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Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop, the local newsletter that’s like when the Wi-fi suddenly starts working again 😄

The schools are back after Easter (the sound you can hear is roughly 50,000 Swansea parents exhaling simultaneously), and it’s shaping up to be a busy week - maybe we’ll even get more of that balmy 16 °C sunshine! 🌞

Highlights include Mexican and wine tasting evenings, the return of Petallica Eco Market, a soothing one-man band, the Egypt Centre re-opening, and a speed jigsaw competition, to name a few.

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

Andrew.

P.S. This week, we passed over 10,000 subscribers to the Swansea Scoop newsletter! 🥳Thank you all so much for reading and for your support.

Imagine sitting in an Uplands taxi at 5:30 AM, clutching a hat box, and heading to London to work for the Queen.

That’s been the reality for Kirstie Logan-Townshend. After a career briefing cabinet ministers, rubbing shoulders with Elon Musk, Kamala Harris, and more, she’s finally bringing that world-class expertise home - launching Kirstie Logan Communications right here in Swansea.

We caught up with her to talk high-stakes crises, Gower horse riding, and what Queen Camilla is actually like...

The Swansea Woman Who Worked for the Queen

⚽ Swansea City wants to build a 1,700-capacity fan zone next to the stadium, with self-pour beer taps and a bierkeller vibe.

🏺 After six months of closure, Swansea University's Egypt Centre has reopened following a major refurbishment of its most celebrated gallery - the House of Death.

🚲 A new River Tawe cycle path and 500 e-bikes for hire are both coming to Swansea thanks to UK and Welsh government funding.

🏖️ Swansea Council has revealed proposals to transform the foreshore between West Pier, the Marina, and Blackpill - with beach huts, padel courts, new event spaces, public art and more among the ideas being explored.

🎼 Sir Karl Jenkins from Penclawdd has become the first living composer to top the Classic FM Hall of Fame.

🏠 Plans have been submitted to turn the upper floors of the CK Foodstores building on Pentregethin Road in Cwmbwrla into 12 self-contained flats.

🏠 A long-vacant site in Bon-y-maen is being transformed into 35 social homes.

🏚️ A Townhill plot that has sat empty for over a decade could finally be brought back to life, with plans lodged for 27 affordable apartments.

🎶 Sound Bath and Supper Club: Relax with a sound bath, shared supper, and community at The Hide in Brynmill Park. No experience needed, just bring yourself.
Wednesday April 15th | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | £27.80

🎶 Tapas with 'No Time to Lose': Indulge in small plates paired with live music by No Time to Lose trio at Langland’s Brasserie.
Sunday April 19th, 7 PM | £27.95 per person

🍽️ Around the World: A Celebration of Street Food: Indulge in a 6-course street food tasting experience at Plough & Harrow, Murton, with a complimentary cocktail upon arrival.
Friday April 17th at 7 PM | £45 per person

🍷 Loire Valley Wine Tasting: A Deep Dive: Experience an educational evening exploring the nuances of Loire Valley wines, from regions to sub-appellations, with a focus on methods, flavors, and potential pairings.
Saturday April 18th at 6.30 PM | £27.80

🌮 Mexican Night at The Estuary: Enjoy bold flavors, loaded plates, and a proper Mexican vibe with stacked nachos and sizzling dishes in Penclawdd.
Thursday, 17th April

This week, we were invited for a tour of the Biophilic Living building in Swansea city centre ahead of its full opening this summer. We’ll be sharing more info about it soon, but how about these views…

More from our socials this week:

☀️ Vicky Park Market in the spring sunshine

🪑 A 10/10 bench spot

🎣 Swansea’s forgotten fishing empire

This 4-bedroom detached farmhouse in Morriston is set over 3.5 acres, with solar panels, sea views, and no onward chain. Offers over £750,000 via Peter Alan.

👔 Spring Jobs Fair: Discover your next career move at the Spring Jobs Fair at Quadrant Shopping Centre on Wednesday, April 15th at 11 AM.

🌺 The deadline for residents to order hanging baskets from Swansea Council is April 30th.

🎨Submission guidelines for the Swansea Open at the Glynn Vivian have been released.

🏰 Knights Brown is hosting a Castle Square Gardens Transformation Engagement Event at YStorfa on Wednesday April 15th from 1.30 PM - 4 PM.

Got something to shout-out to Swansea? Let us know!

🐟 The people behind The Secret Bar & Kitchen are opening a new fish and chip shop - Salt by the Secret - next to their venue on Swansea Bay.

