Later to see Derek Giles and reject his latest Gypsy plan and was irritated that he misses meetings and then raises matters outside them
Later to see Derek Giles and reject his latest Gypsy plan and was irritated that he misses meetings and then raises matters outside them

After a frustrating start to the day, I serviced the conservatory and swimming pool and liaised with the gardener before Mr Haggar came to change our kitchen light fitting and he told me about some old things found Edie Smith's old house in the School Cottage row.

Later to see Derek Giles and reject his latest Gypsy plan and was irritated that he misses meetings and then raises matters outside them. Some time circulating a wealth of papers to other group leaders and party activists.

Then chairing my last Village Hall Committee after I had insisted that they choose a new Chairman now that Alan Cromack no longer was available. It was a good meeting with some new ideas for social events and fund-raising for next year

I was again tired this morning after yet another late night which made me even more frustrated about last night. I was slow to rise but made a point of getting down to the breakfast table to see the girls off to school and they went off quite happily. Attended to the conservatory and then the swimming pool where the non-operation of the heater had allowed the temperature to fall to only 74degC rather than the 82degC which the girls normally expect. Went out also to give the gardener his money and saw him erecting the greenhouse in its new position and had to have a chat about the current gardening priorities. I asked him to keep on top of the rose deadheading on a daily basis even if he gets involved in larger projects such as the compost-heap re-organisation etc.

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Di got in Mr Hagger, the local electrician, to replace the kitchen light fitting which had been giving us trouble and he told me about Mr Philcox, who had bought Edie Smith's old house in the School Cottage row, and had found an old C19th portrait photograph, some stained glass and some old bones in a box which we were both keen that I should see. I had a message from Derek to phone and see him sometime today but opted to finish off getting ready for this by writing up the minutes of last night's meeting before doing so. It turned sunny again today but was much fresher and I had to go and put on a vest after finding it chilly with my cold. I called Derek after lunch and arranged to see him in early evening when I gave him the complete package of information from last night's meeting and tried to avoid responding to his latest Gypsy plan that would give them medium-term access to the new site in Little Paxton that they have started occupying. To be frank, I am more than a little bit irritated with him not coming to our group meetings and then trying to bring things up afterwards.

I had produced quite a wealth of papers today and sent them to other group leaders and party activists and so I could feel this evening that I was up to date on this activity if no other. I had run round delivering all of the copies before tea and then could get ready for my own meeting this evening. I was due to chair the Village Hall Committee in the absence and resignation of the existing chairman and so was careful to make clear that I did not want to take that position but that the committee had to find its own new chairman. I was reasonably prepared for the meeting and hoping for the best but was still dubious about them finding a new chairman quickly. In the event, I was pleased to find that one of them came forward and was elected to take over from Alan Cromack; but I carried on chairing the rest of the meeting so that he could prepare himself for next time. It was a good meeting with some new ideas for social events and fund-raising for next year. Home quite late and then to bed after relaxing in front of the TV for an hour or so.