Rev Ronald Lancaster demonstrating Fireworks experiments when teaching Chemistry at Kimbolton School until 1988
Rev Ronald Lancaster demonstrating Fireworks experiments when teaching Chemistry at Kimbolton School until 1988

Kimbolton Fireworks Night - Much time today compiling and producing our new FOCUS newsletter is with Michael with Percy arriving with some brochure copies are required. Chasing calls to my insurance claims company and conservatory supplier and then to take the family to Kimbolton School for the Rev Lancaster’s fireworks. Thatcher is visiting Poland and trading views with General Yardeski after nearly losing a key House of Commons vote on health charges and Eye Test fees which were only passed by eight votes industrial unrest with Britain’s nurses, miners and now TV technicians and journalists all on strike. It looks like the Orthodox Jews will sustain the Israeli right-wing Likud party in government and more extreme religious measures are expected.

Awake to my morning tea and got ready in time for breakfast. To my office, and then to read the mail and morning paper and a few magazines which took me until nearly 9am. Then to my desk, firing up the MAC and starting to compile a structure for our new FOCUS newsletter for the Little Paxton and Priory Ward. Soon Mike Pope arrived, and we spent the whole morning with me compiling and typing in the news items and Michael reeling them out until we had more than enough items. I was quite tired by lunchtime when the close and intense studying of screen and keyboard was making my eyes a bit achy. After the meal, I sat in the lounge to watch the TV news and then Percy Meyer arrived with some brochure copies that I wanted. Pete, the gardener, came this afternoon, collecting some supplies from Eaton Socon and then mixed up some more lawn dressing. I worked at the computer, using the spelling checker to edit this morning’s work and then investigating the types of font to use for the FOCUS text. Phone calls also to my insurance claims company and conservatory supplier to chase them up for a satisfactory result. After tea and some more computer work, it was time for me to take the family to Kimbolton School to the annual display of the Rev Lancaster’s fireworks.

Last year, Della was frightened by the loud noises but this year (with the benefit of earmuffs) she enjoyed the big bangs, calling for more. The set piece display was a two, men-of-war firing cannons at each other, all depicted in fireworks. Many soaring thunder flashes and wailing varieties which were quite spectacular. All finished at 9pm and home for 9:30pm. Time then to write up my journal and see the TV news. The news today is of Thatcher’s visit to Poland, where the closure of the Gdansk shipyard is a hot political issue. General Yardeski is quoting the British Prime Minister’s own policies and putting her on the spot. Late last night, the government nearly lost a key House of Commons vote on health charges. Eye Test charges were only approved by eight votes and now the House of Lords is considering whether to throw the measure out again. Industrial unrest is returning to the British scene as nurses are on strike in some areas over the government’s decision on pay grading, the NUM are balloting for an overtime ban and BBC TV technicians and journalists are planning a one-day strike over the government’s suppression of Irish Republican political views. The Israeli general election has ended up as a close-run thing between the Labour and Likud parties, but the religious Orthodox Jews will hold the balance of power and will probably sustain the right wing Likud party in government and we can expect a lot of extreme religious measures to be the price.