Do the Mechanics Have Enough Volunteers?

In the recent saga of the Mechanics' Institute, things seem to have shifted to the Mechanics' Institution Trust taking control of several Railway Village buildings, but not the one they want, the Mechanics' Institute itself.

- The Baker's Arms pub (that closed in 2012 after a police raid) is empty and is being eyed-up by the trust as a cafe.

- The Central Community Centre has been given to the trust as the council has been getting rid of it's community centre in recent years.

- The old Railway Museum cottage has been recommended to be given to the trust by the council to run.

- An allotment plot has been given to the trust to run.

The trust was awarded £30,000 by the People's Health Lottery, which saw the hiring of a Community Development Officer in April last year. But a recent interview saw the adver talking to a community development co-ordinator, with no mention of the officer that had been appointed the previous year. A Facebook post on the Central Community Centre page dated 19th September 2014 announces the departure of the Community Development Officer as "the trust have decided to go in a different direction and reshape the Community Development Co-ordinator post". 

What were the differences that caused the job to be filled by the daughter of long-time Mechanics' campaigner Martha Parry?

Plus, does the trust have enough volunteers to run the pub, the community centre, the cottage, the allotment and have people working on getting control of the Mechanics' Institute itself?

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 262

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

10. I wouldn't call that a crowd, more an annoyance.

9. She was on the last one last night, she looked a right state.

8. There's no more room, next one's right behind.

7. Oh no, look at that, it's all over the seat, move.

6. You looked better with the black one on, that one's going to get dirty so quickly.

5. He text and said how he couldn't stop thinking about me, bit desperate.

4. Do you go right at the shops, or straight on and across the roundabouts?

3. There's going to be a buffet lunch, I'll go if it's decent.

2. Martin keeps that hat on no matter what time of year it is.

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

1. I mean, you don't know who he's shagging when you're stood next to him.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 261

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

10. So what does that matter? He's still got my phone,

9. I pay you 260 quid, then you pay me back for what you owe after the last lot.

8. She lives way over Moredon, I always get lost on the way.

7. That's not fun, it's just what you've got to do.

6. Upstairs is the way to go.

5. Standby for something sarcastic and not very funny.

4. Away we go to the shops.

3. James didn't bring those tissues, just use her sleeve.

2. I wouldn't do that, there's too many by the doors.

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

1. He caused a tailback all along Great Western Way, top way to get everyone to vote.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 260

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

10. Keep that quinoa for Jess, she's a fan.

9. I've never heard such a racket in my life.

8. Let's make sure it works, otherwise what's the point of wearing these shoes with it.

7. I went in and got my tins, and all my frozen stuff, it's so cheap, you'd never believe it.

6. Si thinks I need just let Connor find his own way, but it's driving me nuts.

5. It was nose to tail all the way back to the roundabout, I was an hour late at the end.

4. No, they can't go under Whitehouse Bridge, wish they'd just lower it.

3. She didn't press the bell, moaned at me, but then stayed on until we came back round the loop.

2. The wind was so strong it blew the carrier clean out of her hand, landed in the drain.

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

1. If this keeps up, it'll be quicker every time to just walk, bloody, sodding joke.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 259

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

10. If I swap this battery, that should give you a bit more.

9. She's sitting there, no her.

8. I bought four and I might keep them for meself.

7. Jason said we'd go all the way to his mum's for the weekend, but I don't fancy going all that way, might persuade it to be Burnham instead.

6. That Poldark's rubbish, all the accents are watered down.

5. If you lined them up, I couldn't pick that one who's left out of them, all look like fake boy band members, no distinguishing features.

4. But if she never married then he's not entitled to anything she might leave behind.

3. The traffic was so heavy I even considered walking, but then I passed the time with a tube of Pringles.

2. The egg was huge, I'm expecting a small group of chocolate people inside it.

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

1. No, you can't use a double decker, it'll hit the bridge, then we'll never keep to time.

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