TOGETHER WITH
Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop, the local newsletter that's like remembering to finish a cup of tea while it’s still warm ☕
This week, there’s a cheese and cider festival in Gower, Strictly Come Dancing professionals live in town, and The Invisible Man - though good luck spotting him 😄
All that, plus a 125-year-old Swansea photo album, Race for Life, Swansea Pride, and loads more.
Whatever you're up to, have a good one and I'll catch you on Wednesday!
Andrew.
P.S. Over 10,500 Swansea locals read the Scoop! Know someone who’d enjoy it? Forward this email to them and ask them to subscribe for free.
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Boxes start from just £10 with local delivery available, or order by Monday to pick-up from the shop on Thursday.
WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢
On a Saturday morning in October 1939, a crowd gathered in Oxford Street and watched one of Swansea's newest and most celebrated stores burn to the ground.
It was not the last time Marks and Spencer's Oxford Street store would face destruction. But it survived, was rebuilt, and for the best part of a century became one of the most familiar sights in the city centre. On May 30th 2026, it closes for the last time.
This week, we told its remarkable story: The day Swansea’s M&S burned.
THE DIGEST 📰
🚁 Wales Air Ambulance has announced that it is closing its Cwmdu charity shop at the end of June.
🌍 A stunning six-metre globe made from NASA imagery of Earth is coming to Swansea Minster this October.
🏫 Plans have been submitted to demolish the former Ysgol Gymraeg Tan Y Lan school on Tan Y Lan Terrace in Morriston to be replaced with 24 affordable apartments.
🚿 Blackpill Lido re-opened for the summer season yesterday, following a delay after thieves stole the attraction’s sprinklers.
🌊 Mumbles Yacht Club has unveiled plans for a £4.5m marine sports centre at Knab Rock - funded by 12 luxury flats.
🦛 Swansea grassroots music venue Hippos has launched a £35,000 Crowdfunder to help it survive and grow.
🏰 A Swansea University student has created an augmented reality experience that brings Oystermouth Castle’s medieval chapel back to life.
🏦Mumbles’ new Banking Hub opened its doors for the first time this week, bringing face-to-face banking services back to the village.
🌧️ Swansea Council has applied for listed building consent to replace sections of roof at the Grade I listed Guildhall, after years of leaking.
FOOD & DRINK 🥙
Thanks to everyone who joined us at the first Swansea Scoop Dinner Club in Mumbles this week! Diners visited restaurants including The Dark Horse and Mor, with afterparty drinks at the new Ula bar 🍸
Next up: Wednesday May 20th in Swansea city centre. Take a quick personality quiz, get matched with five people, and head to a great local restaurant - then all tables meet up for a surprise after-party at a nearby bar. £9.95 secures your seat and we handle the rest. Plus-ones welcome!
🍽️ Supper Club at Flynn's: Enjoy a Welsh-themed dining experience with dishes like Gower lamb cawl and bara brith bread-and-butter pudding at Flynn’s Delicatessen.
Wednesday, May 13th, 6 PM - 8 PM | £32
🎷 Jazz & Dine @Langland's Brasserie, 7pm - Shane Hampsheir: British singer Shane Hampsheir delivers swing, jazz, and popular music hits. Ticket includes a 2-course dinner.
Sunday, May 10th (tonight!) 7 PM | £49.96
@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱
This week, we discovered a souvenir photo album printed in Swansea some 125 years ago, including scenes of Swansea Castle, Morriston, High Street, Gower beaches, and more.
More from our socials this week:
SWANSEA PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT 🏡
This 3-bedroom detached bungalow in Mumbles has ample off-road parking and is close to local amenities. £495,000 via Dawsons.
SWANSEA SHOUT-OUTS 🏡
🍳 Swansea Minster has launched a new Blokes Breakfast Club every Tuesday morning.
📖 The new Sips and Stories Book Club has its first meeting in June at Bar Saint James in Uplands.
🧠 Swansea Carers Centre is hosting a drop-in session and Walk & Talk as part of Mental Health Week this week.
WHAT’S ON 📅
Together with Welsh Coast Radio
📻 Listen live at welshcoastradio.com, on your smart speaker, on the app, or on 106.5 FM across North and East Swansea.
Monday May 11th
🎨 Y Môr a Ni: Check out this new art installation at the National Waterfront Museum, reflecting Wales' maritime history with colour, subtle movement, and inspiration from pieces in the museum.
Free until May 2027
👴 Ageing Well Activities for 50+: Enjoy activities in Swansea, including movie and soup specials, coffee mornings, bowling, and social walks.
