Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last, Last, Last, Last) Week ; 225

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

10. I think she left a message, but I wouldn't bother.

9. Move over Fred Astaire, are you taking me dancing?

8. It's either called lunch, dinner or tea.

7. Practice a bit more and ring me afterwards.

6. Take over is in the air, I'd start looking at moving to the Coventry office.

5. So called 'price check' is a tremendous con.

4. If he had the organisational skills, the country wouldn't be in this state, we'd be Switzerland.

3. Oh, tune!

2. Grab onto the nearest pole, sounds odd.

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

1. Don't look, just drive.

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

Wi-Failed : Were Things Wrapped Up?

Did Swindon Borough Council know more about the Wi-Failed scheme (and how much danger the project, and the £400,000 of public money) were in? New details have emerged today of the botched attempt to bring free wi-fi to everywhere and everyone in the Borough.

A month before a Scrutiny meeting in March this year, a councillor was briefed on the current state of Digital City.

Swindon Centric Says ; How much, and in what depth, was the state of Digital City's finances and the frozen roll-out plan discussed, and what elements of this did not reach the Scrutiny meeting the following month?

We want our money back, getting someone else to give you £400,000 (that is not the original £400,000) is not 'recovering the money', it's 'attempting to recover your political integrity'.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last, Last, Last, Last) Week ; 224

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

10. Hold the line and I'll forget you're there.

9. Don't forget about those shoes you left at mine.

8. Pesto, that Jamie Oliver's is so highly priced.

7. Sit back, relax and enjoy the raised tables.

6. She said she'd never date a man who's eyebrows were bushier than hers.

5. They've not moved their barbecue for 2 years, there's a sausage on it I swear.

4. If you switch your seat I'll be able to show you that mark.

3. I bought a dayrider and was only going two stops, more fool me.

2. She's able to talk about doing stuff, but rarely does it, is there anything going on in her head do you think?

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

1. Is he a Twonk?

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 Week ; 223

A 1981 VRT in Badgerline livery. 5531 (EWS 739W) at the Bristol Harbourside Rally in May. This picture is used with the kind permission or Rob McCaffery, who's excellent Transport Illustrated site is highly recommended, click here for more.

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

10. Well it's big enough for the job at hand.

9. I see you getting to the top, turning around and running out through the fire escape.

8. Standby for inaction.

7. They moved them into the left-hand lane, which, since it's being used for a contraflow led to a sudden and unexpected problem.

6. It's a bigger responsibility than when I had to look after them cats for the weekend.

5. Don't sit there, I just saw a rat come out of there.

4. Grab your purse and we'll increase the national debt at lunchtime.

3. She's moving into soft furnishings, which will be a clever move when the weather gets colder.

2. Move your leg before your soles melt on the hot pipe.

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

1. They only keep asking her out because there's no other girl for 2 floors and 7 departments in the building.

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 Week ; 222

The type of bus and colours seen on the Swindon and District bus fleet in Swindon, which was taken over by Stagecoach in the early nineties. Seen here in red and cream a Leyland Titan 110 (GNF 10V) at the Bristol Harbourside Rally in May. This picture is used with the kind permission or Rob McCaffery, who's excellent Transport Illustrated site is highly recommended, click here for more.

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

10. Take his teeth out and hide them in strategic locations around the house.

9. Don't be so sympathetic, it comes across as desperate.

8. Try and look normal, I know it's hard.

7. You need a theme, you can't just be efficient from now until the day you retire.

6. I said take it outside, which was an ironic thing to say in a tent.

5. 'Morning', that was all I said and she jumps down my throat and slaps me about the chops.

4. It must have been difficult working with an award-winning idiot for two weeks.

3. I expected less cheek, but what can you get from a man that wears those dirty shoes.

2. We've exhausted your appetite for hummus, what next?

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

1. There seems a distinct lack of interest in my legs, which has never happened before.

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 Week ; 221

One of Thamesdown's latest double deckers, at the Bristol Harbourside Rally in May. This picture by and used with the kind permission of Rob McCaffery, who's excellent Transport Illustrated site is highly recommended, click here for more.

