TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop. The local newsletter that's been sailing up the River Tawe!

On Tuesday, we were invited on board the Copper Jack for an entertaining (and educational!) boat ride where we were treated to the history and stories of Swansea’s amazing industrial heritage.

Run completely by volunteers of the Swansea Community Boat trust, it’s a gentle 90-minute ride that allows you to experience the city from a completely new perspective.

We’ll be featuring more about the Copper Jack in future, but if you’re keen to give it a try, rides depart regularly from Swansea Marina. Don’t forget to tell them we sent you!

Back to a packed week ahead, and there’s everything from summer parties to moth trapping, and teddy bear’s picnics to classic car shows.

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

Andrew

P.S. Going to the second day of the Wales Air Show today? Here’s the full timetable for the day - including when to see the Red Arrows! Save it and share it with a friend!

WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢

On July 2nd 1949, 15,000 people flocked to Fairwood Common - the site of Swansea Airport today - for an air show featuring death-defying wing walkers, Hollywood film stars, and the city's first-ever "Air Queen."

This week, discover how a spectacular day of parachutists, reluctant mothers taking their first flights, and big dreams tried to put Swansea on the aviation map.

Read The Swansea Air Pageant 🛩️

THE DIGEST 📰

🏙️ Swansea city centre's nightlife has retained its Purple Flag accreditation for the 11th consecutive year.

🏠 Swansea Council has helped deliver dozens of new city centre homes through an £11.4 million funding programme, converting buildings into 66 new apartments.

🏢 Underhill Hub in Mumbles is closing on Saturday, July 12th after its management company was forced into voluntary liquidation due to unsustainable business rates.

🌊 The new Mumbles sea defence project has provided work for up to 100 people daily, including apprentices learning new skills in civil engineering and quantity surveying.

🏛️ Swansea Council has approved repairs to a Grade II-listed 19th century stone sty in Llanmadoc, Gower that likely housed geese rather than pigs.

🏡 Swansea has been ranked 10th among the UK's most affordable seaside towns and cities, with average house prices of £200,648.

🌿 Swansea Council has deployed a new "Weedo Weed Ripper" machine to tackle urban overgrowth, thick weeds and moss.

🚌 Transport for Wales and local authorities are seeking public views on proposed bus service changes ahead of franchising starting in summer 2027.

🐾 Swansea-based animal charity The Pettifor Trust is celebrating 25 years of supporting vulnerable animals across southwest Wales.

BE YOUR OWN MINIBOSS 🤝

A brand new concept store just opened in Swansea city centre - MiniBoss. We caught up with the store’s owner, Michelle Shu, to get the lowdown.

Tell us a little bit about MiniBoss and where the idea came from?
MiniBoss is a creative retail space where we offer over 100 rentable display cubes for small businesses, side hustlers, and makers to showcase and sell their products.

The idea came from a passion to support local entrepreneurs - especially those who may not be ready for a full retail unit but still want a physical presence - and to provide a space for the people of Swansea to discover unique items and support small businesses.

How does it work for someone wanting to rent a cube?
It’s super simple! Anyone can rent a cube by contacting us via Instagram (@minibossuk) or visiting our shop in person. Once they’ve chosen a cube, they can bring in their stock, and we take care of the rest – display, sales, and monthly payout. We even help with pricing labels and barcoding.

Who’s your ideal cube renter?
We welcome a variety of renters – from handmade creators and craft lovers, to vintage collectors, small brand owners, and students with a side hustle. Our ideal renter is someone with passion for their product whose looking to grow their brand in a friendly, low-risk way.

Before you go… favourite thing about Swansea and your go-to food spots?
Swansea has a lovely creative community, and we love being close to both the sea and the city. Our favourite coffee spot has to be Refinery great vibes and even better coffee! For lunch, Muswanna is our go-to.

You’ll find MiniBoss at 10 Picton Arcade (SA1 3BE) and they're open Monday to Saturday, from 11 AM - 6 PM. Go check them out and tell them we sent you 🙂 

Want to showcase your local business or cause to our audience of 6,000+ readers? Reply to this e-mail or contact us at [email protected]

SWANSEA FOOD & DRINK 🍴

🍽️ Brynmill Coffee House is hosting their second Thai Curry Night pop-up with Bangkok Pop-Up Kitchen on Saturday, July 12th.

