Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop. The local newsletter that’s like when someone lets you merge into traffic with a friendly wave 😊

I hope you’re making the most of the lovely weather! We visited the tulip field at Gower Fresh Christmas Trees on Wednesday (see video below!), and yesterday we were invited to check out the new Jungle Play soft play at the Albert Hall.

In today’s newsletter, I’ve gathered nearly 50 fun ideas to keep the kids busy during the first week of the Easter holidays. And for the grown-ups, there’s everything from a Wild West hoedown to wine tasting, and stand-up comedy from a viral Internet star famous for ideas like the Yoko Ono Bot and Swearing Clock…

Have a good one, and I’ll catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

SWANSEA SCOOP SAVERS CLUB 🦢

Thanks to everyone who has bought a Swansea Scoop Savers card so far! It’s been great to see you enjoying them! There aren’t many left in this first batch, so grab one now before they all go.

Buy a Swansea Scoop Savers Club card for just £5 and you'll unlock exclusive discounts at 10 top local businesses, including 10% off any treatment at Urban Spa and Buy One Get One Free ride on The Big Wheel at Mumbles Pier.

WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢

In the summer of 1933, crowds gathered at Swansea's West Pier to witness something extraordinary - a man attempting to cross the waves on a water bike he’d made himself. This week, discover the remarkable story of Harry Holmes, better known as 'The Great Cyclino'.

Read The Great Cyclino: Swansea's Humble Daredevil

THE DIGEST 📰

🏗️ Swansea, Port Talbot and Milford Haven ports have been shortlisted for major offshore wind construction contracts, potentially creating 5,000 new jobs.

🐟 Fish and chip shops across Wales face a crisis as cod prices have nearly doubled to £277 per box, forcing some, like Hiks in Swansea, to consider removing it from the menu.

🚲 Swansea Council has developed an online map of 27km of ancient Gower bridleways for cyclists.

🎭 Swansea Arena has welcomed over 750,000 visitors since opening in 2022, with ticket sales outperforming projections at 80% attendance for concerts.

🏥 Work on Swansea University's £136 million sports and medical technology centre at Swansea Bay Sports Park could begin in September 2025.

🌴 Plantasia Tropical Zoo has launched its second Jungle Escape game, "Poachers' Lair," following the success of its first game, which has generated over £22,000 in revenue.

🦖 Four huge dinosaur statues including a T-Rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus have been installed at Singleton Park Boating Lake after being donated by Day’s Motorpark.

🚗 Drivers at Singleton Hospital in Swansea are being reminded of the new four-hour maximum parking limit and need to register longer stays to avoid a £40 fine.

🏖️ Swansea Council has restocked its beach library near The Secret Beach Bar & Kitchen, where visitors can borrow buckets, spades, and beach toys for free.

SWANSEA FOOD & DRINK 🍴

The Green Room Bar & Kitchen is launching an Easter pancake special from Tuesday April 16th, featuring toppings including Mini Egg and Cadbury’s Creme Egg.

Coast Cafe in Swansea Marina has launched a new summer breakfast menu, featuring vegan sausage sandwiches, a selection of pastries, and the return of its topped avocado on toast.

Brewstone’s Bottomless Brunch comes with a twist this Easter bank holiday weekend, with a live saxophonist on Friday, DJ on Saturday, and Paint & Sip on Sunday.

Desi Swaag in the city centre has launched a new chaat special - tangy, spicy, and crunchy - “so good, it speaks for itself!”.

Miller & Carter Killay has announced that its 3-course dates & steaks menu is now available Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 PM.

@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱

We visited the tulip field at Gower Fresh Christmas Trees in Three Crosses this week. As well as PYO flowers, they’ll have an Easter Trail over the school holidays.

Check out our video on Instagram and give Swansea Scoop a follow while you’re there for lots of fun content that we can’t squeeze into the newsletter. Find us at @swansea.scoop

SWANSEA PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT 🏡

Looking for a new home or just curious to see what’s out there? I’ve picked out a new-to-market property in Swansea that might catch your eye.

4 Bed Semi-Detached House | Nant Gors-Fawr, SA4 | Offers in region of £400,000

A 4-bed semi-detached property set over three floors in a new build estate in Gowerton, with bespoke fitted furniture, two-en suite bathrooms, parking for three vehicles, and a rear garden with woodland behind.

Interested? View the property on Zoopla and contact eXp World UK

GET FIT WITH SWANSEA CITY FC 🙆‍♂️

Still working on those “new year, new me” resolutions?

Swansea City FC Foundation got in touch this week to tell us about FIT JACKS, and it might just be what you’re looking for.

FIT JACKS is a free 12-week health kickstart program running from late April to July, with sessions at Pontardawe Leisure Centre, Neath Sports Centre and the Swansea.com Stadium.

Participants typically drop about 5% of their body weight and learn healthier habits that stick around long after the program ends.

If you're aged 35-65 with a BMI of 28+ and a 38in+ waist (31in for females) and fancy getting fit with fellow Swans fans, you can book your spot at book.swanseacity.com/fit_jacks

WHAT’S ON

Here comes a big round-up of everything else cool happening in Swansea this week. Ready? Let’s go!

