STOP OFF T ony and Linda Dibbens began with a snack
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bar in a converted ambulance across the road, but the success of their Swindon Truckstop since its establishment in 1987 has been no accident. This is very professionally run.
Time was approaching 1300hrs. I consulted the lunchtime menu—positioned high above the counter—and voted for the gammon.The assistants wore name badges, the open-plan kitchen was stacked with equipment bearing as much shining stainless steel as some national fast-food hamburger chains I could name and there were almost as many decisions to make at the counter: "Chips or mash? Pineapple or egg? Which two veg from carrots, peas, or cabbage? Tea or coffee? Milk and sugar?" I was asked.The absence of an "eat here or take away option" was out of keeping with high-street burger joints, but the availability of seating was on a par.
Well populated
This is obviously a popular venue, a feeling underlined by a well populated parking area and a growing line of trucks outside taking advantage of the fuel point. I took the first named of everything on offer and—tea mug in hand—took a seat with panoramic views of the truck park. This is ideal for the security conscious driver.
The bill came to £4.75 and included a raffle ticket for a free draw. Could this be my lucky day? Things had started promisingly with an agreeable cuppa. A previous award for the flavOur of its traditional brew hung justifiably on the wall. On collecting the meal a few minutes later, however, doubts about whether my luck would continue began to surface.
Although the sizeable gammon steak was tender and enjoyable, the carrots had been done to death. It's not often this correspondent regrets passing on the cabbage.The large amount of peas failed to compensate for their uninspiring Flavour, but the chips were the saving grace: slightly crispy; piping hot; with a home-cooked taste.
Taste was also being shown by Chris Wilkins, of C&C Timber in Sussex. He was sitting at the table opposite, browsing through the latest edition of CM and I made a mental note to seek a connoisseur's opinion about the real needs of a trucker. I also elected to wait until his egg and chips had gone.
Eurolane driver Steve Allen from Bristol often parks up to four nights a week here, while delivering OE parts to the Honda car plant. He described the facilities and the food as about as good as you might expect at any good truckstop. Meanwhile, the Deadmans Transport driver from Whitstable in Kent, spoke up for the friendly atmosphere: 'The first time I came here they didn't know me from Adam, but they cashed a cheque without a cheque card which got me out of a real jam. I often stay here. There is everything a driver needs."
That may well be true. A TV room, very smart evening lounge with pool table and a bar sporting real ale at E1.38 per pint, were all added in a refurbishment two years ago. A shower room is also available.The block adjacent to the allnight shop at the front of the dining room allows drivers 24-hour access to toilets and additional showers. The multi-purpose shop offers fax and photocopying services, sells the usual selection of sweets and toothpaste,while also controlling the fuel point. An overnight stay will cost £5.50 per vehicle and includes a £1 meal voucher which can be redeemed any time.
For Mr Wilkins, the timber man, the visit was about to end. He had had his chips and also had some complimentary words about the food and facilities. But he observed how his luck had been out the previous night after checking in at 21:20hrs. A late sandwich from the shop had substituted for missing the evening's hot food by 20 minutes.
Having also been minus one 24 volt halogen headlight bulb, he felt doubly let down and it was definitely out. He had this observation for truckstop operators everywhere: 'You can usually be sure of getting some fluffy dice to hang around the cab, but you can never get a spare bulb."
Never mind, Chris. Check your raffle ticket. You might have won a replacement in the draw.
Concluding my consensus on the food, I was lucky enough to get two views about the liver and onions option from the lunch menu. A Turners of Newmarket driver, 42 years in the business, had been very disappointed with the mash. Owner-driver Mike Jarvis of Bridgewater hod enjoyed his lunch. Although he had elected for the carrots, he had paired them with the cabbage. He assured me the combination had worked well but had been disappointed with the coffee. Well, you can't please everyone all the time.