PM gets down to business

Expanding local businesses and a cultural centre were on the agenda for Margaret Thatcher's constituency visit last Friday.

Her first port of call was a visit to Softwright Computer Systems based at Gateway House, Regents Park Road, resheduled from last May. She chatted to staff, half of whom had joined from the Government's TOPs training course (now called Employment Training).

Mrs Thatcher asked software engineer Steve Masters about the TOPs course.

“Before coming here I was a greengrocer in Finchley. The course gave me the opportunity to move into a professional area. It was the best thing I did,” he said.

She was shown three computer packages the British firm had manufactured and seemed impressed that the five-year-old company was recruiting more staff and expanding its offices in such a short time.

The Prime Minister saw a system produced in line with 1992 to combat fraud in Euro bond deals.

She said to French-speaking Heather Ross: “I am not a particularly good linguist so I envy your ability to speak French.

“I am aware of the unreliability of translations and the mistakes that are made.”

Mrs Thatcher was then led to cake and champagne to celebrate the company reaching its £2m goal before the end of the financial year.

“I congratulate you on your success. It is absolutely fantastic—it is just as well I didn't come last May. The question is shall I get to cut another cake next year?” she said.

Next stop was a few doors down the road at the North London branch of Abbey Life.

Mrs Thatcher spoke to staff and formally opened the branch which has been there for several months.

She was presented with a personalised diary from executive life underwriter Jinder Aujla of Athenaeum Road, Whetstone.

Mrs Thatcher joked: “I have a lot of engagements to put in it.”

And she chose to donate £500 worth of enterprise trust units given by Abbey Life to John Grooms which provides homes for the disabled in Edgware.

“I have a particular feeling for those who have become disabled,” she said.

Managing director Alan Frost joked: “This is my first function as managing director, it is Friday 13, and as you can imagine I will not forget the day in a hurry.

“These units are presented under the 1992 enterprise trust. Under the new Financial Services Act it should be regarded as a medium to long term gift and it should be noted they can go down as well as up.”

Mrs Thatcher said she was pleased the land on which Abbey Life stood had been built on and she welcomed the work the company was doing.

“We have a longer lifespan and people should start making more provision for their own security in their future retirement,” she said.

Her third stop was the Hindu Cultural Centre, Colney Hatch Lane, Friern Barnet.

Mrs Thatcher was met by Hindu Cultural Society president Prem Modgil and the 150 guests who had filled the centre for the opening ceremony.

And she had changed into a brightly coloured jacket for the occasion, complementing the women's saris.

After being decorated with a sequined welcome garland she listened to the Gayatri Mantra prayer and then opened the ceremony in the customary way by lighting the Diwa candle and breaking open a coconut.

She chatted to guests and signed autographs before sitting down to an Indian meal and watching the Kathak dance.

The classical dance was performed by Rita Bedi, 15, Ritu Prasad, 15, and Nidhi Gupta, 13, whose footwork and dance structure were praised by Mrs Thatcher.

Council Leader Leslie Pym said: “I hope the young people never forget their culture.”

Mrs Thatcher praised the way the organisers had prepared the centre so quickly: “I congratulate you on your skill at do-it-yourself and the fact you managed to get it done on time.”

She said Hindu belief that good will triumph over evil was important in overcoming tragedies.

“You have taught us, in this country, so much about the family and we must continually keep it in mind. You are a great asset to the UK,” she said.

Mrs. Thatcher was presented with the holy book Jita and an Indian carved bowl by president's wife Raj Modgil.

Mr Modgil thanked Barnet Council and Mr Pym. Picture caption:

Mrs Thatcher cuts a celebratory cake with Softwright Computer Systems managing director Jane Tozer and executive manage Mike Smith. “I'll have to cut this piece into three. It is too many calories for one person,” she said.