Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last) Week ; 336

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

10. Oh it's kept very clean in here.

9. No, that's my yogurt.

8. I think her really needs to think about what he needs when he thinks proper.

7. I thought she'd moved to Southampton, but she was sat in her garden with her feet in water.

6. If you keep moaning I'm just going to ignore you until we get home.

5. Lets keep it in perspective for once.

4. It's not a good idea, we all know it.

3. A generous amount of salt, then scrub it for all you're worth.

2. Keep your top on for goodness sake.

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

1. I beg you to keep it to yourself because if Sharon finds out, we're all for it.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 335

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

10. I was once mistaken for Vernon Kay, until I opened my mouth.'

9. It's stacked up again, I don't believe this, why don't they just take the lights away and let the roundabout just be a roundabout.

8. There's initials on the side of it, who's it by?

7. I saw you out the window, but you were busy shouting at Keith.

6. She was stood at the front door in her pyjamas.

5. Taking away all the rubbish from the loft means I can make it into a gym.

4. They put a fake beard on the dog, it looked just the same.

3. Pizza again, how unimaginative.

2. He's got a new album out, but it's being kept secret.

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

1. Bless you for caring and may the sun shine on you and the righteous.

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

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last (Last) Week ; 334

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

10. He vanished into the night.

9. It'll take ages before anyone realises.

8. There were eggs left, but they looked like they were on the turn.

7. We're now worth little to the customer after it all went online.

6. He got her to try eating it, which went down like a lead balloon.

5. They take contactless but only after I pointed out they had the software available.

4. 3 points were awarded, but it wasn't clear exactly what made them winners.

3. It's an example of bad service to the nth degree.

2. This is the start of an argument that has no end.

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

1. Stop it or I'll shove your shopping out the top window.

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

What State Is SEQOL In?

SEQOL are to hand over the running of adult healthcare to the GWH even earlier than planned, this is due to it's "challenging financial position and workforce challenges".

This is after the council meeting on SEQOL , which was made secret, that the press were asked to leave before it happened.

So how bad a state is SEQOL in?

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 333

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

10. It seems like an engine to growing up.

9. You end up going sideways with what's said.

8. Pokemon!

7. It was so hot I could feel the water in my drink boiling in my handbag.

6. There's nothing authentic about that hair colour.

5. Ken walked into the door, he kept on staring at his phone.

4. There's no change of direction, different day, same rubbish speak.

3. You do two years, then you move up to the next pay level, but you're always two years behind.

2. She's got no social skills, it's not her fault though, her parents were always 'different'.

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

1. No, that's not an ice cream van, they're selling vegetables.

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

Swindon Tories Fantastic Fiction Suppressed Staff Plan Plot Line Shock Reveal

The public meeting on the cuts to Swindon's Libraries saw the 'one library' and '4 library' plans kicked into a cocked-hat by the Swindon Borough Council libraries staff's own proposal.

The dictatorial 'we can only afford one library and you should be happy with that' option that's being offered around by Swindon's Tories like a mouldy sandwich is insulting and, arguably, barely legal when seen in the light of the Act that covers library provision.

The slightly less hard option of keeping four libraries in geographically spread-out areas of town makes much more sense.

However this still did make no mention of the vast elephant in the room, no library in east Swindon. The catchment area that Park Library serves is one of the most deprived in Swindon.

Went unchallenged, the one library and four library plan would have left Parks with no library in the area of town that needs it far more than anywhere else. This would have been a national disgrace.

However details of a Swindon Libraries staff proposal came out at the public meeting last night, that includes a library in Park North, and better hours than proposed in the one library and four libraries options.

At last, a glimmer of hope and sense. It's interesting that this proposal to include Park Library and better hours at the other remaining 4 (plus other bits, including a pause in imposing covering the cost of the business rates for the remaining libraries fully onto Swindon Libraries) has come from the library staff themselves.

You'd think that defending the interests of the elderly, the vulnerable, the poor, the jobless, the disabled, indeed the People of Swindon, would be carried out by the councillors of Swindon.

