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Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that's like still riding that 'new year, new me' energy 😀
It’s another quiet one in Swansea this week as 2026 gets going proper, but there’s still a lot of great stuff worth braving the cold for - including live comedy, a film screening with Mathew Pritchard, and a weekend Wassail on Gower. You know, the classic British tradition of getting tipsy, grabbing a horse skull, and singing at an apple orchard to encourage a bountiful harvest ☺️
Whatever you’re up to, have a good one and I’ll catch you on Wednesday!
Andrew.
P.S. Know someone else who’d enjoy the Scoop? Please forward this email to them and ask them to subscribe free here 🙂
Sponsored by the National Waterfront Museum
Paint Along at the National Waterfront Museum 🎨
Looking for something fun, creative, and totally different to do in Swansea?
Join The Paint Along Lady - artist Claire Timbrell - for one of her joyful painting sessions at the National Waterfront Museum. Whether you're flying solo, bringing your bestie, or coming with the whole family, there’s a Paint Along for everyone.
Expect music, laughter, and step-by-step guidance to help you create your very own colourful masterpiece to take home. No experience needed - just curiosity and a willingness to try something new!
Claire has been selling out venues across Wales and spots always fill fast, so book your ticket from the links below and make memories you’ll treasure.
🖌️ Grown-Up Paint Alongs
Perfect for date nights, friends, or just a little "me time”:
🖼️ Fri, Feb 13th - Love Three Cliffs - SOLD OUT
Age 16+, tickets £25 each or two for £45
👨👩👧 Family & Quiet Paint Alongs
Fun for all ages, including special quiet sessions with a calmer, more sensory-considerate atmosphere:
🦜 Sat, Jan 17th - Toucan (Afternoon) - SOLD OUT
Age 5+, tickets £16 each or Family Ticket £55
WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢
To round-off the last Wednesday Scoop of 2025, I shared a round-up of nearly 50 Swansea-related articles written throughout the year - from the last ride of the Mumbles Railway, to The Great Cyclino, and the Pluckness Monster!
THE DIGEST 📰
🤖 A Swansea man paralysed in a freak accident is using AI technology to help him walk again.
🐱 A Swansea charity found homes for 375 cats last year, in the midst of a national “cat crisis.”
👩 A Swansea MP has lost 10 stone using weight loss jabs after suffering online abuse.
FOOD & DRINK 🥙
Sponsored by Bistrot Pierre Mumbles
🍽️ £5 OFF MAINS FOR THE WHOLE OF JANUARY AT BISTROT PIERRE MUMBLES:
As a thank you for your continued support throughout 2025, we are offering everyone £5 off every main course throughout January! One voucher is valid for up to six mains per table.
Email: [email protected] for your unique voucher & code
🍽️ Brontosaurus Vegan Lifestyle Store in Swansea Market is hosting a variety of taster sessions throughout January for Veganuary.
🍽️ Joe's Ice-cream has a special Banoffee Waffle Sundae available throughout January.
@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱
This week on socials, we visited the driftwood people at Rotherslade Bay. Have you seen them, or built one yourself?
Click below to watch and give us a follow! We’re now at over 21,900 followers on Instagram and over 28,000 on Facebook!
SWANSEA PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT 🏡
This 5-bedroom Grade II listed semi-detached house in the Uplands is on the market for the first time since 1976, featuring three reception rooms, mature gardens, and sea views. Offers over £550,000 via John Francis.
🛍️ SWANSEA LOCAL BUSINESS
💼 More businesses are opening than closing in Swansea city centre, a report finds.
🏨 The Carlton Hotel in Mumbles has been put up for sale for £1.5m
🎒 Smiggle has closed down its shop on Whitewalls in Swansea city centre.
SWANSEA SHOUT OUTS
🪴 Friends of Singleton Park Botanical Gardens are looking for volunteers to join its team.
👰♀️ Rowberry Bridal and Fashion is looking for a shop assistant to join its team.
🧹 Caredig is looking for a Cleaner / Night Concierge to join its team at Hazel Court, Sketty.
🎶 Liberty Bay Voices in Fforestfach is looking for new member to join its choir.
WHAT’S ON
Monday January 5th
👴 Ageing Well Activities for 50+: Enjoy activities in Swansea, including movie and soup specials, coffee mornings, bowling, and social walks.
Various times | Free
🎊 COAST Activities: The new year kicks off with a free K-pop sing along at Waunarwydd Community Centre.
