Tree cheers! Magic Roundabout gets a festive makeover
7:10am Friday 5th December 2008
Comments (40)THE MAGIC Roundabout will take delivery of an early Christmas present this year, in the shape of a giant spruce.
The 40ft Christmas tree will begin brightening up the lives of Swindon drivers on Monday, at 8pm, when council leader Rod Bluh will flick the switch on the tree’s 5,500 multi-coloured lights.
The tree, which will be sponsored by Capita, has become a talking point in the Adver over the last few weeks, with Coun Derique ‘Scrooge’ Montaut saying the tree would be a hazard to drivers.
The idea came about when Coun Bluh was talking to Swindon taxi drivers at the Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership (SSEP) annual conference last month.
They said that the first thing visitors wanted to see when they came to Swindon was the magic roundabout, but they were often disappointed when faced with the grey reality.
Coun Bluh hopes the festive fir will help to lighten up a Christmas when many may be feeling the effects of the credit crunch.
The lights, purchased locally and sponsored by V-Cars, will help give people a more magical experience of the roundabout, which around 40,000 motorists cross on a daily basis.
The Magic Roundabout is no stranger to the limelight. It has been featured on TV across the world and pictures of it adorn merchandise, including T-shirts, key rings, tea towels, badges and fridge magnets.
These are available to buy from the Swindon Visitor Information Centre, in Regent Street.
Coun Bluh said: “It’s fantastic news. I hope this festive feature of the roundabout will bring extra Christmas cheer to the people of Swindon.
“I realise this is a time of financial difficulty and uncertainty for many. This is intended as a bit of fun for everyone and should brighten up visitor’s memories of the town’s very popular landmark.”
Representatives from Swindon taxi firms will also be attending the switch-on.
Ken Cousins, a V-Cars private hire driver, said: “We’re absolutely delighted at the news. We’ve taken so many people to see it – now we’ll actually have something to show them. We are thrilled to sponsor the lights and are pleased that Swindon is making the most of one of its best-loved attractions – long may it continue.”
Your Say YourThis Is Wiltshire
Nostim, Swindon says...
8:08am Fri 5 Dec 08
Poor old council tax payers again
dc the 2nd, old town says...
8:09am Fri 5 Dec 08
"and a partridge in a flowerbed" only in Swindon.
Grimaldi, Swindon says...
8:11am Fri 5 Dec 08
flicky, Swindon says...
8:46am Fri 5 Dec 08
I envisage a tall, slender illuminated tower saying MAGIC ROUNDABOUT written vertically, which could identify the area at a distance. It would not be tacky...just an elegant column.
What do other readers think?
Always Grumpy, Swindon says...
8:51am Fri 5 Dec 08
flicky wrote:It could be built from the trees that will need to be felled when they develop Coate and then used as a rallying point for future protests!
If this tree is successful and drivers are particularly careful negotiating this tricky part of Swindon then why not think about a more permanent feature to show visitors the whereabouts of this part of town?
I envisage a tall, slender illuminated tower saying MAGIC ROUNDABOUT written vertically, which could identify the area at a distance. It would not be tacky...just an elegant column.
What do other readers think?
Ankh, Morpork says...
8:57am Fri 5 Dec 08
Grimaldi, Swindon says...
9:02am Fri 5 Dec 08
flicky, Swindon says...
9:10am Fri 5 Dec 08
Always Grumpy wrote:Rallying point at Magic Roundabout??
flicky wrote: If this tree is successful and drivers are particularly careful negotiating this tricky part of Swindon then why not think about a more permanent feature to show visitors the whereabouts of this part of town? I envisage a tall, slender illuminated tower saying MAGIC ROUNDABOUT written vertically, which could identify the area at a distance. It would not be tacky...just an elegant column. What do other readers think?It could be built from the trees that will need to be felled when they develop Coate and then used as a rallying point for future protests!
Rather you than me, Mr. Grumpy.
I shall ignore your other comment!
I suspect that you do not live up to your pseudonym and that you are a cheerful old codger!
Mum's The Word, Walcot, Swindon says...
9:16am Fri 5 Dec 08
Casual Observer, Swindon says...
9:17am Fri 5 Dec 08
Ankh wrote:
What about a giant turd on it's end, that will about sum up the area.
King-Kong's finger!
SockPuppet, Swindon says...
9:59am Fri 5 Dec 08
The global fame that the Magic Roundabout has deserves a little special treatment.
Casual Observer, Swindon says...
10:09am Fri 5 Dec 08
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Magic_Round
about_(Swindon)
The last bit is great;
"In December 2007, BBC News reported a survey identifying The Magic Roundabout as one of the 10 Scariest Junctions in the United Kingdom"
Go Swindon!
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
10:12am Fri 5 Dec 08
Further to that, if you're paying attention to what someone is doing on the other side of the roundabout, you're not paying attention to the roundabout you're approaching. I'd say it'll solve problems, if anything!
Even Angrier Monkey, Swindon says...
10:17am Fri 5 Dec 08
If you get disracted by a christmas tree then you shouldnt be driving
Donkey, Swindon says...
10:26am Fri 5 Dec 08
Grimaldi, Swindon says...
10:27am Fri 5 Dec 08
Casual Observer, Swindon says...
10:45am Fri 5 Dec 08
I think it's the fairer sex who panic when they see it, so maybe if the council put a massive pair of shoes in the middle or something sparkly or fluffy, they'll learn to love it.
doug on the farm, on the flood plain (nearly) says...
10:53am Fri 5 Dec 08
flicky wrote:An elegant column eh! Just what the gateway to Swindons Red Light District needs, a huge phallic symbol!
