Power Cut Caused By Pot-Shot Vandalism

Last week's blue flash at 1am at the electrical substation at Moredon that caused a power cut to various parts of Swindon was caused by malicious vandalism.

A reply to an enquiry from Scottish and Southern Energy revealed that an insulator for a 33,000 volt line at the substation was damaged, causing a short-circuit and the loss of power across the town.

What's more worrying and annoying is that the insulator was damaged in a particular way from an 'outside source', it's thought to have been shot with an air rifle.

Swindon Centric Says ; Hopefully, their power went off too, fools.

Swindon Sitcom Loses Principal Character

Karen Walker has left Forward Swindon after just three months in the job.

Such a shame, considering she was working on a new regeneration plan for the town centre (taking into account the current/old one has failed) and the simple move of grassing over empty plots to give the town a radical improvement in appearance and increase in (temporary) open space.

It was for 'personal reasons', but, word is, her approach was at odds with Swindon Borough Council, who wanted a 'quick reaction plan' for when the economy picks up. The council are currently trying to push through the stunningly unimaginative scheme for Regent Circus.

Swindon Centric Says ; We need a long-term plan, otherwise we'll be in the same place in a decade, think beyond your own political interests councillors and give us some substance!

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon Buses Last Week ; 169

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. Let's go to my house.

9. Move your feet, they're huge.

8. You're tremendously excited!

7. Come and look at this.

6. Parsnips and carrots, it's gone winterish.

5. Biscuits are the slow road towards obesity.

4. I'm hoping for a smart card.

3. She didn't wash her hands, grubby like a chimney sweep.

2. If you need more, ask me in an hour.

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

1. He's funnier than a six pound note and I've got one.

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

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 168

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. Bish, bash, bosh, job done.

9. I'm resigning, I just don't care any more.

8. It's of very little help, despite the mostly full-hearted intentions.

7. I've really grown into my baldness.

6. Follow the leader and wait for a pilotman by the gate.

5. These new shoes have been made out of old tires.

4. Let's take all the buses and line them all up, they'd stretch the entire length of Queens Drive.

3. It's a national responsibility, you can't be that narrow-minded.

2. The survey came out with a sampling of the most average group of consumers we could find and they all said they'd only like to buy Christmas stuff in December.

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

1. Two millionaire comedians, get their slightly less successful best mate to front a show in which he gets paid well-enough, but they make him look like a tit? Oh the dignity of these so-called 'comedy saviours'!

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

Council Meeting Meltdown - Bluh Apologises

Swindon Borough Council melted down in front of the public's eyes tonight.

A shambolic full council meeting was held this evening, with members of the public's questions cut off, talking-down to them by officials, interruptions by the Mayor and more.

At one point a member of the public told off the councilors and officials present for their behaviour, manners and attitude towards the public present.

Things came to a head when Council leader Rod Bluh apologised for what he considers the worst ever council meeting he's attended.

Swindon Centric Says ; The public's confidence, shaky as it was, has been shot to pieces. You know things are bad when Councillor Fionuala Foley then pleads with the members of the public who've been insulted to continue to engage with their council.

Council Bleeds As Budget Crunch Comes

Councillor Stephanie Excell (Conservative, Moredon) has resigned, confirmed by Councillor Steve Wakefield (Independent, Toothill & Westlea) on Talk Swindon.

Swindon Centric Says ; With the strike this weekend, the Mechanics', the emergency budget (sorry 'review') and a full council meeting tomorrow, this is another item the ruling Conservative party could have done without.

So, Stephanie, what was it? Answers on a piece of recycled Mechanics' Institute roof.

Explosions, Blue Flashes & Power Cuts

There was a blue flash (something going bang?) at an electrical substation in Moredon at 1 o'clock this morning, causing a power cut across various parts of the town.

Swindon Centric Says ; Something to liven up a quiet Sunday evening, no doubt!

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 167

Gentlemen, when did you last give up your seat on a crowded bus? Make it your task for this week.

