In Wiltshire, I believe it's from 09:00 to last timetabled service on Mondays to Fridays, and any time on Saturday and Sunday.

I'd be inclined to go with the retailer for the initial financial claim, but also raise it with TfW from POV of fixing the underlying issue – either the published information is wrong or the bus operator wasn't applying the rules correctly.

Perhaps they are cancelling local trains (via Melksham) in order that fast trains to/from the Westcountry can use the line?

05:32 Plymouth to London Paddington due 09:21


05:32 Plymouth to London Paddington due 09:21 will be diverted between Westbury and Reading.
It will no longer call at Pewsey, Bedwyn, Hungerford and Newbury but will call additionally at Melksham and Swindon.

It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 3 minutes late.

This is due to a points failure.

07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 will be cancelled.
This is due to a points failure

Bus companies operating in Swindon could be asked to look at extending the hours of free bus travel for older passengers, as well as capping the fares for youngsters.

A motion will be put before councillors at the meeting next week, which, if passed, will mandate the leader to write to bus companies, and specifically Swindon’s Bus Company and Stagecoach, and ask them to work with the council on looking at both issues.

To Be Cancelled?

According to Mark Hopwood yesterday at Travelwatch Southwest, further cuts are being made to the Summer Sunday timetable at the May timetable change, as part of the management of this problem.

15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link and Great Malvern.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:09/03/2026 16:35

19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:28 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Pershore, Evesham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

A similar principle applies at Nailsea & Backwell, for any longer trains calling here: 'Front four carriages' - whatever their alpha-numeric designation.

Dft have updated their procurement spreadsheet March 2026

Against the GWR entry the estimated commencement date is now TBC (which presumably is Government speak for not imminent)

The electricity supply industry allows an average load of about 5 amps per home if mains gas is available, and 10 amps if gas is not available.

Gran 'flabbergasted' by Prince William pasty order

A grandmother who unknowingly placed a pasty order with Prince William said she was "flabbergasted" after finding out about her royal encounter.

The Duke of Cornwall spoke to Josie Trounson on the phone when he was in Cornwall, to mark St Piran's Day.

A clip of the prince taking the phone call was shared on social media after he misheard Josie's name as 'juicy'.

She said she had no idea she had spoken to Prince William until she went to pick up her order.

Finnish duo win wacky wife-carrying race


Contestants are splashed with water during the race

A pair from Finland has won one of the country's most unusual contests.

Dozens of people braved murky weather to take part in the UK Wife Carrying Race, now in its 17th year.

The race - originating in Scandinavia - requires contestants to carry their wives, husbands, partners, friends or family members up and down a hill in Dorking, Surrey.

Finns Teemu and Jatta were crowned the 2026 champions on Sunday, winning a barrel of local ale.

Runners had to dodge obstacles, including rows of hay bales, on the 380-metre course on the Nower. They were also splashed with water pistols and buckets by spectators.

Participants can carry their "wife" however they like, but many chose the so-called Estonian hold, where the other person hangs upside-down on the runner's back with their legs crossed in front of the runner's face.


One woman said her boyfriend entered her into the race without asking first

"It's certainly chaotic," said Ian Giles, UK race director ahead of the contest.

"I don't want to drop my girlfriend on her head," added the defending UK champion Stuart Johnson before Sunday. He said the first time he and his partner Hattie Cronin, who are both from Woking, practiced in a local park people thought they were "bonkers". Cronin added Stuart had signed them up for their first race before asking her.


Teemu and Jatta (pictured) won a barrel of beer in Sunday's race

Wife carrying reportedly links back to the Viking pillage of Lindisfarne in the UK. Its sporting roots are in Finland, where the first world championships took place in 1996.

Husbands traditionally carry their wives in the Scandinavian version, though the British race, organised by Leith Hill Trail Runners, allows people to carry anyone. But it is recommended they weigh less than the runner.


The UK version of the contest began in 2008

Those carried must weigh at least 50kg, though anyone underweight can wear a rucksack filled with tins of flour, water or similar to reach the minimum.

Wife-carrying contests have happened around the world, including in the United States, India and Germany. The UK race began in 2008.

I suspect in the absence of these tickets people will simply downgrade to standard class instead, thereby reducing revenue.

Serious concern at some of the developments. We are at a stage where it is ever more important to have a clear picture of where we are headed at a macro level and how that will be reflected at a more granular level. It would also be good to know how customer, wannabe-customer and campaigner inputs will be effectively gathered and used to inform positive and sustainable development.   Gee - I sound like ChatGPT, don't I?