Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Paddington bear stolen from Newbury in Berkshire, now recovered - March 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [360262/29972/31] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:53, 7th April 2025 |      |
An update, from the BBC:
Vandalised Paddington statue to return
A Paddington statue that was ripped from a bench by two RAF engineers is to be reinstalled.
The homage to the famous bear has been repaired and repainted and will be unveiled during a ceremony in Newbury, Berkshire, on Wednesday.
Part of the statue was removed and taken in the early hours of 2 March by Daniel Heath, from Thornton, near Bradford in West Yorkshire, and William Lawrence, from Enderby, Leicestershire. The pair, both 22 and based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, admitted criminal damage and were ordered to carry out unpaid work as well as pay £2,725 to cover the cost of repairs.
The statue was originally unveiled in the hometown of Paddington creator Michael Bond in October 2024. It was one of dozens put up across the UK as part of the Paddington Visits trail to celebrate the film, Paddington in Peru.
The repaired bear will be unveiled by Ian Batho and Ashley Morris from Newbury Business Improvement District (BID).
Ben Beardmore-Gray, marketing manager at Newbury BID, said: "We have received so many lovely messages from parents who wanted to share how much their children have been missing Paddington... we are delighted to announce that Paddington is finally ready for his much-anticipated return to Newbury. The reinstallation offers a unique opportunity for us to provide a special moment that parents can share with their children, so we'd like to invite any families along on the day to join us welcoming Paddington home."
As part of the unveiling, children are being encouraged to write a letter welcoming Paddington back to Newbury. They can be delivered to a special postbox next to his bench between 10:00 and 14:00 BST on Wednesday.
The unveiling ceremony will begin on Northbrook Street at 11:30.
A Paddington statue that was ripped from a bench by two RAF engineers is to be reinstalled.
The homage to the famous bear has been repaired and repainted and will be unveiled during a ceremony in Newbury, Berkshire, on Wednesday.
Part of the statue was removed and taken in the early hours of 2 March by Daniel Heath, from Thornton, near Bradford in West Yorkshire, and William Lawrence, from Enderby, Leicestershire. The pair, both 22 and based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, admitted criminal damage and were ordered to carry out unpaid work as well as pay £2,725 to cover the cost of repairs.
The statue was originally unveiled in the hometown of Paddington creator Michael Bond in October 2024. It was one of dozens put up across the UK as part of the Paddington Visits trail to celebrate the film, Paddington in Peru.
The repaired bear will be unveiled by Ian Batho and Ashley Morris from Newbury Business Improvement District (BID).
Ben Beardmore-Gray, marketing manager at Newbury BID, said: "We have received so many lovely messages from parents who wanted to share how much their children have been missing Paddington... we are delighted to announce that Paddington is finally ready for his much-anticipated return to Newbury. The reinstallation offers a unique opportunity for us to provide a special moment that parents can share with their children, so we'd like to invite any families along on the day to join us welcoming Paddington home."
As part of the unveiling, children are being encouraged to write a letter welcoming Paddington back to Newbury. They can be delivered to a special postbox next to his bench between 10:00 and 14:00 BST on Wednesday.
The unveiling ceremony will begin on Northbrook Street at 11:30.
| Re: March 27th 2pm - Better Rail for Less Congestion and New Housing: MetroWest In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360261/30027/21] Posted by grahame at 17:57, 7th April 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
The slide pack is available from the presentations. Maybe Graham could load them up on a mirror sometime?
Slightly surprised I haven't seen the pack. Could you send me a copy or a link please and I would be happy to mirror
Thank you - and now in the members mirror (not in public) and should be found on searches via
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/12_chat.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/11-BrianLove-NextSteps.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/10-AlexLawrie_Go-op.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/09-DanOkey_GreatWesternRailway.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/08-BrianLove_ConnectedCities.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/07-JonSandford_HomesEngland.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/06-EdLeahy_CreateStreets.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/05-GeoffHobbs_TransportForLondon.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/04-NathanSealey_Amey.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/03-JennyRaggett_TransportForNewHomes.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/02-KevinMcGinley_NRProperty.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/01-BrianLove-GovtPolicy.pdf
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/00-Synposis_and_PressRelease.pdf
| Re: Daily Mile - coming to Melksham for April In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [360260/30078/50] Posted by Mark A at 17:32, 7th April 2025 | |
Thanks for the bridge photo in particular.
