Good morning, Swansea! Anyone driven through Killay this week? I hit the traffic on Monday and just got out of the queue to write this newsletter 🤣

In this week’s Swansea Scoop:

• A dog show with a difference 🐶

• 40 kids’ summer holiday ideas 🌞

• 4-day gin, cider and ale festival 🍺

• … and tons more!

Let’s get to it.

— James

P.S. Enjoy the Swansea Scoop? Forward it to a friend and then keep reading 😇 

THE DIGEST

Rare Finds Uncovered on Mumbles Foreshore 🪙

Archaeologists working on the Mumbles sea defence project have uncovered significant historical artefacts, including parts of timber oyster vessels from the 1850s. These finds were shared with local history enthusiasts from the Story of Mumbles group during a recent tour.

Milestone for Morriston Hospital Veg Growers 🥬

Cae Felin, a community interest company near Morriston Hospital has successfully harvested its first fruit and vegetable box - containing potatoes, garlic, tomatoes, squash, peppers, broccoli, celeriac, herbs, nuts and fruit. Its long-term goal is to supply fresh produce to the hospital, for use in patients’ meals.

Exist Skatepark Fundraiser Staves Off Closure 🛹

Exist Skatepark in Swansea city centre has successfully raised the £75,000 it needed to unlock funding to secure the lease on its building for the next 10 years. £7,000 of the total was raised by Dirty Sanchez's Matthew Pritchard who completed a mammoth sponsored cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats.

@SWANSEA.SCOOP

📷 @kateryna_knyazeva

Tag @Swansea.Scoop on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

LOCAL BUSINESS

Gower Coffee Cart’s Unusual Mashup 🥐

Remember the 2013 craze for cronuts, a mix between a croissant and a doughnut? Yeah, old news. If you want a real Friday treat for 2024, head down to the Gower Coffee Cart for a cruffin - a mix between a croissant and a muffin. Flavours change every week, but include chocolate brownie, apple crumble, and raspberry and vanilla. Owner Anna Luporini has been selling out of cruffins every week, so it's recommended you pre-order to avoid disappointment! You'll find the Gower Coffee Cart in the car park of Murton Community Centre., open 8.30 AM - 3.30 PM

New Florist and Gift Shop Opens in Sketty 🌸

Sketty welcomed the opening of a brand new shop this week, Bud and Bay. Specialising in flowers, homeware, gifts, and event planning, it's the brainchild of florist and artist, Adam Knights. The business began online in 2023, but Knights has relocated from London to Swansea to start his new bricks and mortar venture. Find Bud and Bay at 67 Eversley Road, where it will be open from 9 AM - 3 PM from Wednesday to Saturday.

WHAT’S ON

Family Dog Show at Woodfield Animal Sanctuary 🐕

Roberta (Robbie) Bartington, the founder of Woodfield Animal Sanctuary in Gower sadly died in June this year. In memory of her dedication to rescuing and caring for over 500 animals since she and her husband, David, opened the sanctuary in 2013, a special Family Dog Show & Open Day will be held on Sunday August 25th at 11 AM - and everyone’s invited!

There will be 10 classes throughout the day including Best Puppy, Best Golden Oldie, Waggiest Tale, and Musical Sits (like Musical Chairs, but with dogs!). Rosettes will be awarded to the top six dogs in each class. There will also be cakes and crafts, and a chance to meet the sanctuary's rescue animals, including ponies and sheep.

The Sanctuary will open at 11 AM, with the first class showing at 11.30 AM. Tickets are £2 upon entry (cash only).

Free Seashore Safaris Across Gower 🦀

More often than I'd like to admit, I've studied the tide times and led my kids down to the beach, ready to soak in their wide-eyed wonder at the bounty of weird and wonderful creatures we'll find in the rock pools, only to find... nothing!

Thank goodness for Seashore Safaris, where you can join local marine biologist and author Judith Oakley on a series of free marine wildlife educational events around Gower. Now in its 15th year, attendees in recent expeditions have spotted starfish, crabs, sponges, worm pipefish, and more! The event will be held at the following locations over the coming week:

Mon 19th August @ Caswell Bay (11.15 AM)
Thu 22nd August @ Worms Head Causeway (12.45 PM)
Fri 23rd August @ Bracelet Bay (1.45 PM)
Sat 24th August @ Oxwich Bay (2.15 PM)
Sun 1st September @ Langland Bay (10.45 PM)

Numbers are restricted, so booking (email address on this poster) is essential.

Darts Night With Welsh Legends 🎯

Teenage prodigy Luke Littler has set the darts world alight this year, schooling seasoned pros in style and winning the Premier League of Darts, amongst other titles. More eyes are on the sport than in decades, and Mecca Bingo wants in on the action: it's hosting A Night at the Darts on Friday August 23rd from 7 PM - 12 PM. It's not quite Ally Pally, but with a line-up including Welsh darts legends Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, it promises to be a fun evening with friends. Get your fancy dress on and your 180 card ready!

Bank Holiday Barn Dance at Founders & Co.

Yee Haw! Grab your Stetson and ride your trusty steed down to Founders & Co on Sunday August 25th for its Barn Dance spectacular. There'll be live country music from Rodeo & The Juliet, line dancing with LS Dance, and a good ol' fashioned Swansea hoedown. Food will be served up from The Pizza Boyz, Tukka Tuk, Cwtchitas, and Bwyta Burgers until 9 PM - and the bar will stay open until 1 AM. Tickets are available here.

