Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop, the local newsletter that
It’s the big one: the Wales Air Show takes over Swansea Bay on Saturday and Sunday for two days of aerobatic displays, entertainment, and a new after-dark show, Afterburn!
The rest of the week is packed with plenty to do as well, including lots of free and cheap school holiday activities, Craig Charles DJing down the Marina, a new bistro and bar to check out, and tons more.
Whatever you're up to, have a good one and I'll catch you on Wednesday!
Andrew.
P.S. Over 11,000 Swansea locals read the Scoop! Know someone who’d enjoy it? Forward this email to them and ask them to subscribe for free.
Sponsored by The Gower Show
The Gower Show Returns This August
Penrice Castle Park hosts The Gower Show - one of Gower's biggest days out on Sunday August 2nd from 9 AM until 5.30 PM – and this year there's a brand-new attraction alongside the usual favourites.
Gwerin Y Gŵyr, an early medieval re-enactment group, will be bringing Viking and Welsh warrior culture to life in the President's Ring for the first time, with clashes and displays running throughout the day.
Add in the Shire horses, a tug of war, a novelty dog show open to entries on the day, vintage engines, and the cookery and craft tents that have made the Show a Gower institution for generations, and it's a full day out whether you're into livestock or just fancy a wander with the kids.
WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢
Every day, people cut along Uplands Crescent past the flats at Belgrave Court without a second glance at the small plaque fixed above one of the ground floor windows.
The man it commemorates once did something almost nobody in history had done before him: navigated by starlight across an entire ocean, in an open-cockpit biplane, through fog, ice and a near-fatal spinning dive.
This week, we share the story of Sir Arthur Whitten Brown.
THE DIGEST 📰
🌳 22 Swansea parks and green spaces have been awarded Green Flag status this year.
🏭 Restoration work has started on two historic engine houses at Swansea's former Hafod Morfa Copperworks.
🌹 Bonnie Tyler's family have announced the details of her funeral and a public celebration of her life.
🌳 Swansea's new SA1 park has officially opened, making it only the second brand new public park created in the city in the last 100 years
🚌 Free buses are back in Swansea this summer, starting on Wales Airshow weekend.
💙 Tributes have been paid to Liam Harmer, a familiar face on the streets of Swansea for more than 15 years, who died in a flat fire in Townhill.
⚽ Swansea Council has agreed to sell the Swansea.com Stadium to Swansea City, more than two decades after building it for £27m.
⚓ Swansea Marina’s iconic Helwick lightship has left its berth for the first time in decades, heading to dry dock for a £450,000 restoration.
Follow us on Facebook for daily Swansea news! Just the good stuff - no clickbait, pop-ups, crime, or politics!
@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱
The Leather Shop has been in Swansea city centre for 60 years, and 75-year-old Debbie Read has worked in the family business for that whole period, taking over the ownership from her father. We went down to find out more about the shop and why she still loves her work.
SWANSEA PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT 🏡
This 4-bedroom detached house in Fforestfach features a master bedroom with ensuite, sauna, and spacious rear garden with decking. Offers in the region of £500,000 via John Francis.
LOCAL BUSINESS 🏪
🎭 Theatre, a new bar and bistro, has opened up on Neath Road.
🎂 Pixie Cakes & Coffee has opened in Swansea Marina.
🍺 The Bunkhouse live music venue is opening its doors for drinks on weekday afternoons.
🎾 A planning application has been submitted to replace Ninja Warrior in Parc Tawe with padel courts 🎾
🍔 Carl’s Jr. on Wind Street has closed down and is now only taking orders online.
Sponsored by Gower Walking Festival
Lace up! Gower Walking Festival tickets are on sale
The Gower Walking Festival is back for its 22nd year, running from September 5th–13th with more than 30 guided walks across the peninsula.
There's everything from gentle seafront strolls to proper off-the-beaten-track hikes, taking in Gower's coastline, wildlife, industrial history – and the characters from the past who helped put Swansea on the map.
New for 2026! A singing walk through native woodland and a beach clean to close the festival.
And with routes for all abilities, there's a walk for seasoned walkers and first-timers alike.
WHAT’S ON 📅
Monday, July 20th
🎨 Beach Sculpture Festival 2026: Join free drop-in workshops with artists to create marine-themed sculptures on Swansea's beautiful beaches. Runs Monday - Saturday at different beaches.