Various times | Free
Tuesday May 12th
🚶♂️ Nordic Walking (Age 50+): Join Swansea Council’s Sport & Health team for a Nordic Walking session for age 50+ at Cwmdonkin Park.
10 AM | Free (booking required)
🎭 Veils of Becoming at Volcano Theatre: This new exhibition by Sunday O. Dabo & Rasaq B Adewunmi explores evolving womanhood through beauty rituals, questioning identity through veils of concealment and revelation.
6 PM - 8 PM (opening night), runs until May 26th | Free
Wednesday May 13th
🎭 Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals: A spectacular production featuring ten world-class professional dancers, live band, vocalists, choreography, and dazzling costumes at Swansea Building Society Arena.
May 13th - 14th, 2026 | From£40.99
🍿 Film Club @ Volcano Presents - Lost in Translation: A screening of this film classic at Volcano Theatre, featuring two strangers who develop a unique bond in Tokyo.
7 PM | £3
🎨 John Brett: Painter: Professor Prys Morgan's lecture on John Brett, a Pre-Raphaelite Painter in Gower in 1887.
7 PM | £10
Thursday May 14th
🩰 I Remember Myself. At Gorff. Dance Workshop: Jones the Dance offers a creative workshop exploring dance, memory - with participants’ memories used as part of its new production, at the Gylnn Vivian Art Gallery.
1 PM - 3 PM | Free
🎤 K-Pop All Stars Tribute: Experience the global K-pop phenomenon live with stadium anthems, original choreography, and hits from top artists, at Swansea Grand Theatre
7 PM | £31 - £37 (limited availability)
👤 The Invisible Man: Our Star Theatre Company presents a lively adaptation of HG Wells' classic with 15 characters played by 3 actors, at Swansea Grand Theatre Arts Wing.
7.30 PM | £20.00
🎨 Tipsy Kahlo Paint & Sip: Creative workshop at Swansea's Albert Hall. Enjoy painting while you sip a cocktail, all materials provided. Suitable for all skill levels.
7 PM | £33
🎵 Swansea Male Choir Spring Concert: Join the Swansea Male Choir, Ysgol Gymraeg Bryntawe, and Ynyshir Brass Band at Swansea Minster for a lively spring concert full of powerful voices and uplifting songs.
7 PM | £11.55
🎭 Godspell: Watch Gower College Swansea perform "Godspell," a unique production blending parables, songs from pop to vaudeville, and Jesus' messages of kindness, tolerance, and love.
Wed & Thu at 7.30 PM, Fri at 2.30 PM and 7.30 PM | £14
Friday May 15th
🧀 Gower Cheese and Cider Festival: Shed Head Cider presents a weekend of live music, plus plenty of local cheese and cider at the Gower Heritage Centre. Ages 18+ after 6 pm on Saturday.
6 PM | From £10
🎨 Friends of the Glynn Vivian Talk with Artist Mark Stewart-Deane: Join practice-based PhD candidate Mark Stewart-Deane for a free talk on the relational practice of painting.
3.30 PM | Free
🎵 The Big Pants Party: Ladies night out featuring iconic hits celebrating sisterhood and fun, with live music and vocalists on a nostalgic journey, at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £33
🎻 BBC NOW - Death and Transfiguration: Experience Beethoven's Violin Concerto, George Benjamin's lively Concerto for Orchestra, and Strauss' Death and Transfiguration with BBC NOW at the Brangwyn Hall.
7.30 PM | £10 - £20
🎰 Bingo Lingo: Join Bingo Lingo at Patti Pavilion Swansea for a wild bingo party with stage battles, unique prizes, and a full club night atmosphere.
6.30 PM | £14 - £16
Saturday May 16th
🏳️🌈 Swansea Pride: Join the LGBTQ+ community for the parade from Wind Street, followed by entertainment at the Brangwyn/Guildhall.
11 AM | Free (no tickets needed)
🎨 Live Portrait Drawing: Capture a moment in time with live portrait sketches for friends, couples, and families at Mini Boss in Picton Arcade in the city centre.
From 12 PM
🏃♀️ Race for Life Pretty Muddy: Take on a 5K inflatable obstacle course at Singleton Park. Climb, crawl, and raise money for cancer research with child-friendly events available.
11 AM | £15 - £20
🎤 Eurovision Live Final: Enjoy Eurovision on the Albert Hall’s big screen, with DJ Iain from 3 PM and the live Final viewing from 8 PM onwards.
