Public Service Commitment : From A Private Company

The profile of Thamesdown Transport Managing Director Paul Jenkins by Barrie Hudson is an excellent piece on the person in charge of one of Swindon's most important companies.

As Thamesdown is wholly-owned by Swindon Borough Council, it's good to know the person at the top is experienced in their industry and actually realises the fundamental civic importance of a public transport system.

Swindon Centric Says ; Last buses tonight depart from terminuses at 8pm, with a special timetable restarting from Monday 2nd January.

Administration (Not Bats) Caused Regent Circus Delay

As the reasons for trying to persuade a developer to invest in a site can be in a constant state of flux, so can the accompanying political spin of the reasons for regeneration not happening.

Seems the pendulum of reason for the Regent Circus development have swung so far one way, they've now swung towards the other.

Readers may remember that the reason behind the delay was bats. But this article from October (Swindon Centric is playing catchup with stories, you may have noticed!) gives the impression the liquidation of one of the two companies involved contributed to the delay. However, in a council meeting the member responsible for regeneration, Councillor Gary Perkins, denied that the financial problems would delay the project.

Plus Mr. Perkins talked widely about the bats now colonising the building and how that was delaying the redevelopment. However, the developer has said this will have little impact.

Swindon Centric Says ; So exactly what were/have we been told and what was/is correct?

MP Risks Losing Youth Tag With Graffiti Dismissal

It seems strange that an MP (and before that a councillor) who champions many policies that impact young people should be so dismissive of a small-scale Parish decision on graffiti walls.

In his Swindon Advertiser column of the 21st of October (yes, I'm a little behind!) Mr. Tomlinson dismisses the idea of legal graffiti walls since they didn't work at Mannington in 2001.

Feedback to Swindon Centric from someone who used them was that the structures weren't the best to use as a canvas, being slatted and at an angle. The site itself, immediately to the South West of where the John Lewis at Home store is now, between the Mannington Retail Park and railway line, allowed people to joyride onto it, resulting in a car being burnt out, not helping anyone.

The majority of legal graffiti sites tend to be in urban areas, where people will actually see the work produced. If you're going to add criminal connotations to an activity, shove it away where no-one will see it and you're halfway there.

Funny how in his column Mr. Tomlinson did not mention his once frequently-lauded achievement whilst in council office, that the free graffiti removal service offered by Swindon Borough Council was his idea (diverting money from a non-needed I.T budget if memory serves).

Swindon Centric Says ; How much of that money could be saved by having even a small amount of tags diverted to a legal graffiti wall? This is the same MP who is lobbying for children to be taught sound financial management. Oh dear.

Chum at the Deep-End In Invisible Shark Shock!

There might not be a shark at all, but that's not stopping some from throwing chum into the water.

Back in October (yes, remember that?), there was a bizzare, non-story piece in the Swindon Advertiser, about the possible closure of Swindon's leisure centres.

Mr. Brannan's quote, included many important points, but his finger came all of a fumble by untying the bow he was about to knot...

"I can reassure residents that there are no planned closures but basically, they should use it or lose it."

Swindon Centric Says ; Rather like when reassuring a child there isn't a monster under the bed, but just as you turn out the line throw in the zinger, "but, you never know, do you?"

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 233

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

10. There's no buses after 8 o'clock, that's it, we all go an hibernate for two days.

9. The threat is actually far less than you perceive.

8. For another year, I didn't send Christmas cards, beating the system.

7. People will look at you funny, but people do that the rest of the year, so no difference.

6. Oh yes, singing is such a good idea, let's get everyone in HR to do it.

5. There's not going to be a mass casualty event, why do we need all that bread?

4. I've got 4 years of wrapping paper in the cupboard, rest easy.

3. Fluffy, like a bear, but less deadly.

2. Stop trying to give manliness to that haircut, it will never work.

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

1. It's time I started thinking about what to buy in the sales for next year.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last) Week ; 232

