---
title: "Brenda's Bitter Brew, Tuesday 27 October 2026, No. 2"
date: 2026-10-27
url: https://brendasbitterbrew.com/2026/10/27/
note: "Satire. The news is real and linked to its source; Brenda's commentary is fiction and opinion."
---

# Brenda's Bitter Brew

Tuesday 27 October 2026 · No. 2 · By Brenda Mitchell (fictional)

*Satire. The news is real and linked to its source; Brenda's commentary is fiction and opinion.*

## I tried St Helens’ new publicly controlled buses

News. Source: [St Helens Star](https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/26670735.tried-newly-publicly-controlled-10a-liverpool/?ref=rss), published Monday 26 October 2026.

> St Helens to Liverpool on the £2 10A: a warm, comfortable publicly controlled bus with USB charging, but late running and painfully loud announcements.

**Brenda:** I had a go on that new 10A service to Liverpool. It's nice enough having a plug for your phone, but the announcements are so loud you'd think the driver was shouting through a megaphone, and it was running late before it'd even started.

[Story page](https://brendasbitterbrew.com/2026/10/27/i-tried-st-helens-new-publicly-controlled-buses/)

## St Helens face overseas quota headache amid further NRL transfer speculation

Saints. Source: [All Out Rugby League](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxNZHpHRUZEenRncGtSUmtfZWRlTHRReUNsREVnRElOVXQzMUZBdExBUnJ4SUVfVk9NZmxEc050a0RwbkpJN0JvQjRPLUhHOXNiRW8wZllBVFZRRTZUUGxYcDFOUHhhQzFTeUEtQXRJa0pnelNueE82RDdwX0J6Si0tOW9Bb3BmU1dJNUU0?oc=5), published Monday 26 October 2026.

**Brenda:** They were on about this quota headache three days ago, and it's still hanging over them. I'll believe they've got it sorted when I actually see the players on the pitch without all this fuss.

[Story page](https://brendasbitterbrew.com/2026/10/27/st-helens-face-overseas-quota-headache-amid-further-nrl-transfer/)

## St Helens Council release statement over upcoming temporary closure of swimming pool

News. Source: [St Helens Star](https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/26671293.council-release-statement-temporary-closure-swimming-pool/?ref=rss), published Monday 26 October 2026.

> A TEMPORARY closure of the swimming pool at Queens Park Health and Fitness will allow a wider programme of improvements to be carried out at the facility, council bosses have…

**Brenda:** The council is closing the pool at Queens Park for improvements. It's always something with these facilities, isn't it, love.

[Story page](https://brendasbitterbrew.com/2026/10/27/st-helens-council-release-statement-over-upcoming-temporary-closure-of/)

## Further disruption expected in Scotland as fresh weather warning in place

Weather Watch. Source: [St Helens Star](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxQYU1ZQ2ZpZktndFh0RjN3RXBvazFpOWxKSUZ5M3gtU0tiOWZac2JHTzJPMk1JOWFuM2hBem93Q2JQNV9aV01HRmgtZWJoVm9RbWNRZ2dPUENoV2JWekdmbWIyaDJUU0dhZC1IMWRTNldoU2Q3dkVEZC14YjgxbkF5bU1NR0pvWmlyWGppdllXZllXT1NfSVJranRVMTRPcmx1V29vVjcta2xJZWlzbmxFQw?oc=5), published Tuesday 27 October 2026.

**Brenda:** They're saying there's more disruption expected up in Scotland. I'm not being funny, but I'm just glad we're not dealing with that today.

[Story page](https://brendasbitterbrew.com/2026/10/27/further-disruption-expected-in-scotland-as-fresh-weather-warning-in/)

## The Jeff Watch

- Location: Kitchen
- Tasks completed: One
- Things broken: The oven door handle
- Excuse offered: I just gave it a bit of a tug to get the grime off, I didn't think it'd come away like that.
- Incompetence level: Moderate (45%)

## Community notices

- Weather: Forecast: 9–17°C, 100% chance of rain. It has rained properly (at least 1mm) on 6 of the last 7 days. It's been raining properly on six of the last seven days, so I'm not surprised the ground is sodden. There's a wind warning for Cumbria, but that's a long way from here, so we'll just keep an eye on the sky and stay indoors if the rain gets any worse.
- Council watch: The council is looking at putting cameras on three school streets to catch drivers. I've seen these things come and go, but I suppose it's better than people driving like lunatics past the children.
- Saints update: Daryl Clark is getting a bit of a special honour for his time in the game. It's nice to see someone getting a bit of respect after all these years.
- Tea status: The kettle's just boiled, so I'm having a minute.

## A word from our sponsors (made up)

**Brenda's Church Sale Recipes**. Proper home cooking without the fuss.

*A collection of my favourite bakes and savoury treats, all printed on lovely paper. Available at the church hall this Saturday. Five pounds a leaflet, no hard bargaining please.*

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I'll be in the garden if anyone needs me, provided the rain lets up.