Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 330

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

10. It looks ridiculous you stood with that thing in your hand.

9. Got that supplier to you for Thursday.

8. It's very confusing when you don't know where you're going in the dark.

7. For men it's easy, as long as you've washed your face, nobody cares really.

6. The great thing about my job is I can take two hours for lunch and I get away with it.

5. That's a fantastic top, have you had it a while?

4. I don't do Tinder, not after the narrowboat incident.

3. It flew past so fast I didn't even have time to wave at her.

2. You can spot the danger signs though, like crying when watching Big Brother.

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

1. If everyone starts to gorge on avocados, then what'll happen to the planet?

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

HM-No!

The application to turn a house in Swindon's very posh Goddard Avenue into a bedsit has been withdrawn.

Told you so!

The posh wedge shall be maintained at adequate thickness, no thinning on top (of the hill) here.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Last Week ; 329

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

10. I'm very reasonable, but I think Hillary is crooked.

9. A scotch egg, my what a surprise.

8. It's all about the Snapchat man.

7. Steve, Russell and Pam are all going as per usual.

6. Think with you pants, that's entirely unexpected.

5. Come over here and tell me that and I'll tell you where you can get off.

4. We've got to drive for 8 hours, it'll be more like 10 though, it always is.

3. The Earl of where?

2. There was an accident, so all the traffic slowed down to stare like watching some cheap show.

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

1. Every time we come into town we end up with the same driver, it's like being chauffeured.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 328

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

10. Hold them in your hand like a giant.

9. The reason he lives there is because he knows what he's doing.

8. My auntie knows her, but has a strange opinion of what she's like after fighting.

7. No, no, no, it's just over the road and beside the pub, yes, the slightly more rubbish side.

6. Why do you want to go back for, there's nothing there for you.

5. Is it really, I'd not imagine that judging by how happy you are.

4. This is not the bus I should have got on, but it's too late now.

3. Here's what you should message back, give me your phone, since I seem to run your love life.

2. His front door use to be red, but he kept getting next door's post, so he's put in a glass-fronted porch.

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

1. I've never been good at maths since we had Mr Roth as the teacher, he's so hot.

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

The Thin End Of The Posh Wedge

The poshest of posh streets in Swindon is about to get a rude awakening.

Someone has applied to turn a house in Goddard Avenue into a House in Multiple Occupation. Translation, subdivide a bigger house into lost of smaller residences (in the old days we called them bedsits).

Will the people of Old Town's poshest street stand for it? 

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 327

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

10. It was a good little party.

9. I was down to the last 5 to be Jesus.

8. If I knew what he looked liked, I'd be much more fearful.

7. A lot like work experience, but you get paid.

6. If you ever need it, you just do this, then pick it.

5. Spencer will one day soon, get what's coming to him.

4. I'll go with you, I can wear those white pants I got cheap.

3. She had a coat on and wore it all day.

2. I fell down the kerb, I couldn't look away from my phone.

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

1. You'd need to be, like, Bill Gates or Beyonce level famous.

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

Swindon Tories Fantastic Fiction 2 - Highworth Library Saved Before Public Survey & Report Written

Swindon's Tories have never let democracy or due council process get in the way of their agenda and it seems the future of Swindon's Libraries is no different.

You'll remember back in May, just before the local elections, a leaflet was circulated in Highworth making all sorts of promises about the retention of Highworth's library. Including that it would stay in the same place and retain paid staff.

Just after those elections (in which the Tories retained control of Swindon Borough Council, including the Blunsdon & Highworth seat), it was repeated by Councillor Maureen Penny (Conservative, Blunsdon & Highworth) that the promises made in the leaflet were absolutely correct and will be seen through. She went one better and said that she had gotten a verbal assurance from Councillor David Renard (Conservative, Haydon Wick & Leader of the Swindon Borough Council) and Councillor Garry Perkins (Conservative, Haydon Wick & Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills) that the points made in the leaflet would be seen through and that Councillor Renard had seen the leaflet and stands by it.

But, it wasn't until two months later that the report was published which includes the proposal to retain Highworth Library.

So why and how was Councillor Penny able to get assurances about Highworth Library two full months before the report into the future of the libraries was finished and before the public survey on Swindon Libraries (which was part of the report) had even closed (on the 29th April)?

Councillor Penny's election leaflet has 'April' above the list of library promises alongside a convenient photo of Councillor Penny and Councillor Renard as you can see below :

So why was the council report and public survey prejudged?

I'm sure it's nothing to do with it being a true blue tory seat with lots of white, well-off, retired, middle-class tory voters.

I'm sure if a Labour councillor from Parks had demanded that Park Library was promised to stay open, they would have got the same result.

Sorry, that bit's fantastic fiction.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 326

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

10. You've got to identify your risks.

9. I'm not spending that on a handbag.

8. That's easily the tastiest thing I've ever tried in my life and I've eaten in some great pubs.

7. Forget everything I've said before, this is the absolute truth.

6. It's failing apart in my hands, why did you make me buy this?

5. It doesn't work on my phone, so I won't be falling off cliffs any time soon.

4. Sarah denied I'd said it, then slagged me off in a group message.

3. You can't expect me to drop everything just because you feel like you need to control me.

2. We're going to have a recession no matter how much you may deny it.

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

1. Don't worry about it, it's fine, we've got our country back, isn't it great?

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 325

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

10. I will definitely drink to that my mate.

9. Yes I could do with a good laugh if you consider all the stuff that's happened.

8. No it's rented so that's something else I've got to consider.

7. I had it when I was at the prison, what have I done with it?

6. I sold it after he moved it for a vastly-inflated value.

5. Just because I don't want to go out with you, it doesn't mean I don't like woman.

4. Don't be so bloody self-indulgent.

3. Put that's back, that's mine, I bought that with my nectar points.

2. Then because the social heard he'd been playing it, they came round that Thursday and demanded to know what he was up to.

