TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop, the local newsletter that’s reached that part of the summer holidays when the days start blurring into one another and most people are either off on their hols or scrambling for something (anything!) to occupy the kids at home.

Luckily, that's what we're here for! There's tons of fun stuff for the kids and grown-ups this week - from an Asian food pop-up to a play themed around the apocalypse, an Oasis tribute in the shadow of Oystermouth Castle, pirate fun, Beers & Braids, and 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 RE:ACT Performing & Production Arts

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The award-winning RE:ACT Performing & Production Arts launches in Swansea on Tuesday 1st September - and it's not your average drama school.

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WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢

"A man's life should not be judged by how much he has in his bag or what he stores in his mansion... but what he carries in his heart."

That's the line a close friend used to close the funeral of Tea Cosy Pete — a homeless man and one of the city’s most recognisable figures for three decades — in 2015. Most of Swansea knew of Pete by the time he died - but almost nobody, until that week, knew his real name.

Read the full story in The Man Known As Tea Cosy Pete.

THE DIGEST 📰

🏖️ Full plans have been submitted to transform Swansea’s Civic Centre into a huge waterfront destination.

🥇 Mumbles' Ben Pritchard has won back-to-back European rowing titles, making him reigning European, world and Paralympic champion simultaneously.

🏭 Progress continues on restoring the historic Laboratory Building at the Hafod Morfa Copperworks site, with new floors now being installed.

🏘️ Swansea Council has bought 141 affordable homes at a Persimmon development at Garden Village between Gorseinon and Penllergaer, in what it calls a first for the authority.

🏘️ Plans for a new riverside neighbourhood in St Thomas will go on public display next week, with 124 new homes proposed for the site, half of them affordable.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 A Loughor man has been named Welsh Learner of the Year at this year's National Eisteddfod.

🔧 Modernised gatelines, tablet devices for staff and interactive video help points will be installed at Swansea station, as TfW continues investing in station infrastructure.

🦢 Swansea City has unveiled its new away kit for the 2026-27 Championship season, going on sale this Friday, August 7th.

🎮 Children with additional learning needs in Swansea will be able to access free wellbeing support through Minecraft this summer.

🏆 A Morriston Hospital worker who keeps everything from the helipad to the hospital's fire systems running has been named the best in Wales at his job.

😬 A truck got wedged underneath the low railway bridge in Gowerton on Friday.

@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱

Something a bit different this week! Inspired by the end credits of the new Spider-Man movie, @jjvc.art spent a day shooting some lovely footage of Swansea city centre. Check it out below and show him some love in the comments!

Instagram post

📱 Join over 90,000 people and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

SWANSEA PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT 🏡

This one-bedroom ground floor retirement apartment on St Helens Road features easy access to the seafront, 24-hour Careline system, access to a residents' lounge, and regular social activities. For ages 60+. £110,000 via Astleys.

LOCAL BUSINESS 🏪

The Foundry, Swansea City’s refurbished club shop has opened at the Swansea.com stadium.

Suds Coffee has opened in Grovesend.

💵 Budget Carpets is opening soon in Parc Fforestfach Retail Park.

SWANSEA SHOUT-OUTS 🏪

🕵️ Find it for the Foodbank is running throughout August in Mumbles, with 30 shops hiding an item they don't normally sell in their window for shoppers to spot. Entry forms (£2 donation, in aid of West Cross Foodbank) are available from Captain's Cabin, with prizes up for grabs.

WHAT’S ON 📅

📅 Got an event in Swansea?

Submit it here and we'll add it to our new events calendar and consider it for the newsletter and our socials.

Monday, August 10th

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

🏰 Mumbles Retro Week: Enjoy a week of retro fun with live music, silent disco, street food, and family-friendly activities at Oystermouth Castle Grounds.
3 PM - 11 PM | £5 - £10 (free entry on select days).

🎨 Paint Along Like Bob Ross: Learn to paint like Bob Ross at Penllergare Valley Woods, creating a classic landscape scene.
3 PM - 5 PM | £32

🎶 Music Makers: Create, Connect, Celebrate: Music and creativity sessions for over-50s, running Mondays through August at Swansea Minster (August 17th's session moves to St James Church Hall, Uplands).
11.30 AM and 2 PM | £2 suggested donation.