10 AM - 4 PM | Free
👴 Ageing Well Activities for 50+: Enjoy activities across Swansea, including movie and soup specials, coffee mornings, bowling and social walks.
Various times | Free
🎨 Make it Mondays!: Creative craft workshops like Tie-Dye T-shirts and Rainbow Weaving Basket Kits at Underhill Hub.
Mondays throughout summer holidays
🌿 Eco Warriors: Nature-themed activities and eco projects for kids at the Underhill Hub.
Tuesdays throughout summer holidays
Tuesday, July 21st
🏺 Introduction to Swansea Pottery Gallery Tour: Explore the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery’s Swansea Pottery Collection with a guided tour.
2 PM | £3
🗺️ Hear a Story Make a Map: Workshop at National Waterfront Museum inspired by its new Anne Francis exhibition, exploring tales of treasure, creating maps with spices, for ages 4+.
July 21st & 22nd | 12 PM & 2 PM | Free
Wednesday, July 22nd
🦜 Silver Safari & Garden Adventure: 90-minute zoo experience for ages 50+ at Plantasia Tropical Zoo, exploring 40+ animal species and lush tropical plants, led by expert guides. Free entry.
6 PM | Free (booking required)
🎭 Big Mad Andy's Peep Show Quiz: Peep Show quiz with insane prizes, MAD trivia, and a lively atmosphere at The Swansea Jack.
7 PM | £9
🎥 Disclosure Day: Steven Spielberg's sci-fi film about the truth being revealed to all humanity nears on Disclosure Day - screening at the Taliesin Arts Centre.
7.30 PM | £7.75 full price, £5 for Under 26's and students
🎨 Swansea Stories: Steampunk Copperopolis Worldbuilding: Cardboard worldbuilding workshop inspired by Vivian family history and Steampunk fantasy at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
10.30 AM | £3 per child
🎉 Summer Softplay Session: Bouncing, sliding, and play for little ones at Gendros Community Centre.
11 AM - 1 PM | £2.50
👑 Princess Afternoon Tea at Copperfish: Meet Cinderella and Belle at Mumbles Pier with arts, crafts, photos, and afternoon tea.
2 PM - 4 PM | Child £14.95, Adult £6.95
🌳 Family Nature Play: Outdoor family fun at Manselton Park and Penlan Slopes, offering nature play activities.
10.30 AM
🏖️ Beach Party Fun at Bank Farm Leisure: Seaside-themed games, music, dancing, prizes, and character guests.
3 PM - 5 PM
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.
Thursday, July 23rd
🌞 Mumbles Here Comes Summer: Live music, street food, local stalls, and activities along the length of Newton Road for a summer celebration in Mumbles.
4.30 PM - 9 PM
🎤 The Spooky Men's Chorale: Celebrate the chorale’s 25th birthday with a mix of classics and new delights at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
19:30 | £30.25
🖼️ Glynn Vivian at Night: Explore international art kite installations and the Swansea Open 2026 art competition after hours at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
5.30 PM - 8 PM | Free
Blazing Saddles + Pizza: Throwback comedy at Cinema & Co. Free event featuring Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles.
6 PM | From £10
📚 Tracy Rees with Sarah Rees: The Golden Feather: Join Tracy Rees at Mumbles Tabernacle for the launch of her latest book, a fantasy adventure for adults celebrating stories and dreams.
6.30 PM | £7.50
📦 Summer Cardboard Big Build: Interactive sessions at National Waterfront Museum to create unique cardboard creations using up-cycled materials. Ages 7+. Bring 3-4 boxes per child.
11.30 AM & 1.30 PM | Pay what you can (minimum £1 per child).
🦋 Our World on Show: Create exhibits at Swansea Museum, exploring nature through crafting.
Thursdays throughout the summer | 10 AM - 1 PM | Free
🎨 Make Your Own Monster!: Learn to create unique creatures inspired by TS Wolfe's picture book at The Welfare, Ystradgynlais.
10 AM | £5
🎉 Hippos 1st Anniversary Hoose Party!: Celebrate the 1st Anniversary of Hippos Hoose Party with a comedy shindig featuring a great lineup at Hippos on High St.