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

1. You get a bonus for finishing that week's order, free shares and free tea and coffee.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 324

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

10. I didn't dare to expect it.

9. Beyond the realms of possibility is what you really mean to say.

8. You've just beaten such a great team.

7. There you go, I told you it would melt.

6. I kept hanging on and hanging on and hanging on and he didn't turn up.

5. People at her school were asking on Monday if they had to leave.

4. He's not representative of my views.

3. Don't talk to me about moving annual averages.

2. She's not sick, or on holiday, she's left her at her ex-husbands so she can go to see Beyonce.

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

1. They could win the whole thing if they have lucky breaks all the way through.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 323

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

10. That's a nice name for the wrong spelling.

9. Yes I'm in charge now, what a shocker.

8. I thought he'd only agreed to be with her for as long as it took to get another job.

7. You'll need a plumber to fix it, I've never been very good with pipes.

6. Very kind, can I have the bit with the cheese on it?

5. He's resigned, now we've got Trump's double waiting in the wings to move in.

4. Usually when they're whispering I can hear them in the next room.

3. Cornwall voted out, now they're asking for their EU money to continue.

2. Turns out she's not entitled to vote.

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

1. Are we spiralising the carrots or buying them pre-spiralised?

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 322

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

10. You've got less chance of eating something nice from Burger King.

9. I believe that he knows what he's doing most of the time.

8. I returned it after I wore it all weekend.

7. She screamed at me, chucked everything out the window and kicked me out, she just doesn't get it mate.

6. Take a moment and think about how stupid you sound.

5. Cheese, that's what it's all about.

4. Save your money for a change, you've never got any left come Friday.

3. Maybe there are more important things than your boyfriend's ego.

2. Karen reckons it's only a matter of time before it all gets exposed by the audit.

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

1. Well Steve, cars don't drive themselves do they?

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 321

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

10. But that's what I'm allergic to too.

9. It's all about weddings it seems, at massive expense.

8. It's not something I like to see on TV.

7. I saw him walking towards me so I dived into Specsavers.

6. Sandra doesn't have to prove anything she's just got to do her job like everyone else.

5. I'm trying to be creative but I just can't think in a marketing perspective.

4. He said he was going to take me over to meet his family, so it appears there's life in it yet.

3. We went for lunch in Subway, yeah I know, so romantic.

2. You took me by surprise, I thought this was a double-decker.

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

1. And that's when I had my first knickerbocker glory.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 320

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

10. Why's no-one called Percy anymore?

9. I have been unfairly treated.

8. Yes it is I.

7. Terrible when you think what her kids are like too.

6. They're not magic, he just likes to show off.

5. Is that thunder?

4. It's gone back to every 12 minutes, can't say I'm impressed, but I'm not surprised.

3. So dark it could be nine at night.

2. I've told you again and again, I just can't wear leggings.

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

1. I took video to prove what he's doing and I'm going to show it to him when he next tries it.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 319

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

10. I can assure you it will not be like the staff day out last time.

9. They're all going to shine like stars.

8. You don't need directions with your built-in homing instinct.

7. It's all about friends and family, no work colleagues.

6. I would't piss on him if he was ob fire.

5. Forever and a day.

4. Come on with me and I'll show you that you do not have to go out with Chris to have a good time.

3. She let me feed her goat.

2.  I bought two boys last week, off Gumtree.

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

1. They've had to put their raccoon on a diet.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 318

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

10. It's my greatest achievement so far, even my supervisor said.

9. There's lots left over for the people who work on a Saturday.

8. I didn't even believe what was written on the screen, I knew it must have been faked.

7. About the same when you take into account how much tax I pay.

6. Phil didn't even bother to keep me informed he been to the court.

5. They're living at his garage which he converted last September into a habitable space, all that means is he's sealed the up and over door.

4. Keep in mind she's a compulsive liar, that's what I've always heard, most of the time.

3. It takes as long to get the bus as it does to walk between yours and the shops.

2. Stacey reckons Jo has been married before.

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

1. I apologise, I didn't realise quite how sensitive little old you was in relation to sandwiches.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 317

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

10. So the saga continues and for the third year running I don't care one little bit.

9. He was a keen student, then it all started going wrong.

8. They're shimmering, look, shimmering.

7. If he creates an entrance like that again, we'll be in for a good time.

6. There was a tinkle, but I tried to block it out at the time.

5. Thank you mate, I've just moved here.

4. I'm going camping, can you tell how excited I am?

3. I'm the only woman in the office, so the bar has been set rather low.

2. What about the rest of me, I'll be freezing wearing this to the wedding.

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

1.  I didn't vote for him, how can you trust a man with a nose like that?

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

A Long Lease In The Country

The deadline for submitting bits for the great Lydiard Park and House sell-off lease-off has been extended for a second time.

The deadline will now be on 8th July.

Holland 1 - 0 Mattock

Councillor Russell Holland has been appointed as the new Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council following the local election last week.

Labour won in Old Town and East Wichel causing Councillor Former Councillor Brian Mattock to lose his seat and his Deputy Leader title with it as well.

An Artistic Interpretation Subsidy Versus Investment

The confident words of Robert Hiscox in his The Big Interview in the Adver in the hopes for a new museum and art gallery for Swindon will be a shot in the arm for the project which seems to have gone quiet since missing out on Heritage Lottery Fund money last year.

Hadrian Ellory-van Dekker has been appointed as the Director of the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust (which appears to be a first-class appointment) but details of what happens next are very quiet.

What is very 'now' is the mention of support for the museum and art gallery project as 'investment', whereas the support Swindon Borough Council gives to country parks and libraries is seen as 'subsidy'.

Will the wording of such change before a spade is put in the ground, and how does SBC square the circle of giving with one hand, but taking away funding for transporting disabled folk about, libraries, Lydiard and much more to residents and taxpayers on the other?

My Mummy Closed My Library

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has made no secret of his pride at being a local councillor when Swindon's Central Library opened. He also proudly tells us that his first debate in parliament was on the topic of libraries. He also proudly tells us that he and his wife are regular users of North Swindon Library and Moredon & Rodbourne Cheney Library.

He may be in the embarrassing position in the near future of seeing his mother, Councillor Vera Tomlinson, vote through massive cuts in the libraries budget.