Family Fun

🎨 Make it Mondays!: Creative craft workshops like Tie-Dye T-shirts and Rainbow Weaving Basket Kits at Underhill Hub.
Mondays throughout summer holidays

COAST Multi-Activity Day: A variety of free activities including dance classes, cooking workshops, and martial arts for different age groups across Swansea venues.
Various times | Free

🧼 LUSH Swansea: Fizz-tastic Summer Bath Bomb Making: Kids can make their own bath bombs to take home.
Mondays & Wednesdays, 12-2 PM | £5

🏊‍♀️ Splash and Play at Wales National Pool: Free one-hour sessions for children under 16 to cool off in August.
Free for children, £2.50 for adults

📍 Swansea Marina Summer Trail: Free, fun trail to explore Swansea Marina, solving clues along the way. Return your trail sheet to enter a prize draw. Start at Morgans Hotel and finish at Dawsons' Marina office.
Throughout August | Free

🔬 Easy as Pi. Build. Create. Discover. Science, Maths & Engineering Fun: Hands-on STEM exploration, puzzles, teamwork, and creativity at St John’s Church, Gowerton.
10 AM - 11:30 AM | Free

Tuesday, August 11th

🎨 Pottery Painting with Craftsea: Create personalised ceramics at Albert Hall including mugs, vases and ornaments.
6 PM - 8 PM | £22

🖼️ Art in the Sky Gallery Tour: Explore the latest contemporary art exhibition at the Glynn Vivian with guided highlights, offering insights into the artworks and artists.
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM | Free

Family Fun

🥁 Family Drumming with One Heart Drummers: Family drumming sessions at Brynmill Park featuring body percussion, rhythm games, and crafts.
10.30 AM, 12.30 PM, 2.15 PM | £2

🏫 COAST Events: Multiple free activities for all ages including summer clubs and outdoor play.
Various Times | Free

Wednesday, August 12th

Swansea Jazz Club - Every Wednesday, 8 PM

The UK's longest-running weekly jazz club (est. 1949!) keeps swinging across Swansea. Catch Charlie Herbert Trio (Aug 12th at The Observatory), Dave Sear & Chris Bowden with Dave Cottle Trio (Aug 19th at The Swigg), and Evan Extence Quartet (Aug 26th at The Observatory).Plus Swansea International Jazz Festival returns Sep 3rd - 6th. swanseajazzland.co.uk

🍽️ Supper Club at Flynn's: Enjoy a Japanese-themed menu featuring miso, sesame, ginger, and more at Flynn's Delicatessen.
6 PM | £32

🧠 The Last Quiz Night On Earth: Swansea Little Theatre presents a pub quiz amid impending apocalypse, with unexpected guests and surprises. Until Saturday.
7.30 PM | £12 - £15

🍽️ Girl Dinner Plates Pottery Workshop: Create and decorate your own girl dinner plate with clay at Founders and Co.
6.30 PM | £36

Family Fun

🌳 Family Woodland Activities: Free nature activities with Coed Lleol Small Woods at Penlan Slopes next to Manselton Park.
10.30 AM | Free (booking required)

🌞 COAST Events: Free summer activities including arts and crafts, music fun day, workshops, gymnastics, and more at various Swansea locations.
Multiple times | Free

🌳 Family Woodland Activities: Free nature activities with Coed Lleol Small Woods at Manselton Park.
10.30 AM | Free (booking required)

🎭 I Can... Create: Dryad Shadow Puppets: Craft fantasy creatures inspired by nature using model-making and animation in this shadow puppet workshop at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
12.30 & 1.30 PM | £3 per child

🚍 Summer Open Days At Swansea Bus Museum: Visit the Swansea Bus Museum & enjoy Wednesday openings with a free heritage bus ride at 1pm.
Wednesdays until August 26th | 11 AM - 3 PM | £1 - £10

🎶 The Wiggles Theme Session: Interactive entertainment for Wiggles fans at Copperfish with singing, dancing, and games.
12.30 PM | Child £8, Adult £3

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Adventure Afternoon: Swashbuckling fun at Bank Farm with games, music, treasure hunts, and pirate mischief.
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, August 13th

🚶‍♂️ Rhossili Nature Walks: 3–4-hour guided nature walk exploring Rhossili Down's varied terrain with historical, fauna, and mapping themes.
11 AM - 2 PM | £3

🎨 Paint n Sip Evening: Paint a stunning seascape sunset inspired by Swansea Bay views at The Woodman - ticket includes Prosecco!
6.30 PM | £27.80

🍺 Beers & Braids: Learn to care for and style children's hair in a relaxed adults-only session at Common Meeple Board Game Cafe. Ticket price includes a drink.
6 PM | £20

🎉 Swansea A-Levels Results Party with Pitbull UK: Miami Themed A-Level Results Party at Jack Murphy's Wind Street, featuring Pitbull UK.
10 PM - 3 AM | £3 - £5

Family Fun

🦋 Our World on Show: Free crafting workshops every Thursday at Swansea Museum to create displays inspired by Water, Land, and Sky.
10 AM - 1 PM | Free

🔩 K'NEX Big Build Challenge: Budding engineers aged 6+ can tackle XLWales challenges using K'NEX construction kits at the National Waterfront Museum.
August 13th, 20th & 27th, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM | Free

🎭 Flossy & Boo: The Impossible Island of Flabbergast: An interactive adventure filled with live music, clever comedy, and nonsensical charm at The Welfare, Ystradgynlais.
2 PM | Pay What You Can: £7, £9, £11

