By 
There’s something about riding around Swindon in a taxi that encourages forgetfulness. Maybe it’s the gentle hum of the tyres, the soothing mumble of a driver who knows exactly where he’s going (and where you don’t), or the fact that most people step into a cab already half-worrying about whether they’ve locked the back door.
In Swindon, things left behind in Wiltshire taxis are not just lost. They’re abandoned, misplaced, or in some cases, left as if the owner simply gave up and decided they didn’t need trousers anymore.
And as a firm running taxis across this fine Wiltshire town, we’ve found some odd things. Very odd things. Not just phones or umbrellas. That would be too easy.
The Usual Suspects
Let’s start with the predictable.
Phones. Always phones. Swindon is littered with people who, for ten minutes after leaving a taxi, are patting every pocket like they’re doing an interpretive dance about forgetfulness. iPhones. Samsungs. Once, someone left two phones – and no explanation.
Umbrellas. Which is strange, because it barely rains when you’ve got one, but let it start pouring and suddenly they’re vanishing faster than common sense at a football match.
Bags. Plastic bags, shopping bags, posh bags from shops that cost more than rent – all left behind, slumped sadly on the back seat, as if to say, “Well, this is my life now.”
The Oddities
Now let’s talk about the curious pile.
A single boot. Not a pair. Just one. Muddy, well-used, and clearly loved – up until the point it was left behind like Cinderella’s less fortunate cousin.
A 3-foot inflatable flamingo. No party balloons. No hen-do survivors. Just the flamingo. We named him Clive. He’s been in the office ever since.
A box of Weetabix and a live goldfish (separate journeys).
The Weetabix box was unopened, perfectly fine, and nobody ever claimed it. The goldfish, on the other hand, came in a plastic bag and was still swimming when we found it. We named him Colin. He lasted three days in a washing-up bowl and a heroic funeral was held by two dispatchers and a lad from accounts.
We’ve also seen:
- A wedding dress (yes, really)
- A box of loose screws (literal, not emotional)
- A fake moustache
- A bag full of nothing but socks
The Phone Call That Follows
We can always tell when someone’s realised. It starts with the silence. Then the panic. Then the rising voice.
“I think I left… no, I know I left… well I might have left… actually, can you check?”
And we do. We check under the seats, behind the driver’s chair, in places no human hand was ever meant to go. And most of the time, we find it. But sometimes, we don’t. And that’s when things get interesting.
Because now we’re all wondering – did it ever exist? Was there really a small green ukulele with glitter and a sticker that said “Property of Dave”? Or was Dave just tired, emotional, and slightly confused by the concept of taxis in general?
Why Does This Matter?
Because your things matter. And when you’re rushing from your bed to the airport or from the pub to your mum’s, you don’t need to spend the next hour on the phone trying to remember whether you were in a blue car or a silver one, or whether the driver had a moustache, or just very expressive eyebrows.
That’s why we log every lost item. We photograph it. We bag it. We label it like it’s going to the Natural History Museum. And we do our best to get it back to you.
Even the socks.
Especially the socks.
What You Can Do
1. Check your seat before you leave. Yes, you. No one else will do it for you.
2. Make a mental note of the car reg or driver’s name. It helps.
3. If you’ve lost something, call us as soon as possible. Time matters, especially if it’s a goldfish.
*4. Don’t panic. We’ve seen it all before. Even the wedding dress.
FAQs
Q: What happens if I leave something in a taxi?
We keep lost items safe for up to 4 weeks. Call us and describe it – the more detail, the better.
Q: Can I collect it in person?
Yes. Or send someone on your behalf. But please tell them what they’re collecting or it gets awkward.
Q: Do you deliver lost items?
We can arrange to send things back for a small fee, depending on the item and distance.
Q: Have you ever had something really weird left behind?
Oh yes. But we’ve only just recovered from the flamingo incident, so let’s not go back there.
So next time you slide into the back seat of a Swindon taxi, just remember – what you bring in should leave with you. Otherwise, you might just end up being the proud former owner of Swindon’s next unofficial office mascot.
And trust us, we’re running out of room.
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