TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that’s like unexpectedly bumping into an old friend 👋

Will you be at the Swansea Christmas Parade this evening? My daughter is taking part dressed as a Christmas present 😊 (give her a wave!).

I’ll be attempting to livestream the event on the Swansea Scoop Facebook page - Oh, merciful Lord of 4G, hear my prayer! 🙏 If you can’t make it down in person, be sure to follow me and say hello from around 5 PM!

In this week’s Swansea Scoop:

• 🍷 Beaujolais Day!

• 👸 Beauty and the Beast!

• 📻 Janey Lee Grace!

• 🎩 Morriston Victorian Day!

• … and 32 more things to do across the city!

Let’s get to it.

— Andrew

SPONSORED BY LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS

Save Big At Little Pickles’ Nearly-New Baby and Children’s Market

Little Pickles' award-winning markets have been a family favourite for over a decade.

Held indoors, they offer the chance to buy or sell everything you need to raise your "Little Pickles" up to approx. 5 years old - from maternity wear and nursery furniture to bikes, books, toys, and more.

Entry is just £1.50 (children free), and you can save hundreds by shopping nearly new.

Join them on November 23rd at Morriston Leisure Centre in Swansea from 2.30 PM - 4 PM. It’s their last market of the year in Swansea and they’ll be hosting a few local businesses, too!

Why Buy Or Sell With Little Pickles Market?

• Expecting a baby pickle this Christmas/new year? Shopping pre-loved is great for your wallet - and the planet.

• Got quality items your kids have outgrown? Book a stall from just £12.50 and sell to local families. You keep all profits!

For more info or to book a space to sell, click here.

THE DIGEST

🏢 Altitude 28 Skybar Opens: After much anticipation, the new restaurant at the top of the Meridian Tower opened this weekend. Owned by the folks behind Lolis Mediterranean Restaurant and El Pescador, Altitude 28 is taking bookings for lunch and dinner.

🍸 New Restaurant Lounge: Rok Mumbles is opening a stylish bar area, dubbed the Rok Restaurant Lounge. It will open on November 21st for drinks and snacks, available when you book a table at the restaurant.

🕥 Swansea Market Sundays: Swansea Market is now open every day until Christmas. In addition to its usual opening hours, it will be open from 10 AM - 4 PM on the following Sundays: November 17th and 24th, and December 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd.

🏗️ Historic Building Renovation: Swansea Council, with John Weaver Contractors, has started a 16-month renovation of the historic Grade II listed Laboratory Building at Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, aiming to preserve its heritage and potentially repurpose it as a restaurant.

🔫 Laserzone Relocates: Laserzone is moving out of the (soon to be redeveloped) Castle Cinema building into new premises at Unit 1A, St. David’s Square - the old Iceland supermarket building. It opens on Saturday, November 30th, from 11 AM - 9 PM.

WHAT’S ON

Beaujolais Day Celebrations 🍷

Beaujolais Day in Swansea: the one day a year when everyone’s an expert on French wine - until the first prosecco or pint of lager arrives 😄 Whether you’re celebrating the day proper or just out for a good time, here’s a big round-up of the venues hosting food, drink, and music on the day:

• Peppermint | Tapas, bottomless drinks, live music | £44.95 | 12PM, 2PM, 4PM

• Altitude 28 | 2 courses £38 | 3 courses £42 | Walk-in drinks £8 entry

• Rok | 6 course tasting menu + wine | £95pp

• Gin & Juice | Wine on arrival, meal, live music, disco | £18.99

• The Perch | 3-course meal, live music, complimentary bubbly

• The Grand Hotel | 3-course meal, live music | £50

• The Towers Hotel | 3-course meal, canapes, live music, wine | £32.50

• Brangwyn Hall | 3-course meal, bubbly on arrival, live music | From £65

• Dark Horse | Wines paired with Indian Dishes | 12 noon until late

• Brewstone | Bottomless brunch, select drinks unlimited for 90 mins | £39.95

• Delta Hotel by Marriot | Swansea Bay Business Club event | £65

• Founders & Co | Live music, food and drink | No booking required

• Cattle & Co. | Welcome glass of prosecco, 2-course meal, DJ, dancers | From £40 | 2 PM

