As troops land on Falklands PM visits her constituents

It was constitutency business as usual for the Prime Minister on Friday.

She admitted her first thoughts were 8,000 miles away with the Task Force and the Falkland Islands … but she still found time and energy in a gruelling schedule to spend hours in North Finchley and Whetstone.

“She will go down in history as the best Prime Minister this country has ever known,” said her former agent in Finchley and Friern Barnet, Mr. Roy Langstone.

This was Mrs Thatcher's day: • A meeting of her War Cabinet. • From Downing Street to Whetstone to open a second warehouse for international removal specialists Michael Gerson Ltd. • A visit to Arcade Jewellers, North Finchley, to present an award on behalf of the Distributive Industries Training Board. • A constituency “sugery” at Conservative headquarters in Ballards Lane, dealing with correspondence, and a 20-minute talk with former Finchley councillor, Miss Jean Palmer, about her complaint that the Government is “slaughtering” the Gas Consumers' Council. • A presentation to Mr. Langstone at the association annual cocktail party at Woodhouse School, North Finchley. • Back to Downing Street to face the television cameras … and news of how the Task Force was coping with the invasion of the Falkland Islands.

Long before she left North London members of the world Press corps who are reporting her every move, plus members of her entourage, were flagging. Mrs Thatcher, who started the day looking serious and slightly strained, was still fresh and cool looking.

At Woodhouse School, when she was complimented on dividing her attentions between Finchley and the Falklands, Mrs. Thatcher replied: “We do our best.”

An example of her remarkable memory came during the afternoon when she met Mr. John Mandleberg, director of the Distributive Industries Training Board, a contemporary of hers at Oxford 30 years ago.

“He and I were at college together,” the Prime Minister told the Press. Then she asked Mr. Mandleberg about his wife. “How's Felicity?” she said.

Mr. Langstone, who was her agent for two decades until his retirement this year, was presented with a television and video unit and a cheque on behalf of the association.

The presentation ceremony was recorded “live” —and Mr. Langstone and his wife, Barbara, will be able to recall the historic moment when Mrs Thatcher announced news of the bridgehead established that day by the Task Force in the Falkland Islands.

Seven weeks ago, she told the 500-plus guests, Argentine forces invaded the islands. There was loud applause when she said that British forces had that day established a bridgehead there.

Mrs Thatcher, who received a standing ovation, described Mr Langstone as “an absolutely wonderful agent.”

She added, to laughter, “And, If I might say so, we have made a good team.”

The constituency chairman, Councillor John Tiplady, told the Prime Minister: “No-one could have surpassed you in the fine leadership you have shown in the last seven weeks.”

As applause rang round the hall, he added: “God bless you, Margaret.”

Apart from the presentation to Mr Langstone, a political agent for 33 years and now a voluntary worker, Mrs Thatcher gave his wife, Councillor Mrs Langstone, a gold and diamond necklace. [end p1]

The Prime Minister needed her Iron lady reputation to cope with her schedule during the day.

There were 1,200 guests waiting at the Gerson warehouse to greet her. She told them: “My first thoughts are really 8,000 miles away with the men in the Task Force who went to restore freedom to the Falkland Islands.

“Their courage and skill has brought a new pride to our country. They are but a heartbeat away and we wish them God-speed in their endeavours.”

The Prime Minister's outfit was somewhat sombre—black silk printed dress, black fitted coat, black shoes and dark-coloured tights. Her jewellery consisted of her favourite three strands of pearls, a diamond brooch at the neck of her dress and pearl stud ear-rings.

Mrs Thatcher, who was accompanied by her husband, Denis, congratulated Mr Michael Gerson on his flair and said the firm has a “great success story.” She added: “I wish everyone would tackle problems as vigorously as this firm.”

The Prime Minister opened the first Gerson warehouse four years ago—and she promised to open the third. [end p2]

Businessman Mr Gerson, who started the firm 21 years ago, said turnover had increased by 80 per cent and they had 20 per cent more people doing “real jobs.”

Mrs Thatcher unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion, then walked across the forecourt of the building to release a clutch of silver and green balloons.

Mr Thatcher was invited on to a fork lift truck, which opened a “rapid roll” door leading to the warehouse. As the fork-lift approached, the driver opened the door by radio control simultaneously operating illuminated signs outside the building warning approaching traffic.

Inside the warehouse, tables were set for lunch—Ogen melon with port, fresh poached salmon, roast beef, salads, Black Forest gateau, fresh fruit salad, coffee, a 21st birthday cake and chocolates.

Sandwiches and wine were provided for the large Press contingent.

Mr and Mrs Thatcher toured the warehouse before joining Mr and Mrs Gerson for lunch. On parade were the Band of the Royal Marines from Chatham and Mrs Thatcher had a word of greeting for Captain Terry Freestone, the director of music who retires in September.

“I remember meeting you when I was here on the last occasion,” she said.

After lunch it was off to North Finchley to the Arcade Jewellers, taken over ten years ago by Mr Gerald Kayman and Mr David Probyn. He introduced her to members of the 18-strong staff.

Passers-by clapped as Mrs Thatcher entered the premises and three bunches of flowers were pressed into her hands as she walked along the arcade. In the shop she was presented with a posy of carnations and mixed flowers by Mrs Frances Divers.

Mr Probyn said how proud the firm was to have been awarded the Distributive Industries Training Board certificate in recognition of its training programme. The certificate was handed to Mrs Thatcher by Mr. Mandleberg.

The Prime Minister told friends in the shop: “Life has to go on. It is business as usual. We must create prosperous commerce.”

Afterwards Mrs Thatcher and Mr Probyn recalled visits to the shop by her son, Mark, during his time as a jewellery salesman. “He was very good,” said Mr Probyn.

It was business as usual at Gersons and Arcade Jewellers. It was business as usual for the MP for Finchley and Friern Barnet for the past 22 years … Falkland Islands invasion or not.

“I don't know how she does it,” said a weary-looking member of her staff. But while her Tory admirers were still sipping wine and paying their tributes to Mr Langstone at Woodhouse School, Mrs Thatcher was en route back to Downing Street to face the waiting News at Ten cameras and a night schedule of work and duty.