Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop. The local newsletter that’s brought its winter coat back out of storage 😬

I hope you’ve been enjoying the Easter bank holiday so far. We spent a morning at the National Trust’s Easter trail in Rhossili - something different to the usual egg hunting and fun for kids and grown-ups alike. It’s running today and Easter Monday.

This week, as well as lots of the usual goings-on and more Easter holiday fun, it’s the City Nature Challenge 2025 - so there’s a whole host of extra events being held to get us out to make the most of the great outdoors, from bat walks to shoreline safaris, and loads more.

Happy Easter, and I’ll catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢

From 1984 until at least 1999, an Easter tradition unfolded every year on Swansea's seafront that would give today's health and safety inspectors heart palpitations.

This week, read all about it in Swansea’s Craziest Easter Tradition.

THE DIGEST 📰

🍽️ The former Rake and Riddle pub is set to reopen this summer as a multi-restaurant venue featuring The Welsh House, Cattle & Co Smokehouse, and Salvatore’s Pizzeria.

👓 Optical Express has submitted plans to relocate from Alexandra House to the new 71/72 Kingsway office development, where they hope to establish an optical and aesthetics clinic.

🌿 The revamped Mumbles prom is getting a fresh look with a new buff-coloured surface, Mumbles-themed art, wavy aluminium railway strips, and more.

🚲 Swansea Council has received just £50,000 of the £1,048,500 requested from Welsh Government for a new cycle and pedestrian path across Clyne Common.

🎭 Swansea Grand Theatre will host the Welsh National Theatre's debut production next January, as Michael Sheen's newly formed company selects the historic venue for its premiere of Our Town.

🚌 Swansea Council's proposal to transform Mumbles' Dairy car park into a bus hub where buses can turn around has received mixed reactions from locals.

🏙️ Work has started to transform the former JT Morgan department store into a creative hub, with the first and second floors expected to be complete by the summer.

SWANSEA FOOD & DRINK 🍴

🍽️ Sloth Coffee in Sketty is teaming up with Rhannu Bakery on Easter Monday (tomorrow!) to serve pancakes and French toast, along with the usual coffees and pastries.

🍽️ GGs Gelato in Penclawdd has added three limited-time-only Easter specials to its menu, including Smartie Mini Egg and Malteaser crepes/waffles and gelato-filled chocolate eggs.

🍽️ Pizza Express has opened a takeaway pod outside the Tesco Marina store in Swansea city centre. It’ll be serving pizza from 11.30 AM until late, Mon-Wed and Fri-Sun.

🍽️ ND John Wine Merchants is hosting a Spanish Supper Club wine tasting event at its Walter Road store on Thursday, April 24th, with the chance to sample wines from some of Spain’s lesser-known regions.

🍽️ The Viceroy on St Helens Road is launching its new menu on Monday, April 21st - including authentic curries, tandoori specials, and signature mocktails.

@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱

The next time you’re on Orchard Street, take a look up at the brickwork near HQ Urban Kitchen and you’ll notice some of the last remaining scars from the bombing of Swansea during World War 2.

Check out our video on Instagram and give Swansea Scoop a follow while you’re there for lots of content that we can’t squeeze into the newsletter. We passed over 9,000 followers this week!

Find us at @swansea.scoop

A MOVIE MADE IN SWANSEA 🎥

Local filmmaker Rob Surnam got in touch to tell us about Chariot, a new comedy filmed entirely in Swansea!

It stars Robert Pugh (The Tuckers, Mr Selfridge, Game of Thrones) as Len Lewys-Jones, a ruthless politician about to win a historic election until a scandal-hungry journalist and local misfits derail his plans…

The film also features Swansea actors Menna Trussler, Nia Trussler Jones, Caroline Berry, and Helen Griffin in her final screen performance.

Chariot has been nearly a decade in the making with lots of ups and downs along the way, so do give it a watch to support Rob and our local film industry.

Chariot is available to watch for free on Amazon Prime or Fawesome.tv.

WHAT’S ON

Here comes a big round-up of everything else cool happening in Swansea this week. Ready? Let’s go!

Monday April 21st

🤼 Live Wrestling: Coyote Heat: Exposure Wrestling Returns to the Coyote Ugly, featuring New Digital champion Tyson T-Bone & many more all in action, with a raffle during interval and in-ring pictures with stars.
7.00 PM | Tickets from £10

Tuesday April 22nd

🧘 The Original Beach Yoga Swansea Bay: The Original Beach Yoga returns to Swansea Bay by The Observatory, welcoming everyone to join one of Europe’s largest Beach Yoga classes.
7.00 PM - 8.00 PM | Free, donations welcome

📚 John Harris & Jude Rogers: Maybe I'm Amazed: Award-winning writer John Harris launches his memoir about music's power to connect with his autistic son, in conversation with journalist Jude Rogers at Elysium Gallery & Bar.
7.30 PM | Tickets £7.50 - £17

Wednesday April 23rd

📸 Photographing Wildlife in Gower: An illustrated talk by Jessica Crumpton at St Andrew's Church in Penrice, with all proceeds going towards the church. 7.00 PM | £10

🎭 Rock of Ages Musical: A rock 'n' roll musical featuring music from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi and more at Gorseinon Events Centre, following Drew and Sherrie as they try to save the Sunset Strip. Also Thu, Fri, Sat.
7.00 PM | £10 - £15