Monday April 14th

🖼️ Sahar Saki Persian Tour: Immersive exhibition at Elysium Gallery transforming the space into a "mini Iran" featuring Persian poetry, calligraphy, music, dance performances, and interactive workshops. Until May 17th. 
11 AM - 7 PM | FREE

Tuesday April 15th

🍷 The Wine Society - On the Road Tasting: Walkaround tasting at Brangwyn Hall featuring spring-perfect wines, southern hemisphere fine wines, and unique selections from off-the-beaten-track regions.
6 PM - 8.30 PM | £30.00

📚 One Woman Walks Europe: Meet author Ursula Martin at Waterstones Swansea as she discusses her new book chronicling her epic 5,500-mile trek across Europe, from Wales to Ukraine and back again.
6 PM | £3-£5, £15.00 with book

📚 Incunabula Book Launch: The Swansea-based publisher launches three new titles by local authors at HQ Urban Kitchen, featuring readings by Jeremy Gluck, Tony Kearns, Simon Beard, Rebecca Lowe, Felix Subway and D M Mitchell.
7 PM | Free

Wednesday April 16th

🎭 Hot Chicks: Rebecca Jade Hammond's new play at Swansea Grand Theatre's Arts Wing about teenagers Ruby and Kyla whose dreams of fame lead to a troubling encounter with older, cooler Sadie.
Various dates and times | £19.00, Concessions £16.00, Pay What You Can from £10.00

💃 April Tea Dance: Join professional dancers Phillip & Gaynor Evans (former Welsh National Champions) at the Brangwyn Hall for an afternoon of ballroom and Latin dancing, complete with music, refreshments and cake. Wednesday, April 16th | £10.00

🌱 Planting & Gardening Sessions: Free drop-in volunteering at The Environment Centre's urban garden, perfect for gardeners of all experience levels to learn new skills and help with various tasks.
2 PM - 4 PM | Free

🩰 Awakening of the Seasons: Pamela Miller Ballet School presents a springtime performance at Pontardawe Arts Centre, celebrating the changing seasons through dance. Wednesday & Thursday, April 16-17th, 7 PM | £15.00, Concessions £13.00

Thursday April 17th

🚲 Giant Re-Fit Launch Party: Celebrate the reopening of the Giant cycling store in Swansea Enterprise Park with an evening of Zwift racing, prizes from Wahoo, giveaways, goodie bags, pizza and refreshments.
5:30 PM | FREE

Friday April 18th

🍺 Gower Brewery Hoedown: Wild West-themed celebration at Gower Brewery's “saloon” in Crofty featuring live music, food, fresh local brews, with prizes for western attire.
4 PM | £5 (includes reusable cup and a pint), Under 18s FREE

😂 Fesshole Live: Social media sensation Rob Manuel brings the internet's naughtiest, funniest, cringiest confessions to Elysium Gallery with a mix of unpublished content and live audience confessions. Thursday, 7 PM - 11 PM | Price not specified

Saturday April 19th

⚓ Old Time Sailors Shanty Show: Immersive experience at Founders and Co featuring a 21-piece crew performing unplugged sea shanties, Celtic rock, and folk music during a sailor's brunch with bottomless drinks.
12 PM - 2 PM

🎩 Chasing Miracles: Thrilling magic and variety show at Patti Pavilion featuring mind-bending sleight of hand, mesmerising visual magic, and audience participation.
6 PM - 8 PM | £19.50 - £28.00

🌷 Wildflowers at Eastertime: Educational guided walk at Clyne Gardens with head gardener Teifion Davies, discovering early spring flowers and their stories.
11 AM - 12.30 PM | £3.00

🎭 18+ Beauty and the Beast: Adult-oriented pantomime at Bonymaen Community Centre with comedic twist on the classic fairy tale.
7 PM | £5.50

🏄 Paddle Board for Age 60+: Free paddle boarding session at Lliw Reservoir specifically for seniors, with all equipment provided.
11 AM - 12 PM | FREE

🛍️ Llangennith Craft Market: First craft market of the season at Llangennith Hall featuring local artisans selling pottery, jewelry, clothing, photography, driftwood art, prints and more, with refreshments available.
12 PM - 4 PM

🎭 See You Next Tuesday: Comedy play at Ostreme Mumbles, about four siblings throwing a birthday party for their brother who's running late, leading to stories of their worst work days.
7.30 PM | £12.00

Sunday April 20th

🎭 An Evening with Dame Siân Phillips: The acclaimed Welsh actress discusses her wide-ranging career and life with director Richard Digby Day at Taliesin Arts Centre, from her childhood in Wales to Broadway success.
7.30 PM | £20.00, Under 26's/Students £10.00

🎵 90s Night: Turn back time at Swansea Albert Hall with a DJ spinning anthems from Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Nirvana, Britney Spears and more, with 90s fancy dress encouraged.
9 PM - 11:30 PM | £5.00

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

Monday March 14th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM

Tuesday April 15th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday April 16th
Cu Mumbles | Simon Allen with Dave Cottle Trio | 8 PM

Thursday April 17th
Hippos | Open Mic | 4 PM

Friday April 18th
The Albert Hall | Live Music Friday | 7 PM
The Oyster House | Friday Night Live | 8 PM
Gower Inn | Live Music Night | 7 PM
Swansea Arena | Coffeeshop Sessions | 12 PM - 2 PM
Cu Mumbles | Royal Scam | 8.45 PM
Elysium | The Lost Cause + HUSK + Four Act Riot + Big Red Car | 7 PM
Bar Saint James | Ellie & Gary | 7.30 PM
The Bunkhosue | Helldown | 6 PM

Saturday April 19th
HQ Urban Kitchen | Saturday Sessions | 1 PM
Swansea Arena | Anastasia | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Church of the Pistoleros | 7 PM

Sunday April 20th
Waterloo Stores | Live Music Sundays | 8 PM
Elysium | Violinist Jack Campbell | 7 PM

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Andrew

THANKS 😊

Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend who would find it useful as well.

Catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

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