, and the only real business is to elect the Council. Due to the selection of the single transferable vote system and the complexity of holding a ballot for 15 places out of 18, as one of the nominees, I will not know the result for a few days, which is a pity. Off by the corridors and stairs of the Palace of Westminster to the House of Lords and a reception hosted in the Cholmondeley Room by Lord Lloyd of Kilgerran, the PITCOM Patron. A busy occasion where I also met Mike O’Reagan, Don Willis, Michael Clark MP, Barry Henderson MP, and Roy Newell of the IDPM. Roy invites me to address the IDPM on March 5th in Sussex and plans a media event involving an interview with Radio Brighton. Plenty of white wine and a hot finger buffet and we are the last to leave at 9.00pm. A drive home and merry time with John and Nigel, dropping them off at Baldock and Eaton Socon. Nigel’s factory in Baldock is a strange place. It has broken windows due to the excesses of a property developer next door. Nigel is very keen on my woodlands idea and briefs me all about the ways of rough shooting. I watch the teletext news briefly and see the miners have returned to work in record numbers, but the Labour Party put up a better show in the Commons debate. To sleep rather late.