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Jo gives the workmen some advice. |
Wed 5 March
Building work progressing at a cracking pace. Seven people on site
today: three digging drains, an electrician, a floor layer, a painter
and a plumber. Spending a lot of time ringing round potential suppliers
collecting catalogues and price lists – now need a new desk to store
all this paper.
Mon 10 March
Big week this week. Decision time on a lot of key areas in the shop
– thank goodness the builders have the patience of saints. I keep
telling them it’s my perogative to change my mind – they agree and
tell me that’s OK, not just because I am a woman, but also because
I am paying the bills!
Tues 11 March
Going to Aldershot for my last ever military course: the small business
start-up course, part of my MOD-funded resettlement training. Probably
the last time that someone will call me Major Myers. Auntie Dianne
has come to stay to look after Nicola.
Nicola is very happy about that because "Dianne
shouts less than Mummy" (or, more accurately, Dianne is less stressed
than Mummy!)
Thurs 13 March
Final day of revision for the Intermediate Food Hygiene Course exam
tomorrow. How many of what bacteria …?
Fri 14 March
I have never failed an exam in my life, but this may
be a first – not that confident about it, but we shall see.
Most importantly, I feel as if I know plenty about
food hygiene and managing it in the café/shop, so at least the course
has done its job.
Just got to put it all into practise now. One important
lesson I’ve learnt from the course – food hygiene takes lots of
paperwork (protocols, procedures, checks, records). All familiar
stuff to a military mind, just a new subject.
Mon 17 March
Met Kate Holmes from 91Èȱ¬ Radio Norfolk,
who’s in Watton for six months producing a 91Èȱ¬ project called Voices.
She persuaded me to write this online diary and also keep an audio
diary charting my progress.
Jo outside her cafe, Babaco. |
Agreed on the basis that this probably is quite
a significant time in our lives and I will probably enjoy it later
– much later!
Met the man from Tastes of Anglia. It's a partly
government-funded organisation dedicated to promoting local producers
and assisting food retailers and caterers.
He had lots of advice and I will definitely be
using their services. Also bought a cash register – another baptism
of fire into an area that I didn’t imagine could be so complicated.
Tues 18 March
Health & Safety and Waste Disposal today – met a man
who will fix some tinted safety film on the windows and a lady who
will arrange for me to have a big wheelie bin emptied regularly.
Just the issue of pest control to deal with now.
Also popped into the Light Dragoons’ barracks in Swanton Morely
to submit some claims and squeeze every last penny out of the MOD,
before I finally retire.
Not yet handed in my boots. Apparently I need to
keep them in case I am called up – NO!
Wed 19 March
Kate delivered recording equipment - a mini-disc machine and microphone.
Little does she realise how much rubbish she is going to have to
listen to – even I admit I talk a lot!
A young lad stopped by yesterday enquiring about
a job – he looked like a good prospect, but he didn’t turn up for
his interview today. First committee meeting of the Chamber of Commerce
tonight.
Mon 24 March
Spent most of last week meeting the people who responded to my notice
in the window looking for part-time workers.
Have selected two ladies of my age to work part-time
during the week and a young lady to work Saturdays – getting close
now!
Still not ordered any stock – must get a move on.
So much left to do and so little time!
Have to be honest – was a bit distracted over the
weekend with the start of the war with Iraq and so many British
servicemen dying in accidents over such a short time.
I am shocked each time there is an incident, but
given the high level of activity and intensity of the battle, it’s
not really surprising.
There would be a lot more casualties if the British
Armed Forces were not so well trained.
Wed 26 March
Talked to Kate live on 91Èȱ¬ Radio Norfolk’breakfast
show this morning about the war and David being in the Gulf.
Kate interviews Jo and Nicola. |
Even Nicola said a few words, "Daddy’s in the desert,
doing a war". She’s become used to microphones after playing with
the mini-disc recorder Kate’s given me for my audio diary.
Meeting with the accountant today, so spruced up
my books and cash flow etc. Useful meeting.
Fri 28 March
I feel as if I have been permanently
on the phone ringing suppliers since Monday. Also, I feel very tied
to my computer (and not just because of this diary!)
Many long nights this week trying to make final
decisions if there is such a thing with me (the builders would say
not!) about stock and suppliers, setting up my accounts, orders,
stock lists, etc.
Haven’t even thought about menus and the catering
side yet – that’s next week’s job! Hey, there’s three weeks to my
Easter deadline yet – no pressure!
Voices producer Kate Holmes at the Family Learning Day. |
I went to an Activity Day with Nicola at Westfield
Infant School this morning – great fun. 91Èȱ¬ Radio Norfolk had organised
it with Norfolk Family Learning. Loads of parents and kids turned
out to make monsters and salt-dough teddy bears.
Kate popped in to talk about the online diary and
brought a man from the EDP with her. He’s writing an article on
what Kate and Anita are doing in Watton with the Voices project.
At least the shop looks tidier now for the photo!
Sat 29 March
The contractors have been on site six days a week for six whole
weeks – it will be quiet without them! The big clear-up starts today,
ready for the final touches by the painter next week.
All equipment due in over the next two weeks. The
staff start a week on Monday, when we will do the deep clean, stock
the shelves, and do some staff training.
Might have to commit to an opening day soon – but
not yet – let’s see what next week brings.
Ìý
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