3 PM | £2
Tuesday January 6th
🚶♀️ Nordic Walking (Age 50+): Free weekly Nordic walking sessions at Cwmdonkin Park for over 50s, providing a full-body workout using specially designed poles.
10 AM | Free
Wednesday January 7th
🎨 Life Drawing at Elysium: Join friendly and informal life drawing sessions every Wednesday at Elysium. Basic materials provided.
6 PM - 9 PM | £10 + Free Drink
🧘♀️ Restore Your Core Taster: Join a free taster session with Beth Cox, RYC Teacher, to learn a blend of Yoga, Pilates, and functional movement techniques at The Swansea Wellbeing Centre.
9.30 AM - 10.30 AM | Free
Thursday January 8th
🎭 Ministry of Absurdism: Celebrate 7 years of silliness at Elysium Gallery with a comedy night themed 'Shadows', featuring Joe Dehuai, Abi Myles, Max Jones, and more.
7 PM | £3.96
🔮 Mumbles Candlelit Gong Bath: Experience deep relaxation and healing through the soothing sounds of the Sun Gong, Venus, and Chiron Gongs, promoting balance for mind, body, and spirit.
8 PM | £10
Friday January 9th
🎥 The Road of Excess: Catch this film at the Taliesin, following ex-Dirty Sanchez star Mathew Pritchard as he trains to row the Atlantic - exploring addiction, fame, and mental health. Post-film Q&A with Mathew.
7:30 PM | £9, £6.50 for Under 26's and Students
🩰 Tango Workshops and Milonga: Join Ryszard and Monika for Argentine Tango workshops and a milonga event. Various sessions available at Boyd and Rebecca's and St Paul's Parish Centre.
Various dates and times between Fri and Mon | £10 - £25
🎗️ Charity Birthday Fundraiser: Enjoy live music by "Guilty Pleasure," raffle, live auction, and treatments from Elysian Beauty & Cosmetics at The Poundffald Pub in Three Crosses. Half of the proceeds will go towards Tate, a local 5 year old boy who has been diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, often referred to as childhood dementia; and the other half to Annabelle’s Challenge, supporting families affected by Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
6.30 PM
Saturday January 10th
🍏 Gower Wassail: Experience the lively Gower Wassail tradition at Gower Heritage Centre, with a torch-lit procession, Mari Lwyd decorations, music, dance, and wassail drinks to bless the apple orchard.
Saturday: 10 AM - 11 PM | Sunday: 10 AM - 5 PM | £7 - £13
🛍️ Mumbles Market: Monthly market at The Dairy Carpark in Mumbles, full of local traders selling food, art, jewellery, and more.
9 AM - 1 PM | £0 - £13
🎧 Leo Jesse Live: 10-year-old DJ Leo Jesse spins deep house and Glitterbox-style beats at Swansea Albert Hall. Groove to his energetic mix before his Ibiza debut.
7.30 PM - 9.30 PM PM
🔬 Science Corner: Hands on Sight & Sound: Explore fun activities from making a coffee cup guitar to conducting experiments with vision at Oriel Science. No booking needed.
Saturdays in January | 10 AM - 4 PM | Free
🔬 Saturday Sessions: Sight & Sound: Explore sight and sound in the animal world with interactive workshops at Oriel Science, including eye and ear structures, animal vision experiments, and noise-making activities.
Saturdays in January at 11 AM & 2 PM | Free
🧵 Make a Drawstring Bag with Rachel: Children aged 8+ with an adult can join this 2-hour workshop at Swansea Community Workshops to learn how to create a drawstring bag from funky fabric.
10 AM - 12 PM | £4.50
Sunday January 11th
🍽️ Marina Market - January: Enjoy delicious fresh food and handcrafted goods at Dylan Thomas Square.
10 AM - 3 PM
Love the Scoop? 💌
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A huge thanks to our 64 supporters so far, including the latest tipper (and all round good egg), Pat!
LIVE MUSIC 🎸
Sponsored by Swansea Jazz Club
Catch incredible live jazz every Wednesday night at Swansea Jazz Club, the UK's longest running weekly jazz club! Check out the full schedule at swanseajazzland.co.uk.
Monday January 5th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM
Tuesday January 6th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM
Wednesday January 7th
Thursday January 8th
Friday January 9th
Saturday January 10th
Patti Pavilion | From the Jam + RUTS DC | 7 PM
Sunday January 11th
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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