'My mummy closed my library', maybe he can put that on his election leaflets in 2020.

Health Hydro Puts Swimmers In The Deep End

It's no real surprise GLL have decided to close the small pool at Swindon's Health Hydro due to the cost of repairing it.

But when GLL took over the Health Hydro in 2014, it would no-doubt have know the condition of the Health Hydro, including the small pool, so it's mystifying that just 2 years after taking over it's now having to close part of the building.

As the building is Grade II Listed, we can only hope that GLL don't find the rest of the building over the remaining 23 years of the lease prohibitively expensive to maintain, and shut other bits of it. The contract only binds them to keeping the Health Hydro open for five years after taking over.

Do they intend to invest at Milton Road for the long term, or are they simply seeing out the five years before handing back the keys?Did they know what they were signing a contract for?

Dial-A-Conservative-Cut

A cut of £100,000 from £300,000 will have to be stomached by the good folk that run the Dial-A-Ride service.

As per usual, Dale Heenan just doesn't get it regarding the Swindon Labour's objections to the cut, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, to stop the ruling Swindon Conservative top brass from objecting in principle to the cuts it is being made to impose by central government.

However, no matter how bitter the pill, Swindon Conservatives have been swallowing everything handed to them by Whitehall.

Have they formally objected once and asked for a better deal? The ability to raise council tax above and beyond the approved level? To ask for a reexamination of the local government grant?

No of course they haven't. They may wield all the power, but none of the courage and compassion of their office.

Rodbourne's Bridge Not Too Far

Congratulations to Network Rail for completing the work on the Rodbourne Road bridges a whole week ahead of planned, for reopening tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Swindon Borough Council's enlightened plan to open the bus gates on Penzance Drive certainly did a lot for drivers in the evening rush hour.

On several occasions in the past few weeks, Swindon Centric has been stuck on Wootton Bassett Road in the rush hour crawling towards Mannington Roundabout with hundreds of others. The cause of the logjam was the opening up of the Penzance Drive bus gate at the Wootton Bassett Road end, clearly no-one had retimed the lights being triggered by a small number of cars every few minutes, turning from Penzance Drive east towards Kingshill, meaning all vehicles heading east and west on Wootton Bassett Road had to wait for the lights to change every minute or so to accommodate the small number of drivers taking advantage of the opened-up bus gate. Once past this spot, the traffic flowed fine.

Genius.

A bus gate designed (traffic signal-phasing included) for a bus every five minutes will operate very differently (and alter the flow of traffic on nearby roads for the worse) if you throw a constant flow of cars at it instead and don't account for that with altering the phasing software.

As far as Swindon Centric and Swindon's buses are concerned, Network Rail can shut Rodbourne Road again if it wishes, just please let SBC remember that bus gates are designed for buses and not cars. Don't just cover the 'bus only' signs up and hope for the best.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 316

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

10. You could boil or steam, but if you fry, you're frankly asking for a badge saying 'I haven't got a clue'.

9. You've given me license to do what I like.

8. I have no idea how long the delay will be.

7. It was all I could do from going straight home and not bursting into tears.

6. I'd love to learn how to keep my anger under control.

5. They'll include the cost of your travel, which you can fiddle.

4. I hear he lost, got his just desserts then.

3. There should not be any ill-feeling, but you just know that Nigel will hold a grudge.

2. How are you feeling, I haven't seen you since he left you.

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

1.  It's so offensive I make him cover it with a blanket when we're not using it.

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

Mechanics' Trust No One

Despite all the talk (that's been going on for a long, long time) from the Mechanics' Trust about working together with others to secure the future of the building, they seem to have retreated back to their own turf if recent news is anything to go by.

Despite Forward Swindon carrying out an options appraisal for Swindon Borough Council, the Trust have got a grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund to carry out their own viability study.

The Trust still do not own the building and do not have the financial backing in place to buy it, pay for it's restoration, or the day-to-day costs of running it.

Many years ago Swindon Centric paid a pound to the Trust to be a member (probably along with many others) and never received or heard anything more from them, ever.

I suppose it's foolish to assume that pound was put in a bank account and has earned a healthy interest in the pot for the building.

If the Trust had put as much effort into fundraising as it's done into getting itself into the Adver every month or so to report that things are either progressing well/it's still at risk/the council don't take it seriously or a combination of these (like here, here and here), the building would be in use.

Swindon Elections - Labour, Lydiard and Losing Mattock Man

Labour gained two seats from the Swindon Conservatives in last night's local elections, and it all couldn't have been more local if you'd tried.

Lydiard & Freshbrook went to Labour from the Conservatives because they campaigned hard on Lydiard Park and House, getting the message and the groundwork right.

Up on the hill, Jane Milner-Barry won for them on pushing the parishing issue (which no-one, even many in the Swindon Conservatives fully understand), but also the Lydiard sell-off/lease-off issue was big too for voters in Old Town.

Worse for the Tories was that Milner Barry took the seat from the Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council  Former Deputy Leader, Councillor Former Councillor Brian Mattock (or as we like to call him, Mattock Man after 'his' astonishing list of achievements in his leaflet). But this picture of him is priceless (scroll down to 12.15am)

Once again Stan Pajak retained Eastcott, despite a very strong push by Labour (the Lib Dems won it by 228), and despite being the man who campaigned on being the local candidate, but actually doesn't live in the ward.

Now, you servants of Swindon's people, don't disappoint us.

Swindon Tories Get Hooked On Their Own Fantastic Fiction On Swindon Libraries

Swindon's Conservatives may be about to hack at the core of Swindon Libraries, but they're not going to let that get in the way of capitalising on Libraries to win votes at tomorrow's local election.

However, some Tories seem to be having great trouble following their own plot.

Firstly, take a look at a section of two leaflets sent out by Barbara Parry, who's standing for the Conservatives in Covingham & Dorcan. The first leaflet was received about 2 weeks ago, the one below that, just this week :

Reading the first leaflet, you'd be forgiven for thinking if you live in Nythe you were about to get your own new library. Candidate Parry has confused that with a table-top SBC exercise to look into Liden (along with 5 other areas, it's in section 3.45 and 3.46 here) at the range of community facilities they each have (including libraries).