• Heaven | 5-course menu, live entertainment | 12.30PM, 3PM

• ND John Wine Merchants | 1/2 bottle Beaujolais Nouveau + French cheeses | 12PM or 3 PM | £15

• Food By Sean No600 | 3-course menu, champagne on arrival

• Rasoi Swansea Waterfront | 2 course set menu + sides | £19.95 | 12.30PM - 3.30PM

• Swigg | Sharing Menu inc. snacks, small plates, desserts | 12PM, 4PM | £45

• Welsh House | 3-course meal, live music, Tom Jones tribute | 12PM, 2.30PM, 5PM | £39.95

• Albert Hall | Goblet Painting | 6.30PM

• The George | 2-course meal, glass of wine or prosecco on arrival | £28.99

• Era Uplands | Wine & Cheese Night | 7PM

• The Shed | Food, live music | 12PM - 6PM

• El Fuego | 2, 3, or 4-course meal | £26 - £32.50 12.30PM - 6PM

• The River House | 3-course menu + live music | £39

• The Cwtch | 3-course meal, DJ, photobooth | Food 1.30PM - 3.30PM | £34.99

• Coyote Ugly | Bottomless wine, bubbles, pints, and pizza | From £22.50 | 1.30PM or 3.30PM

• Morgans Hotel | 3-course meal, live music | Marquee 1st sitting 12 PM & Restaurant 1st sitting 11.30 AM | £55

• El Pescador | 4-course meal | £34.95

• Level 256 | 2-hour 80s, 90s, or Y2K bottomless brunch, quiz + bingo | 4PM, 6PM, 8PM | £30

• Bartrams | 3-course meal | £30

• Môr | French-inspired menu

• Dorothys Showbar | Greta Tude, Kara Von Site, Bitchell Flowers | 12PM - Late

• Overdraft Cocktail Bar | 90 min cocktails, unlimited wine, grazing platter, music | 1.30PM, 5.30PM

• Bistro Pierre | 3-course meal, glass of Beaujolais, live music | £36.95 - £36.95 | 12PM - 4PM, 4PM - close

• Truffle | Beaujolais lunch - starter + main | £24.50

• The Dragon Hotel | 3-course meal, entertainment, welcome drink | 12 PM - 6 PM | £49.95

PLAN AHEAD: CHRISTMAS FAIRS

Have any of you started your Christmas shopping yet? Every year I tell myself I won’t leave it ‘til the last minute, but inevitably end up panic-buying on Christmas Eve 😬

A Christmas market is the perfect chance to ease yourself into the season. There are loads planned across Swansea - including this week! Here’s an early round-up.

Screengrab this image and share it around!

SPONSORED BY VENUE 42

Looking for the perfect spot to celebrate? Look no further than Venue 42 on Newton Road, Mumbles - a stylish bar and restaurant offering free venue hire for all occasions!

Birthdays, engagements, or family gatherings - we’ve got you covered. Great vibes, delicious food, and a welcoming atmosphere await. Book now and make it unforgettable!

📱 Book now: DM Venue 42 on Instagram or call 07990 147499.

📍42 Newton Rd, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BQ | Open Mon-Thu: 10.30 AM - 10 PM, Fri-Sun: 10.30 AM - 11 PM.

BEST OF THE REST

There’s loads more to do and see across the city this week, starting with:

Monday November 18th

🌲 Dementia-Friendly Art in Nature: Join Coed Lleol SmallWoods at the Penllergare Valley Woods Centre for free nature connection and printmaking activities for those living with dementia and their carers.
10.30 AM - 2 PM | Free (booking required)

💬 Poetry and Spoken Word Night: Head to the Taliesin Arts Centre for an evening of poetry, stories, and spoken word from local writers from all walks of life. In the bar area.
6.30 PM | Free

Tuesday November 19th

👸 Beauty and the Beast: Abbey Players return to the Taliesin to perform Beauty and the Beast, based on Disney’s hit film - a show for fans of the movie, young and old! Runs daily until Saturday November 23rd.
7 PM | £16

Wednesday November 20th

🐛 The Very Hungry Caterpillar: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at the Swansea Grand Theatre brings Eric Carle's beloved stories to life with 75 enchanting puppets, making it a perfect introduction to live theatre for young audiences.
10.30 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 4.30 PM | £16