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

10. That relationship will sink, even without the interference of the iceberg.

9. Stop muttering, what are you saying, we didn't buy the tissues?

8. Drinking anything stronger than builder's tea should be made illegal.

7. Bad people are attracted to Lindsay like a fly around horse-ends.

6. You seem less concerned that me, you're not asleep are you?

5. The worse thing about Italian food is that I can't eat all of it.

4. In the World, 14th most efficient, yes!

3. Found several more of those underneath all the chocolate bars, all with the right dates on them.

2. Don't think about it, just ask her.

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

1. The whole film just was porn for teenagers and a few questionable older people.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last, Last) Week ; 231

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

10. Don't judge it until you're in possession of all your prejudices.

9. I grew up watching violent cartoons, didn't turn me into a murderer, just an accountant.

8. Watch out for that guy when we go over the humps.

7. Make more money than me and you win the bet.

6. This story isn't as ugly as when she woke up in the spare bedroom.

5. The line between order and chaos is barely visible.

4. But, if you act that way, did you expect her to hug and kiss you?

3. It's about to show the violence, which is why it'll get that rating.

2. Just because it's popular, don't think it makes any money.

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

1. I won't give you away, but if you're going to wear jeggings, you're going to get found out.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last, Last, Last) Week ; 230

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

10. Don't ask me, I was asleep in the hallway.

9. She wants the designer one, but we all know the sweat-shop priced one she'll be opening.

8. Get a latte and try and enjoy it.

7. It was released, then they withdrew it because it caused hives.

6. Imagine for a moment that I'm actually here.

5. Emmerdale's never been decent since they dropped the 'Farm' from the title.

4. Rapidly increasing waistlines was the name of the report.

3. If it's a cheap laugh, it's worth me listening in.

2. Mike was enjoying himself way too much.

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

1. We had a roast dinner but, I really just wanted a plate of cheese and crackers.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last, Last, Last, Last) Week ; 229

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

10. As far as they go, they're fine.

9. It's with a heavy heart I say to you, it's my stop.

8. You've let everyone and yourself down.

7. I can hear your Mum screaming at you from town.

6. Potatoes are good for two things only, crisps and crinkle-cut crisps.

5. They do give change, you have to give a special signal.

4. Shipwrecked would be to good for them.

3. Move over and I'll be able to breathe.

2. People said he arrived, collected his mug, swore and left, his car is still in the space.

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

1. The central point of the story is that people have to believe she's blue and in 3-D, can't see it myself.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last, Last, Last, Last, Last) Week 228

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

10. She's unstable, did you see how she dressed yesterday?

9. Bring your own tea tomorrow if you feel that strongly.

8. Read what's bad in Heat magazine, then balance it up by reading the editorial in The Sun.

7. Pink, fuzzy and warm, I'm really feeling sick now.

6. Let's assess who you don't want to send Christmas cards to.

5. Better to see it with everyone watching, go on, start singing now.

4. Stand up and straighten up what they meant to say and get it sorted.

3. Let's take it apart and see if there's really a pork pie in there.

2. Shout it at him next time he leaves those 10 year-old pants on the floor.

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

1. I hate to say this, but you never suited blue, either in clothes or your hair.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last) Week 227

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

10. Let's buy those chocolates, I like the nut ones.

9. I've my eye on someone else, they're sitting at the front.

8. Your pride is something no-one can take.

7. It's got the soul of the devil, but does he have one?

6. Let it move onto a better seat.

5. She's wearing with the expectation she'll get something, and you can see where she'll get it.

4. Excuse me please, that's mine.

3. Don't let Kirsty get the better of you, she's sly, like a fox.

2. Giftcards are the most un-Christmas presents, but the most practical ones next to money.

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

1. If I didn't know better, I'd swear Sally was lying, but of course I know better.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last) Week ; 226

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

10. Some just came along for the ride.

9. There was an age barrier no-one could vault over.

8. I've read the report, got people's opinions and have no further interest.

7. From the shirt to the face, he still looked lost.

6. Entirely out of her depth, but has no clue about it.

5. That random person there carrying a Primark bag.

4. What happened to the standard that line manager who drove a Prius set?

3. It's lowest I've found.

2. They said very clearly, but I still didn't hear the cheer.

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

1. Take no notice, I said, take no notice!

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!