There was a blue flash (something going bang?) at an electrical substation in Moredon at 1 o'clock this morning, causing a power cut across various parts of the town.
Swindon Centric Says ; Something to liven up a quiet Sunday evening, no doubt!
Gentlemen, when did you last give up your seat on a crowded bus? Make it your task for this week.
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. Jaffa Cakes have practically nothing bad in them, it's what it said on a packet.
9. Look at the gorgeousness.
8. It's so full on here I think it might just explode.
7. I'm not a trained dog, I'm a Level 3 employee.
6. On the soul train, climb aboard!
5. Just let them all on, no tickets.
4. Such a childish outburst from someone who can't wear shoes with laces.
3. I've barely started on that thing you did with your hair.
2. What the hell does LMC stand for?
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. The film is just an excuse for uber comedians to make fun of stupid people and any other film is better than it, do not endorse it by garnering it with your attention.
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
Once Stagecoach in Swindon introduce their smartcards, let's hope Swindon's fashionistas make the way you carry your card the next big-thing for this autumn's season.
For those residents of Okus, your bus service is being changed again, but just by tweaking. The number 22 will now run to the very end of Okus Road and turn round at St. Helen's View. This change may be a result of feedback from passengers after the changes necessary due to funding cuts, small but may be significant for those passengers living at the far western end of Okus.
Any further possible changes to the bus service to Okus will have to wait to see how heavily debated the issue is at the next full council meeting.
Anyone who may have caught a Stagecoach bus since the beginning of the month will have noticed the new ticket machines they've fitted, which, most interestingly, have a 'touch in' facility for smartcards.
Due to the 'raising the roof' of the Mechanic's Institute, the usual route for services 1, 1A, 8, 13, 14, 19, 19A, 27, 29, 53, 54, 55 and 55A will change to be via Faringdon Road and Park Lane, rather than via Emlyn Square. That diversion starts from tomorrow (Monday 13th) and will be until further notice.
Swindon Centric Says ; Will Stagecoach soon be launching a smartcard ticket range in the town and will it be compatible and complimentary to that Network Card-branded system that's been in use for a while on Thamesdown?
The roof of the Mechanic's Institute is weak enough to be in danger of collapse and Friday's press release from Swindon Borough Council details the removal of the roof before that happens.
After much politicking in recent years, the announcement that the Council were to carry out the emergency repair work on the Mechanics had the feel of a sudden redemptive move by a drunk waking up the morning after. There was much throwing up of specially made banners and hoardings and portacabins and then... little visible work appeared to happen.
The fact the roof was about to fall on Swindon Commercial Services workers explains that.
In the intervening days and weeks between SCS moving in and today the full-extent of the works needed to be taken has become starkly clear to all involved. There seemed to be an attempt to soften the blow when the building's condition was given an interim assessment in this press release. No simple quick fix, photo-op and glory taking by councillors seems possible and thank goodness.
Swindon Centric Says ; The fate of this building represents perfectly the fate of Swindon Borough Council and it's ruling Conservative party. What outwardly seemed solid-enough clearly, after investigation, is dangerously in need of work before it collapses in on itself and showers everyone, councillors, council workers and locals with debris.
If this weekend's announcement of careful, painstaking dismantling and repair of the northern roof is followed through, this could just mark a brave (a word never used in politics, for it represents a true decision that can lead to political suicide for the people concerned) move that Swindon Borough Council's ruling executive needed to make.
Does today mark the day our Council finally chose to be a council?
Only the fate of the roof in Emlyn Square can be the marker for that (appropriately, it's currently covered in Conservative-blue plastic sheeting).
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. It wasn't separate then, and it worked perfectly well.
9. Preparations are progressing at a walking-through-toffee pace.
8. It's a turning point.
7. Impact-specific, time-sensitive projective achievements.
6. I'm not even supposed to be here, I'm a man on the run.
5. There's eight new ones, can't wait to cop them.
4. We were talking and the subject of your strange gait cropped up.
3. Pizza resembles something somebody's regurgitated.
2. You teach it, but you don't believe it.
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. You must be joking if you think I'm taking responsibility for that thing, put it AWAY!
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. I can't remember what name was used, but it included many f's.
9. Did you get that second insulting text as well?
8. I'm keen to see something, anything, involving cooking in that kitchen.
7. It was clear we're heading for Disney.
6. You need scatter-rugs and a personality.
5. Mixed, baked and thoroughly cheesed-off.
4. Get David, ask him, then go totally the other way.
3. Everyone can respond to.
2. Charlotte's not been seen since March, she could have been cut back, it's a long name badge to produce.
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. Pick it up, run with it, slow down, collapse, job done.