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

10. Dad's at home because he's been naughty and called Mummy a rude word.

9. Champagne would be good, tea would be better.

8. I have to get by somehow, if that means I have to sell pieces of the collection, so be it.

7. Jane hasn't a sympathetic bone in her body, she leaves Anne Robinson cold.

6. Call him Mr Vain, I remember that.

5. Her hair turned blue, her jeans pink and her face the colour of shame.

4. She's just got divorced, is 40ish and she keeps dressing like a 12 year-old, leave it love!

3. Everyone's got a cold, or is thinking of getting one.

2. The best weather's next week, we're going to suspend the seasons for a few days.

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

1. Bring her if you want, but I won't speak to her, offer her any food and she better come with taxi fare home.

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 Week ; 220

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

10. If you can carry all that you've longer arms than me.

9. He was dressed as a woman, but it wasn't Thursday, so I wasn't expecting it.

8. Clive moved, Katy's got the big chair and I have a corner office with a spider plant.

7. The pub isn't as nice as it use to be before they put the grills up.

6. Steak pie, fish pie, vegetable pie, they had an offer on.

5. He needs to email her his picture and if she likes what she sees, she'll be in touch.

4. I suspect he thinks I like him, more fool him.

3. It'll never change, unless 500 customers all come in wanting the gold package.

2. Don't think the RM doesn't know what's going on, I heard agency staff will be here on Monday.

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

1. This ensemble didn't just throw itself together you know.

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 Week ; 219

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

10. He wants the key to house, it's not his.

9. That's not how you make puff pastry, but she was taking no notice of me.

8. I think we must wait until we have more information, then we can strike.

7. Thanks to him I now have to spend the entire weekend rearranging my Great Aunt's cupboards and shed.

6. Look, potatoes are all well and good, but you can't serve them on a buffet table.

5. Nothing makes sense, but you know me, I'm not the cleverest person on the block.

4. Give me a ring if you need any help, anything at all.

3. I've eaten so many specials they've lost all their out-of-the-ordinary-ness for me now.

2. Unless you have visual evidence that he's been over there with his pants down, you'll have to keep doing what any sensible fiance does, checking his credit card statements.

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

1. There's a girl on my college course that looks just like you, but she's thinner.

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 Week ; 218

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

10. What the hell did he do, eat her chocolate?

9. It means less when you consider all that's happened before.

8. She was bloated over lunch, I was still starvin'.

7. He got the job, after a lengthly form to fill out and a pointless phone interview.

6. No, Steve's on til 7, then doing a split tomorrow.

5. It's unfortunate that it all started to happen when Carol was hoping to have a long weekend away.

4. Take heart, he's got a plan and we'll all hear about it on Monday, so that's alright then, idiot.

3. No, she lives in Exeter Street, nearest she'll ever get to the West Country.

2. Drive your employees by fear and they'll drop you over the cliff in the end.

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

1. Sarah and Kate came round, drank all my lambrusco and went off into town.

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

Bats (& Administration) In The Development Belfry

As we recently learnt, the long-delayed Regent Circus development is now being held up due to bats roosting in the former Technical College building on the site next to Victoria Road.

But could something far more business-like be a factor in the delay?

Like one of the two developers going into administration?

The Regent Circus scheme is being carried out by Ashfield Land and Parkridge Developments, but the latter is currently in administration which begs the question, why when Deputy Council Leader (and Cabinet Member for Regeneration) Garry Perkins waxed lyrical about bats, did he not mention that one of the two developers was in administration?

Swindon Centric Says ; Why has this fact never been announced by Garry Perkins, or Swindon Borough Council? Even if the administration of Parkridge Developments has no effect on the project, why has no-one in our Council talked about it?

Rotten Borough Regeneration?

UPDATE AND CORRECTION :

The issue of Parkridge Developments going into administration was raised by Councillor Bawden, who directed his question to Councillor Perkins of whether it would have an effect on the Regent Circus scheme and was told by Councillor Perkins it would make little difference.

Sorry for the mistake and thank you to Councillor Steve Wakefield for the correction.

So, it is just the bats we have to deal with. Maybe we can get them like this :

Wi-Failed ; Council Leader Admits, The Money's Gone

Yes, that's right, click here.

Swindon Centric Says ; Armchair Auditors across town, you know who you are, raise a glass tonight.

PS - Being vigilant, thorough and questioning isn't being politically opportunistic - it's democratically necessary.

The Power of Ignoring Facts ; Mack Flicks Off Flicker Con Campaigner

Part of Honda's award-winning advertising campaign on restarting car production after their recession shutdown at the South Marston plant.

One of the main concerns of those opposing the Honda wind turbine plan has finally been exposed as non-applicable to a campaigner on the radio.

As Swindon Centric pointed out after a bit of very light digging, the possibility of 'shadow flicker' by the turbines on the east side of town has been eliminated by Ecotricity.

Now, BBC Wiltshire presenter, Graham Mack informed a campaigner on his Breakfast Show of this fact, but they didn't really seem particularly informed. Listen to it here, skip to 19 minutes 45 to listen to the interview.

Swindon Centric Says ; A big tip of the hat to Graham Mack. As campaigners keep saying, there's strong feeling about this proposal, there should be equally strong feeling about getting the facts right about it.

