Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop, the newsletter that’s been stocking the kitchen cupboards but has already eaten half of the emergency rations 🙊

Is it too early to start talking about Christmas? The shops clearly don't think so, and judging by this week's listings, the festive season in Swansea is already ramping up. There are wreath-making workshops, Christmas paint-and-sips and even a DIY advent calendar session. I'm holding out until December for the tree, though - probably 😂

Plus, there’s Professor Brian Cox, an indie beer fest, stars from the world of darts, and tons more.

Whatever you’re up to, have a good one and I’ll catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

🚆 Plans for eight new railway stations in Swansea and Carmarthenshire are open for public consultation.

🍽️ A boutique cinema and new restaurants are being considered under new plans for Swansea city centre.

❤️ A new mural honouring Bonnie Tyler has been unveiled in her hometown of Skewen.

🌳 Plans to create 14 new nature reserves across Swansea have taken a step forward.

🎁 A giant chest containing hundreds of toys has arrived in Swansea to bring Christmas joy to children in need.

🔐 Scientists have cracked the code of a 400-year-old shipwreck padlock that’s on display in Swansea.

⛴️ Plans for a ferry linking Swansea and Devon are still being explored, Swansea Council says.

🏨 The historic Norton House Hotel in Mumbles has gone up for sale for £1.9m.

📚 Rob Brydon is coming to Swansea for a book signing with local illustrator Ellie Snowdon.

🎵 The Abertawe Festival for Young Musicians (AFYM) returns to the Guildhall this January and is looking for musicians of every age, instrument and ability to perform. New this year: composition classes for budding composers.

🍺 Down By Here on High Street is looking for volunteers to help run the bar for its Indie Beer Fest Wales 2026. Contact owner Scott if you can help out!

Local rock band Zac and the New Men stopped shoppers in their tracks last weekend - their tour kicks off with a show at The Bunkhouse this coming Friday.

📱 Join over 95,000 people and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

This three-bedroom detached bungalow in Caswell features an open-plan kitchen/breakfast room, standalone bath, and driveway parking for several vehicles. Offers over £700,000 via Astleys.

🌿 STREET by Chef Raj Chowdhury has opened on Castle Street.

🇯🇲 Swansea’s viral Jamaican food business Jerk Hut has opened in the city centre.

🎉 The Office, a new co-working space, is opening very soon on Newton Road in Mumbles.

In 1965, a gold Aston Martin with an ejector seat became one of the best-selling toys ever, and it was made in Fforestfach. Read about the rise and fall of Swansea’s biggest toy factory 🚗

🏠 Home: The Key to Hope: Exhibition at Y Storfa by Skylight members with lived experience of homelessness.
Until 8th January

👴 Ageing Well Activities for 50+: Movie and soup specials, coffee mornings, bowling and social walks.
Various times | Free

🎤 Mal Pope: Moving On: The Swansea-born singer-songwriter and broadcaster at the Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £27

🎹 The Annual Richard Burton Lecture: Joe Webb: The Mercury-shortlisted pianist traces the history of jazz piano at Taliesin.
6 PM | Free

🎄 Bud & Bay Christmas Wreath Making Workshop: Festive wreath-making at Square Peg, Sketty. Also Wednesday.
6–8 PM | £50 + booking fee

🍁 Supper Club at Flynn's: A Taste of Québec: French-Canadian supper club at Flynn's Deli, with poutine, pies and maple sweets.
6–8 PM | £32 (£35.37 inc. fee)

📖 'Traces of Alys': Sarah Reynolds in Conversation with Alan Bilton: The author discusses her psychological thriller at the Miners' Library.
5–6 PM | Free

🎨 Urban Arts 50+ Creative Focus Art Class: Friendly art session at Urban HQ for over-50s, all abilities welcome.
1.30 PM | Free

🎵 Catrin Finch: Notes to Self: The celebrated Welsh harpist at Taliesin Arts Centre.
7.30 PM | £15–£20

🎯 A Mecca Night At The Darts: Damon Heta, Jonny Clayton, Rob Owen and Jamie Lewis at Mecca Bingo, plus auctions and signed memorabilia.
7.20 PM | £35

🍺 Indie Beer Fest Wales 2026: 35+ independent breweries, 150+ beers and live music at Down By Here.
November 12th–15th

🪄 Magic Isn't Real: Mind-bending close-up magic from Inner Magic Circle member Jon Jones at No Sign Wine Bar.
7.30 PM | £12.50

🎄 Bow Christmas Tree: Paint and Sip Evening: Festive paint-and-sip with ArtisAnn Wales at The Woodman, Mayals.
6.30–9 PM | £22.50

