BBC report labels Swindon as 'town going nowhere fast' (From Swindon Advertiser)

Someone who knows all about going nowhere fast is B'Anne'dwaggon Snelgrove.

Her popularity ratings in Swindon are now so low that she would have to go potholing to catch sight of them.

She says she is worried about people over the age of 50 finding it had to get work. Obviously she is thinking about her employment chances as a 53 year old when Gordon Brown's corrupt and useless government finally crashes and burns next year.

I have no doubt that she will qualify for a job that suits her talents and abilities, but she may not want to work as a dustman!

Unfortunately, Swindon has been caught out badly by Gordon Brown's recession and has actually gone backwards.

So mmany sites have been closed down and white fenced (with no genuine sign of redevelopment on the horizon), retailers are leaving town with nobody likely to fill the void, flats/apartments and housing developments are left half-finished or abandoned before start and still the council have scuppered certain progress (the old Mecca Bingo Hall and driving Waitrose away for starters).

If we're positive about things, this *was*, possibly, a town on the brink of starting to go somewhere.

However, with major employers cutting hours and thousands losing their jobs completely, it's not only hard to see how things are going to get moving again, but it's not easy to see how anyone's going to be able to stop the backward regression.

Mind you, it's been clear for years that we can't expect Wills or Snelgrove to help in any way - so let's just hope that the council buck their ideas up and stop putting obstacles in the way of those who do actually want to come to Swindon and open up here. Frankly, they should be begging them, not hindering them.

Big Mac--although Swindon is ideally placed in many eyes to attract industry or business as succesive Councils it lacks vision from our council and our MPs who are in it for their own means. Major employers pulling out is not new. Massive housing developments--for what? Families moving here for jobs? Empty buildings on trading estates everywhere--empty office blocks. Very few or inadequate sport or recreation sites. Theatres and concert facilities are pathetic. Schools that under perform--declining services. We lost the original market--moved the traders to brunel centre--moved them then to the tented market--now closed--now they are moving on the street traders which has been a way of life for centuries. Most car manufacturers worldwide are facing a downturn and will never fully recover. Motoring is not such a pleasure these days due to high costs and taxation on everything related--in adequate parking facilities and higher pollution via cars touring to find a space. Ah not for our council employees though. It seems council policy is to allow workers to take the large vans home to block parking spaces--goodee that allows another resident to get a parking ticket because they cant find a place to park. Blame the public for voting in negative thinking councillors.

Mark Easton, the BBC’s home editor.Said:


The town’s biggest private employer, Honda, has stopped production for four months.

This could be four months and two
weeks.Why. Because Honda will bring
forward the two week shutdown to
run concurrently with the shut down

Sorry i forgot to add--someone said Swindon can do--have done in the past--yes--1 step forward 3 steps backward. A town with little notable past and no future. Hey how about our angels of mercy the nurses who arrive at work to find there are no parking spaces for them and have to park in the public pay and display areas and even when they have parking permits the COUNCIL tickets them and of course the public that park in staff spaces.

Honda--yes more to come from there yet as it will not end there--could it be production will end up in China?

itsamess, swindon says:

It seems council policy is to allow workers to take the large vans home to block parking spaces-

I quite agree.But Its not just
Council vehicles,Its traders as well. Rodbourne Streets now look
like trading estates.Large white
vans-lorries,and various other
trade vehicles all parked in the side Streets/Roads.Some even park
overhanging junctions,making it
impossible to see whats approching.
Perhaps our Inept Council could
waste more money on a feesability
study to sort this problem out
befor we are all forced to park in the middle of the Road each night.

totally agree mate--but perhaps they should all park outside of councillor smalls house as there are no double yellows there. A great example is the Jennings St entrance where cars park almost up to the junction whilst in the pub making it difficult to exit Rodbourne Rd to Jennings--but dont forget the traffic wardens can only be bothered to ticket residents vehicles between 6am to 7-30am--or after 5pm when the workers are home. It is still law that vehicles must not park within so many yards from a junction--and any commercial vehicle that requires an operators licence must be parked overnight at its operating base.

Ask your Councillor to look into this--but dont be surprised if you dont get any response--he is too busy on all his commitees and board memberships to be bothered by it all.Or dont you know thar BWB

According to data from the Office for National Statistics and the British Social Attitudes Survey, Swindon is the most average town in Britain.(Society Guardian,3-12-08.