An SBC asset stock-take and a new library are not the same thing, as are these two election leaflets.

Meanwhile in Lydiard & Freshbrook , Councillor Tim Swinyard has gone one better on this election leaflet :

He proclaims that the Link Centre library is safe and even says we'll end up with a "greater variety of locations and provision".

Seems foolish to prejudge the public survey which has just closed, but maybe he knows what's good for us and we don't.

It doesn't stop there!

Over in Wroughton, this section of an election leaflet has also been shoved through doors by Swindon Conservatives :

The leaflet claims only the Adver has said libraries would close or move. But even though this has been admitted in SBC documents if others don't take them over or the funding goes. 

Yet another nonsensical twist.

And finally over in Highworth, they've promised the earth to voters, with 'Facts' and 'Not' and 'Will' (in capitals and underlined and bold and everything) :

Their first 'fact' is incorrect, there is a saving of £300,000 for this budget year sat against the Libraries budget, of which Highworth is funded from. 

Their second and third 'facts' is quite a thing to promise, not to move or close it if SBC push through with the current plan to 2020, look for your parish tax going through the roof to pay for it!

It reads like a reactionary leaflet from an angry resident, but is actually an election leaflet for the same party that have proposed the cuts in the first place.

In short, from Covingham & Dorcan, to Lydiard & Freshbrook, via Wroughton and Highworth, it's clear that Swindon Conservatives haven't got a bloody clue what they're going to do with Swindon Libraries and have twisted themselves in such knots with this plot, they'll be hoping to do a Dallas and wake up to find it's all a dream.

Because at the moment, it looks like a nightmare to the residents and voters of Swindon.

Swindon Election Leaflets - Your Cookie-Cutter Conservative Leaflet

Nothing stands out in this leaflet, it's not groundbreaking. Indeed if you take out the candidate's name and picture, it could almost be a leaflet for anywhere by Swindon's Conservatives.

Swindon Election Leaflets - Lights, Cameras, Matt-action!

Very little seems to stand-out in Councillor Brian Mattock's election leaflet. It's a very Swindon Tory leaflet, listing 'achievements' that would have happened anyway, refurbished playgrounds (carried out by SBC staff), more class spaces (undertaken by the schools involved), footbridge replacement (hopefully done by an engineer), putting Christmas lights up (maybe Councillor Mattock is the spirit of crimbo? Doubt it), road resurfacing (does he have his own steam roller?), and finally the achievement of a private organisation spending it's own private money on the Croft Sports Centre.

What a jack of all-other-people's trades!

But it doesn't stop there, voters of Old Town and East Wichel. It's time to recycle some previous announcements, in the very best Swindon Tory election leaflet traditions :

- Prudent use of council tax (the mantra now for over 5 years).

- Vision for Swindon (an updated version of the 'promises', in some cases so vague, they're meaningless and immeasurable).

- A new bus station (promised and announced many times since 2008).

- Aspen House redevelopment (same as above, since 2012).

- The Oasis redevelopment (same as above).

- Support for Old Town Library (so vague it's meaningless, and contrary to SBC announcements on what it wants for libraries, as in only pay for the Central Library).

Well done Councillor Mattock, what a leaflet, such 'achievement' by the Mattock Man!

Swindon Election Leaflets - Of Parishes and Politics

Trying to explain the ludicrous proposals on parishing the whole of Swindon (to save Swindon's Borough Tories foundation-stone of their time in office of not raising council tax, it seems it's the only thing they really do honestly believe in) is difficult.

However Jane-Milner Barry, standing for Labour in Old Town & East Wichel has done it well in her, well, can it be called election leaflet if it was sent round in February? 

Okay, pre-election leaflet.

If there's a single voter in Swindon that thinks it's a good idea, chances are they think the Bruce Street Bungle works were efficiently done.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 315

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

10. I think it's moving pretty slowly.

9. To be fair to him, it was good chicken.

8. I've confused everyone around me by saying that.

7. If you just sit down for a minute, I'll get it out for you.

6. Hang on, that's not mine, I think you've got the wrong bag.

5. I always eat them with one hand.

4. It stacked back all the way to the last stop, such a mess.

3. Don't get me on talking about migrants, you're not catching me out on that one.

2. It turns out she was warned about sexual harassment, but that didn't seem to stop her.

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

1.  You know when you get this sinking feeling and you just know that you're just about to get a smack in the face?

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

Bishopstone Buses It While Heenan Gives No Change

It interesting that when Swindon Borough Councillors don't take the lead with bus matters, things seem to work out better.

A Bishopstone bus plan involving work by Gary Sumner of Wanborough Parish Council, with the SBC transport department, looks likely to come to fruition.

Any story involving SBC councillors and bus services sees a number of predictable steps, these include, but are not limited to the following :

- Warn that SBC cannot continue to subsidise a poor-patronised service.

- In a blatant, or backhand way (depending on your mood that day) lay the blame for the loss of the service on the door of the bus operator, despite it being a service that will never commercially pay it's way (that's why you subsidise it).

- Let the now bus-less residents and bus companies know that you're 'open to suggestions' for possible alternatives, with a smaller pot of money for subsidy than before and suggest any possible bidders be 'creative' with their ideas.

- In conclusion, when the money runs out, blame the bus company for not being commercial enough and the residents for not using the bus enough, but, of course, don't take any blame or responsibility yourself.

Well, you are only the elected representative.

In this case, congratulations to Gary Sumner, Wanborough Parish Council and the SBC transport department for working hard and coming up with a plan.

Well done also to SBC councillors for not interfering... too much (well, one did pose for a photo, so it wasn't quite an A-star).

Will Someone Please Think of The Children (and Councillors)?

Councillor Kevin Parry seems surprised at finding needles used by drug users in a park in his patch.

It might surprise him further then to know that needles, dog mess, and litter is found in parks, fields and open spaces all over the Borough every day of the week.

