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.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 302

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

10. I'm staying true to myself and if he doesn't like that, then he can jog on my dear.

9. There's a gang of people after him, I don't know what the hell he's done but he better watch out.

8. He's desperate to let her know he's not with her anymore.

7. I'm going to ask the interview panel if they can really cope without me.

6. It's the element of surprise that he does really well in his movies.

5. It's raining again, you'd think there wasn't enough water for it to keep going like this.

4. He's got me all the details of Universal Credit, I don't understand it.

3. It's a ready-made lasagne and haddock pie, I might have both for tea.

2. I sold him my old phone and never detailed all the pictures on it, god knows what he thinks of what he's bound to find.

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

1. Two weeks booked in Greece, all-inclusive resort, I need to get a bikini and a spray tan before I go.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last) Week ; 301

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

10. Don't think Derek doesn't know the secret of what's all happening.

9. Am I right in thinking he keeps the money from the tea fund hidden in his desk.

8. He's been doing it for 27 years but no-one seems to have noticed.

7. I suppose if head office had known what they were doing we wouldn't be sat here at 2 o' clock.

6. They can't win, we've got no chance in this weather.

5. They want to go to Nandos and so do I.

4. An energy field, does that have anything to do with duel fuel?

3. Shell suits have never been a good idea.

2. It's very destructive.

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

1. Sam holds together his phone with sellotape, so I really wouldn't rely on him if I were you.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 300

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

10. Whatever chance you thought you had with her has now gone a long way into the distant horizon.

9. Is it difficult to remember why you originally set the business up?

8. That road is so crappy, everyone parks illegally and nothing has ever been done about it.

7. She started working with me on Saturdays, then became a supervisor, now she thinks she's Lay bloody muck.

6. As a kid it was obvious he wasn't real.

5. We're booking for Marbella, absolutely love it, been there three times a year since 2005.

4. I can't stand looking at yet another salad if I'm honest.

3. She didn't start to walk until Carrie finally left her alone to do it, instead of being dragged up on her arms and trying to get her legs to take the weight.

2. It's nearly at 300 now, now onto 600.

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

1. Judging by the number of people that went to that meeting, the councillors who think doing this to Lydiard is a good idea couldn't be more out of touch if they were dead.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last) Week ; 299

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

10. Keeping it to yourself is not going to help, if I was in the same position I'd reveal it to all.

9. Did you get that top in the end, or did they only have it in lemon?

8. If you'd asked for more you might have got more, you've just got to take a chance some times and ask.

7. This bus always smells of weed.

6. They closed the road last week and didn't put any signs up, I spent 20 minutes working out where I was allowed to park.

5. But no-one likes January, it's like the nasty step-child of the months of the year.

4. He could have made it so easy for himself and said no to going out with her, but oh no, he went along with it. he's far too easily swayed.

3. Everyone I know that goes running listens to the Rocky theme when they do it.

2. There's a diet I got told about that's been banned by the teachers.

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

1. Clive mentioned something about his wife and then, abracadabra, he's getting a divorce.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last, Last) Week ; 298

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

10. He could see me with that shine, it was quite something.

9. Sandra kept herself quiet after seeing what the accounts team building had achieved in 10 minutes.

8. They want to move us from Level 4 to Level 3 and rent out the floor to some storage company.

7. She's got no shame, they've still got their Christmas tree up.

6. Kate said they'd cut down on their drinking, but that only brings them nearly to average for their weekly intake.

5. It was an amazing year if you take it all in all.

4. Forgetting where they were it was obvious that they don't go out very often.

3. I laughed so hard I started coughing and couldn't stop.

2. If he does insist on wearing those trousers then he deserves everything that's coming to him.

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

1. Living like the 1980s isn't going to help him get in touch with his feminine side.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 297

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

10. There was a skate park right over the back when we were little, great it was, lost my knees there.

9. They've cut down all the trees, so Mark's back garden is now bare for all the world to see.

8. I'm not surprised you got stuck in traffic, that load should have had an escort at this time of year.

7. We never have turkey, we always have fish.

6. You could feel the whole building moving, I told him to turn it right down, which he did eventually.

5. If she put just a small amount more into what she did, then there would be so much more to see.

4. This top is already coming apart and I've had it on two days.

3. Don't let Nate keep you from trying out for it, besides if you don't get it, he'll never know.

2. It was 3am and I still had the same two things rattling around in my head.

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

1. He got a pair of socks, and a small model of Elvis, he was much happier with that than anyone thought he'd be.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 296