🫖 Tea Dance: Phillip & Gaynor Evans from Dance Kingdom in Llanelli are hosting a Tea Dance at the Brangwyn Hall. Join them for an afternoon of music, dance, and cake.
2 PM | £10

😄 Live Comedy: Duck Phaser Comedy Club will be at The Cross Keys pub in the city centre, showcasing a selection of rising stars and comedy circuit favourites.
8 PM | £3

Bauble Painting: Decorate your own Christmas bauble at Elysium Gallery today or on Saturday 23rd of November. All welcome and materials provided. Proceeds will go towards Elysium Gallery’s move to the old JT Morgan building.
12 PM - 4 PM | £5 per bauble

🦎 Reptile Meet-up: The Swansea Amphibian and Reptile Group host their annual general meeting today,. It's a casual gathering to discuss recent activities, share ideas, and plan for the upcoming year. A perfect chance to network with other enthusiasts.
7 PM | Free, just turn up!📍 Swansea University Zoology Museum, Wallace Building, Sketty, Swansea SA2 8PY

Thursday November 21st

📕 Janey Lee Grace: Co-host of Steve Wright in the Afternoon on BBC Radio 2, Janey Lee Grace, will be at Waterstones to chat about her life in music and radio from her new book, From Wham! to WOO… A Life on the Mic.
6 PM | £3

😆 Live Comedy: Multi-award-winning stand-up, Laura Lexx (Mock the Week, Live At the Apollo), will be live at The Perch to perform her new show all about motherhood, Slinky.
7 PM | £18

Friday November 22nd

🎭 Under Milk Wood: Volcano Theatre will perform a preview of Dylan Thomas’ most famous work, marking 70 years since it was written. Also on Saturday November 3rd.
7.30 PM - 9.30 PM | £6

🌲 Tree Planting: Swansea Council invites all adults for a free tree planting event at Swansea Bay (on the beach opposite the recreation ground). Tea and biscuits provided!
10 AM | Free

🤠 Country Night: The King Arthur Hotel in Reynoldston is hosting a Country Music Night featuring music from Hawthorn Avenue, plus live dancing!
7 PM | £10

🎄 Morriston Christmas Parade: Head down to Woodfield Street for Morriston’s annual Christmas Parade and Christmas Lights Switch On. There’ll be all sorts of festive fun, including choirs, performers, Disney characters, Santa in his grotto, a fireworks show, and Kev Johns making a special appearance.
4.30 PM - 7 PM | Free

Saturday November 23rd

🎄 Morriston Victorian Day: The centre of Morriston will be transported back to the Victorian era for a festive celebration, with multiple venues hosting family fun including a Santa’s grotto, Christmas trail, brass band, choirs, history talks, and circus workshops.
10 AM - 3 PM

🎅 Gower Fresh Santa: The Winter Wonderland at Gower Fresh Christmas Trees in Three Crosses opens today, complete with a large Santa’s grotto, plus the chance to explore the Christmas tree fields and to feed the reindeer. Daily until December 24th.
£6.95 - £45

✂️ Kids Christmas Crafts: Friends of Ravenhill Park will be hosting a free Kids Christmas Craft session. All materials are supplied and everyone is welcome.
11 AM - 12 PM | Free

🎨 Family Painting Workshop: Grown-ups and their children are invited to Elysium for a free led painting session with artists, Karen Hopkins and Lucy Donals. Make a picture experimenting with seasonal colours and mark making. Limited to 15 places.
11 AM - 1 PM | Free (booking required)

🍏 Fruit Tree Pruning: Join Cyfoeth y Coed’s Anna Williams and The Environment Centre at the National Waterfront Museum for an introduction to pruning fruit trees; learning up to keep them in tip-top shape.
10.30 AM - 12.30 PM | Free

🎅 Meet Santa: Book in an early visit to The Big Man this year. Santa will be in his log cabin at Llys Nini RSPCA today and tomorrow, with a gift for each child (and dog!).
10.30 AM - 3.30 PM | £8

🎻 Orchestral Christmas Concert: The ChromaMusic Community Orchestra and Choir and the Gorseinon District Brass Band will be performing an afternoon of well-known songs at St Catherine’s Church.
3 PM - 5 PM | Adult £6; Child £3