🍽️ The Gower Deli is serving Greek street food every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from 5.15 PM - 7.15 PM - dine-in or takeaway.

🍽️ Haystack Cafe is celebrating Pan Asian Month with specialities including Katsu Chicken Sando, Salt Chilli Tots, and Mini Prawn Toasts.

🍽️ St Hugo Bakery has launched two new bagels built on their house-made sesame bagels: the Vegan Chili Roasted Broccoli and the Pastrami with honey horseradish mayo.

@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱

The National Waterfront Museum hosted its first Meet the Bees event for the general public last weekend, and we popped down to check it out. After using beeswax to roll and pour candles, it was time to suit up and see the hives up close on the museum balcony. Great fun!

Check out our video below (excuse my spelling mistake in the first word of the title! 😭) and give Swansea Scoop a follow while you’re there for lots of content that we can’t squeeze into the newsletter.

We’re now over 14,700 followers on Instagram and over 15,000 on Facebook!

WHAT’S ON

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

Monday July 7th

🚶‍♂️ Stumbles Through Mumbles: Join local guide Adrian on a historical walking tour of Mumbles village, exploring hidden gems and intriguing stories.
10.30 AM | £10

🎨 Watercolour & Unwind: Learn how to paint with watercolours at a session for all skill levels at The Mermaid Mumbles. All materials provided.
7 PM | £18 per person, £15 per person for groups of 4+

🌈 Queertawe - July: Join the LGBTQIA+ community for intergenerational creative workshops at HQ Urban Kitchen. July's theme focuses on movement.
5.30 PM | Free

🎻 Swansea Philharmonia Summer Concert: Enjoy a showcase of light classical music by local musicians at All Saints Church in Mumbles.
7:30 PM | £5

Tuesday July 8th

🎤 Nick Revell - Portrait Of The Dog As A Young Artist: Join Nick Revell at Elysium Gallery & Bar for a stand-up show/book launch featuring local Dylan Thomas expert Jeff Towns and cartoonist Martin Rowson.
7:30 PM | £10.84

Wednesday July 9th

🧸 Teddy Bears Picnic: Join the fun-filled day at the National Waterfront Museum with crafts and hands-on activities. Don't forget your teddy bears for this free event.
10 AM - 2.30 PM | Free

🛹 Men Over 30 Coached Skateboarding Session: Join Exist Skatepark for a 2-hour, fully coached skateboarding session exclusively for men over 30.
6 - 8 PM | Free

🕵️ Sarah Ward, Morgan Greene and Simon McCleave - Swansea: Crime fiction extravaganza featuring authors Sarah Ward, Morgan Greene, and Simon McCleave in conversation with Elaine Canning at Waterstones Swansea.
6 PM | £3 - £5

🐾 Therapy Dogs Visit at Swansea Mind: Meet gentle therapy greyhounds trained for comfort and emotional support, known to reduce stress and anxiety 
2 PM | Free

Thursday July 10th

🎭 Ministry Of Absurdism & The Night Of Adventure Sketches: Enjoy an evening of absurdist comedy sketches with a small cast and live entertainment by Sarah Bridgeman at Elysium Gallery & Bar.
7 PM | £3

🌻 Sunflowers and Sound Waves: Immerse yourself in a healing sound bath amidst sunflowers at the Rhossili Sunflower Field, hosted by Sound Bath Swansea.
£20 | 7 PM – 9 PM

🖌️ Paint & Sip with Tipsy Kahlo: Enjoy a 2-hour artist-led workshop at the Albert Hall, painting hot air balloons. All materials provided, welcome cocktail included.
7 PM | £35.20

🏃‍♂️ Love Trails Festival: A four-day celebration at Weobley Castle in North Gower, featuring running, hiking, live music, and outdoor adventures, culminating in magical nights under the stars.
July 10 - 13, 2025 | From £250

📚 Caryl Lewis - Bitter Honey: Join award-winning author Caryl Lewis at Mumbles Tabernacle for the launch of her novel "Bitter Honey," featuring a captivating tale of a beekeeper and his daughter.
6.30 PM | £5