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. Jaffa Cakes have practically nothing bad in them, it's what it said on a packet.

9. Look at the gorgeousness.

8. It's so full on here I think it might just explode.

7. I'm not a trained dog, I'm a Level 3 employee.

6. On the soul train, climb aboard!

5. Just let them all on, no tickets.

4. Such a childish outburst from someone who can't wear shoes with laces.

3. I've barely started on that thing you did with your hair.

2. What the hell does LMC stand for?

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

1. The film is just an excuse for uber comedians to make fun of stupid people and any other film is better than it, do not endorse it by garnering it with your attention.

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

Bus Tickets, Timetable Tweaks & The Great Roof Rerouting Caper

Once Stagecoach in Swindon introduce their smartcards, let's hope Swindon's fashionistas make the way you carry your card the next big-thing for this autumn's season.

For those residents of Okus, your bus service is being changed again, but just by tweaking. The number 22 will now run to the very end of Okus Road and turn round at St. Helen's View. This change may be a result of feedback from passengers after the changes necessary due to funding cuts, small but may be significant for those passengers living at the far western end of Okus.

Any further possible changes to the bus service to Okus will have to wait to see how heavily debated the issue is at the next full council meeting.

Anyone who may have caught a Stagecoach bus since the beginning of the month will have noticed the new ticket machines they've fitted, which, most interestingly, have a 'touch in' facility for smartcards.

Due to the 'raising the roof' of the Mechanic's Institute, the usual route for services 1, 1A, 8, 13, 14, 19, 19A, 27, 29, 53, 54, 55 and 55A will change to be via Faringdon Road and Park Lane, rather than via Emlyn Square. That diversion starts from tomorrow (Monday 13th) and will be until further notice.

Swindon Centric Says ; Will Stagecoach soon be launching a smartcard ticket range in the town and will it be compatible and complimentary to that Network Card-branded system that's been in use for a while on Thamesdown?

Mechanics' To Become Swindon Borough Council's Defining Moment?

The roof of the Mechanic's Institute is weak enough to be in danger of collapse and Friday's press release from Swindon Borough Council details the removal of the roof before that happens.

After much politicking in recent years, the announcement that the Council were to carry out the emergency repair work on the Mechanics had the feel of a sudden redemptive move by a drunk waking up the morning after. There was much throwing up of specially made banners and hoardings and portacabins and then... little visible work appeared to happen.

The fact the roof was about to fall on Swindon Commercial Services workers explains that.

In the intervening days and weeks between SCS moving in and today the full-extent of the works needed to be taken has become starkly clear to all involved. There seemed to be an attempt to soften the blow when the building's condition was given an interim assessment in this press release. No simple quick fix, photo-op and glory taking by councillors seems possible and thank goodness.

Swindon Centric Says ; The fate of this building represents perfectly the fate of Swindon Borough Council and it's ruling Conservative party. What outwardly seemed solid-enough clearly, after investigation, is dangerously in need of work before it collapses in on itself and showers everyone, councillors, council workers and locals with debris.

If this weekend's announcement of careful, painstaking dismantling and repair of the northern roof is followed through, this could just mark a brave (a word never used in politics, for it represents a true decision that can lead to political suicide for the people concerned) move that Swindon Borough Council's ruling executive needed to make.

Does today mark the day our Council finally chose to be a council?

Only the fate of the roof in Emlyn Square can be the marker for that (appropriately, it's currently covered in Conservative-blue plastic sheeting).

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 166

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 wasn't separate then, and it worked perfectly well.

9. Preparations are progressing at a walking-through-toffee pace.

8. It's a turning point.

7. Impact-specific, time-sensitive projective achievements.

6. I'm not even supposed to be here, I'm a man on the run.

5. There's eight new ones, can't wait to cop them.

4. We were talking and the subject of your strange gait cropped up.

3. Pizza resembles something somebody's regurgitated.

2. You teach it, but you don't believe it.

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

1. You must be joking if you think I'm taking responsibility for that thing, put it AWAY!

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