8 PM | Free
Friday, July 24th
🎤 Craig Charles Live at The Swigg: Join DJ and actor Craig Charles for a night of entertainment at The Swigg in Swansea Marina.
8.30 PM
Saturday, July 25th
🛩️ Wales Airshow: Annual event at Swansea Bay featuring world-class pilots showcasing aerial acrobatics, alongside ground displays, food trucks, live music, and family activities.
July 25th & 26th | Free
🎶 Acoustic After Hours at Flynn’s: Live acoustic music, wine, and cheese boards at Flynn’s Delicatessen.
6 PM - 10.30 PM | Free
🚢 Prince Ivanhoe Exhibition: Discover the story of the Prince Ivanhoe ship, showcasing artefacts and a documentary at Port Eynon Village Hall.
July 25th & 26th | 10.30 AM - 5 PM | £5 - £12
🍽️ Uplands Market: Monthly food and craft market at Gwydr Square, offering fresh food and handcrafted goods.
9 AM - 1 PM
🍽️ Felindre Food & Crafts Market: Explore a variety of food, crafts, and live music at Felindre Welfare Hall & Grounds.
10 AM - 3 PM
🦊 NSW Star Fox Groove!: Join Nintendo South Wales at Founders & Co. for a 5-hour Star Fox event featuring game competitions, a Rhythm Paradise tourney, Splatoon showcase, and mystery prizes.
12 PM - 5 PM | Free
📜 Summer Poetry Party with Poetry Into Light: Join local poets at Down By Here for an afternoon of poetry, live music, and networking.
2 PM - 5 PM | £6 / £4
Family Fun
🔭 Our Friend the Sun: Oriel Science hosts workshops on the Earth's relationship with the Sun, exploring seasons, tides, solar energy, and more.
Wed-Sun from 10 AM-4 PM | Free
🐝 Meet the Bees: Explore the world of honeybees, including hive activities, wax candle-making, and bee inspection at the National Waterfront Museum.
2 PM | Adults £5, children £4.50
🏛️ Make and Take – Time Capsules: Create your sealed time capsule inspired by the Ann Francis treasure hoard display at National Waterfront Museum.
July 25th & 26th, 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Free
Sunday, July 26th
🧩 July Speed Jigsaw Competition: Test your puzzling skills in a team of 2 in a race to complete a jigsaw puzzle.
6.30 PM | £15 per team
Family Fun
🤠 Toy Story Party: Family fun at Mumbles Pier with character appearances, scavenger hunts, crafts, and live entertainment.
10 AM - 5 PM | Free
EXTRA SCOOPS* 🏷️
💻 Slow laptop or broken computer? Swan CD in Tycoch has been fixing Swansea's tech since 1997 – covering everything from PC, Mac and laptop repairs to upgrades, phone fixes, and the supply and setup of new machines for homes and businesses. Pop into 38-40 Carnglas Road, call 01792 521158, or visit swancd.co.uk.
Are you a local small business looking for customers? A classified ad in Swansea Scoop puts you in front of 11,000+ 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 July 20th
Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Groucho Club Jazz Night | 8.30 PM~
The Bunkhouse | The Meritones | 7 PM
Tuesday July 21st
Down By Here | An Evening of Reed Music: Greenstone / Green / De Clerck + Julie Murphy & Ceri Rhys Mathews | 7 PM
Wednesday July 22nd
Down By Here | Open Mic | 7 PM
Swansea Grand Theatre Arts Wing | Swansea Jazzland 'Hamish Stuart Band' | 8 PM
The Bunkhouse | Joe & The Sh*tboys | 7 PM
Thursday July 23rd
Friday July 24th
Down By Here | Tethered + On A Broken Edge + Made Of | 7 PM
St Peter’s Church, Newton | Dave Cottle Quartet | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | GWLAD: Gwonson + Special Guests | 6 PM
Hangar 18 | The Undersiders | 7 PM
Saturday July 25th
Down By Here | Lemontronic: Swansea's Electronic Music Open Mic | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Struggler | 7 PM
Altitude28 | Escape Duo | 8 PM
Albert Hall | DJ Leo Jesse | 7 PM
Sunday July 26th
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THANKS 😊
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Catch you on Wednesday!
Andrew.
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