Mark
| Re: March 27th 2pm - Better Rail for Less Congestion and New Housing: MetroWest In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360259/30027/21] Posted by grahame at 17:27, 7th April 2025 | |
Now double posted somehow? I thought there was a check for that?
Perhaps some of the buttons you das poken when looking for the short cut submitted your psot again?? There is a posting rate limiter on the forum but it's not going to pick up two of the same in every circumstance. Sometimes, rather irritating, something does stop you going back and reposting but I thinks that's in the Javascript and poken buttons may at times sidestep it.
| Re: March 27th 2pm - Better Rail for Less Congestion and New Housing: MetroWest In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360258/30027/21] Posted by ChrisB at 16:34, 7th April 2025 | |
Now double posted somehow? I thought there was a check for that?
| Re: March 27th 2pm - Better Rail for Less Congestion and New Housing: MetroWest In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360257/30027/21] Posted by ChrisB at 16:33, 7th April 2025 | |
Thank you for registering to attend last week's conference. The presentations are now available at https://connectedcities-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/admin_connectedcities_org_uk/EmVQhCC6jcNBim0KbKSV2CwBAyOslznH0Nl_7Kvmm2bh4g?e=o8HZsI Videos and transcripts will be available in due course. You will be notified. Kind regards, ConnectedCities Team
On my iphone, safari browser…..appears not to have an ALT key to obtain a preview shortcut. Needs looking into?
| Re: March 27th 2pm - Better Rail for Less Congestion and New Housing: MetroWest In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360256/30027/21] Posted by ChrisB at 16:33, 7th April 2025 | |
Thank you for registering to attend last week's conference. The presentations are now available at https://connectedcities-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/admin_connectedcities_org_uk/EmVQhCC6jcNBim0KbKSV2CwBAyOslznH0Nl_7Kvmm2bh4g?e=o8HZsI Videos and transcripts will be available in due course. You will be notified. Kind regards, ConnectedCities Team
On my iphone, safari browser…..appears not to have an ALT key to obtain a preview shortcut. Needs looking into?
| Re: Ticket offices - changes afoot? In "Fare's Fair" [360255/29965/4] Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:09, 7th April 2025 | |
My real point, I feel, is that until we have a comprehensive review of ticketing these anomalies will continue to appear to those who have an understanding of the ticketing system.
The move to single leg pricing and perhaps tap-in systems will help to deliver this but will need to get the confidence of the passenger in this. Until that time the ticket office will have a significant role to play.
The move to single leg pricing and perhaps tap-in systems will help to deliver this but will need to get the confidence of the passenger in this. Until that time the ticket office will have a significant role to play.
Given that only between 12-15% of tickets are purchased via ticket offices, and that number is only heading one way, it's fair to say that their significance has already dwindled beyond the point of no return.
As has been pointed out elsewhere, split tickets are widely available via a number of other sources who will work out the best deal for the customer and present them with the options - the need to be "in the know", is limited only to having the knowledge that the opportunity for these savings exists.
No doubt some edge case anomalies will always remain!
| Re: Ticket offices - changes afoot? In "Fare's Fair" [360254/29965/4] Posted by bradshaw at 15:48, 7th April 2025 | |
My real point, I feel, is that until we have a comprehensive review of ticketing these anomalies will continue to appear to those who have an understanding of the ticketing system.
The move to single leg pricing and perhaps tap-in systems will help to deliver this but will need to get the confidence of the passenger in this. Until that time the ticket office will have a significant role to play.