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

10. We went onto talking about his operation, but there was no showing of scars.

9. Back in the 1950s he was the only one in southern england you could buy it from illegally.

8. The Smiths are from Croatia originally, but they changed their name.

7. I was reading a few days ago about how much we'll spend on rubbish this Christmas, it's disgusting.

6. Too bad you didn't get two of them, then Trish could have given one to Sharon as well.

5. It's on Twitter, the whole conversation, with all the swearing and bitching, I'v copied and pasted it to it's saved forever.

4. He'll more than likely get me a crappy gift card for a shop that we don't have one in town of for me to go in.

3. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's bad, I just want something better to watch on Christmas Day.

2. It keeps being mentioned about Christmas jumpers, when did Christmas have to make everything, from sprouts, to jumpers and turkeys all ironic? It's like trendy people have just started getting involved in it.

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

1. I'm getting everyone small bottles of miniatures for Christmas, then pouring them into full-sized empties to show them what they're missing.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 295

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

10. The smell drifted over the top of her cubicle, lord you could smell everything.

9. That was so beautiful.

8. I got some stuff in the cheap shop then realised I could get it cheaper in Tesco.

7. She claims that Katey speaks French, but she only knows about f things.

6. They went out for drinks, then found out that they should have been in the bar next door and decided to not tell anybody.

5. Neil just will not shut up about it all.

4. We booked the table for 7.30 and people had been out drinking since 4, it was a disaster.

3. I worked 12 hours only to find out he'd done no shopping, cleaning or made anything for tea, I totally lost it.

2. Shampoo, facewash, a new toothbrush and a little nail file.

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

1. They want to sell Lydiard, cunts.

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

The dismantling of Swindon : Ideological agenda rears it's head at Lydiard

The twists and turns of councillors and SBC officers shows up the Lydiard House and Park sell-off for what it is : a crude and quick exercise in accountancy driven by a ideological political agenda to dismantle Swindon's civic infrastructure while using the smoke and mirrors to cover your arse as you go.

The claims that the subsidy for Lydiard 'cannot carry on' is not an absolute carved in stone. It's simply  a local extension of national government policy for reducing the size of the state for political ideology.

The Conservatives lay the cause for this austerity and permanent reduction in the size of the state at the door of Labour for overspending massively when in power. Never mind that the majority of money was spent bailing out the banks in the later years to keep the financial system from collapsing in on itself and dragging the economy down. Despite this being fact, Labour have never, since even in the run-up to the 2010 election, been able to get that across to the electorate in any measurable amount.

Certain SBC assets and projects seem to still be happily on the balance sheet at having subsidy thrown at them, the Whalebridge Car Park, STEAM, the art gallery rebuild project, Forward Swindon and more.

SBC is now simply an accounting exercise, how much can be sold off and assets-stripped, or handed over to parish councils.

And Lydiard? Well SBC cannot now confirm that a sell-off would not see restricted public use of the park, and why? Because no matter what's been said prior, if someone wades in and waves enough money, SBC will sing like a canary.

None of this is being done for the greater good, it's being done by a ruling party hell-bent on reducing the size of local government because it positively salivates at the thought of the private sector doing everything in town.

The only two hopes :

- That the local Labour party come out with all guns blazing and defend it to the bitter end, that this is the ultimate line in Swindon's sands. Turn up the volume Swindon Labour and draft in some big names.

- People power, start by signing the petition.

Swindon needs leaders of vision, a council of high ideals, not politically ideological monkeys in suits pretending to play monopoly with the very civic fabric of our town.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 294

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

10. Remember it doesn't matter what you say, it's how you act.

9. Her lasagne was so big, she had to ask for another plate.

8. It goes the full length of the kitchen and ends just where the bins are.

7. I expected more from Tina considering she's on her final warning.

6. It's not quite as firm as yours, but we've always been different.

5. On the radar of things we're dealing with it's high priority.

4. He gets paid on Thursday, we're going shopping on Saturday, and I'm angling for that overtime in the next few days.

3. The promotion will be carried out by a team of people that come down from Cardiff for the day.

2. You end up with coffee cups all over and it just looks so trashy.

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

1. Why do we call ginger biscuits and ginger cake both gingerbread when they're both clearly not bread?

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 293

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10. I'm just trying to show how I can make it different for the same price.

