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Early preparations for a successful Byte Shop meeting and then work on the Comart DHSS bid before home with a full briefcase for an evening’s work and play with Daniel as civil servants walk out in protest to GCHQ union ban and the prison service responds to criticism with resignations
Early to the office having left my papers out from yesterday. First to finish preparing my 3-year Byte Shop plan and slides for today’s meeting before dealing with the mail and setting up the room. A good but hard Byte Shop day with the reports equally weighted between detailing the record month of December and anticipating the forthcoming Planning and Budget cycle. Well pleased with the outcome. After an office full of colleagues deciding on the last adjustments to the Comart DHSS bid where we have learned that keen prices will be needed to secure the deal.
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Day organising the accounts department, speakers for my EXPORT IT conference and preparing for the Byte Shop Review meeting before late home to a domestic argument and more Snowman vandalism whilst the government bans unions at GCHQ
Up after a restless night and on time to the office and to talk to Derek about the Accounts staffing structure, we conclude that an experienced works accountant is needed. Then the mail and after to try to make contact with my Export IT speakers but I can leave nothing but messages. An afternoon of solid work that takes me well into the evening preparing the way for tomorrows Byte Shop Review Meeting. Home late and an argument with Diana who retires immediately to bed leaving me to make my dinner ready.
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Chairing a successful Comart Board meeting and writing the minutes afterwards as my ducks produce three eggs a day but bad news about the sinking of freighter close to the Channel Islands with many dead but many less as a result of the lifeboat service in severe gale Force 11winds and 40ft waves
Up on time and to a breakfast of boiled egg. We are now getting three eggs a day regularly which is a welcome return of fortune. A little tired after last evenings travels and engagement, I ready myself slowly for work passing to play briefly with Deborah who is full of tricks these days. To the office on time for the new-style Comart Directors Meeting. First to press the girls to open and prepare the morning mail early and clear it for circulation. Then to interview Derick Morgan about our new premises plans and prepare my Board Brief. On time to start the meeting and proceed to run it strictly to time and to order for the day. A good meeting as a result with the most business conducted ever.
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The day ploughing through mail and counselling my troubled Sales Director before off to a PITCOM AGM at The House of Commons in good company and reception afterwards at The House of Lords as the death toll from the UK blizzards rises to 8 people
In on time to the factory and concerned that more efforts had not been made to switch on the heating in the lower portakabins earlier to avoid the loss of efficiency first thing in the morning. To my office to attend to an in-tray of paperwork before the arrival of the normal Monday burgeoning post. In late afternoon, after checking with my colleagues, to London with John Lamb by fast car and to The House, Committee Room 10, for a PITCOM meeting – The AGM. Then a House of Lords reception in the Cholmondeley Room and the normal drinks and cocktail snacks. In attendance a good company of MP’s and IT notables including David Fairbairn, Donald Cooke, Doug Eyions, Alison Newell, Wilf Robinson, Tim Keen, Robin Bradbeer as well as myself and our hosts Ian Lloyd and Lord Trefgarton. Eventually to turn us out, us not being keen to watch the Lord’s debate on “The Prevention of Female Circumcision Bill!” A good chance tonight to promote a number of interests and causes.
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Domestic family day building a huge snowman and then preparing for my meetings as Geoff Boycott returns to Yorkshire Cricket Club and bad weather disrupts and kills in Scotland and Northern Ireland
We awake to a full covering of snow and continuing cold weather. I lay abed until breakfast, writing notes and reading The Sunday Times. In it news from yesterday of Geoffrey Boycott’s return to Yorkshire Cricket in his benefit year which is amazing, and the sacking by no-confidence votes of the two Yorkshire cricket committees. All of which I am much glad of. Reports also of the talks held secretly in December by the government with China and the concession of the Honk Kong Colony under Chinese terms. Down to a fine fried breakfast of duck egg, bacon and bread and after to quickly dress and make ready. Daniel and Debbie are keen to make a snowman and I help them make the Biggest Snowman in the World.