TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop, the local newsletter that’s wondering where the sun went this past week 😄

While we wait for the weather to sort itself out, there’s loads going on in Swansea to keep everyone busy this week - including a live murder trial, summer wine tasting, a big new exhibition at the Glynn Vivian, supercar racing, and tons more.

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

Andrew.

P.S. More than 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 National Waterfront Museum

Family Paint Along At the National Waterfront Museum

Join The Paint Along Lady for a fun-filled, creative Family Paint Along session at the National Waterfront Museum on Saturday, June 27th.

This is fun art, not fine art, so bring the whole family to paint your very own Cheeky Monkey masterpiece at 10.30 AM.

Expect music, laughter, and step-by-step guidance to help everyone create colourful artwork to take home.

Artist Claire Timbrell has been selling out venues across Wales and spots always fill fast, so book your ticket below and make memories to treasure.

Tickets cost £17 per person and the event is suitable for children aged 5+.

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WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢

On a November morning in 1908, furnaceman Augustus Mutfley stepped onto the landing stage of the White Rock ferry after finishing his shift at the Hafod Copperworks - and fell straight into the River Tawe.

The landing stage had flipped because the iron "dogs" that should have fixed it in place hadn't been fastened. He dislocated his shoulder, bruised his arm, lost eight weeks' wages - and sued the ferryman, John Llewellyn, for £50.

It's a mishap that preserved one of the most vivid glimpses we have of a crossing that, for over a hundred years, connected the east bank of the River Tawe to the industry that had made Swansea the copper capital of the entire world.

This week, we tell the story of the halfpenny ferry that kept it all moving.

Read The Ferryman of the Tawe 🚣

THE DIGEST 📰

🏛️ A special Armed Forces Day commemoration is taking place on Monday 22nd June outside Guildhall at 2pm.

📷 Swansea photographer Joann Randles is in the running for one of the UK’s most prestigious photography prizes.

☕ The café furniture from Swansea’s recently closed M&S has found a new home just around the corner at Swansea Minster.

🎨 Mumbles-based artist Chris Minett - AKA Hairy Boy Art - has had his distinctive monster artwork projected onto a building in central Berlin.

🏆 A local group are planning a world record charity trifle attempt on Swansea Bay using the natural sand bunker near The Observatory as the bowl, filled with 3.3 tonnes of trifle.

🎓 Swansea University has been ranked 4th in the UK for turning research into new businesses - behind only Cambridge, Oxford and UCL.

👑 Eight people from Swansea have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026.

FOOD & DRINK 🥙

Thanks to everyone who joined us for dinner in Mumbles this week! Kelly left us a review and said “Lovely feed and great company. Would definitely do it again.”

The next dinner is on Wednesday June 24th in Swansea city centre.

Here's how it works: take a quick quiz about your personality, food preferences, and the people you’d like to meet and get matched with five like-minded locals for dinner at a restaurant revealed on the day. Then, all the tables come together for a surprise after-party at a nearby bar.

£9.95 secures your seat, and we handle everything else. Plus-ones are welcome!

Save your seat

🌱 Vegan Banquet: Enjoy a communal long-table vegan meal with seasonal dishes by Chef Fran at Urban HQ. Bar available.
Friday June 19th, 7 PM - 10 PM | £28

🍰 Agatha Christie Afternoon Tea: Celebrate 100 years since The Murder of Roger Ackroyd at Waterstones Swansea with traditional tea, sandwiches, cakes, and a costume prize. Tickets are £25, book in advance!
Thursday June 18th, 2.30 PM | £25

🍷 Cheers Wine Merchants Summer Wine Tasting: Sample a stunning selection of summer wines at Mumbles Cricket Club, accompanied by live music from The Variants.
Friday June 19th, 6 PM - 10.30 PM | £12

@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱

Elysium has opened its new arts centre on Belle Vue Way in the city centre, bringing 63 studios, a café and a year-round programme of exhibitions, workshops and talks under one roof. We went down on the opening night to check it out!

📱 Join over 75,000 people and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

SWANSEA PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT 🏡

This 3 bedroom semi-detached house in Clydach has a gated drive for 5 cars with an EV charging point, two reception rooms, and easy access to the local shops and amenities. Offers over £240,000 via Dawsons.

LOCAL BUSINESS 🏪

🎈 Cards Direct has opened its fourth Welsh store in the Quadrant Shopping Centre.

🔒 Safe Depot has opened a new self-storage facility in Gorseinon.

🥔 Spuddy Lovely is closing down in Gowerton and moving to new premises in Gorseinon.

🥘 Slice restaurant in Sketty is closing down after 13 years.

🏗️ Gower College Swansea plans to transform the former M&P building in Garngoch into a new campus for construction and renewable technology.

Sponsored by Clearear by Holly

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Based in Sketty, Clearear by Holly provides safe, gentle earwax removal via microsuction - offering immediate relief and friendly aural care advice. Home visits available across Swansea and South Wales, plus custom ear protection for swimmers and musicians.

Book your appointment today on 07375 143467 or visit www.clearearbyholly.co.uk.