Friday July 11th

🎤 One Foot In The Groove: Join BBC Radio Wales' Owen Money and his daughter Katie for a daytime dancing event at Patti Pavilion, with hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
1.30 PM | £17.50

🎶 A Night at the Musicals: Enjoy a musical journey with Swansea Excelsior Choir at Mumbles Methodist Church, including hits from The Sound of Music and Les Misérables.
7 PM | £10

🎭 Les Miserables: Abbey Players, Cockett, and Swansea Amateur Operatic Societies perform the Welsh Amateur premiere of Les Miserables, "Let The People Sing." Until Saturday, July 19th.
2:00 PM | £20.00 - £32.00

Saturday July 12th

🪨 Centenary Celebration of the Gorsedd Stones: Join the Archdruid at Singleton Park to hear the stones' tale, accompanied by Aber Taiko, Shanty Jacks, and refreshments.
11:00 - 13:00

🏉 Beach Rugby Wales: Experience the 18th annual touch rugby festival on Swansea Bay Beach near County Hall, featuring 48 teams from across the UK.
All Day | Free

👛 Mumbles Market: Head to the Dairy Car Park in Mumbles for a big gathering of local vendors selling everything from food and drink to crafts, art and clothes.
9 AM - 1 PM

👛 Funky Craft Fayre: Shop for handmade gifts from local artists, makers and designers at the Ostreme Centre in Mumbles.
10 AM - 4 PM

Coffee, Cake, Crafts, and Choir: Head down to All Saints’ Oystermouth Church Rooms (opposite the bowling green on Mumbles Road) to enjoy coffee, cake, crafts, and singing from Côr Tŷ Tawe.
10.30 AM - 11.30 AM

🥗 Vegan Mini Market: Join Brontosaurus Vegan Lifestyle Store and a host of other traders for the Swansea Vegan Mini Market at the centre of Swansea Market.
10 AM - 3 PM

🚗 Classic Car Show: Head down to The Estuary/GG’s Gelato in Penclawdd for a free morning-time classic car show, with coffee and cakes available from The Estuary from 9 AM - 12 PM.
9 AM | Free

📘 Carolyn Lewis: Time, Again: Join Carolyn Lewis at the Cover to Cover in Mumbles for the launch of her book, "Time, Again," a novel exploring themes of youth, aging, ambition, and family relationships.
2 PM | Free

🖼️ Gallery Tour with Dr Zehra Jumabhoy: Explore "Tigers & Dragons: India and Wales in Britain" exhibition at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery with curator Dr Zehra Jumabhoy.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Free

Sunday July 13th

Moth Trapping Evening: Join Clyne Valley Community Project at Ynys Newydd Park, Derwen Fawr to see what fascinating creatures are attracted to the light.
9 PM - 11.30 PM | Free

🏊‍♂️ IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea: Cheer on the athletes in this triathlon featuring a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run course showcasing the scenic beauty of Swansea.

Gŵyl Cymru @ The Bunkhouse // Cymru vs. England: Support Wales’ women at The Bunkhouse as they take on England in the Euros, featuring live music.
4 PM | Free

SWANSEA PROPERTY

This 3-bed detached house in Gorseinon sits in a quiet cul-de-sac with an en-suite, separate garage, and south-facing back garden. Offers over £350,000.

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

Monday July 7th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM

Tuesday July 8th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM
Gowerton School | Luman Wind Quintet | 7.30 PM

Wednesday July 9th
Cu Mumbles |Andy Davies w/ Dave Cottle Trio | 8 PM

Thursday July 10th
Gin & Juice | Live Lounge Thursdays | 7.30 PM
Altitude28 | Jazz Thursday | 8 PM
The Welfare | Eabhal | 8 PM

Friday July 11th
The Albert Hall | Live Music Friday | 7 PM
Taliesin Arts Centre | George Washingmachine & Quartet | 7.30 PM
Elysium | Celtic Vagabond | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | The Sauce | 8 PM
Bar Saint James | Ellie & Gary | 7.30 PM

Saturday July 12th
The Bunkhouse | The Ogretones | 7 PM
Elysium | Scratch One Grub | 7 PM

Sunday July 13th
Waterloo Stores | Live Music Sundays | 8 PM
The Swigg | Sunday Sessions | 5 PM

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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