9. Debs said if you went into Debenhams you'll get a far bigger range of sizes.

8. It'll be a relief to not go home again.

7. At lunch she just sat there and said nothing to anyone from her department.

6. Well this isn't the actual route it takes, it's just temporary for a while.

5. We're not keen on the idea as we have the dog for 3 days a week.

4. They upgraded the flight, so we now leave at 4am rather than 11am.

3. Sharing for more than a couple of days has really shown the strain we've got between it.

2. I've four of them over the months and each one has lasted just longer than the previous one, but they're so cheap you can't really argue with them.

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

1. You need to get up very early to get the better of me sonny boy.

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

Bruce Street Bungle - peak time over night time right time

Avoid Bruce Street Bridges today if you value your sanity!

Swindon Borough Council has given this stellar advice, as the rebuilding work today sees resurfacing happening. This will mean only two lanes available at evening peak time and long delays during the day.

As Network Rail gets on with it's work at Stratton Green Bridge, why didn't SBC schedule the work over a very small number of nights? This happens in other parts of the world, but somehow, the least disruptive option for road users (the night time noise to local residents would be regrettable, but if it could shorten the delays they suffer day after day, it could be welcomed) is the one that has not been taken up for this work.

Maybe SBC needs to up it's skill and knowledge levels for projects like this, as it seems the residents have better ideas as to how to carry out the work than they do.

Less is more in the great Lydiard sell-off

The latest twist in the tale of the fate of Lydiard House and Park has seen Swindon Borough Council caught out by their own figures.

£450,000 is the annual subsidy that's been given recently that is spent on Lydiard. It has since come to light that Lydiard and Steam's subsidy crosses over with regard to some of the staff, so the figure is not correct. The error appeared so glaring that even Councillor Garry Perkins has asked for clarification as to what makes up the £450,000 from the Lydiard and Steam parts of the pot.

And just yesterday, SBC Council Leader, David Renard has said Lydiard is not for sale.

But you can bet at the very long-term lease least that will result will be a lease. Swindon's recent experience of leases has seen control of what's provided at the Link Centre lost due to the operator running it being under no restrictions on what facilities they have to provide.

Could a similar situation at Lydiard see residents lose free access to the Park?

Meanwhile, it'd be interesting to find out how much Steam is subsidised and the cost of the failed bid for lottery money for the Old Town museum (which it seems, if a future bid were successful, SBC would continue to subsidise the museum, which no doubt would increase due to being in a new and bigger premises).

On the one hand, we have SBC committing to continuing subsidy for the museum and art gallery and to it at new premises (which would no doubt be an increased size of subsidy), but wanting to reduce and eliminate the subsidy for a current highly-regarded public attraction.

Cutting subsidy to what we currently have and at the same time committing subsidy to something we may never get.

That's orange-painted logic for Swindon.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 292

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

10. We'll have to give him a big surprise.

9. How does it feel though for someone of her age and position?

8. I don't know what Debbie's going to do, but she better do it fast.

7. There's going to be a huge gap between them both if they move that quickly.

6. You have to look really closely, but I'm at he back next to Janice.

5. It was done deliberately, you can tell by the tone of voice, it was so sneering.

4. Take away a privilege to show just how much of a problem it's become.

3. It's been worked out that the amount you pay in is exactly the same you get out, it's been a con.

2. The apples looked past it, I bought more bananas than normal instead.

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

1. She stood for the whole hour and did nothing, she got prompted twice to do what she should have been doing all along.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 291

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

10. Do you know who he use to go out with?

9. Keep it to yourself until we know for certain that Kirsty is going to apply.

8. Can you make a little less noise, everyone doesn't want to hear your language.

7. Here, put your hand on this.

6. It's not exactly dangerous though is it, I mean everyone wouldn't do it otherwise.

5. You've taken what she's said literally and that's not right at all.

4. She was going on about that being the night of their works do and now she's claiming she can't go.

3. It's like any excuse to not get involved, then just ends up moaning that there's nothing to do.

2. He's got about 5 different jobs, none of which he particularly likes.

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

1. If you want equality you've got to remember it goes both ways and don't be surprised when something you didn't account for gets flagged up.