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. Go after him and see if he runs off.
9. Extend them to the top three percent and we could all have double-glazing.
8. It's a fourth plank, good looking, but ultimately useless.
7. Don't tell me fine dining involves anything you can microwave.
6. A fire tornado, aren't they being phased out?
5. It's the week after, then all things will become humdrum routine.
4. Finally to Liden.
3. You need a better excuse to not go than that.
2. Accept what was said, slash all his clothes and move on.
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. At least in Wales I know where I stand.
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. He didn't have a stich on.
9. They've never got anything in apart from biscuits, ready meals and an attitude.
8. It's articulated, like them buses.
7. Owned by the holding company, using the old name, managed by the Swiss.
6. I'm taking it all off for a 3rd time now.
5. It's a whole new World.
4. Even I fancy him and I'm not into the men.
3. Right now, it's happening, NOW!
2. Put that earpiece down and listen.
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. I'm speaking with the greatest of sincerity, but you're a boring git.
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
This scheme has all the shades of The Simpson's Monorail episode.
The open secret about the commercial success of Digital City's venture (using £450,000 of council money) has been confirmed by this article.
There are no paying customers for the business, those people in Highworth are only using the free one at present. The article gives the indication that Digital City haven't chosen to launch the pay service because of the problems encountered in Highworth (the hills and the lack of lamposts)
Swindon Centric Says ; "The name's Lanley, Lyle Lanley and I come before you good people today with an idea..."If Leonard Nimoy doesn't turn up soon, we'll not be happy.
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. It was right out in the countryside.
9. There was absolutely nothing special about it.
8. The open air, with a sniff of a gherkin for added spice.
7. Use the spotlight, then you can make it seem very worrying.
6. I've actually invaded your brain and implanted that idea, so I claim it for myself.
5. Bending and warped, I'm worried it might fall out of it's slot and ruin everything.
4. Get comfortable, I've got a story to tell you.
3. How does it work, do you have to hand your self-respect in at the door.
2. I'm worth perhaps 17 times more than her mid-level management babbleness.
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. The odds have strangely lined up in her favour, this never happens.
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
It would appear that the Swindon Advertiser has fallen out of love with the Swindon Conservatives. What was the straw that broke the camel's back? That most contentious of local stories, wheelie bins.
Coverage and comment was gathered from Councillor Derique Montaut (who a recent front page story headline seemed to be aimed at regarding critics of the wi-fi) to fellow Swindon Conservatives own Councillor Fionuala Foley (who was Council Deputy Leader, but stepped down), that spending the £30,000 to audit waste in dustcarts was a waste of money.
Swindon Centric Says ; A tip-of-the-hat to Charley Morgan for breaking the Adver's duck on critical coverage on Swindon Borough Council. As Chris Watts at Talk Swindon has said, the Pravda name applied to the paper may have just slipped after the response to the coverage by the Advertiser at the latest Cabinet Meeting.
A very welcomed comment in Karen Walker's (Chief Executive of the rebranded town regeneration agency, Forward Swindon) presentation to a Swindon Borough Council scrutiny meeting is the proposal to remove the white hoardings around vacant land and grassing over them for public use.
This idea was mentioned last year, but nothing came of it.
Swindon Centric Says ; A very small amount of money grassing over the empty plots of land in town would be a huge boost to just making the town centre look better. This could be done in a matter of weeks, this really is something that is so simple, there's no reason for it to not happen.
Today marks changes for several bus routes around Swindon, with Thamesdown's effected the most by subsidy cuts by Swindon Borough Council. The company has made great efforts to merge routes to lessen the difficulty for passengers.
One quiet and welcomed change is that from today also, Stagecoach in Swindon have returned their number 8 service to a half-hour frequency, according to notices on bus stops, due to 'customer feedback'.
Swindon Centric Says ; If services you use have been effected, please comment on how the changes have impacted on you, good or bad, after a couple of weeks, as, for Stagecoach passengers, it can have an effect.
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. I suspect he's really an arse.
9. Those reports need to be finished in the next 2 hours.
8. I guess he'll take the money out of petty cash and replace it with a mouldy banana.
7. This seat doesn't give you as good a view.
6. Tropical storm Clive is now approaching Broome Manor.
5. Not there, there.
4. I got you a timetable, under the cucumber.
3. Even Sarah wouldn't eat it, so it must have been bad.
2. We need to move forward on this.
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. We walked up it, cos I don't know when we'll be back, and who knows what'll happen in the future.