WHAT’S ON 📅

Monday June 15th

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

Tuesday June 16th

Come to Sing!: Learn simple Welsh in a supportive setting with musician Delyth Jenkins, at the National Waterfront Museum
11 AM - 12 PM | Free (donations welcome)

Wednesday June 17th

🎭 Plaza Suite: Swansea Little Theatre presents Neil Simon's classic comedy at Dylan Thomas Theatre. Three acts, three couples, and endless humour and heart in Suite 719 of New York's Plaza Hotel. Until Saturday June 20th.
7.30 PM | £12 - £15

🎤 Hello Again: 60 Diamond Years: Celebrate Neil Diamond's legacy with award-winning Jesse Rivers and the Salvation Band at Swansea Grand Theatre, performing his greatest hits.
7 PM | £30

📚 Kim Willis in Conversation with Elaine Canning: Join Kim Willis discussing her book "No Fair Maidens" with Elaine Canning at Waterstones, exploring ancient myths and forgotten truths.
6 PM | £3 - £23

🎭 Monthly Scratch Night: Collaborative event by Volcano Theatre and Script Club Cardiff, showcasing six new plays by emerging directors and a talented cast in their raw form.

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 June 18th

🖼️ Glynn Vivian at Night: Exhibition Opening: Join the after-hours celebration to mark the opening of "Art in the Sky: An Exhibition of International Contemporary Art Kites," at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, showcasing unique contemporary and traditional kites.
5.30 PM - 8 PM | Free

🏖️ Beach Yoga: Join Claire Nicholls-de Freitas from Ty Casa Yoga for a weekly community beach yoga session at Swansea Marina Beach.
Thursdays, 7 PM - 8 PM | Donation only

🕺 60+ Dance June 2026 at LC Swansea: Enjoy a dance session for over 60s led by Laura of Magical Dance, featuring music from Abba, Grease, and Saturday Night Fever.
2 PM - 3 PM | Free

🌊 Midsummer Beach Dance | Ecstatic Dance Wales: Dance on Three Cliffs Beach to celebrate midsummer through movement and music, featuring DJ Holly Fontanelli and facilitator Felipe Fontanelli.
7 PM - 9 PM | £20.21

📽️ Toy Story 5: The latest Toy Story film is released today - see it at Vue, Odeon, and Pontardawe Arts Centre. In this new adventure, Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang face a completely new challenge: modern technology.

Friday June 19th

🕵️ Murder Trial Tonight IV - Death Of A Landlord: Interactive live theatre experience where you become the jury in a murder trial, deciding the guilt of a tenant accused of killing a wealthy landlord, at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £22 - £51

🚀 The Cosmic Crew: A family-friendly space adventure with Captain Starling and a quirky crew, facing cosmic storms and wacky adventures - at Oystermouth Primary School.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | £10

🎻 Welsh Chamber Orchestra: Enjoy a performance featuring Mozart's Symphony No.41 'Jupiter', Haydn's 'Oxford' Symphony, and a world premiere by Sarah Frances Jenkins, at The Welfare Ystradgynlais.
7 PM | Pay What You Can: £10 - £25

Saturday June 20th

🕺 Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu: Reborn: Strictly stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu bring an emotional dance journey to Swansea Building Society Arena, featuring world-class dancers and iconic anthems.
6.30 PM | From £35.45

🦕 Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live!: Enjoy a Natural History Museum-style dinosaur adventure at Swansea Grand Theatre with life-like creatures, exploring Earth's history from Triassic to Cretaceous periods.
12.30 PM | £19.50

🏎️ High Performance Car Speed Trials: Watch speed trials of high performance cars at Swansea Airport's runway, chat with drivers, and get close-up views of the cars.
3 PM - 8 PM

🥘 Pontardawe Food Festival 2026: Join Pontardawe Rugby Club for a day of food, fun, and family vibes, with over 20 stalls.
10 AM - 5 PM

🎭 Abi Roberts - Hot Banana: Comedian Abi Roberts shares tales from her life, including a surprising arrest, in this humorous and heartfelt show at Cinema & Co.
Doors 6.30 PM, starts 8 PM | Free

🎶 Gwalia Singers Anniversary Concert: Celebrate 60 years of music at Brangwyn Hall, with a blend of traditional Welsh male voice and modern arrangements.
7 PM | £25

🌮 Penllergaer Pop Up Market: Indoor & Outdoor Food & Crafts Market at Llewelyn Hall.
11 AM - 3 PM

🧩 Pixar Movie Quiz Night: Grab your team and test your Pixar knowledge with pizza, drinks at Level256 - bottomless option available.
Starts 8 PM

Sunday June 21st

🚗 Swansea Classic Vehicle Show: Dozens of classic vehicles descend on Swansea city centre, including Oxford Street, Princess Way, Union Street, and more.
Duration: 5 hr 30 min

🧩 Speed Jigsaw Competition: Test your puzzle-solving skills in a race against the clock (and other teams!) to finish a jigsaw puzzle and win prizes, at Common Meeple. Suitable for all ages and experience levels.
6.30 PM | £15

EXTRA SCOOPS* 🏷️

🚿 Blocked drain? CH Drainage covers Swansea and the surrounding area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - with blockages cleared from £100+ VAT. They handle everything from unclogging drains and toilets to sewer pipes, showers, and septic tank emptying. Call 01792 869 351 or visit chdrainage.com.

🌸 Need flowers for a special occasion? Just Jenny's in Morriston is a proper local florist with fresh seasonal blooms and a personal touch. Perfect for gifts, events, or treating yourself. New customers get 10% off when they mention Swansea Scoop.

🧹 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 11,000+ Swansea locals for just £50. Pick your date, write your ad, pay online, and you’re done.

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*The above is sponsored content

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Catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

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All the best things to do in Swansea (June 15th - 21st) 🦢