What's more worrying, but not surprising, is that with the complete dismantling of Swindon Borough Council, more and more of these unsavoury things will be found by more and more residents and less and less by SBC staff in the formerly called Streetsmart department (street cleaning).

But that's okay, most of our councillors like to put in their election leaflets about how they spend their weekends picking up litter in their wards (like Councillor Pajak).

There seems to be little else for SBC councillors to do. Democratically elected, allowance-paid litter-pickers, now that's vibrant and efficient folks!

Two Steps Forward Swindon, Three Steps Back to Council?

The advertising by Swindon Borough Council for a Business Engagement Retention Officer sounds oddly like the work that SBC-owned regeneration company Forward Swindon is meant to do.

Even more oddly, the job description makes reference to the SBC team working with the Forward Swindon team.

So is SBC deciding to 'double-up' roles and build it's own empire to rival Forward Swindon, or does SBC have an intention to close Forward Swindon by default, by bring it's roles back in-house?

Whatever the truth, the fact that the Forward Swindon website has not been updated since June last year, their Twitter has been moribund since November last they appear to not have a marketing person on their team and there's been no press releases issued since then, things don't seem to be moving forward for Forward Swindon.

The Lib Dem League of 'Local' Gentleman

A rash of election leaflets demand a little more than a cursory glance if Councillor Stan Pajak's is anything to go by.

Councillor Pajak's leaflet uses the word 'local' a total of 8 times and even goes to the trouble of pointing out where he lives in relation to Eastcott ward. He rails against the 'faceless' Labour candidate who lives in Abbey Meads and writes 'you deserve a 'local councillor who cares because they live here too!'

Two minutes-worth of checking finds that Councillor Pajak doesn't actually live in Eastcott ward, but in Walcot and Park North ward.

Whoops!

Bruce Street Bungle spells trouble

With Bruce Street Bridges apparently 'finished' (Swindoncentric and many others are really not sure on that one), work will soon move on to the rest of the Great Western Way project work.

In all the project literature that the team responsible have produced, leaflets and regular emails, one thing has consistently been wrong.

Newcombe Drive is spelt with a 'b', in case anyone in the Swindon Borough Council highways team wished to know.

Hopefully all future communication will be correct, otherwise you can look forward to Ranser Bridge, North Tar and Cockberry.

What a Cockleberry up.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 314

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

10. Do you want some bread, we'll need to get off here to get some bread, we'll get off here.

9. I've got a routine for Snapchat, but I don't reveal it to anyone.

8. If you ask me, there's no excuse for it, whoever heard of a tanning bed?

7. You're not going to even notice, I'm going to be out the door, before you even wake up.

6. No, I've already seen that film, it wasn't worth it, but we had a good time afterwards.

5. Sharon expected to be nervous, but the whole of the team meeting was really pleased she'd be taking over.

4. He can swing for all I care, I've had it living with him, I deserve better than this.

3. Don't forget to smile.

2. She brought him a cup of tea, but it caused more harm than good.

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

1.  I have to talk to you, can you make some excuse tomorrow and slip away?

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

Same again, please?

The plan to demolish the Tented Market and replace it with a development of restaurant units and cafes is nothing new, a similar plan was mooted in 2007 and rejected in 2008 and it appears history is repeating itself, almost to the letter.

The 2007 plan was to demolish the Tented Market and replace it with a building housing 4 restaurants or cafes and one coffee shop. The proposal was recommended for approval by the council officers for planning but this was ignored and the proposal was rejected by the councillors on the Planning Committee. The main reason for the rejection then was the objections raised by the developers for Regent Circus and for Granville Street (the Granville Street development plan subsequently collapsed and work at Regent Circus did not start for a further four years) that the area would be saturated with food and drink businesses (just like the objections lodged by the traders at the Tented Market today). A smaller reason for objection was that the design was not 'landmark enough' as a replacement for the Tented Market building.

Skip forward to 2016 and it seems nothing has changed, at all.

Objections have been raised by the traders for the town centre being saturated by food and drink businesses, both at Regent Circus and soon at the Brunel Centre. It seems our appetite for a bite to eat is never-ending, with all cafes and restaurants in town appearing to stick around for a lot longer than the shops. 

The last version of the 2007 plan (there were a few), that was presented to SBC and rejected was called a 'pavilion' of 4 restaurants and one shop unit. 

The current plan is for 5 restaurant units in a building that is on the identical footprint of the 2007 proposed 'pavilion' and the elevations look very similar, with a little more glass and not as boxy a roof.

In short, Swindon has been presented in 2016 with a plan for a building almost identical in appearance to one it rejected allowing to be built in 2008.

8 years later, will SBC follow their own precedent and reject the proposal a second time? 

Top Town Thamesdown Return after Bruce Street Bungle?

Say it quietly, quickly and with a spoonful of healthy doubt - the work on Swindon's Bruce Street Bridges appears to have been completed.

The less said about the 'give way the wrong way junction' junction and the vast amount of bleak tarmac that's a massively wide footpath (why didn't they just put in more bushes and greenery?), the multiple overruns and the countless time and money wasted with residents stuck in queues, the better.

Can we soon look forward to Thamesdown Transport's service 13 and 14 now returning to their original routing via Commercial Road and Regent Circus for daytime weekdays?

As Thamesdown's chief said last August, the services had been rerouted via Station Road to allow a quicker service recovery due to the long queues at Bruce Street Bridges whilst the work overran, and overran and and overran.

The project was also announced as 'substantially complete', twice. Here and here. Great job there Councillor Dale Heenan, the councillor in charge. Interestingly, Councillor Heenan was quite happy to get his face in the paper for the new Stratton Green Bridge opening, but Swindoncentric doubts he'll perform a grand ribbon-cutting at Bruce Street Bridges.

So when will passengers from Haydon Wick and Moredon on the 13 and 14 be able to enjoy direct service back to the usual routing?

