This is a tragic human event - I wonder whether "Across the West - General rail topics" is really the most appropriate place for its discussion?

Moderators - could it perhaps be moved to a more suitable location?

1W21 1053 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill cancelled due to an issue with the train crew (TG).

1W25 1252 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street cancelled between Oxford and Worcester Foregate Street due to unknown cause (ZW).

1P26 1316 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington cancelled between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford due to unknown cause (ZW).

1W29 1453 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street cancelled due to unknown cause (ZW).

1P30 1518 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington cancelled between Worcester Foregate Street and Oxford due to late arrival of an inbound service (YI).

1P32 1518 Hereford to London Paddington diverted via Swindon

2E14 1704 Didcot Parkway to Evesham cancelled between Oxford and Evesham due to unknown cause (ZW).

1P36 1726 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington cancelled due to the train operator's request (TB).

1W03 1734 London Paddington to Hereford cancelled due to the planned train being replaced with a slower train (MS).

2E16 1851 Evesham to Oxford cancelled due to unknown cause (ZW).

1P46 2200 Hereford to London Paddington cancelled due to late arrival of an inbound service (YI).

Oh dear ... we are told not to mention BBQs.  So perhaps I should not mention a football match in Miami tonight?

There is a sad pattern ... "severe weather", big match, public holidays ... where GWR are simply unable to provide the service that they are contracted to provide or the public really need if they are to rely on trains.  I am not looking to attach any blame there - just stating a fact we can see from the stats.  98% achieved on a "normal" week - a fair weather railway, but then it goes pear-shaped.    But then once the immediate situation is resolved, we move on / persuaded to the "yes it's better" and the underlying things that caused the problems are just glossed over / forgotten - except by the disappointed customers who are put off / have been suppressed from using the railway.

16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29

19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

I would imagine last night's match in New York may have had more than a little influence on crew availability today......football matches where beer is involved have previously been cited by those in the know as a contributory factor!

That's not to say of course that said match, given the late kick off was not preceded by food prepared outdoors over charcoal on a type of grill?

Down to Drivers deciding cabs are too hot to work in at some stage in their shift

.....perhaps it's send them out on a wing & a prayer and hope for the best?

Would it be realistic (though uncharitable) to suggest that GWR are sending out trains at the start of the day that aren't going to be able to manage their full diagram?

Ann Widdecombe murder probe: What we know so far

Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe and a 26-year-old white British man has been arrested.

Devon and Cornwall Police say the 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday morning with serious injuries.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, police have said.

Devon and Cornwall Police's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference there was "no information that this is a politically motivated crime" and also confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

Earlier, the force said Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor, on Thursday morning when officers were called by the ambulance service at around 11:40 BST.

Widdecombe's death was announced on Friday morning by her management team, but there was no information about when, how or where she died, and no detail on any suspicious circumstances.

The statement said in part: "We know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way."

Later on Friday afternoon, police issued a statement saying they had launched a murder investigation and released details of a suspect.

Widdecombe's management team then released another statement, saying they were "absolutely devastated" by news of the police investigation "following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours".

A significant police presence remains at the house, with a BBC correspondent describing several police cars on the road outside and a police van on the driveway.

A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe. He remains in police custody. He was arrested in Newton Abbot, a town roughly 10 miles from Haytor.

Officers initially said they were looking for a suspect, who they believed to be a white male, in connection with the case, which was "moving at a significant pace".

Det Ch Insp Ilona Rosson earlier said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time. I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us."

Indeed ... and I found a common theme in many of the excess visitors and diverted them away ... for a couple of minutes until I realised that I fell into the common theme too and I had diverted myself away.

I am looking for other themes / patterns ... watch this space.