The weather was so lovely yesterday that I decided to take an extra long lunchtime walk and rather than wandering aimlessly around the complex I decided to explore further afield. While walking along Desborough Road close to the zebra crossing a group of people could be seen congregated in the grounds of the church.

As I got closer to the people the tins of drink could clearly be seen in their hands. Once upon a time the town centre drunks could be found in the bus station occupying the seats intended for the travellers. With the demise of the old Newlands Bus Station the drunks, dossers and down and outs of the town appear to have found a new day time home in the grounds of the church.

It was quite an unpleasant and frightening experience walking past them. Most were seated but the few who weren’t were standing as steady as a field of corn in a strong breeze clutching their tins of drink as if their life depended on it. Quickly I walked by without being noticed. After spending the rest of my lunchtime exploring the wonders of the western part of the town centre it was time to return to my office.

Not wanting to be caught out twice I walked back on the other side of Desborough Road. As I turned into Bridge Street I could see an ambulance and police car in the distance parked by the side of the road. It appeared there was a shemozzle going on which appeared to involve some drunks who were holding each other up with the same fervour that they were holding their tins of beer.

The old Newlands Bus Station may have sadly passed in to history and the security guards at the complex are doing a sterling job keeping the complex drunk free. However the drunks have to go somewhere and it appears they have moved to the outer reaches of the town centre. They may be out of sight from the visitors to the complex but they are still out of their minds with booze and causing as much trouble as ever.