Meeting Samuel Jones' archivist today
Meeting Samuel Jones' archivist today

Late up after working hard yesterday and then straight back to inputting history from Jack Ramply’s Little Paxton Scrapbook and then hosting a visit from John Lamb later who wanted me to consider returning to business with him! Then a meeting at Samuel Jones’ Paper Mill, where I discover their archive of photos and documents before home to review Daniel’s home work with him. News that President Cory Aquino is to announce an independent enquiry over the mass killings of 8 demonstrating people by her armed forces, The New Statesman prints details of the supposedly secret government spy satellite project and now Terry Waite has been missing for far too long in Beirut after visiting hostages

Soundly asleep and tired when asked to sit up in bed for my morning tea. To the shower, where I also washed my hair, and then I dressed in sports jacket and trousers for a meeting or two later on, before breakfast. A meal on my own again, as the children had already finished their meal. To my office directly and started again the process of inputting the scrap book to my word processor. I was typing in the details of the Little Paxton School dispute in the 1880s, which was quite a todo! The whole morning typing and half expecting John Lamb to visit for a coffee. I also lit a fire in my office and cleared it up a bit, which was well worth doing anyway and so I was not put out. No sign of him by lunch and so I had it as usual and carried on typing until mid-afternoon.

Then John arrived in mid-afternoon and I showed him around and made him a cup of tea and we sat in front of the fire for a chat. He seems well enough, but keeps asking whether or not I am thinking of re-entering business! He has his ideas, but cannot interest me in changing my lifestyle, which is quite acceptable to me and preferable to the wholly unfavourable economic and political business regime. Kept me later than intended, and I also made a mistake on the timing of my meeting at Samuel Jones, and so arrived 1 ¼ hrs late for it, which was most unfortunate. Still, I was well received and had an interesting chat and brought away 8 photos of the Mill on loan. Saw a better one on Little Paxton Sluice and shall return for it later. Home late for tea and, by the time I had reviewed Dan’s homework, spent a little time with Deb and updated my journal, it was 11.30pm already. News of trouble in Manila, with President Cory Aquino having to announce an independent enquiry into the armed forces attacking a demonstrating crowd and killing 8 people. After a day of unprecedented legal and parliamentary moves, the government has failed to prevent details leaking out of a security project. A full account has been printed in the New Statesman. It seems to be a satellite to be launched to monitor Eastern European countries and gain intelligence. The Argyle group has approached Guinness with a view to a merger, but this is rejected as a first approach. It may well yet give in. Lord Spence, Director of the Merchant Bank Avisbacher, has been the latest to re`sign over impropriety in respect of Guinness dealings. The Lloyds underwriting agency comes in for harsh criticism after a report on its past problems and the Trade Minister has told them to put their house in order, or be subjected to closer control. Manchester’s Chief Constable has met the Home Office officials in London, but neither side are making any comment. No news yet from Terry Waite in Beirut. Kerry Jenkins of the Alliance has spoken out in support of more public borrowing to finance investment in reducing unemployment. A Gallup Poll in the Telegraph has given Labour a 5 point lead over the Tories, but all of these polls swing wildly and are unreliable. More horrifying accounts at the trial into the death of the policeman in the Tottenham riots. The inquest goes on into the death of the unfortunate man, who fell to his doom in a fatal stunt for ‘Late, Late Breakfast Show’ on TV. The BT telephone engineers dispute deepens, with a total strike to be called, depending on an ultimatum in the morning. England win the latest 1-day test cricket match in Australia against the Aussies and go top of the points table for the championship