If this tree is successful and drivers are particularly careful negotiating this tricky part of Swindon then why not think about a more permanent feature to show visitors the whereabouts of this part of town? I envisage a tall, slender illuminated tower saying MAGIC ROUNDABOUT written vertically, which could identify the area at a distance. It would not be tacky...just an elegant column. What do other readers think?
Atomic_Pond, Swindon says...
11:56am Fri 5 Dec 08
Casual Observer wrote:OMG i will have you know i love the magic roundabout i moaned at my driving examiner because he didnt take me on the MR lol!
LordBelacqua, couldn't agree more - I find it a joy to negotiate since you have so many direction options (where else can you go the wrong way round a roundabout). I think it's the fairer sex who panic when they see it, so maybe if the council put a massive pair of shoes in the middle or something sparkly or fluffy, they'll learn to love it.
The MR is easy just take one roundabout at a time you seen get across nice and safe!!!
I love the idea of a x-mas tree but what about for the rest of the year???
localgirl80, Swindon says...
12:18pm Fri 5 Dec 08
mcd, swindon says...
12:20pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Atomic_Pond, Swindon says...
12:31pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Mum's The Word, Walcot, Swindon says...
1:20pm Fri 5 Dec 08
flicky, Swindon says...
1:21pm Fri 5 Dec 08
doug on the farm wrote:Now there's a thought...which had not occurred to me!!
flicky wrote: If this tree is successful and drivers are particularly careful negotiating this tricky part of Swindon then why not think about a more permanent feature to show visitors the whereabouts of this part of town? I envisage a tall, slender illuminated tower saying MAGIC ROUNDABOUT written vertically, which could identify the area at a distance. It would not be tacky...just an elegant column. What do other readers think?An elegant column eh! Just what the gateway to Swindons Red Light District needs, a huge phallic symbol!
I think DEFINITELY not phallic, just a long cylinder....!
Bea192, Swindon says...
1:48pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Swindonion, Swindon says...
2:14pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Bea192 wrote:Hey, if you don't like the place and still live here, I suggest you move away - It's your choice.
Hoe about a skip, It would signify all that Swindon is in my opinion - a massive dump
Personally, I think the tree will be great and as someone has commented already, if you can't negotiate the roundabout you shouldn't be driving.
Hels-bells, Swindon says...
2:32pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Swindonion wrote:Here, here!! I totally agree. If you don't like living here, move! The MR isn't rocket science - it's a bluddy rollercoaster and I just loving showing it off to visiting friends/family who are intrigued!! In fact, I think I'm going to ask for a MR t-shirt for Xmas!!
Bea192 wrote: Hoe about a skip, It would signify all that Swindon is in my opinion - a massive dumpHey, if you don't like the place and still live here, I suggest you move away - It's your choice. Personally, I think the tree will be great and as someone has commented already, if you can't negotiate the roundabout you shouldn't be driving.
Robh, Swindon says...
4:58pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Perhaps Mr Small will regard it as racist. Anything to winge and complain.
Captain T, Swindon says...
8:36pm Fri 5 Dec 08
And as for it being a danger - you should be looking at the road, not the tree
malkym1, Highworth on the Hill says...
8:51pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Swindonion wrote:Hey Bea -see it's so easy -go fishing cast out the bait -next minute whopper on the end -and what's a SwindOnion? and now a modern adaptation of a Dickens classic starring our own Man for all Seasons Councillor DM -err well maybe not ->
Bea192 wrote: Hoe about a skip, It would signify all that Swindon is in my opinion - a massive dumpHey, if you don't like the place and still live here, I suggest you move away - It's your choice. Personally, I think the tree will be great and as someone has commented already, if you can't negotiate the roundabout you shouldn't be driving.
So a miserable Scrooge called DER-REEK some publicity decided to seek!,
Surname pronounce MON-TOE, oh well wouldn't you know,when hearing the news he did freak!,
PUT UP A 40 FOOT TREE!! drivers just will not see, sayeth a really concerned he,
BAH HUMBUG!! to Del, we say "What the hell", put up the tree- we've got it for free!
Let's have it lit up! We'll drink beer and we'll sup!
AND SO DEAREST DEL -we don't give a fig! cos we'll dance around the tree -All doing a Jig!
jack the rippler, East 17 says...
9:46pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Captain Sensible, Near Highworth says...
1:32am Sat 6 Dec 08
Dosomethingmutley, Swindon says...
11:23am Sat 6 Dec 08
The magic roundabout is a superb traffic solution, created many years ago, that has stood the test of time and increased traffic. What better place for the Town to put a decent tree to be enjoyed by everyone. Bah humbug to all the detractors, it's better than being wasted on some minority crackpot scheme and as it,s being sponsored by capita, what's the problem.
Peter Kidd, Swindon says...
11:38am Sat 6 Dec 08
gordon dickinson, purton says...
12:56pm Sat 6 Dec 08
i have a theory that most accidents in swindon are caused by people not concentrating on driving because they are too busy thinking of what they can moan about next.
Well done coun Bluh.
Futures, Swindon says...
8:20pm Sat 6 Dec 08
Captain Sensible, Near Highworth says...
8:21pm Sat 6 Dec 08
malkym1, Highworth on the Hill says...
5:31pm Sun 7 Dec 08
Donkey, Swindon says...
8:45pm Sun 7 Dec 08
The whole of the West has seen a calamitous operation on their tv screens.
It's really quite sad ... I am one who is happy for the tree to be there, since we, as Council Tax payers are only indirectly paying for it.
Tree cheers! Magic Roundabout gets a festive makeover
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Taffynut, Old Town says...
8:05am Fri 5 Dec 08