3 PM - Late
🎤 Morriston RFC Male Choir Annual Concert: West End star Kerry Ellis and the choir perform at Swansea University, joined by upcoming talent and ITV's Rhys Williams.
7 PM | £20 - £50
🎨 Family Paint Alongs: Join The Paint Along Lady at the National Waterfront Museum for all-ages paint sessions of a mermaid tail or gonk.
10.30 AM & 2.30 PM | £17 - £40
🛍️ Penllergaer Pop Up Market: Indoor and outdoor food and crafts Market at Llewelyn Hall, featuring local traders.
11 AM - 3 PM
🎤 Saturday Night Comedy: Weekly comedy showcase at Problematic Pub Comedy Club with host Simon Emanuel and guests.
Doors 6 PM, show time 7 PM | £17
🎵 Frequency Shift_001 - Swansea: Experience a blend of UK Garage, Jungle & DNB music at The Observatory Swansea, with open decks, local DJs, and in support of Mind Swansea.
6.30 PM | £2
🩰 Swansea Belly Dance Fundraising Get-together: Join Swansea Belly Dance for its fourth annual fundraising event at Swansea Grand Theatre, featuring plenty of captivating performances.
2 PM - 5:30 PM
🧶 Adults Craft Club Part 1: Join Mission Gallery's first Adult Craft Club workshop with artist Safiyyah Altaf, creating silk paintings and exploring transfer printing on synthetic fabrics.
11 AM | £30 for two workshops or £18 individual session
🎻 ChromaMusic Orchestra and Choir Summer Family Concert: Enjoy classical and popular music performances by ChromaMusic Orchestra and Choir at St Catherine's Church in Gorseinon. Perfect for all ages.
3 PM - 5 PM | £4 - £8
📚 Dylan’s Park Book Launch: Author Helen Docherty & illustrator Thomas Docherty introduce their new children's book with words by Dylan Thomas at the Dylan Thomas Centre, including a reading and live drawing.
2 PM | Free (booking required)
🦋 May Science Corner: Explore a partnership between insects and flowers at Oriel Science, creating butterflies, dissecting flowers, and learning to support insect life.
Saturdays in May | 10 AM - 4 PM | Free
Sunday May 17th
🌳 Clyne In Bloom at Clyne Gardens: Experience a day of free activities including mountain boarding, storytelling with Michael Harvey, and live jazz and blues music.
9.30 AM - 4 PM | Free
🏃♀️ Race for Life Swansea: Cancer Research UK's annual fundraising is back at Museum Park, with a 10k or 5k run to support cancer research.
From 9 AM
🧩 Speed Jigsaw Competition: Test your puzzle-solving skills in a fast-paced competition at Common Meeple. Teams compete to finish a puzzle first, with prizes to be won.
6.30 PM | £15
🚶♂️ Port Eynon & South Gower Coast History Walk: Join TV Historian and author Graham Loveluck-Edwards on a guided 7-mile walk exploring historical sites like Old Life Boat Station and Culver Hole.
2 PM | £10 for adults, children under 12 free
🕺 I Remember Myself. At Gorff. Performance: Immersive dance performance exploring the memories stored in our bodies (see Wednesday’s event listing) at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
11 AM & 2 PM | Free (booking essential)
EXTRA SCOOPS* 🏷️
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🧹 Carpets looking tired? Swansea Bay Carpet Cleaning tackles everything from everyday wear to deep-set stains - homes and businesses across Swansea welcome. Great deals on multiple rooms throughout May. DM on Instagram to book.
Are you a local small business looking for customers? A classified ad in Swansea Scoop puts you in front of 10,000+ Swansea locals for just £50. Pick your date, write your ad, pay online, and you’re done.
*The above is sponsored content
LIVE MUSIC 🎸
Monday May 11th
Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Tuesday May 12th
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Seth Lakeman | 7.30 PM
Wednesday May 13th
Swansea Grand Theatre | Money for Nothing (Dire Straits Tribute) | 7 PM
The Swigg | LI Harding & Gary Phillips Band | 8 PM
Thursday May 14th
The Bunkhouse | Daniel James McFadyen | 6 PM
Friday May 15th
Swansea Grand Theatre Genesis Connected 7 PM
Hippos | DJ Tommy Gun | 8 PM
Saturday May 16th
The Patti | Almost Gaga | 7 PM
The Railway Inn, Killay | Blind River Scare | 4 PM
Sunday May 17th
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Damian Hall | 7.30 PM
The Bunkhouse | Paradox to Stay | 6 PM
The Railway Inn, Killay | The Oyster Boys | 4 PM
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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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