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

Swindon Parish Push Via the Small Print

Hidden in the small print of tomorrow's Council meeting, is a step to allow unlimited officer time to research and talk to the public about the view of Swindon Borough Council to push the 'need' for Parish Councils on the entire Borough's residents.

Very democratic, very vibrant, very fair?

None of the above!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 290

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

10. You know nothing about what's been going on.

9. It's for you to make it clear to him that that is what you want.

8. They gave you ten minutes them realised they hadn't checked the time for over half an hour.

7. The questions weren't that difficult, but they wanted you to give quite long explanations.

6. I'd keep all of the paint on that wall, then put the paper on the one nearest the door with gold strips.

5. We have to choose one damp field over another damp field.

4. She keeps being surprised that people don't want to keep giving her free publicity over and over again.

3. Keep in mind though that she'd always complaining how we never do anything with her and when we do she's really unsociable.

2. My throat feels like the plot of a real bad film, rough and uncomfortable.

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

1. He's worth minions and minions.

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

Conservatives to Sell Swindon's Soul - all bids welcome

The ownership, access, and future of Swindon's crowning glory, Lydiard Park and House, is now clearly in the sights of Swindon Borough Council.

Despite assurances pre-election that the future of Lydiard Park and House was secure, of course, that wasn't the case.

As reported by the Swindon Adver, and here, it was clear that the Council's documentation showed that there was a recommendation to carry-out market testing in March 2014, at the same time as Swindon Conservatives denied there were any plans.

Now there appears to be a similiar fog, in whether the public will still have free access to the parkland, regardless of who runs the park and house day-to-day. 

The house and park were purchased due to the foresight of Town Clerk David Murray John for the people of the town, to go back on this and charge people to enter the park would be like selling part of the very soul of Swindon.

Plus, have any councillors or officers thought that if access is restricted to the parkland, then you can wave goodbye to the inclusion of the park's open space in the official figures?

In one move, SBC could reduce the level of public open space of an entire town, making the town's environs a worse place to live.

No doubt, they would then investigate investing a huge amount of money in building one of some fields.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 289

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

10. I've seen you stuck in a lot worse positions than that.

9. We need to show it's evil really.

8. Can you stop him from barking, because every single morning it's the same.

7. I wonder if Sandy got a date in the end.

6. I thought she'd be home by now but she's not there.

5. Please don't put your hand on my leg, this is the last time I'm going to tell you.

4. Let's remember why we're all there though.

3. It'll be nice if we can do it again, but maybe with less spaghetti next time.

2. It doesn't matter what colour the inside is, so long as it's got white on it.

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

1. I'm going to buy a bottle of wkd40.

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

The law of diminishing complaints

Swindon Borough Council is currently slapping itself on the back for the reduction in complaints it's received.

At no point does anyone make reference to the reduction in the size of the council and that implication in the figures.

Pretty much it'll be complaint free, with just one person answering a phone (part-time only of course).

The Grade II* Elephant in the Room

Swindon Borough Council is making more positive noises about the Mechanics' Institute than for a while.

They have once again made it very clear that there is no SBC money to buy it, restore it, or run it.

However the Mechanics' Trust still keeps banging the drum for it being a community-owned and community-operated use.

That's okay then, the thousands of members of the Trust and the vast coffers they've swelled at the Trust, will support their plans.

So how many members and how much money does the always very-vocal Mechanics' Trust has backing them up?

Gone a bit Wonga

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson really isn't having a good time of it at the moment.

Last week it was reported that he had broken parliamentary rules after sharing a draft confidential report with Wonga.

Now the Daily Mirror has reported that references to Wonga have been removed/edited from a four year-old post from his website detailing his success in securing a sponsorship deal for Swindon Supermarine with the payday lender.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing, but the chairman of Supermarine is seething, and quite rightly, at the tone of the article.