🎭 Lunchtime Theatre: Head down to the Swansea Grand Theatre’s Arts Wing for its regular Lunchtime Theatre event. This time, it’s My Brother Terry by Jaye Swift, a new play about the secrets of the past.
12.30 PM | £10

💪 Live Wrestling: Experience a mixture of sports and athleticism like no other as Exist Pro Wrestling brings its No Surprises show to Ware-House Gym in Cwmdu.
5.30 PM | £15 - £50

🎻 Classical Music: Experience the majesty of Verdi’s Requiem performed by Swansea Philharmonic Choir and the British Sinfonietta at the Brangwyn Hall, conducted by Jonathan Rogers.
7.30 PM | £18 - £25

Sunday November 24th

😴 Dream Group: Join Laura Roklicer of Lucid Story at the Swansea Wellbeing Centre to learn creative techniques for expressing and sharing your dreams, and to explore the depth and symbolism behind them.
6.45 PM | First session free, or £6.13 general admission

Bar Boot Sale: Head to The Mill pub in Bryn-y-mor for the first of its weekly Bar Boot Sales - branded pint glasses, half pints, and merch for as little as £1 each. Money raised goes to a Swansea food bank charity.
10 AM | Free entry

CHRISTMAS GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

Thinking about volunteering your time or donating to a good cause this Christmas? I put a call out on the Swansea Scoop Facebook Page, and here are just a small selection of local charities and organisations looking for help over the festive season:

🦃 Matthew's House and The Hill Church need help on Christmas week to serve Christmas Dinner to some of Swansea's most vulnerable residents.

👴 Home Instead’s Be a Santa to A Senior campaign collects and delivers donated gifts to older people in Swansea who might not otherwise receive a present at Christmas.

👩 Swansea Women’s Aid is always looking for volunteers to keep its SWAN project running. It provides practical and emotional support to vulnerable women in Swansea. At Christmas, it is asking for donations of clothes, goodies and gifts to hand out.

🍳 St Mary’s Church in the city centre hosts its free Brunch Club for the most vulnerable in the community every Wednesday from 9 AM - 11 AM. It is always looking for volunteers to help out, and for donations of non-perishable foods.

🎅 New Bees Community Team is asking for Christmas selection box donations to support its mission of compassionate fundraising and food sharing across the city.

SWANSEA WORDLE (#10) 🧠

Swansea Wordle has quit Match of the Day, and it’s back for Round 10. Are you Swansea’s Wordle Champ? Prove it!

Every answer is a place, person or thing related to our fine city.

Have a go, then reply to this e-mail to let me know how you got on!

Want a clue? Find it at the bottom of the newsletter.

➡️ Click here to play ⬅️

WEATHER

A cool and mostly wet week ahead, with occasional sunshine on Wednesday.

Mon: 11°C 🌡️ 8°C 🌧️ | Tue: 9°C 🌡️ 3°C 🌧️
Wed: 6°C 🌡️ 1°C 🌤️ | Thu: 6°C 🌡️ 1°C 🌦️
Fri: 7°C 🌡️ 4°C 🌦️ | Sat: 8°C 🌡️ 5°C 🌧️
Sun: 9°C 🌡️ 7°C 🌦️

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

November 19th
The Bunkhouse | Stone Deaf | 7 PM

November 20th
The Bunkhouse | Amy Rigby | 6 PM
Cu Mumbles | Swansea Jazz Club | 8 PM

November 21st
Patti Pavilion | Martyn Joseph | 7 PM

November 22nd
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Future Blood | 7 PM
Patti Pavilion | The Foos Fighters, Nirvanha, Alice in Chains UK | 6.30 PM
The Bunkhouse | Feet | 6 PM
The Gower Inn | Tusker | 7.30 PM

November 23rd
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Afternoon in Paris | 7.30 PM
The Welfare Ystradgynlais | Take a Chance on Us: ABBA Tribute | 8 PM
Patti Pavilion | Alien Ant Farm | 7 PM

November 24th
Elysium | High Fade | 7 PM

THANKS

Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you found something useful, share it with a friend who’s in the big Christmas Parade.

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👉 Sometimes things change, so please check the details for events and activities directly with the organiser to avoid disappointment.

Wordle clue: Sheltered cuddle, Welsh-style.