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.

That North Swindon Developers Monies In Full (Sort Of)

Something as boring and everyday as the minutes to a meeting can reveal the most extraordinary of things. In Swindon's case, this includes the whereabouts of the Section 106 monies from the developments in North Swindon.

The minutes from the Haydon Wick Parish Council Meeting of Tuesday 16th August confirm a few things ;

- The processes surrounding Section 106 monies are not transparent. From the negotiations, to the final amount, allocation and spending, the criteria employed and the ease of understanding is not that at all.

- The money originally due to be spent on the road to link the southern end of Thamesdown Drive with the Bruce Street Bridge area of Great Western Way has been reallocated to be used on the Great Western Way improvement work.

- The council seem to be keen to allocate money from developments that haven't happened, as point 56.1.2 shows, with regard to the Tadpole Development, keen to move the money out of the development area to somewhere else in Swindon.

- The £250,000 that was allocated for youth provision in Moredon, seems to have been lost.

Swindon Centric Says ; As much of the public space improvement in Swindon town centre is scheduled to take place under the use of Section 106 Monies, it seems like Swindon Borough Council needs to make it's process for negotiation, allocation and spending clearer, much, much clearer.

Which councillor will take up this baton? We're waiting...

Wi-Failed ; Company Founder Declares Bankruptcy

The twists in Swindon's dalliance into publicly-funded wi-fi takes a further twist with today's news that former Digital City (the company charged with rolling out a wi-fi mesh throughout Swindon Borough using public money) Director Rikki Hunt filed for bankruptcy on 8th of March this year.

Swindon Centric Says ; Millions of questions for Councillor Garry Perkins, the Director of Digital City now and at that time. Did he know and when did he know it? And the other 999,998 questions he should answer as well...

Top Ten Things Overheard On swindon's Buses Last Week ; 216

10. I love Ryvita so much, it's cracking.

9. There's only so many times you can watch a circling pigeon for entertainment.

8. Your use of the word perspicacity is intriguing to me.

7. I have the key and you've got the security code.

6. You seem sure of his guilt, he's not a looter you know?

5. A set of those scales were hidden behind a pillar, so I used them.

4. Why risk your livelihood when you could just dob in the prefect?

3. It tastes like something I recognise, but can't place.

2. He writes like a drunken JP.

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

1. Why are you so hostile to my breasts?

Spacious Station Forecourt Given The Right Away

Work on Swindon's railway station forecourt will start within a few weeks after contracts were signed on the £1.75 million scheme.

The plan will include a far-greater pedestrian space, smaller taxi rank, the return of the Jubilee Clock to the town centre after being cleaned and repaired and greenery.

Swindon Centric Says ; The amount of money is relatively small, but will make a big difference to one of Swindon's most important gateways, we'll keep you updated on the work.

Forward Swindon Makes Worthy Nod To Richard Jefferies Past

Swindon's literary son, Richard Jefferies is to gain a piece of long-overdue official appreciation on Monday in the form of something he would have been wholly in favour of, a footpath.

Led by our town's regeneration company, Forward Swindon, a simple footpath linking Coate Water with the Richard Jefferies will be formally opened by Mayor Ray Ballman.

The footpath is part of a longer-term plan to preserve, protect and promote the many links Swindon has with the author and naturalist, Richard Jefferies.

Swindon Says ; "I began to breathe a new air and to have a fresher aspiration..."