🖼️ Elysium Gallery is moving from its home on High Street to the old JT Morgan building on Belle Vue Way. The High St venue will continue to host music under a new name, Down By Here.

🔥 The Worm’s Head Hotel in Rhossili has re-opened after a devastating fire last year forced it to close.

☕ Sloth Coffee has opened a new venue in Mumbles, opposite Joe’s Ice-Cream.

🏋️ Station 86 will be opening a new location at Ware-house gym in Cwmdu.

🦞 Gower Coast Seafoods has opened a seafood truck on the promenade in Mumbles.

👴 Ageing Well Activities for 50+: Enjoy activities in Swansea, including movie and soup specials, coffee mornings, bowling, and social walks.
Various times | Free

🌆 Lost Horizons Exhibitions: Explore Terry W. Scales' vibrant constructivist art at Volcano Theatre, featuring colour lightscapes and neon constructs. Until May 8th.
10 AM - 5 PM Tue - Fri, 10 AM - 2 PM Sat | Free

🌸 Sweetpea Florals Flower Workshop: Join Sweetpea Florals at Albert Hall for a flower workshop and take home your creation in a mini vase.
6 PM | From £41.80

🎨 Pottery Painting Sessions: Join Craftsea at the Albert Hall for a creative midweek pottery painting session, perfect for unwinding and socialising with friends.
6 PM - 8 PM | £24.20

🌿 Papermaking with Wild and Garden Plants Workshop: Join this outdoor workshop at Summit Good to create paper from plants. Collect, cook, and design paper sheets with pressed flowers or leaves.
9.30 AM - 4 PM | £30 - £60

🎤 In Search of Beethoven: a personal talk by John Suchet: Join John Suchet at King Arthur Hotel Avalon Suite as he shares insights into Beethoven's life, intertwining his personal journey with the composer's.
7.30 PM | £15 - £20

🖌️ Reduction Linocut Workshop: Try linocut printmaking with this introductory workshop covering tools, design transfer, paper prep, and multilayered prints - at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
12:30 pm - 4.30 pm | £25

🎤 The Shoop Shoop Show - The Cher Collection: Featuring award-winning vocalist Rachael Hawnt, this Cher tribute at Swansea Grand Theatre showcases hits spanning her career, from disco to ABBA.
7 PM | £25 - £32.50

🪨 Lecture on Geology of Gower: Dive into the geology of Gower at Penrice, Oxwich, with lecturer Ian Prothero. Learn about Central Gower's geological history and related historical impacts.
10 AM | £10 including refreshments

🎸 James Chatfield: A Unique One Man Band: Enjoy James Chatfield's soothing original songs played with an acoustic guitar and electric bass simultaneously at Elysium Gallery & Bar.
7 PM - 9.30 PM | £6.99

🎤 Hippo’s Hoose Party Comedy Club: Monthly comedy night at Hippos with Pratik Barman, Gilly Webb, Ben Pugh, Darren Hoskins, Delyth Evans, and MC Tom Kennedy.
8 PM | Free (pay what you like)

🌿 Monty Don: A Journey Through British Gardens: Join Monty Don at Swansea Building Society Arena as he explores the stories and traditions behind British gardens, revealing insights into our nation's character through beautiful imagery.
2 PM | Tickets from £35.44 (+£3.95 transaction fee)

🎤 James B Partridge - Primary School Bangers: Join viral sensation James B Partridge at Swansea Grand Theatre for a nostalgic night of communal singing.
7 PM | £31 - £37.50

🤣 Matt Forde: Defying Calamity: Political comedian Matt Forde delivers a lively, positive take on life amidst political chaos, with spot-on impersonations and sharp insights at Taliesin Arts Centre.
7.30 PM | £26.00

🐴 60+ Horse Riding: Enjoy a taster horse riding session for ages 60+, part of Swansea Council’s Sport and Health 60+ Program, at Clyne Farm Centre.
12.15 PM | Free

🧞 Aladdin The Panto: Join Aladdin on a magical adventure filled with wishes, a Genie, and a chance to impress Princess Jasmine at Llanmorlais Community Hall. Also Friday and Saturday.
7 PM | £8.60 - £10.75

👗 Cinema & Clothes Sustainable Clothes Swap: Cinema & Co’s regular swap event - Bring 5 items, get tokens, and exchange for pre-loved gems. Enjoy fizz, nibbles, and fashion portraits.
6 PM - 8.30 PM | £5