Is this gaming the system? Perhaps but the senior railcard was an obvious choice, especially as we live close to the Devon border and its Day Ranger ticket for days out.
Splitting tickets was my looking at alternatives, without using split ticket websites. Using the SWR website and checking that against the GWR one.
The Senior railcard is not valid wholly within the NSE area, which includes Exeter St Davids until 09.00.
Exeter St Thomas is beyond that area allowing access to the day return ticket at the lower price. I had thought about doing that but did not get round to it, until the ticket clerk mentioned it.
The irony is that we do not have to be in Penryn until the 13.30 interview thus theoretically could catch the 09.03 from Axminster and arrive at Penryn at 12.58, followed by a quick walk to the campus. That would have cost £20.20 but would have been a risky decision, relying on everything running to time!
| Re: March 27th 2pm - Better Rail for Less Congestion and New Housing: MetroWest In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360253/30027/21] Posted by grahame at 15:21, 7th April 2025 | |
The slide pack is available from the presentations. Maybe Graham could load them up on a mirror sometime?
Slightly surprised I haven't seen the pack. Could you send me a copy or a link please and I would be happy to mirror
| Re: March 27th 2pm - Better Rail for Less Congestion and New Housing: MetroWest In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360252/30027/21] Posted by ChrisB at 15:05, 7th April 2025 | |
The slide pack is available from the presentations. Maybe Graham could load them up on a mirror sometime?
| Re: On this day. South Australia's triple decker train experiment. In "Railway History and related topics" [360251/30090/55] Posted by ChrisB at 14:13, 7th April 2025 | |
Interesting.
I can still see all the images, with *one* exception - the one embedded within CfN’s quote before mine here.
So if CfN can still see that image (i am seeing this
If it doesn’t repeat, it says “Postimage - upgrade to Premium in order to embed images in emails” and no doubt quotes too.
So it is a hosting issue. Best find an alternative?”
| Re: Ticket offices - changes afoot? In "Fare's Fair" [360250/29965/4] Posted by PhilWakely at 13:36, 7th April 2025 | |
<devils mode=advocate>In an accountant's or treasury eyes, of course, it might be seen as a damned good example of why the ticket offices should be closed as this clerk has just cost the train operator / DfT / government nearly £40 in lost revenue, in addition to the salary he drew while advising you.</devils>
So, whilst I agree with the above Devil's Advocate, why are the various ticketing websites that advocate split-ticketing allowed to continue to operate?
| Re: Modern English Usage, but not as Fowler might think In "Introductions and chat" [360249/30111/1] Posted by stuving at 12:25, 7th April 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
One I've had a few times recently: "We recently got in touch to let you know ...". No you didn't, though you should have done; in fact this is the first message I've had from you on this topic.
| Re: Daily Mile - coming to Melksham for April In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [360248/30078/50] Posted by ChrisB at 12:25, 7th April 2025 | |
That report ought to go to your council rights of way officer. Illegal to top stiles with barbed wire (always carry snippers with you & legally allowed to remove), nor should footpaths be ploughed without some reinstatement to flat & level afterwards. They will be writing to the landowners of each
| Re: Daily Mile - coming to Melksham for April In "Active travel: Cyclists and walkers, including how the railways deal with them" [360247/30078/50] Posted by grahame at 12:15, 7th April 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad, Mark A | |
From Saturday, 5th April - writing with a transport bias
From Melksham (Western Way) across the floor plain (though crops with lost paths to stiles topped with barbed wire) to the Pack Horse Bridge where that path and other from Whaddon and Semington converge to cross the river
Across the fields having crossed the bridge, again recently ploughed and a bit of a scramble, but now more easily followable
This path crosses the railway - it's not one of the ones I've been asked to comment on, but I really don't think it's going to be reachable by people who are less able bearing in mind the previous picture showing the state of the path
A slight pause awaiting the train and marvelling at how far forward we have come with the service over the years.