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. This is the end for all who use iPhones.
9. It was nearly four pounds, just for that.
8. There's litter everywhere, what is this, Gotham City?
7. Slow down, so who's Jacob and why can't she just choose one?
6. The label says I'm fully edible.
5. The last one you can catch before they swap over, 3 minutes.
4. I expect them to ask for more help once the next quarter begins.
3. Her she comes, looking like she gives a damn.
2. The money saved can be invested wisely, in shoes.
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. She doesn't want to disgrace herself before term starts.
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. Go make what you like.
9. There's no audience for it.
8. Who's stupid idea are we embarked on now?
7. I burnt my hand for the sake of love.
6. It's a very difficult thing to tag.
5. They made me weep, I weep at everything though.
4. This seat is for people with fat bottoms.
3. It tis rather widgety.
2. I demand calm, poise and reserve the right to scream at any time.
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. Fish fingers or chicken wings, can I just eat the box they come in?
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
Thamesdown Transport have released the details of the service changes to happen from the 25th of July after the cutting and withdrawing of funding by house builders and Swindon Borough Council.
A hero and a villain have clearly emerged from this news, through the combination of their respective actions and words.
Thamesdown Transport have pulled out the best of a bad bunch, with no total withdrawal of routes but merging and lengthening of those lacking subsidy plus frequency cuts.
Swindon Borough Council's clear favouritism for people to drive into the town centre was made public with the recent cut in town centre car parking charges, but has now been cemented by the comments made in the Swindon Advertiser story on the bus service cuts. In reference to the concessionary fare scheme for OAPs, this was said, "Swindon Council now has to spend between £300,000 and £400,000 a year to meet the cost of the scheme, which is money that could otherwise be used to fund other transport services."
Swindon Centric Says ; Is the £100,000 now not being given to Thamesdown Transport (among other operators) now to be used to prop-up the car-park charges cuts? The Council will happily cut those charges, but will not lobby to counteract the underfunding it admits it has suffered under the concessionary fares scheme.
This Council favours car drivers over bus passengers and this is now abundantly clear. We need to be thankful for Thamesdown Transport, which, ironically is a wholly-owned Swindon Borough Council company, but has shown in it's response to the cuts has far more local knowledge, consideration and care for it's passengers than the Council.
There is a large space of clear (Thamesdown-liveried) blue water between Thamesdown and Swindon Borough Council. Would that it were the same for other council-invested companies...
Swindon Centric has an update on the Living Wall (posted about back in May) that was planned as part of the Canal Walk redevelopment.
After a tip-off, administration behind the scenes is currently being concluded and then work can start.
Swindon Centric Says ; Thank you G for the tip-off on this growing story. Groan.... apologies... puns like that should be buried... and sorry again.
The rebranding of the New Swindon Company into Forward Swindon has also seen other changes with a new chief executive, who seems a tad shy of local media (well, the Swindon Advertiser, who seems sore that she didn't return their phone calls), but some interesting information can be gleaned from her coverage in the Financial Times.
The FT article and that of the Swindon Advertiser mainly just talks about the tax break and marketing opportunities that Forward Swindon plan to make of Swindon. Not much talk about bricks and mortar rebuilding work.
Swindon Centric Says ; As Komadori has pointed out, the effectiveness of this new appointment is questionable, given previous experience. Then again, quangos are pretty unanswerable to anyone, but surely the best hope for an organisation charged with helping to rebuild the town centre is to staff it with architects, town planners and local stakeholders who actually have local knowledge, use the town centre and know what's needed to make it functional, relevant and attractive.
If this piece of news (specifically the comment under the story) is to be believed, everyone's favourite wi-fi businessman may soon have a hand in the town centre regeneration. Then again, since the loan to Digital City started to roll after being signed off on a note earmarking the money for small business/town centre regeneration , thank god for the small mercy that the town centre is due to be the second place to get the wi-fi. After Highworth, which still isn't finished...
Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.
10. 15 buns for you and none for me.
9. Head across the pond.
8. He remained unmoved.
7. We'll have to wait and see what floats to the surface.
6. Bikers demand far more respect.
5. The University of Pompous Arses.
4. You should design yourself a way out of that hole you've dug.
3. Jacket potatoes, god I love them!
2. It's frightening, put it away.
And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...
1. A fresh pot of tea and a slice of cake for your pain.
Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.