🎤 Walk Right Back - The Everly Brothers Story: Immerse in rock and roll nostalgia with this show tracing the legendary Everly Brothers' journey from Kentucky to The Royal Albert Hall, at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £27.50 - £30.50

📚 Stories About Refugees in Wales - José Cifuentes: Book launch at Volcano Theatre showcasing true refugee tales in Swansea, with live music, poetry, buffet, and proceeds aiding asylum seekers and LGBT+ refugees.
7 PM | £5 - £10

🍽️ An Evening with Dean Saunders: Enjoy an evening featuring great food, drinks, entertainment, and fundraising for South Gower FC, at King Arthur Hotel.
7 PM | From £65 pp

🎭 Cinema & Chorus at Cinema & Co. Swansea: Monthly communal sing-along featuring a wireless headphone system for an immersive experience.
7 PM - 9 PM | £8 (Students/C&Co. members £6)

🎻 Gwanwyn Twmpath a Chanu: Embrace the spring season with a community Twmpath at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
7^.30 PM | £6.60

🖼️ All the things I want to tell you, but I don't know how: Join artist Bonnie Grace to launch her new exhibition at Mission Gallery, exploring ceramics, drawing, textiles, and printmaking rooted in the domestic and Welsh heritage.
2.30 PM - 3.30 PM | Free

🌻 Eco Market at Petallica Flower Farm: Shop local businesses, savour food and drinks, and revel in nature at Petallica Flower Farm's eco market.
10 AM - 2 PM

👻 Paranormal Investigation: Explore the mysteries within The Escape Game building in Llansamlet on a real paranormal investigation. Limited tickets available. 18+ only.
8.30 PM | £30

🎪 The Pearl Revue: A dazzling night of variety, burlesque, comedy, circus acts, and more at Swansea Grand Theatre's Arts Wing.
7.30 PM | £20

🎉 Bingo Lingo - 10th Birthday Special: Celebrate Bingo Lingo's 10th Birthday with a wild bingo rave at Patti Pavilion Swansea.
6.30 PM | £14 - £17.85

🏴 Thirty Three presents AU Headquarters Swansea: Experience a unique rave at AU Vodka Headquarters for one night only, featuring house, trance, and techno.
6 PM | £11.25

🎻 BBC NOW - Enigma: Experience a night of musical elegance with Grace Williams' Sea Sketches, Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No. 3, and Elgar's Enigma Variations at Brangwyn Hall.
3 PM | £10 - £20

🔬 FLOW LAB at Oriel Science: Dive into the world of flow experimentation this April at the Science Corner, with hands-on activities exploring various aspects of flow. Also Sunday.
10 AM - 4 PM | Free

🎨 Family Paint Alongs: Join The Paint Along Lay at the National Waterfront Museum for easy-to-follow paint sessions suitable for all ages, no experience needed. Two themes available: Underwater Turtle at 10.30 AM, Seahorse at 2.30 PM.
10.30 AM & 2.30 PM | £17 - £40, Age 5+

🛍️ Penllergaer Pop Up Market: Indoor & outdoor food & crafts Market at Llewelyn Hall, Swansea Road, Penllergaer.
11 AM - 3 PM

🎪 Swansea's Craft & Flea Market: Browse a vibrant collection of ceramics, illustrations, candles, jewellery, and vintage items - from small businesses.
11 AM - 4 PM | £3

🧩 Monthly Jigsaw Competition: Test your puzzle prowess in a Speed Jigsaw Competition at Common Meeple, with prizes to be won,
6.30 PM | £15

Monday April 13th
Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM

Tuesday April 14th


Wednesday April 15th
The Bunkhouse | Red Hot Riot | 7.30 PM
The Uplands Tavern | Blind River Scare | 8.30 PM

Thursday April 16th
Swansea Grand Theatre Arts Wing | Swansea Jazzland 'Joe Webb Trio' | 8 PM
The Welfare | Lay Maisery | 8 PM

Friday April 17th
Elysium Gallery & Bar | PWSI + Vain + Mari Purr | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | The Fiends | 6 PM

Saturday April 18th
Swansea Grand Theatre | Elkie Brooks | 7 PM
Taliesin Arts Centre | Heidi Talbot | 7.30 PM
Elysium Gallery & Bar | Two Til Twelve + Whilbur + The Krakens + Paul Edwards Band | 7 PM
Common Meeple | Captain Cat and the Sailors | 8 PM
The Railway Inn | Hoolah Groove | 4 PM

Sunday April 19th
The Bunkhouse | Phoenix Lake | 6 PM

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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