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Published: 18 April 2014

Normal hot and stuffy day at the office but with the highlight of a Kode visit and a potential sale of Comart agreed as the aftermath of the Libyan Embassy atrocity settles down

Up exceedingly early and after breakfast, to the office by 7.15am which gave me a good hour to clear my desk work before the others arrived. Mostly work on the regional job advertisement, the range of matters for decision and the latest updates to the 3 year plan.  Then at the turn of 8.30am, Peter King arrives and we work for an hour on the annual review and appraisals of The Byte Shop Management team. A half-hour break to review the mornings mail and then back to Peter King to agree at least another 8 or so reviews for other Byte Shop personnel. Peter tells me that Gordon Coventry seems to accept the formula for the repurchase of his shares and I must now do the company administration accordingly. Peter Smith and colleague of Kode International arrive early at 12.00 and I spend the rest of the day negotiating the sale of the company – from which I can secure my £3,000,000 paid by stages year by year as the enterprise grows in profitability.

Read more: Wednesday 18th April 1984

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Published: 17 April 2014

Better review meeting in Southampton at Xitan but then disappointment at Buckden Marine as the Rev Shepherd Dimbleby lecture highlights social divisions and the woman PC is shot outside the Libyan embassy

Up very early at 6.00am after a cup of tea brought to bed. Then a quick shower and shave, toast and tea and then off to St Neots Station in time for the 6.57am train. A good opportunity until Kings Cross to update the Comart Business Plan, comment upon and circulate the March telephone logging report and a few other things. A quick underground journey to Waterloo and then by fast train at 8.35am to Southampton where, arriving early, I stop to buy a mug of coffee and visit the toilet. Then by taxi to Xitan at Totten and to circulate and talk to the staff before a 10.30 Board Meeting. A good meeting with well-prepared reports from Geoff Lynch on the past months operational performance, constructive inputs to the discussion on the analysis of our present problems, and positive compromise on the business plan for the future. Welcome also is the acceptance of Geoff of the training, advice and counselling plans put to him.

Read more: Tuesday 17th April 1984

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Published: 16 April 2014

Day working at Comart making decisions on a range of management issues as positions harden concerning the miners’ strike and Diana plans to see her doctor tomorrow

Up on time with Diana improved and down to a breakfast of toast and coffee as usual. Early to the office and then to work together with June, dictating large sections of the Business Plan and also the Product Introduction Meeting Minutes. Then to discuss some key personnel reviews with Ian Nickson, then the Monday morning mail. In it further bad news from Plume and whilst reading it, Ed Sparrow of Ashursts rang and obtained a full briefing and update on the Plume situation.

Read more: Monday 16th April 1984

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Published: 15 April 2014

Family time with Daniel and Debbie as Diana is ill but the comedy legend Tommy Cooper meets his death live on TV and at Her Majesty’s Theatre as he would have liked to go

Up reasonably early awoken by Daniel with a cup of tea – it seems he was helping Diana who had laid in with her cough now hurting her rib. Abed reading my 1665 Pepys and Daniel joined me to hear about the plague before down to breakfast. Then to eat fried egg, bacon, mushrooms and toast before back to bed with The Sunday Times.

Read more: Sunday 15th April 1984