Dylan Jones, editor of GQ magazine remarked that,
"In all its pebbledash and anaglypta glory, it (Swindon) has to be the ugliest town in England"

It is so easy to knock the town, as did Anne Robinson , in her Weakest Link programme, asking a contestant from the town if it was true that all Swindon people were grossly overweight?

itsamess, swindon says...
12:35pm Sun 25 Jan 09
"A town with little notable past and no future........"

Swindon has a very notable history, much of it being recognised internationally. Unfortunately most of it has been undermined, by consecutive councils, in favour of tacky developments.
Undermining the town's history in such a bigoted way will ultimately cause the town to be devoid of character, and thus going nowhere.
I expect we'll have another "Swindon / Proud" campaign soon.
It's about time SBC took a step back at what the town has historically achieved, took an interest in preserving it, and then consider how any "regeneration" might actually enhance the town. This does not include a narro minded, blinkered policy, of "more flats" and demolition of heritage

Lets face it folks we dont have a council for the people for a very long time and getting progressively worse since they became paid members. Former leaders even sit on regional commitees making decisions forced on our council. Those that remember the debacle of the brunel centre sale and the public consultation on what we wanted most from those funds--most of which went to support the pension funds of council workers--the rest--no one seems to know where that went. Now once again we have a similar problem as we go into recession and beyond--equal pay-wow has this council been taking on women because they are cheaper--or have less knowledge than the men--now i always though a good employer selects the best worker for the job rather than taking on two lesser paid workers to do the job--a bit like taking the engine out of a car and getting someone to tow them to work every day. Someone forgot to update information etc--wow lets hope they forget to increase council tax--or forget to give the councillors another pay rise. I am not sure why we need so many councillors anyway as all the decisions are made for them anyway.We lost the railways and slowly destroyed the history behind it piece by piece--lost the canals and its vast history--the final insult--build houses on the site. I can see Honda and BMW pulling out in the future. Lets face it our council could not even put up an xmas tree--or decorate it.--What hope is there?

I have to laugh at some of these comments (again). It's another stupid sensationalised story from the Adver and as usual the gloom merchants come out of the woodwork to post on here claiming Swindon is such a sh** hole. Swindon certainly isn't the best town to live in but then again it certainly isn't the worst. What makes Swindon look a run down place and gives it a bad name are the countless people who seem to live here and hate the place, well move somewhere else then I say.
Swindon used to be a town where most people were born here and had families here, yet now it seems to be a town where there are too many people who come here, earn a good living from their job they moved here for, yet do nothing but slag the town off.
Swindon is a good place to live, it's the people who slag it off, have no interest improving it and the complete and utter incompetence of our council to carry through good ideas which makes this town a laughing stock.
Maybe instead of moaning on forums about how the Town is going downhill and is nothing but a hell hole, people should get off their backsides and do something which would benefit the town and see it a better place.
It's the negative thinkers who don't seem to give two hoots for this town that are bringing it down.
Do something to improve things or sod off to another town.

*Round of applause for Oldtownresident*

Number One Negative Thinker - BOBFM - still basking in the glory of winning South-East Mr Knobbly Knees Regional Championship, 1972.

Casual Observer wrote:
*Round of applause for Oldtownresident*

Number One Negative Thinker - BOBFM - still basking in the glory of winning South-East Mr Knobbly Knees Regional Championship, 1972.

I'll agree with Oldtownresident as well.

Incidentally, and not a lot of people know this, I think Bob went one better in 1973 and actually won the National title. I believe he then represented the UK in Europe and was narrowly beaten by a one legged French tap dancer in the finals.

Pop along to the Carpenters and enjoy a pint of his excellent 3B's and he'll tell you all about it as you stand and admire the trophies displayed behind the bar.

hahaha - actually, I already have had a pint in there, not a big fan of Arkells though...

..as the old saying goes, 'if the bottom's fallen out of your world, drink Arkells and watch the world fall out of your bottom'

Swindon was and still is a poorly educated and low income populated Town. Swindon main employers are mainly manufacturing based and therefore extremely vulnerable to Global competition and economic downturn.
Should Swindon decide to break free from its historical Industrial heritage, it would require astronomic investments in education, infrastructure and 21st century housing.