📚 John & Paul: The Beatles Book Launch: Author Ian Leslie in conversation with Jude Rogers at HQ Urban Kitchen for the Swansea launch of "John & Paul: A Love Story In Songs." 7.30 PM | £8.00 - £25.00

Thursday April 24th

🦇 Bat walk: Join an evening walk at Penllergare Valley Woods to find and record bats as part of the City Nature Challenge 2025.
7.30 PM - 9.30 PM | Free, booking required

🎭 Hot Chicks: A ferocious and witty new play by Rebecca Jade Hammond at Swansea Grand Theatre's Arts Wing, following teenagers Ruby and Kyla as they dream of moving to Vegas with the help of older, cooler Sadie. Until Friday.
Various times | £10.00 - £19.00

Friday April 25th

💃 The Speakeasy: Fuse Community Arts presents a thrilling dance and multi-media production at Swansea Grand Theatre, exploring the roaring 20s through various dance styles.
7 PM | £20

💃 County Youth Dance Company: Annual showcase at Taliesin Arts Centre featuring talented young dancers performing new contemporary works.
7.30 PM | £10 (£7.00 for under 26's and students)

Saturday April 26th

🏭 Hafod Morfa Copperworks Guided Tour: Free guided tour of the historic copperworks site, meeting opposite Landore Park & Ride.
11 AM | Free, no booking required

📚 Jen Smith: Carbon Dating: Local author Jen Smith launches her debut archaeological romance novel at Cover to Cover Bookshop, with reading, signing and discussion.
2 PM | Free

🛒 Uplands Market: Monthly market at Gwydr Square bringing together delicious fresh food and beautiful hand-crafted goods.
9 AM - 1 PM | Free entry

🎭 Lunchtime Theatre - The Mind In The Willows: New play at Swansea Grand Theatre's Arts Wing that mixes reality with fiction, connecting Kenneth Grahame with the beloved characters from The Wind In The Willows.
12.30 PM | £10

🎸 Wales Guitar Duo: Welsh guitarists Cai Charles and Oliver Manning perform works including a world premiere by Welsh composer David John Roche.
5 PM | £7.50

😂 Problematic Pub Comedy Club: Live stand-up comedy night at Bar 98 in Pontardawe featuring headliner Jack Campbell with support acts and hosts Sandro & Simon.
7 PM - 10.30 PM | £15.00

🎤 Chris McCausland: Brand-new show from the popular comedian seen on TV shows including Would I Lie to You, QI and Have I Got News for You, at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £33.00

🎵 Pontarddulais Male Choir Annual Concert: The choir premieres newly commissioned songs alongside old favourites, with special guests.
7 PM | £17.00 - £22.00

🎨 Weekend Adults' Workshop – DIY Mold Making: Learn the basics of mold-making using household objects at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, creating your own reusable mold for making unique editions.
10.30 AM - 1 PM | £10

🕺 Boogie Days: Saturday afternoon disco with music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s at Cu Mumbles, with wristbands allowing you to come and go.
3 PM - 8 PM | £10.00

📷 Wildlife of the World Photography Exhibition: A carefully curated collection of striking wildlife images from around the world at Parc Fforestfach.
10 AM - 3 PM | Free

Sunday April 27th

🎮 The Traitors: Live Experience: Join a thrilling night of mystery, strategy, and betrayal at Level256 Swansea, featuring undercover challenges, secret alliances, and tasks.
7 PM | £5

🥖 Gluten Free, Vegan & Craft Fayre: Head to Three Crosses Community Hall for gluten-free hot food, cakes, bread, honey, jam, meat, art and crafts, with vegan options available.
11 AM - 3 PM | Free entry

🛍️ Swansea's Craft & Flea Makers Market: Shop local at Brangwyn Hall with some of Swansea's best independent makers, collectors, designers, and creatives
10 AM - 4 PM | £3.00 (under 12s free)

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

Monday April 21st
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM

Tuesday April 22nd
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday April 23rd
Cu Mumbles | Swing From Paris | 8 PM

Thursday April 24th
Hippos | Open Mic | 4 PM
The Bunkhouse | Yogi-G and The Family Tree | 7.30 PM
Swansea Grand Theatre | Rave On | 7.30 PM

Friday April 25th
The Albert Hall | Live Music Friday | 7 PM
The Oyster House | Friday Night Live | 8 PM
Gower Inn | Live Music Night | 7 PM
The View Rhossili | David Starr | 6.30 PM
Elysium | Stone Deaf + Black Havana + HUSK + Purple Waters | 7 PM
Sin City | The Virginmarys | 7.30 PM

Saturday April 26th
HQ Urban Kitchen | Saturday Sessions | 1 PM
Patti Pavilion | The Ultimate Indie Rock Show | 6 PM
Pontardawe Arts Centre | The Young’uns 20 | 7.30 PM
Sin City | Millie Manders & The Shut Up | 7.30 PM
The Bunkhouse | The Jam’d | 7 PM
The Swigg | Andy Jackson Sax | 4 PM
The Swigg | Soulskunks | 8 PM


Sunday April 27th
Waterloo Stores | Live Music Sundays | 8 PM
Patti Pavillion | Letz Zep | 7 PM
Elysium | Ayla Schofield | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | SLAK | 6 PM

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Andrew

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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