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 313

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

10. I know restaurants in that neighbourhood, you'll find no Chinese there my fine friend.

9. Is it possible to make being lazy into an art form?

8. It's taken long enough, but they've finally sacked her.

7. In the right light, it looks like a scary Ken Livingstone.

6. How is it possible though for people to just get away with stuff like that?

5. But is this town ready for this amount of Beyonce sass, I say yes.

4. The buses are going to be all over the place come the shutdown.

3. If this weather would just get a little bit warmer, my legs would be thankful.

2. I try as best I can to avoid going through fences and walls.

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

1.  I heard it had been decided to dispense with the roundabout all together and install a sign saying 'good luck'.

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

Unambition Unworthy of Brunel

The objections by the owners of the Brunel Centre to the Oasis redevelopment plan (and also the plans for Cribs Causeway) smack of someone in a boat that's slowly sinking blaming everyone round them for the seaworthiness of the craft they're bobbing about in.

The Brunel don't like the Oasis plan because it will include retail space which they feel will unfairly compete with the Brunel. The Oasis plan says that retail would be related to the sports activities, so you can bet one of them, at least, will be a shop selling snowboards. Not exactly something the Brunel has cornered the market in, or ever will or would want to.

It also complains about the empty units in the town centre and the lack of demand for them. It claims this would be made worse by the Oasis plan, yet the Brunel has figured out how to deal with it's long-term empty units as it's about to turn a large number into a food court, which it seems confident of letting. Also getting in on the leisure game, the Brunel has applied to turn units that have never been let since the Brunel Arcade was refurbished in the 1990s, into a gym.

The Brunel deserve strong praise for the number of events and higher-profile branding they've committed to in the last few years, this has brought more people in and shows that when an organisations spends the time and money, they can get things right.

So why whinge and moan about the Oasis and Cribs Causeway? Take a bit of spirit from the statue you're about to turn around of the engineer and make yourself the destination. Complaining about other developments makes it seem like you've left your ambition in an empty shop unit.

Give us a Brunel that can compete and see the crowds flock in*

*That goes for you too Forward Swindon. Raise your game, and while you're at it, your website doesn't seem to have been updated since June, hardly a vibrant shop window for a vibrant town is it?

We're going to take this previously council-tax-paid-for service and make it an evergreen payer

The annual story about signing-up for the Swindon Borough Council green waste collection has reared it's ugly head like a weed sprouting forth following a sudden burst of warm weather.

No mention is ever made of this service for several years being previously provided under the council tax rate every household pays. That service then stopped, but there was no reduction in council tax to reflect this, then in 2014 a separate pay-for service was introduced at £40 a year for fortnightly collections during the warm months. 

The unpopularity of the scheme was reflected in the increase in flytipping in the months following introduction.

Witness over the next few months those who can afford it, with the large drives of the nice houses in the wealthy areas of town, will have their bins out every fortnight. 

Whereas in the poorer areas of town, they'll be conspicuous by their absence. 

One SBC doorstep service for the well-off gardener, and one queue at the municipal recycling centre for the poor other.

The great Swindon everything-must-go sale - It's child's play!

Swindon Borough Council continues daily to dispose itself of assets as the great Swindon sell-off continues.

Not being sold, but given a long-lease, are all the SBC playgrounds currently in an area that is also covered by a parish council. Hence the above list from the Adver from last week of playgrounds being leased off to Stratton St Margaret, Blunsdon, Wroughton and Haydon Wick.

Of course, no front page story about this, but it did make it in the paper, on a page with the classifieds, but SBC are probably hoping no-one noticed.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 312

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

10. Keep it in perspective when you're thinking about what to wear.

9. I'll be watching you my girl.

8. No, the bridge is going to go, where to, I have no idea.

7. He got on this same bus yesterday and said the same daft thing to the driver.

6. The escort is meant to meet her at the door, he was sat outside in the van, it took her 15 minutes to get outside.

5. Let's remember how we got to this point though, you chose to ignore everything I said.

4. You're going to go through with leaving him then?

3. You get so excited about things like that when you want to make a point.

2. It just looks all glowing the food at McDonalds, that must be the vitamins it contains.

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

1. What did you think my reaction was going to be if you started off by blaming me for everything?

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

Walcot's Fantastic Fiction Section

Councillor Ex-Councillor Mallinson has once again flown the flag for 'his' hardworking volunteers at the Walcot Library after I.T. problems recently.

Once again councillor ex-councillor Mr Mallinson has said how amazing 'his' volunteers are, while twisting the knife into the libraries and blaming them for the I.T. problems. As anyone who has gone near Swindon Borough Council in the last 9 years will know (such as councillors ex-councillors), SBC signed a massive contract with Capita back in 2007 (signed by SBC while councillor ex-councillor Mallinson was a councillor), which included I.T. provision and support. The fact the I.T. has just come back in-house will give you an idea why 'Crapita' was a frequent word uttered around SBC regarding the quality of service, especially around I.T. 

Councillor Ex-councillor Mallinson also blames the libraries for lack of support for 'his' volunteers (despite the brand-new building that the library and charity shop 'he' runs now exists in as part of the Sussex Square rebuilding). A new building is certainly anything but a lack of support. He also makes no mention of the SBC library staffed hours that Walcot is provided with during some of it's opening hours. 

The views of Councillor ex-councillor Mallinson regarding 'his' volunteers taking over fully at Walcot, which he clearly wants in the future as he sees the library service as an inconvenience in the current discussion, is interesting when seen in relation to Old Town Library. The campaigners for Old Town Library have made it very clear they want to retain their library with paid staff in it, despite Councillor ex-councillor Mallinson extolling the virtues of volunteers back in 2010.

Even more interesting, is that Old Town Library costs the least per hour of operation compared to any other Swindon library (as can be seen for each library here, appendix 1 to be specific).

So a combination of staff and volunteers at Walcot library (open 19 hours a week), costs more per hour open, than Old Town library (open 36 hours a week) which is fully staffed all the time.

And back in 2010, Councillor ex-councillor Mallinson didn't seem too bothered about cutting his own library's opening hours when he didn't have enough volunteers to man it. 

Be interesting what the few regulars at Walcot made of finding that it was shut because no-one turned up to open it.