IRofE wrote:
Swindon was and still is a poorly educated and low income populated Town. Swindon main employers are mainly manufacturing based and therefore extremely vulnerable to Global competition and economic downturn.
Should Swindon decide to break free from its historical Industrial heritage, it would require astronomic investments in education, infrastructure and 21st century housing.

What a complete and utter load of drivel. What source do you use for your information or do you, as I suspect, just make it up?

As with the majority of your posts you are just talking out of your arse!

Oldtownresident
Do get off your high horse and respect others views--you contradict yourself.I live here because its my home and sad to see the heritage we had here gradually eroded by a wholly incompetent Council--many of us try to spark our councillors into action with no support as our council has not been our council for many years. Part of the code of conduct of councillors is not to go against the decisions of the council--in other words they are just puppets not real decision makers and gone are the days when they acted in the interests of their electorate. They cant act if we point out that corrupt practice is rampant--because it damages the council administration. Look at the mess ups with outside companies managing the council tax billing--error after error--council spending--just rubber stamped by them on advice of officers and executives--so get real THEY DONT LISTEN TO INDIVIDUALS OR FORUMS. You have seen that when we were asked what we wanted to spend the money from the brunel centre with a big campaign in the "Adver" and what happened--yes you got it -- it was used to rectify the pension fund. Now we are being asked to stump up again to bail them out again with equal pay--for workers who took jobs and agreed the rate of pay--chances are they dont even live in swindon-You try and get some sensible answers from the Councillots--you wont.

How have I contradicted myself? I'm merely stating my opinion on why I think Swindon is at a state where so many people don't seem to be proud of it nor even want to live here.

I cringe at the state this town has become but unlike the majority of people I read on here that continually post and **** about the town without doing a single thing to improve it I actually try and get out there and improve it in my own small way. Which may not be a lot BUT if more residents got out there and helped the town instead of moaning about how crap they think it is then maybe it would be a town to be proud of again.

Personally I couldn't give a crap about what the council or MP's have and haven't done, they are never going to change, this town is badly run, it always has been. What is needed is people to get off their backsides and start supporting their local community.

Just look at the Old Town Library and the Farm a couple of years ago. Everyone is up in arms when they threaten to close these things but I never see anyone in the Old Town library and nobody I know had ever heard of the farm.

Through my work and chatting to people I generally meet out and about there are a LOT of people who have come to this town through their work, made a very decent living but they do nothing but slag off Swindon yet they never do a single thing to help improve it. That's the kind of people I am against and also the reason why I do think this Town gets run down and nobody cares about it.

IRofE wrote:
Swindon was and still is a poorly educated and low income populated Town. Swindon main employers are mainly manufacturing based and therefore extremely vulnerable to Global competition and economic downturn. Should Swindon decide to break free from its historical Industrial heritage, it would require astronomic investments in education, infrastructure and 21st century housing.

I take it you have annual holidays?
Swindon played a massive part in making such events common practice.
It began with regular trips to Oxford University, encouraged by the world's scientists convention and the Oxford dons. They were so impressed by the intellect of the "peasant" workers that worked in Swindon's GWR.
Thanks to organisations like the Mechanics' Institute, the working classes of Swindon were educated way ahead of the masses.
We developed a system NHS style medical funding 100 years, before it became nationalised.
It was an established fact that there was nothing that could not be manufactured within the works. I believe we also had the largest, purpose built workshop in Europe (willing to be correcrted on that bit)
Why should we want to deny our heritage?
In exchange for 21st century, quick fit, plasterboard tat? More flats?
Ridiculous

Always Grumpy wrote:

IRofE wrote: Swindon was and still is a poorly educated and low income populated Town. Swindon main employers are mainly manufacturing based and therefore extremely vulnerable to Global competition and economic downturn. Should Swindon decide to break free from its historical Industrial heritage, it would require astronomic investments in education, infrastructure and 21st century housing.

What a complete and utter load of drivel. What source do you use for your information or do you, as I suspect, just make it up? As with the majority of your posts you are just talking out of your arse!

Here we go again the Neanderthal trying to speak.
It is laborious, but eventually you will manage to speak LOL
Try harder...

