Great Western Coffee Shop

Booster jabs have been much in the news lately, and may seem to be a strange subject to raise in the Lighter Side, but read on

(though if the Moderators feel it should be in another thread, do please move it).

I had mine in November soon after receiving the NHS message inviting me to book one. The message very helpfully listed all the nearest venues available (15 on my invite, all within about 15 miles distance as the crow flies). None were particularly convenient for me, as even those in Bath were all a couple of miles away and would involve either two bus journeys or for me to walk or cycle to them in the adverse weather conditions at that time (I eventually did walk to the nearest to me).

However, I was pleased to see that under each venue listing, the message told me generalised public transport options, as in 'near to railway station' or 'near to bus route' (I can't remember the exact wording used). However, looking at them in more detail, I became intrigued. About 8 mentioned being close to a railway station, but in fact they were all about one to one and a half miles from one. Well, all except two, which appeared to be close to railway stations that only existed in somebody's fantasy.

One of these was a venue in Corsham. Now, I know that Corsham used to have a station, but I find it hard to believe that someone found it listed as a station somewhere as it closed at least 50 years ago, so can only assume the person who concocted the letter had come across stories about the possible reopening of the station and used that for the listing.

The other was a venue in Longwell Green, on the eastern edge of Bristol. Now, if their criteria was within a mile and a half of a station, this venue did indeed qualify. However, the station is Bitton station on the Avon Valley heritage line, and I'm not sure catching a train to there would really work out as a transport option, given that there is only one station on that line you can travel from, the very same Bitton station.

I just hope not too many people tried to rely on their public transport directions in those instances.

The NHS helpfully uses this on its nearest GP and Pharmacy queries. In my case the third or fourth suggested option required me to swim the Thames, which is not good for A&E figures.

I did try to make this point when I rang the helpline number. The person who answered, when I tried to point out the issue about public transport options, suggested I just go to the nearest venue which has vacancy, and couldn't grasp the problem that it might be the nearest in a direct line, but was certainly not the nearest by road or path or by any public transport available.

Swimming the the Thames is nothing ! Around here swimming the Bristol Channel is required to access the nearest venue.

A bit like looking at property on the Isle of Man on Rightmove. Nearest station St Bees or Nethertown 41 Miles.

What happened to Ramsey or Douglas?  ;). OK, their service is a bit reduced at the moment too.

My daughter worked in motor insurance on the accident management side and initially they had software that disregarded the Bristol Channel, and would recommend repairers in South Wales were nearest, (as the crow flew), to incidents in Devon, and vice versa of course…