Bruce Street Bungle

Have the roadworks at Bruce Street Bridges become a textbook example of how not to do a medium-scale road project.

Yes, and there's lots of evidence to support it.

Swindoncentric has reason to traverser the Bruce Street Bridges nearly every day, often multiple times and at differing times of traffic levels. The Work, on paper sounds pretty straightforward, the removal of the four mini roundabouts and the construction of one main roundabout, with associated pedestrian access. The road has to remain open as the work happens. Difficult? Certainly. Impossible? Not at all.

Delays have been so bad that Thamesdown Transport have had to divert their cross-town services 13 and 14 at some times to avoid crossing Bruce Street bridges from Rodbourne Cheney to Rodbourne (instead diverting along Great Western Way) and have also, in the medium term, altered the 13 and 14 routes to go via Shepperd Street and Station Road rather than the preferred Farnsby Street/Commercial Road and Regent Circus route. The unpredictability of delays caused by the work at Bruce Street Bridges means the timetable is not robust to continue on the Regent Circus route until the work is completed.

Paving or kerb work that had been laid several weeks ago in the morning was witnessed being taken up later that day by the contractors on site. For such an important project, there does not seem to be a large number of contractors on site when you pass by. A report to Swindoncentric was that 5 contractors left the site recently over frustrations of the management of the work they were doing.

Meanwhile, the work was schedule to finish 'October 2015', so there are a few days left to live in hope. Though it will overrun, until March it is believed. Businesses who have the work happening on their doorsteps were given short shrift by Councillor Heenan in last week's Adver when they dared to ask for compensation.

The ticking bomb is exactly how the effect of the closure of Stratton Green Bridge in a few weeks by Network Rail will add to the problems caused to traffic by Bruce Street Bridges. Councillor Heenan assures us that it will be ticketty-boo, so that's alright then. Councillor Heenan also said one of the reasons for the delays had been the amount of unexpected pipes and cables beneath the Bruce Street Bridges site. That seems to be par-for-the-course on most work sites, so it's baffling why this wasn't factored in by even the most basic risk analysis.

It'll be interesting to see a breakdown of the predicted costs of the work and the actual costs of the work afterwards to compare. But we'll have to wait for the work to finish first before that can be done.

And that will be....?

Swindoncentric looks forward to more innovative and vibrant ways that the rest of Great Western Way will be changed and resurfaced in the near future.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 288

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

10. So I Snapchatted Casey and oh my God, he knows all about it.

9. He'd never caught the bus that far before and was a bit worried if there were any back.

8. Don't think that the boss doesn't know what we've been doing, he's waiting for the best moment to tell us both.

7. Hayley thinks she'll lose that weight by December, she's got a big job on her hands.

6. I remember that song playing in the pub and the snowing coming down and being so happy.

5. She can't be dead though, what are they going to do for the rest of the series?

4. It's unusual to think we use to go out, then Daniel came along.

3. Did he ever return those kettlebells to you?

2. He's a confident little twat, wrongly no-doubt.

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

1. I've got 2 more return trips on this, then, I'm off and nothing's going to stop me!

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

Save the clock tower!

Guess Who?

With Swindon Borough Council CEO Gavin Jones leaving the post in January, the question now is, who will succeed him?

Will it be someone parachuted in from outside, or will SBC promote one of their own (a head of a board, or commissioner?).

One thing is certain, the 'rebuilding' of SBC that Jones is said to have oversaw (which also saw the privatisation of Swindon Commercial Services, and then, the un-privatisation of SCS, bringing it back into SBC before the paint was dry on the new logos, to save money, then bits of Capita that were brought back in-house by SBC, and, of course, the massively successful vanishing of £400,000 in the failed wi-fi Digital City project) will be ready for the the new boss to oversee the dismantling of SBC with it's proposed parish plan.

So who will it be?

