Road to the millennium is now closed for resurfacing
I get a huge volume of letters but one last month had me on the very edge of my seat.
It was from the Thames Valley University Strategic Forum regarding Target 2000, a forthcoming conference. The aim of the conference was to "provide a platform for ideas and discussions as to how we need to foster a learning culture, where people can continually update their skills and confidence in a changing world of work".
The blurb went on to explain that a study tour of Singapore and Malaysia had taken place and that now a second conference was to be held - and I was invited. Great! This year's venue? Ascot racecourse!
Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against this fine venue but it doesn't have quite the same appeal as South-east Asia.
It would seem that August has been a month for reflection, with numerous questionnaires and surveys asking for opinions. These have ranged from "How vending is going to develop in the future" to "Building for the Millennium and Beyond".
Challenges
The latter is a survey in conjunction with Ernst & Young and the Centre of Executive Development at the University of Bath. It is focusing on the challenges that face businesses in the Thames Valley as we enter the new millennium. Unfortunately, we may be in the new millennium by the time I complete the booklet of questions!
This month also saw us gearing up for the opening of two new college contracts. One of them, though, certainly made it a Challenge Anneka type of project. On the first day we were all ready to go - and then the client broke the news to us.
"Well it's like this," said the client. "The road is being dug up and resurfaced and they are now a week behind schedule. So there is no road for your deliveries.
"Second, there will be no gas as it's being turned off at 9am. Third, the servery equipment will not now be delivered until next week. And by the way, I won't be in for two days."
Human chains
As a result, we did a fine spread of sandwiches and salads, but the deliveries were a problem. Human chains were used to ensure that the food, sundries and laundry all arrived on time and intact.
However, the dairy man's delivery was late. His excuse was that he had problems finding the road access (this was probably due to the fact that by this time the drive had been demolished).
Consequently, I assisted by carrying the goods over the rubble and past the dumper trucks. At one point I thought I was a goner as my heels started to stick to the newly Tarmacked surface. I managed by dropping one of the boxes - which, yes, contained 180 fresh eggs!