I Too wrote:

IRofE wrote: Swindon was and still is a poorly educated and low income populated Town. Swindon main employers are mainly manufacturing based and therefore extremely vulnerable to Global competition and economic downturn. Should Swindon decide to break free from its historical Industrial heritage, it would require astronomic investments in education, infrastructure and 21st century housing.

I take it you have annual holidays? Swindon played a massive part in making such events common practice. It began with regular trips to Oxford University, encouraged by the world's scientists convention and the Oxford dons. They were so impressed by the intellect of the "peasant" workers that worked in Swindon's GWR. Thanks to organisations like the Mechanics' Institute, the working classes of Swindon were educated way ahead of the masses. We developed a system NHS style medical funding 100 years, before it became nationalised. It was an established fact that there was nothing that could not be manufactured within the works. I believe we also had the largest, purpose built workshop in Europe (willing to be correcrted on that bit) Why should we want to deny our heritage? In exchange for 21st century, quick fit, plasterboard tat? More flats? Ridiculous

Like I have said, Swindon hang on to its past, living in the old dream of 19th century Industrial Glory.
Well let me tell you that No I have been on holiday for 200 years like you guys.
I live and embrace 21st century challenges.
I didn't and don't go hiding in a cave like a Neanderthal

IRofE wrote:

Always Grumpy wrote:

IRofE wrote: Swindon was and still is a poorly educated and low income populated Town. Swindon main employers are mainly manufacturing based and therefore extremely vulnerable to Global competition and economic downturn. Should Swindon decide to break free from its historical Industrial heritage, it would require astronomic investments in education, infrastructure and 21st century housing.

What a complete and utter load of drivel. What source do you use for your information or do you, as I suspect, just make it up? As with the majority of your posts you are just talking out of your arse!

Here we go again the Neanderthal trying to speak.
It is laborious, but eventually you will manage to speak LOL
Try harder...

Still talking drivel.

Your semi literate rantings mean nothing to me other than someone like you must be using an awful lot of oxygen, that could be put to far better use.

When you start posting something that makes sense, then people will take notice of what you have to say. Until that day comes, which is unlikely, I suggest you keep quiet.

Always Grumpy wrote:

IRofE wrote:

Always Grumpy wrote:

IRofE wrote: Swindon was and still is a poorly educated and low income populated Town. Swindon main employers are mainly manufacturing based and therefore extremely vulnerable to Global competition and economic downturn. Should Swindon decide to break free from its historical Industrial heritage, it would require astronomic investments in education, infrastructure and 21st century housing.

What a complete and utter load of drivel. What source do you use for your information or do you, as I suspect, just make it up? As with the majority of your posts you are just talking out of your arse!

Here we go again the Neanderthal trying to speak. It is laborious, but eventually you will manage to speak LOL Try harder...

Still talking drivel. Your semi literate rantings mean nothing to me other than someone like you must be using an awful lot of oxygen, that could be put to far better use. When you start posting something that makes sense, then people will take notice of what you have to say. Until that day comes, which is unlikely, I suggest you keep quiet.

You are the illustration of Swindon, an arrogant and rude illerate thinking that you are the brightest shining star. Amusing in all cases.

IRofE wrote:

Always Grumpy wrote:

IRofE wrote:

Always Grumpy wrote:

IRofE wrote: Swindon was and still is a poorly educated and low income populated Town. Swindon main employers are mainly manufacturing based and therefore extremely vulnerable to Global competition and economic downturn. Should Swindon decide to break free from its historical Industrial heritage, it would require astronomic investments in education, infrastructure and 21st century housing.

What a complete and utter load of drivel. What source do you use for your information or do you, as I suspect, just make it up? As with the majority of your posts you are just talking out of your arse!

Here we go again the Neanderthal trying to speak. It is laborious, but eventually you will manage to speak LOL Try harder...

Still talking drivel. Your semi literate rantings mean nothing to me other than someone like you must be using an awful lot of oxygen, that could be put to far better use. When you start posting something that makes sense, then people will take notice of what you have to say. Until that day comes, which is unlikely, I suggest you keep quiet.

You are the illustration of Swindon, an arrogant and rude illerate thinking that you are the brightest shining star. Amusing in all cases.

Still waiting for something interesting and sensible - I won't hold my breath!