An so on across more fields and a stream to Broughton Gifford where I picked up the bus that runs three time on Saturday via Bradford-on-Avon to Trowbridge. I spoke with another couple of seniors in the church yard and they were amazed that I had walked "All the way from Melksham"; the asked, worried, how I was going to get back. It seems that although they are residents of Broughton Gifford, they had no real knowledge of the bus there and wouldn't have thought of using it, let alone knowing when and where it went. It shows just what a big job remains to be done to make people aware of the public transport we have.
| Re: Ticket offices - changes afoot? In "Fare's Fair" [360246/29965/4] Posted by grahame at 11:54, 7th April 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, PhilWakely | |
Accompanying grandson to Penryn,by train from Axminster at 07.37, on Wednesday where he has a university interview. Researched the fares and found the return would be £67.30.
Deciding to get the tickets in advance from [snip] station, rather than online, turned out to be a good decision. The ticket office clerk advised me ...
My journey will now cost me just £28.80.
This exemplifies the need for ticket reform and the retention of ticket offices.
Mods if you feel this should be posted elsewhere please do so.
Deciding to get the tickets in advance from [snip] station, rather than online, turned out to be a good decision. The ticket office clerk advised me ...
My journey will now cost me just £28.80.
This exemplifies the need for ticket reform and the retention of ticket offices.
Mods if you feel this should be posted elsewhere please do so.
<devils mode=advocate>In an accountant's or treasury eyes, of course, it might be seen as a damned good example of why the ticket offices should be closed as this clerk has just cost the train operator / DfT / government nearly £40 in lost revenue, in addition to the salary he drew while advising you.</devils>
| Re: Modern English Usage, but not as Fowler might think In "Introductions and chat" [360245/30111/1] Posted by ChrisB at 11:51, 7th April 2025 | |
“For your security” = “For our security actually, no chance of you accessing this”
| Re: Modern English Usage, but not as Fowler might think In "Introductions and chat" [360244/30111/1] Posted by Witham Bobby at 09:18, 7th April 2025 Already liked by PrestburyRoad | |
"For your comfort and convenience ..."
we have removed something that you found to be really useful, or even essential, to save us a few bob
| Re: Ticket offices - changes afoot? In "Fare's Fair" [360243/29965/4] Posted by bradshaw at 09:02, 7th April 2025 Already liked by Witham Bobby, Worcester_Passenger, PrestburyRoad, Western Pathfinder, johnneyw, Mark A, GBM, chuffed, PhilWakely, Timmer, eXPassenger | |
Accompanying grandson to Penryn,by train from Axminster at 07.37, on Wednesday where he has a university interview. Researched the fares and found the return would be £67.30. Thus decided to renew the Senior Railcard, thus reducing the fare to £44.80.
I then looked at splitting the tickets at Exeter. The anytime return fare, with railcard, to Exeter St Davids was £15.20, from Exeter St Davids to Penryn came in as an off peak day return at 18.70, a total of £33.90.
Deciding to get the tickets in advance from Axminster station, rather than online, turned out to be a good decision. The ticket office clerk advised me to book Axminster to Exeter St Thomas, as it was out of the SWR area, for a day return ticket. This cost £10.10.
My journey will now cost me just £28.80.
This exemplifies the need for ticket reform and the retention of ticket offices.
Mods if you feel this should be posted elsewhere please do so.
| Re: How do I reserve a seat on a Cross Country train with an Interrail pass? In "Cross Country services" [360242/30113/43] Posted by ray951 at 08:34, 7th April 2025 Already liked by grahame, Mark A | |
On CrossCountry, I think not? 
You should try it, I booked a seat on the 07:23 Southampton Airport to Oxford Cross-Country service and I also booked a seat on the 08:41 Edinburgh (EDB) to Glasgow Queen Street, so it isn't just GWR services and you don't have to buy a ticket at the same time.
The steps to reserve a seat are as follows:
1) Select 'Online Booking' option from https://www.gwr.com/your-tickets/seat-reservations
2) Login to your account.