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 287

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

10. I haven't watched it for a while, it's good though.

9. Chicken or beef?

8. Me and my boyfriend dressed up as a T.A.R.D.I.S.

7. I hear that they allow you to get your bits out in front of the crowd, but you can't touch yourself.

6. I've got the third album, downloaded the fifth but have no wish to even hear the fourth.

5. It's not just a part of your foot, it's a medical condition.

4. She was going to make a cake, but then thought better of it and let Tesco take care of it to avoid crying children.

3. No, it doesn't fit under the bridge, you have to go down and round first.

2. They brought me back a t-shirt saying 'it's all geek to me'.

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

1. I bought poppadoms, but they gave me two for free anyway.

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

Poverty Stalks Swindon - But We're Better Than Average

A new national report on poverty deprivation shows the following summary details about Swindon :

• Swindon has less poverty than the national average.

• Relative poverty levels haven't changed much since 2010.

• The most deprived area in Swindon is Penhill and Upper Stratton ward.

• Swindon's relative poverty is most severe in the areas of education, skills and training.

All of this can be addressed in one fell swoop with a University of Swindon (or a a substantial regional partnership campus for another name).

Swindon Borough Council is trying to make it happen.

We need an all-out effort by everyone, SBC, MPs, heads of business, teachers and lecturers and the people of Swindon.

The Conservatives seem be rebranding themselves 'blue collar tories', maybe a populace with low levels of education, skills and training is easier politically to manage than that of the alternative?

Any population with low levels of education, skills and training will be better to handle from a politicians point of view, an educated town is a powerful town with informed residents who will challenge it's councillors and MPs.

Now that really would be a town of salubrious et industria.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 286

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

10. Happily married for longer than the last two wives.

9. Stubborn and more lazy just as you'd think.

8. They couldn't have made a better choice if they're after no imagination at all in their strategy.

7. The film made it out that there was more about her character, but she just seemed to spend the whole time weeping.

6. I didn't mean to offend.

5. Oh my days, he was walking around with it stuck on him all evening.

4. What do you think he would say if he knew about us?

3. We're on time and Sally won't expect this at all.

2. All he's ever tried to do is try to help you.

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

1. You'll end up on Spice, collapsed in a doorway night after night if you carry on.

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

From a Rotten Borough to Rotten Parishes

The proposals by Swindon Borough Council to create parish councils to cover the entirety of the Borough of Swindon should be exposed for the rotten idea it is.

After the regular rises of council tax by the Labour administration, the Conservatives in Swindon have made constant political capital ever since that they have not raised council tax since 2010.

The ever increasing (and shifting) demands on SBC, namely adult social care, make this 'no increase ever' position, look increasingly at odds with helping those most in need.

Rather than bite the bullet and be brave enough to admit that being responsible means paying a bit more, SBC has proposed to hive off most local authority jobs to new parish councils, allowing them to be seen as the bad guys, with the separate cost of the parish handily itemised in the SBC council tax bill.

The result? SBC continues to 'operate' (but what will it be left to do?) at 0% increase in council tax, therefore allowing Swindon Tories to save face (and campaign on it in future elections), whilst being seen to give power back to more 'responsive' parish councils (because if they're small, they must be effective right? Because in the true-blue handbook, small is beautiful, especially when talking about government). The parish councils, which will no doubt be campaigned for and possibly filled by Labour, seen as one step by them to regain control of SBC, who will then take all the flak and blame for the increase in council tax to pay for the new parishes.

In one perfect move, Swindon's Tories are seen to give power back in a micro-devolution, whilst making Swindon Labour shoulder the rise in council tax to pay for the parishes and at the same time, getting a load of SBC services off 'their' books.

Are Swindon Tories about to oversee the final dismantling of Swindon Borough Council? Seems so, and they're going to get Labour to pay for it!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 285

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

10. It'll ruin the aesthetic.

9. I know you love danger.

8. This is totally you, this hat.

7. There's only salads, nothing else.

6. Before we think about anything else, I'm so excited about this weekend.

5. If you can just calm down for a minute, I'll see if I can help you.

4. That's such a nasty thing to do, did you not see this coming with your amazing foresight?

3. I think I'd remember having a boyfriend like that.

2. I like a surprise, but not when there's a shock.

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

1. I'm having this baby and I don't care if people don't know about it, do you get me?

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

An insight into Swindon's buses

Here's the details of a presentation that Paul Jenkins, head of Thamesdown Transport gave to Swindon Older People's Forum back in January.

It gives an insight into how the town's buses run the way they do and why.