🖌️ Family Paint Along: Family-friendly paint session at Founders & Co, suitable for ages 5+.
2.30 PM | £17 - £40

Friday, August 14th

🎭 Bring It On The Musical: High-energy musical about competitive cheerleading and high school rivalries at Swansea Building Society Arena.
Thu 13 Aug - Fri 14 Aug 2026 | 3 PM & 7.30 PM | From £32.97

🎡 Swansea Mega Value Wristband Fair: Unlimited rides and family-friendly entertainment at Singleton Lacrosse Field. Two daily sessions available for £12 per rider and £3 per non-rider, until August 31st.
12 PM - 8 PM | £3 - £12

🍜 Noodle Night: Enjoy a night of handmade noodles, slow-simmered broths, and delectable desserts with Chef Ewang at Hoogah.
6 PM & 8 PM sittings

🎤 Comedy Club Night @ Pontyfest: Comedy night at The Rink featuring three comedians and MC Sian Fisher.
7.30 PM | Pay what you can

Family Fun

🌞 COAST - Events: Arts, crafts, climbing, skateboarding, and more at various Swansea locations.
Times Vary | Free

🛶 Canoe & Kayak Hire: Free canoe & kayak hire for children at Coed Gwilym Park every Friday during school holidays.
Every Friday during school holidays, 10 AM - 1 PM | Free

🎨 Summer Sessions @ Volcano: Drop-in craft sessions on Fridays featuring clay, lego, lanterns, plus workshops like zine-making, wave painting, and more.
11 AM - 2 PM | Free

Saturday, August 15th

🎪 Urban Village Fete: Celebrate community life in Swansea with a day of family fun at Swansea Minster (St Mary’s Church). Village show competition categories include produce, baking, flowers, creativity, and photography.
11 AM - 4 PM

🎤 Saturday Night Comedy: Big laughs at Problematic Pub Comedy Club with Sol Bernstein, Andy Hillier, Douglas Carter, and host Sandro Ford.
6 PM | £17

🥾 LGBTQ+ Swansea Coastal Circular: A 10.5km hike through Oystermouth, Mumbles, Langland Bay, and Caswell Bay, designed for queer Women, trans men, and non-binary individuals.
10.30 AM - 2 PM | Free

🎲 Quiz Night at Socialdice - Board Game Cafe: Animated shows quiz covering cartoons, anime, and more.
7 PM | £2.00

🎨 Upcycled Worlds: Reimagined Painting With Artist Rhys Cannon: Join artist Rhys Cannon to creatively transform second-hand art into unique creations at Mission Gallery.
11 AM - 3 PM | £33.22

🌻 Petallica Eco Market: Browse local businesses at Petallica Flower Farm's Eco Market, with food, drinks, crafts, and more.
Saturday 15 August, 10 AM - 2 PM

🎪 Penllergaer Pop Up Market: Indoor and outdoor food and crafts market at Llewelyn Hall.
11 AM - 3 PM

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, 10 AM - 4 PM | Free

🎨 COAST Children and Young People Events: Activities for children, including Oriel Science workshops and judo.

🎪 Friends of Morriston Park Fun Day: Enjoy a day of family fun with a raffle, stalls, circus, bouncy castle, and more in Morriston Park.
11 AM - 3 PM | Free

Sunday, August 16th

🚶‍♂️ Rhossili Nature Walks: 3–4-hour guided nature walk exploring Rhossili Down's varied terrain with historical, fauna, and mapping themes.
11 AM - 2 PM | £3

🥧 Pie & Plod Run Club Sports Day: Head to BikeAbility Wales for pie-themed games & friendly competition, Motley Pies and coffee from Suds Coffee. Enter a team (limited spots remain) or just spectate and enjoy the atmosphere.
9 AM

Family Fun

🎨 COAST Children and Young People Events: Activities for children, including surfing and a summer reset + thrive with Neurokind.

🦇 Nocturnal Wildlife Discovery Day: Explore bats, moths, hedgehogs, and nocturnal creatures at Brynmill Park's The Hide.
11 AM - 3 PM | Free

EXTRA SCOOPS* 🏷️

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LIVE MUSIC 🎸

Monday August 10th
Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM

Tuesday August 11th
Hangar 18 | The Big Stage Jam Night | 7.30 PM

Wednesday August 12th
Down by Here | Open Mic | 7 PM

Thursday August 13th
Down by Here | Pressgang Mutiny + Captain Cat & The Sailors + The Singing Armadillos | 7 PM

Friday August 14th
Down by Here | Pictish Trail + HMS Morris + Crash Tonic | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Gwlad: Redwood City + Special Guests | 7 PM

Saturday August 15th
Down by Here | Lacertilia + The Death Of Money + Raygun Roulette + Black Havana | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Club Brat + The Shunkhos + Dogcollar | 7 PM

Sunday August 16th
Down by Here | Nasanjargal Ganbold & Johanni Curtet X Oh Mr James | 7 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.

Catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

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