3) Go to Bookings - View Bookings
4) Select Make a seat/bike reservation.
5) Enter the details of the service you wish to book seats on
6) When it asks you for ticket type you can select any type.
7) Confirm booking
You have reserved a seat.And the service is free.
| Re: Nailsea & Backwell station - stairway to platform 2 In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360241/30064/21] Posted by Red Squirrel at 08:25, 7th April 2025 Already liked by Mark A, johnneyw, chuffed | |
Never underestimate the power of the red squirrel. Delapsus resurgam.
| Re: Modern English Usage, but not as Fowler might think In "Introductions and chat" [360240/30111/1] Posted by GBM at 07:52, 7th April 2025 | |
I know. For the same reason I find Sally Oldfield’s ‘Moonlight Shadow ‘ almost unlistenable-to.
| Re: What do people think about Grand Pier price rise? Weston-super-Mare, April 2025 In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [360239/30117/31] Posted by grahame at 07:30, 7th April 2025 | |
There is always going to be emotion when a charge that's a low round number is increased. I remember Kew Gardens being a penny and horror at it doubling. And much more recently a £2 bus cap increasing to £3.
I think I prefer the pier in Weston to be paid for by the visitors who use it and/or the businesses that operate from it, and putting the price up in line with inflation each year seems overcomplex while the number is low and simple and there's still (guess) a significant number of people paying the small charge in cash. Just imagine the hassle with change if the price went up to £1.08 ....
| Re: Nailsea & Backwell station - stairway to platform 2 In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360238/30064/21] Posted by grahame at 06:49, 7th April 2025 | |
Yes - Red Squirrel and I were both rather startled at the apparently immediate result of our posts. 
Never underestimate the members and guests we have here ... but yet never assume that anything posted here will reach official channels. There have been a number of co-incidences over the years - probably some really ARE co-incidences but yet there have probably been too many for them to be all pure chance. Then again, we have very many sensible members and there are very many sensible and parallel thinkers out there.
I am struck as we enter election season here in Melksham and the first leaflet for Wiltshire Council has come through my door as to the claims made by the incumbent councillor of his support for things like the library to remain in the town rather than on a field on the outskirts. Funny that - yes, when the decision was made it was popular and he did get behind it, but I remember a time when there was no site identified and myself as President of the Chamber of Commerce and the Chief Executive of Cooper Tires in the town got together and identified their Sports and Social Club, then found the advert hidden in the local paper seeking sites to get the library where it was and is sensible. Likewise here at the Coffee Shop - yes - we do get heard sometimes but I can't help feeling that the credit we get for raising things is underplayed.
| Re: Nailsea & Backwell station - stairway to platform 2 In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360237/30064/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:37, 6th April 2025 | |
Yes - Red Squirrel and I were both rather startled at the apparently immediate result of our posts.
| Re: 10 years of the Two Tunnels cycleway In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [360236/27359/47] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:33, 6th April 2025 | |
That's another cycle ride I might try, next time I happen to find myself somewhere in the Melksham area.
| Re: Nailsea & Backwell station - stairway to platform 2 In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360235/30064/21] Posted by johnneyw at 23:27, 6th April 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea, Mark A | |
In an apparently remarkable coincidence, work now seems to be happening on that stairway.
CfN.
Witness the mysterious yet awesome power of the Coffee Shop forum.
| Re: Nailsea & Backwell station - stairway to platform 2 In "Bristol (WECA) Commuters" [360234/30064/21] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:13, 6th April 2025 | |
With apologies to my colleague Red Squirrel here, I've now moved (and renamed) his original topic from 'the lighter side', ' where was I today?'.
In an apparently remarkable coincidence, work now seems to be happening on that stairway.
Updates to follow.
CfN.
| Re: 4,800 miles for a kebab? In "Buses and other ways to travel" [360233/30116/5] Posted by grahame at 22:44, 6th April 2025 | |
“Its the not the Destination, It's the journey.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