Rest assured that if our town's libraries do end up being fully volunteer run (which Swindoncentric finds not only insulting to the idea of building the town's knowledge, intellect and confidence, but also a scary dismantling of civic infrastructure), then at least those volunteers will be at the same level of skill as Swindon's councillors (and ex-councillors)... untrained and unskilled.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 311

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

10. I want you to grow up just a bit and realise it's not appropriate.

9. I have a rather attractive nose.

8. You'd be working from home, which is not much different to now.

7. You missed the earlier one, I saw you run passed.

6. Keep your hands off her until you're sure that her husband is back inside.

5. They say that she was suspended after the petty cash went missing.

4. I never use the market anyway.

3. In that case, I'm going to reconsider the whole situation.

2. What a surprise to see you out of work.

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

1. I'd rather be honest than an absolute twat that people roll their eyes at.

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

Locarno plan lays bare the perils and chances from Swindon's history and future

Steve Rosier's determination to get the Locarno 'done' deserves praise.

This blog remembers well the highly frustrating attitude councillors had to the previous proposal to the site with them deciding when it came to the crunch that it was too tall for them.

That then led onto the threat to demolish the building from the owners to push councillors to figure out their attitude towards it once and for all.

Of course, even before it got to that stage, there were the two fires before then and before that, years of it being empty.

As Mr Rosier has said, the car parking at the Lawns plan is just one of a number of options being explored to make the redevelopment viable. We'll look forward to all the plans being made public soon so we can look through and see them for ourselves (and the Lib Dems who had no details).

The Locarno plan will be a real test for Swindon Borough Council's planning department and the relevant councillors. They will have a difficult time raising objections to a plan which is working with a planning brief that SBC agreed on back in 2013.

The story of Old Town traders in support of the Locarno does raise the evergreen subject of Old Town deeming itself worthy of special treatment when it comes to planning in comparison to the rest of the town and borough. Mr Talikowski calls for Old Town to have it's own masterplan. Old Town already has it's own section of the Swindon Masterplan (study area 5, page 177).

If we go down the route of sectioning off areas of town - the town centre, the Outlet and Old Town, we simply reinforce the entrenched view and attitude that an area has nothing to offer or complement the other and the nearly two centuries old turf war between Old Town and New Town continues.

For every mid to high end independent business in Old Town there are three in New Town. They might not all be high end and most may not be mid-range, but they're doing a thriving business paying far less rent than some of those up on the hill and reaping the rewards from their cheaper prices.

There are frequent and fast bus services up and down the hill, maybe a cultural exchange is needed between and Old and New Town?

And no, it's not 1841, but in some ways, it still feels like it is.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 310

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

10. I never thought I'd see the day when you'd admit that not only were you wrong, but also stupid.

9. All you do all the time is lie there.

8. I know why Davis thinks it's a bad idea, but I can't tell anyone, because then they'll know that he knows.

7. Fancy seeing you here, it's quite a posh bus to what you're use to isn't it?

6. They're having a conservatory put in, which is odd, as I thought they already had a conservatory put in last year, can you get them extended?

5. It's all gone down hill since they put that light-controlled junction in.

4. Just think what could be achieved with the right attitude and just a little bit of money.

3. I had noticed the way that she looks at him, it's so common.

2. For all the world you'd think that it was a secret of nuclear proportions, we're just going to throw a surprise party for them, no need for all this cloak and dagger stuff.

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

1. Well as you're aware, grandad is black.

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

Lawns, Locarno and Lib Dems

The tiny party of Lib Dems in Swindon appear to be fighting back from extinction with a good meaty topic - possible building of car parking spaces on the Lawns for the Locarno development.

However, far from filling with information, the Lid Dems have missed most of the meat from the bones of the story.

The proposed Locarno redevelopment includes, as most developments in Swindon have, a problem with car parking. One of the numerous possible options being explored is building some spaces on the Lawns. The Lib Dems give no further details of this plan, or of the others, but urge residents to make their opinions felt in the form of an online survey. This survey gives no further options, information, or facts about that plan or the alternatives.

This is the same Lib Dems who seem to miss the boat on planning matters as a point of course. Witness the campaigning on the crossing at Regent Circus (once it was finished), and the printing in leaflets of the wish to see the old Swindon College building turned into an art gallery (despite it being approved for other uses and the council favouring a site near the Wyvern). The Lib Dems were also surprised at a demolition at the rear of the building (the surprise was also expressed by the Civic Voice) which was part of the approved planning application.

Expect more heat being generated by the Swindon Lib Dems in the run-up to May, but as for light, there's only a few of them, so don't expect them to have enough bodies to turn both handles at once.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 309

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

10. I nearly got taken out by a bag for life.

9. If they were in tighter formation, it wouldn't be as much of an issue.

8. There's no culture there, they've only got a TK Maxx and a coffee shop.

7. It's no clever if Mary thinks she's some sort of saint at every possible opportunity.

6. Oh my god, did you get that Snapchat, worth more than all the money I've got in my pockets.

5. How much did you pay him for that weed?

4. These clothes are the best example I have of smart casual.

3. When he gets on let's give him a big round of applause.

2. My day started so many hours ago I'm no sure what day it is now.

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

1. If she puts her hands on me at all I shan't be responsible for slapping her across her face.

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

The Height Of Stupidity

If you're going to have a conflict of interest you might as well make it as big as possible with 2 full pages in a newspaper, 14 storeys of a tower block and a plan that has enraged an entire district of Swindon.

The Swindon Advertiser story on the hope-to-be-but-now-shelved development of the Adver offices on Victoria Road is easily the worst proposed development for Old Town in a generation.

The highlights included plonking a 14 storey tower block of flats within a few hundred years of Christ Church spire, blocks of flats that take no account of the local area's materials or character and a basic misunderstanding that Old Town is the "poor neighbour" of New Town.

Surprisingly, the developer has now withdrawn the plan and will go back to the drawing board. What's more surprising is that the Adver have given the full details of the shelving and have restated that they exist to report the news in a balanced and fair way. Journalistic integrity!

What would William Morris make of it?

