Thursday, July 31, 2008

All Aboard Your Very Own Bus


Thamesdown Transport are giving those with the money and the correct operating license the chance to create their own version of Summer Holiday.

The majority council owned bus company is selling two of it's double deckers. Brightly painted in yellow, they're unique and lets face it, who doesn't like a double decker?

Swindon Centric Says ; Contact your municipal bus company for details. Hurrah for the fleetliners.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 65


Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. I really do feel like, well, now you've earned it.

9. I don't want to see it because it's called Kung Fu Panda, that's why.

8. He's a bit of a Danish pastry.

7. It features a monkey, sounds boring.

6. You want me to do more and more with less and less.

5. Look out, here comes Mary Poppins.

4. What they're doing to the town is morally reprehensible.

3. Everyone is talking about The Dark Knight, so I thought I wouldn't.

2. He shook hands with the police outside, no-one has ever done that.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Bad becomes good, that's the warped effect it has on you, don't do it Percy.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 64


Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. I call Keira Knightley, Ikea Knightley.

9. Bo-boom, very good story.

8. Don't let the little people in, too late, they're already here.

7. It's inflected.

6. He was out with that mower at 7.45.

5. My status is smoking.

4. I may lose my job on Friday, how much worse can this month get?

3. It's rubbish of a grade all of it's own.

2. More creepy than dinner with Paul Daniels.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Not the best architecture in the World, Swindon bus station.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Some Crimes Are More Headline Grabbing Than Others


The opinion of Komadori very much mirrors our own on the headline grabbing subject of speed cameras this week. If you are caught speeding, then tough, deal with it.

The inevitable collapse of the discussion into party politics was entirely expected. However the news about falling crime in Swindon didn't merit as much 'big bang' coverage. With this story, the old chestnut of 'how much crime isn't reported', is often wheeled out. But that shouldn't detract from the fall in crime as the figures show.

One interesting number that should be attached to every sensational headline about knife crime in the town is that it constitutes 0.3 per cent of all crime.

Swindon Centric Says ; When crimes against the person drop to the lowest level in the south-west, for our town, it should make the front page and should lead the story. Good news doesn't have to involve fluffy animals, it can include positive achievements and make an interesting newspaper-selling story to boot.

Footnote : On the issue of knife crime, this report on the BBC is very telling. The statistics show knife crime has stayed at the same level but the irrational fear exhibited by the public doesn't reflect this.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 63


Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. It's on the Google.

9. He's in full damage limitation mode.

8. The music went on just after midday and it was loud and melodic.

7. It's a safe haven.

6. He goes through the bus picking up litter.

5. Chocolate is a vital part of my diet.

4. There's little reason for me to be suspicious, but I naturally am.

3. I rocked so hard something unknown began coming out of my nose.

2. One, two, three times the charm.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. The truth is difficult to find, hard to maintain and impossible to keep.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The Market Saga Continues, Crossroads Like


The replacement for the closed Tented Market in the town centre has been rejected yet again by the council planning committee.

The latest version submitted for approval looked better than the last, but was still not defining the word 'landmark' in it's fullest sense. Despite the recommendation of planning officers to grant the scheme approval, members of the committee thought different thank goodness. The current artists impression shows the market replacement showing it's best side facing backwards to the one way traffic system, meaning the majority of people would see the least attractive side of the building approaching from Farnsby Street. There doesn't seem to have been much attention to detail in the latest version.

Swindon Centric Says ; We're pleased that a decent standard of build for this part of the town centre redevelopment is being upheld. But it's disconcerting how long one, relatively small part of the whole regeneration masterplan is taking. Swindon Borough Council better speed up it's dealings on this major part of it's remit.

Once again, where in the world is the New Swindon Company in this Crossroads saga? Been sent out for a bag of sugar anf never seen again?

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

"Horror Has Come To Your Little Town Sheriff"



This above line should be said in the best Donald Pleasence voice you can muster.

For this weekend sees something that normally we don't get in Swindon. A film festival. Of course, there's one in November, but this is different. This is Swindon's first horror film festival.

Phantasmagoria starts on Friday and runs through to Sunday evening. It's at the Arts Centre and promises to be a most interesting affair.

Swindon Centric Says ; "He didn't cast a reflection in my mirror."

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Travellers, Chestnuts & Going In The Bushes


The ultimate local news story, travellers raising the blood pressure of locals, has been given it's latest airing. This weeks best chestnuts so far have been featured in a report by the Advertiser.

On this occasion, we take off our hat to the Swindon Advertiser. Specifically the quotes from locals. Your appetizer was a simple, no nonsense line that wouldn't have been out of place in a Famous Five book, "this will not do."

But the gold goes to an unnamed, 'other man', who said, "to defecate in the bushes is not human. I can't believe this has happened."

Swindon Centric Says ; 'Other Man' must live a very sheltered life and regarding the bushes, has clearly never been camping.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 62


Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. How many, is that two, or one? We'll say two.

9. I have a stick, so I get priority.

8. They're campaigning to bring back the Crystal Maze.

7. Thunder was heard, but it was just a rumour.

6. There's less to be said and more to be done.

5. It was a vital contribution.

4. Number twelve, no I don't go there.

3. Long enough to get caught on something, that's what it's long enough for.

2. He's live every day at three.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Just one slice of ham sets her off, like cat nip.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Full Coverage Of Smoking Ban Story Doesn't Reach Whole Town


The Adver ran a story recently about how traditional pubs were under threat and could disappear entirely as a result of the smoking ban. However, nothing was said about other drinking establishments, namely more modern bars.

Considering how often the recycled story about 'binge drinkers making the town centre a no-go area' is used, not a squeak was heard from, or reported on, the Bridge Street area of town and the effect on places there. Comments from those who run traditional pubs was included though, two in fact.

Swindon Centric Says ; Impartial reporting needs to show us what's happening in all drinking places, not just traditional pubs. Just because somewhere is described as a 'traditional pub' it doesn't mean that it's patrons drink any more responsibly than anyone who frequents a modern bar in Bridge Street. Impartiality, impartiality and impartiality.