Instead it's being done by brow-beated Swindon Libraries staff, as Swindon's Tory councillors seem to have got their nose stuck in their fantasy novel where private companies run everything, pay for everything and all the poor people have vanished.

There has been no comment from SBC on the staff proposal, or indeed on the claims they have been sat on the staff proposal and not making it public whilst a public consultation is underway.

What a cliffhanger. 

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 332

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

10. It is the hub through which all life flows.

9. I get a real sense of what she's like as a manager, incapable.

8. You developed well, look at how tall you are my boy!

7. It's very simple question, did you sleep with her?

6. If Den told you that's where he's going to be, he's probably lying.

5. Just allow yourself to enjoy it for a change.

4. That encounter is not one i wish to repeat.

3. He roams from pub to pub looking for her.

2. I fear you've bought the wrong salad cream.

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

1. You're in better physical shape, I just had to say that.

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

A Mistaken Ringing Endorsement?

The news of a second community trust bid seems to have been very welcomed by Swindon Borough Council.

The comment in the Adver story from an SBC manager about the bid sounds a little bit like a ringing endorsement... “The staff management team, who have seen this right through from expression of interest to the bid, are absolutely delighted to be working with such a strong trustee board to secure a fantastic future for Lydiard.”

Surely SBC needs to be entirely impartial up until the choice of who will run it has finally been made?

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 331

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

10. Well that was a complete and utter failure, wasn't it?

9. It's a customer system, it should work for the customer, not for the accounting department.

8. You need to remember, I used to go out with her.

7. A pastie, now that is a lunch my friend.

6. No they are not my pants.

5. Claire reckoned she'd seen him back when we went to Bushies, back in the day.

4. Why don't we just get a pizza for a change?

3. He works in banking now, which is massively appropriate when you think about his attitude towards other people's money.

2. There's no law against it though, so where's the problem?

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

1. They said they weren't use to a man, it made an unexpected, but nice surprise.

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

Fag Packet Bus Consultation

The idea that at it's very core, bus services in Swindon operate for the poorest and most isolated in our town, is rapidly being rewritten when Swindon Borough Council withdraws all funding for supported bus services in the Borough. Chiseldon will get a double-hit.

The council wants to make Swindon's bus network fully commercial (95% of it already is) in the very near future. Let's be clear, there's no legal obligation to do this, Swindon Borough Council are choosing to not pay for support to those more lightly-used bus services.

So if you use 6, 7, 8, 9, 11A, 12, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 46, 46A, 48, 48A, 51, 65, 70A, 72A, 71 and 90, they will be either withdrawn, frequency cutback, route cutback, merged, or replaced with a BusLink service that will drop you somewhere to catch a commercial bus service for the rest of your journey.

There's a bus consultation that is open until 22nd August, and everyone who has an interest should fill it out. But as with all the other cuts SBC have or are about to make, there's an air of sad inevitability about it. It seems that Swindon, indeed the whole of the UK has cutback fatigue. 

So these buses will go, or change. And the poor, elderly, vulnerable and sick will suffer, simply because they don't drive or they live out in the sticks. How's that for achieving SBC's priority 4 of helping vulnerable adults and children?

The idea that a town as rich with corporate HQs, businesses, industrial plants and wealthy individuals cannot afford to run a bus service for the elderly is shameful and an embarrassment to Swindon.

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

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

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

9. Got that supplier to you for Thursday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HM-No!

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

Told you so!

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

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

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

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

9. A scotch egg, my what a surprise.

8. It's all about the Snapchat man.

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

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

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

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

3. The Earl of where?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Hold them in your hand like a giant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Thin End Of The Posh Wedge

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

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

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

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

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

10. It was a good little party.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So why was the council report and public survey prejudged?

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

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

Sorry, that bit's fantastic fiction.

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

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

10. You've got to identify your risks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. I will definitely drink to that my mate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. I didn't dare to expect it.

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

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

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

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

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

4. He's not representative of my views.

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

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

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

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

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