Let's hope the revised plans are not simply something low-rise but equally out-of-character to the tower plan.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 308

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

10. I'm not going to drop everything just because you have a shower and say we're now going out.'

9. It can wait until tomorrow, nobody's going to notice that it's gone missing.

8. Keeping it inside his trousers is about as likely as me getting back to my 1992 weight.

7. Groundbreaking, no, it's just a sandwich.

6. That calculation is not what you'll get in the upper set in maths.

5. There's no possibility that the evening shift will just leave, is there?

4. Draw your own views, but they came into work holding hands yesterday.

3. Without the new automation system the place will close.

2. Mum, when I spoke to him he got air through me, air through me.

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

1. She's got some stupid idea about keeping all the stock stored offsite at a lockup, when head office hear, because I'm going to dob her in, she'll be out on her ear and I'll be your new manager.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 307

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

10. Worse of all there was Sue.

9. Can you remember who your gas supplier is?

8. They came to the door and I said the owner of the property was the Bank of China.

7. Our neighbour keeps coming and going at all hours, I'm not convinced there's not something strange going on.

6. The garden hasn't been touch for so long I can't see the rabbit hutch any more.

5. I say I'm an only child, I know I've got my brother, but please don't remind me.

4. Closure is not necessarily as easy as we might think.

3. I can supervise a huge event like that.

2. Try grabbing it with your leg and shoving it over to the side of the room.

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

1. It's far scarier, they made him wear denim and denim and he's never stopped raving about it.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 306

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

10. Just me and the cat pretending not to look at each other.

9. It protects it with no cover, so the draft keeps it from sticking.

8. You don't need any qualities to do the job, just turn up.

7. A lovely piece of classical music.

6. A sausage roll according to Mary is an evil that must be banished.

5. I already got two boxes of them cheap, now we've got nowhere to put them in the chest freezer.

4. You've got to see these pictures of the way she was dressed on Friday, it'll make you jump off the bus.

3. 27 years man and rude boy.

2. See that woman, she was the one that got me sacked, fair enough I had taken the money, but she was such a cow.

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

1. That's the driver I think is hot, don't you think?

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 305

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

10. It's a slipper slope, I've always said that, haven't I?

9. But there's no goodness in that at all, it's just sugar.

8. I wish I could be like her and her amazing house.

7. That was just for starters, I want you.

6. But that industry has all moved on, it's not like it use to be when you were running the division.

5. Martin thought I wouldn't mind despite not asking anyone else's opinion, or getting it signed off.

4. You need to learn how to keep time or it will never work.

3. We went to KFC first because we hadn't had a proper meal all day.

2. Brilliant, you will not regret what I've got planned for us.

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

1. I kept those shoulders pads for years afterwards, I just thought they might come back in, like ripped jeans.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 304

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

10. It'll be closer and more interesting than you think.

9. There's a lot of power in that office, but not much productivity.

8. She's been full-time, part-time, now she's got no time left.

7. Ganging up on people is never a good idea, unless you've got surface-to-air-missiles in your garden.

6. I got everything that I promised that I would do, so blame should not be coming my way.

5. The detail I was told turned out to be entirely wrong, but they based all their predictions on it.

4. You always under-promise and over-deliver, it makes you look like the dog's bollocks.

3. They're all on benefits, I could live like that and look people in the eye.

2. Keep your coat on, you're not going to be sitting down for very long.

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

1. In light of what happened last week, I don't think it's a good idea we keep seeing each other, it's just too hard on him.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last) Week ; 303

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

10. There are seven categories, but we have to reduce it before it becomes too much.

9. Come with me before I forget and no-longer care.

8. There was something attached to the end of it and no, I couldn't see it in the dark.

7. You need to be as helpful as you can.

6. Try using this one, it appears I'm doing better.

5. Look, it's over there, there!

4. No, it's a rolling attachment, I can come round in the morning and help you take it off.

3. I wonder whether you should bring Paul into this discussion.

2. It's a bit of a cliche, so I've heard.

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

1. I'm two minutes away, but we're waiting in traffic, so you really can't rely on that estimate.

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

The dismantling of Swindon 2 : Now they've come for our libraries

First it was leisure centres, then it was Lydiard, now it's the libraries.

The dismantling of Swindon's civic infrastructure has taken a frightening twist.

Swindon Borough Council wants to cut the budget for Swindon Libraries by 65% by 2020, and wants to save £300,000 in the next year. Eventually, it wants 14 of the 15 libraries to be run by volunteers, with the Central Library being the only SBC-funded library in the entire borough by 2020 (no doubt with less services in it than currently).

That's it. No other option, it would seem, is being entertained by SBC. 

Last year, Swindon Libraries loaned 1,013,108 books. That's 5 for every person in the borough.

Last year, Swindon Libraries had 1,049,172 people visit.

Out of 16 comparator authorities, Swindon Libraries came third for engaging with the public, placing Swindon 3rd for the number of active borrowers per 1,000 population.

Despite being a smaller library service, in the South West, Swindon Libraries is ranked 2nd for number of visits and 1st for the number of books issued.

Swindon Borough Councillors will talk endlessly about making the town better, about vague visions, aspirations and a town we can be proud of with a new museum and art gallery, a university, waves of private sector investment and a town centre that's nice to look at and be in.

Well here's a bit of our town that functions well, actually, better than well, excellently well when compared with library services in many other places and costs us each 3 pence a day. Yes, changes are needed, but cutting out a town's access to a high quality service that serves children, young families, students, the jobless, the socially isolated, the economically isolated, the geographically isolated, the uneducated, the education-hungry, the elderly, ethnic minorities, the poor, those with learning difficulties, those with dementia, the homeless, the new arrivals, visitors, those with low confidence but high hopes, the weak, the ill, the ambitious, the studious, the driven, the curious - the people of Swindon, is a cruel and cowardly act.

Who amongst our councillors will stand and fight against this and for all these people above? 

Do they have the guts? 

Because they certainly have the votes, because we elected them.

Our town's motto is 'Salubritas et Industria' translated as 'health and industry', a healthy town is an educated one, the Victorians knew that, but it appears Swindon Borough Council either doesn't understand it, or doesn't care. 

Maybe they need to visit a library for some help.