Driving to Birmingham to meet ACT MD Brian Androlia to recruit them to the BMMG after checking press comment on the end to the SfI Moratorium and then back for phone calls and messages and agreeing the purchase of another river plot as police in South Africa arrest 200 people for marching peacefully and Thatcher shows little sympathy during the visit of 25 jobless youths from Liverpool
Awake to my morning tea after a good night’s sleep. My thumb of the left hand still sore with a broken blister on its tip from all that insertion of hooks and eyes putting up the curtain rails yesterday! Debbie comes in and chats to me before my paper arrives and then I study it in detail. The DTI story on reorganisation of support for innovation is covered in three separate articles in the FT and is also the lead opinion theme. Breakfast and then to quickly get washed, shaved and dressed whilst listening to ‘Yesterday in Parliament’ on Radio 4. A quick opportunity to feed the doves and ducks and then away by car to Birmingham for a 90 min journey. I arrive only a few minutes late and start a good meeting with ACT Managing Director, Brian Androlia, which extends to and includes lunch. I listen to their progress, policies and plans; update Brian on the BMMG’s progress and my efforts; and then discuss the LAN initiative, its background and present status. By the end, Brian had agreed to propose to his colleagues that ACT joins the BMMG and its LAN initiative, which is good news.
I could have recruited ICL, Ferranti and ACT within a few weeks. Home quickly and in time for afternoon tea with Di before returning four phone calls and scanning the post. Copies of the BMMG Isherwood recruitment letter that has been sent to 100 odd named chief executives, and yet another copy of the 14th March Computing, which I had previously missed. Calls then to Electronic Times (who I missed for comment on the end to DTI moratorium), Owles Hall (twice) to complete the AGM arrangements, Nigel Smith for the same reason, and Martin Isherwood. All were motivated to hear of my successful ACT meeting. No return call from John Lamb and I seem on my own for tomorrows early meeting with Cahners. I scan the Prestel stock brokers information and see shares down today and further setbacks for Ladbrokes and Kode. Home, after putting away and feeding the ducks, to a tea of meat pie and vegetables, which completed rather an excessive day. This evening to update my journal and briefly receive two police officers over the dog attack incident, as they complete their evidence. Today we received another reply from Mr Poynter over the purchase of his river plot and he has put us on the spot by insisting that we make an offer. We eventually decide on £5000 or his purchase price +10% a year of holding and an incentive of us picking up both sides legal expenses if he sells it to us in time for this season. News today of a national NUM ballot that voted against the 50p/week levy to support the sacked miners. Arthur Scargill was in Moscow for an international meeting of miners to arrange a world conference in England later in the year. A DES white paper was produced today on upgrading the training and skills of teachers, but there is consternation that the funds and motivation will not be there to undertake the necessary changes. A delegation of 25 unemployed youths from Liverpool visited the Prime Minister in Downing Street, but were disillusioned by her response to their plight. In South Africa, police have arrested more than 200 people, including religious leaders, as they marched and sang on their way to the parliament building. The laws forbid marches and gatherings, but the presence of international TV cameras ensured restraint. The US House of Representatives are tonight voting on MSX missiles; and the range of lobbying interests will ensure a deployment vote.