🩺 Dementia Friendly Activity: Relaxed Tour of the Sea Gallery: A relaxed tour at the National Waterfront Museum for anyone affected by dementia.
1.30–4 PM | Free, booking essential

🎁 Origami Gift Boxes: Make folded gift boxes for Christmas at GS Artists, High Street.
1–3.30 PM (16+, booking required) | Free

🔍 Can You Catch a Serial Killer?: Interactive true-crime show at Taliesin where the audience votes on dramatised crime scenes.
7.30 PM | £19–£24

🎸 London Symphonic Rock Orchestra: Orchestral takes on classic rock anthems at the Grand Theatre.
7.30 PM | £36–£69.50

💃 60+ Dance: Weekly council dance session at the National Waterfront Museum.
2 PM | Free

🤠 A Country Night in Nashville: Dominic Halpin and the Hurricanes play country classics at the Grand.
7 PM | £29.50

🪩 Waterloo: A Tribute to ABBA: Full-scale ABBA tribute at Swansea Building Society Arena.
7.30 PM | From £27.40 (+£3.95 transaction fee)

🎤 The Amy Winehouse Experience: Tribute show recreating Amy Winehouse's live sets at the Patti Pavilion.
7 PM | £28.50 (inc. booking fee)

🎤 Friends of the Glynn Vivian: Artist Talk with Peter Finnemore: The artist on his Silvers of Space exhibition and the companion show he curated.
2–3 PM | Free

🦋 Crymlyn Burrows Wildlife Walk: Lunchtime stroll round Swansea Bay's last dune wilderness with the university's Biodiversity Officer.
12–1.30 PM | Free

👶 Ti a Fi: Mini Museum: Weekly term-time session at the Waterfront Museum for under-5s and their grown-ups.
10.15–11.15 AM | Free

📚 Carole Hailey with Dr Elaine Canning: The novelist in conversation with Dr Elaine Canning at Cover to Cover, Mumbles.
6.30 PM | Free, booking required

🎤 Live Comedy: Rising stand-ups and touring favourites at Problematic Pub Comedy Club. Also Saturday.
7.30 PM | £18

🖼️ Yma: A Field Guide to Here: Gemma Ellen's South Wales wildlife illustrations at Elysium.
Preview 7 PM | Free | Until 23rd December

🖼️ Tailing Amok: Luke Cotter and Hollie Wilkins's work made from local waste at Elysium.
Preview 7 PM | Free | Until 23rd December

🛍️ Mumbles Market: Local traders at The Dairy Car Park, Mumbles.
9 AM–1 PM | Free entry

🧶 Funky Craft Fayre: Handmade gifts from local makers at Ostreme Centre, Mumbles.
10 AM–4 PM

🔮 Witches Market & Spiritual Fayre: Spiritual fayre at Brangwyn Hall, with stalls, readings and workshops.
11 AM–4 PM | Free–£11.55

🔭 Discovering the Universe: Hands-on space workshop and Moon Explorers crafts at Oriel Science.
Multiple sessions | Free

🎄 Saturday Family Art Club: DIY Alternative Advent Calendar: Families make their own advent calendars at the Glynn Vivian.
10.30 AM–12.30 PM | Free

🌳 Antur Bach: Autumn Nature Club: Bilingual outdoor stay-and-play for little ones at Penllergare Valley Woods.
10–11.30 AM | £8 per child (siblings £13/2, £18 family 3+)

♿ Inactivism: Disability, Rest and Resistance: Collage and textile workshop on disability activism at Galerie Simpson Artists.
2–4 PM | Free

📱 Share Your Ancient History!: Social media workshop with creator Han Parker at Volcano Theatre.
2–3.30 PM (booking required) | Free

🎙️ Podcast the Past!: Live podcast recording at Volcano Theatre on how podcasts spark interest in history.
7–8.30 PM (booking required) | Free

📻 The Chimes: Dickens On Air: Dickens staged as a live 1950 radio broadcast, with carols and sound effects, at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
2.30 PM and 7.30 PM | £14–£16

🎼 Swansea Bach Choir: From Vatican to Village: Handel's Dixit Dominus and Chandos Anthems with period instruments at Swansea Minster.
6–8 PM | £20 (£15 under-30s, free under-18s)

😂 Sam Campbell: Kid Giblet: The 2022 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner at Swansea Building Society Arena.
7.30 PM | From £32.68

🎄 Christmas Wreath Making Class with Jonathan Lloyd-Davies: Wreath-making with a master florist at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
2 PM | £45

💃 K-Pop Fantasy: K-pop dance tribute show at the Grand.
2 PM | £30

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Thank you to our 52 members so far 🙏

Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you on Wednesday!
Andrew.

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