And that's a fact, a Mack Fact!

Wi-Failed ; Death Held Off For Truth To Come Forth

Pages Councillor Perkins?

The automatic striking off of Swindon's wi-fi company (taken £400,000 of our money and showing us precious little for it) would have allowed answers to questions to be buried for ever.

Mr Richard Symonds has written and objected to the striking off, which will now be postponed until the end of February.

Swindon Centric Says ; Coming soon, those long-overdue Digital City accounts (and where that money went and what it was spent on)... Maybe?

Isn't it great what the written word can, and may yet, achieve?

Truth Makes It Safely To Other Side Of Crossing

No, they didn't claim credit for this one.

Selective memory 'Swindrome' strikes again in Swindon!

This time, the Lib Dems repeatedly claimed credit for installing the Kingshill Crossing has been found to be wrong.

Swindon Centric Says ; Looks like Swindon's Lib Dems will have to look at their own achievements in the area to use in next year's election leaflets, which include... well... they got the.... erm, well good luck with that.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 217

The scene on Lexington Avenue, New York, yesterday with a reflection of the Chrysler Building on an empty bus lane. All public transport, subways, buses, trains and ferries shut down yesterday at noon in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

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

10. It's pasta, it's not going to happy slap you.

9. You forget, I spent six weeks on contract at the Cardiff office, I'm a veteran.

8. Move or I will move Sandra's desk with you sat at it.

7. We've had correct change since, at least, the days of Churchill.

6. Stephen Fry, would I be the first to say I don't find him interesting?

5. It was a Saturday night, I'm not responsible for your actions after a pitcher of that.

4. They're MC Hammer pants, I hear he's on his way with the fashion police to claim them back.

3. I'm not eating granola again, it's like road grit with fruit.

2. She's not settling for anything less than everything.

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

1. I heard she had lied, then again, she told me she hadn't, I'm confused, or am I?

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

Wi-Failed : Closest To Accountability We Got (So Far?)

Cast your mind back to March last year, and to a sparse House of Commons chamber, then MP for Swindon South, Anne Snelgrove, raised the questions about the wi-fi scheme for Swindon that's now dead. Her words are as relevant now as they were nearly 18 months ago.

Swindon Centric Says ; Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland, MPs for Swindon North and South, what are you waiting for?

Where's the questions, concern and accountability from them?

Wi-Failed ; Death Of The Digital City

The company Swindon Borough Council residents funded to the tune of £400,000, is in the process of being wound-up. Click on the above image for a bigger version of the winding-up order from Companies House.

Swindon Centric Says ; Cue spinning that this was all part of the plan and a 'potential investor' is soon to announce...

No flowers.

Bats (& Democracy) In The Belfry Blamed For College Demolition Delay

The view down Rolleston Street towards the proposed Regent Circus development.

The saga of pulling down the former Swindon College building in Regent Circus has moved onto bats, democracy and a dateless phase.

The last few years have been filled with promises of demolition dates, all of which have been missed.

Now Council Leader Rod Bluh has dispensed with a demolition date (very wise), but has rambled on to blame the inaction on bats living in the older part of the building on Victoria Road and also local residents. Blaming them for giving feedback to the plan for the area, which required amendment and, according to his comments, added to the delay.

Swindon Centric Says ; Blame the wi-fi failure on Swindon residents, blame a regeneration stalling on Swindon residents, what next?

Brunel Has The Builders In, Eventually

Repairs to the splaying concrete on the exit delivery ramp appears to be complete, with painting part-way through.

Regular readers will recall the story from last year about the dodgy-looking state of the delivery ramps of Swindon's Brunel Centre, it's nearly taken a year, but it would appear that Brunel Centre owners CIT Group (a private equity company) have invested in repairs.

Swindon Centric Says ; Let's hope the excellent standard of upkeep within the Brunel Centre now becomes the norm outside as well (plus the painting of the grey concrete in white is a simple but very effective smartening-up move).

Walcot Waits For Plan As Time Is Called On Pub

Swindon Borough Council is about to take ownership of The Bulldog pub in Walcot, in anticipation of demolition for redevelopment.

No plan is forthcoming from the council for the future of the site. The purchase of the pub is part of a desire to redo the entire Sussex Square area. The fewest of details about the plan are that a supermarket may be to go on the site.

Swindon Centric Says ; Purchasing buildings as a prelude for demolition, for a redevelopment plan that few people know details of...oooh, not the best way to go about it. Publish any and all plans for the area and get a dialogue going with those in Walcot, besides they're the ones who will have to live with whatever gets built in The Bulldog's place.