Grown-ups Paint Along At Swansea Arena 🎨

Swansea's own Claire Timbrell AKA The Paint Along Lady has built quite a name for herself over the past year, with plenty of sold-out local events helping thousands of people indulge in a hobby many of us haven't tried since school. Her family-friendly Big Summer Paint Along at Swansea Arena has already sold out, but there are still tables available for the Adults-only session on August 24th at 6.15 PM - followed by a DJ playing Motown hits and Summer vibes.

Gin, Ale and Cider Music Festival in the City Centre 🍺

Over the whole bank holiday weekend, Hangar 18 in Swansea city centre will host The Rock & Hammer Gin, Ale, Cider & Music Festival, promising a wide selection of ales, ciders, gins, cocktails and wines (non-alcoholic drinks also available!). And of course, there'll be live music to accompany the whole weekend, with acts including The Jerry Williams Band, WEBB, and RIZEN all booked to play. Day (£5.00) and weekend (£15.00) tickets are available for the following days:

• Friday: 7 PM - 11 PM

• Saturday: 2.30 PM - 10 PM

• Sunday: 2.30 PM - 10 PM

• Monday: 2.30 PM - 9 PM

JOPOFest Returns Over Bank Holiday Weekend 🎸

JOPOFEST, Gower's biggest and most eclectic music festival returns for another year from Friday August 23rd until Monday August 26th, featuring music from Grand Theft Audio, Hat and the Fiddle, DMF, Young Americans, and tons more. The event is held in the picturesque grounds of Woebley Castle, with scenic views over the Llanrhidian salt marshes and Loughor Estuary. Single Day, weekend, and camping tickets are all still available.

SUMMER HOLIDAY FUN 🌞

Grownups, I want to help you with at least one idea every day to keep the children busy throughout the summer holiday - either free, cheap, or a bit more of a treat. Like this list? Please forward it to a friend who desperately needs it!

Monday August 19th 🦎

• The Quadrant Shopping Centre is holding its Kids Fest event this week. Today it's the Plantsia Experience from 11 AM - 3 PM, with a chance to hold bugs, lizards and snakes! Free, just turn up!

• Portmead and Blaenymaes Community Centre is holding a fun day from 4 PM to 6 PM, including a magic show, games, and dancing. Entry £1.

Tuesday August 20th 🇨🇳

• Mumbles Community Council’s free Family Fun Days continue, with outdoor family fun in Clyne Gardens from 10 AM - 12 PM. A sausage and chips lunch is included!

• Join The Chinese in Wales Association for a morning of Chinese ink painting at the IT Hub on the first floor of The Grand Theatre from 10.30 AM - 11.30 AM. Free | Ages 8-14.

• It's Tots Disco at Mumbles Pier every Tuesday throughout the summer holidays, with new special visitors every week. This week, Duggee from Hey Duggee will be dropping by for two sessions - at 10.30 AM and 11.30 AM. £5 per child | Booking required - and due to the recent fire at the Pier, double-check it’s going ahead!

• Join the National Trust for a Summer of Play event at Rhosilli, every Tuesday to Thursday until August 29th from 9 AM - 12 PM - including football, volleyball, hula hooping, and welly-wanging! Free. Car parking charges apply.

• The Glyn Vivian Art Gallery’s Family Film Club runs from 10.30 AM - 1 PM every Tuesday in the summer holidays - totally free, but donations welcome.

• Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until the end of August from 2 PM - 4 PM, MAD on High Street in the city centre is offering taster workshops and activities for children and young people, including programming, computer games, robotics and virtual reality games. Free | Booking required.

Wednesday August 21st 🥁

• The Taliesin Summer Kids Club has family-friendly films on throughout the summer. If is showing at 3 PM. Tickets are £2.50 each, or book 5+ films at once and all tickets are just £1 each.

• Head down to Founders & Co. on Wind Street for free arts & crafts sessions every Monday and Wednesday until August 28th, between midday and 3 PM. Each week features a different theme. Free. No booking required.

• Pop down to the National Waterfront Museum for free family drumming sessions with Rhythm of Play and One Heart Drummers. There are two sessions - 10.30 PM - 12 PM and 1 PM - 2.30 PM.

• Get playful with collage and create weird and wonderful cityscapes at the Glyn Vivian Art Gallery, at 1.30 PM. Tickets £3. Ages 3+.

• SOFIT will hosting a free kids fitness class in Brynmill Park at 9.30 AM - 11 AM. Ages 5-11.

Thursday August 22nd 👸

• The Taliesin Summer Kids Club has family-friendly films on throughout the summer. Frozen 2 is showing at 3 PM. Tickets are £2.50 each, or book 5+ films at once and all tickets are just £1 each.

• The Quadrant's Kids Fest continues from 11 AM - 3 PM. For one day only, children can meet six iconic VIPs; The Ice Queen, The Rose Princess, The Mermaid Princess, The American Superhero, The Spider Hero, and Bat Hero. Can you guess who they are?

• Head to the National Waterfront Museum from 12.30 PM - 3.30 PM for an afternoon of incredible K’NEX construction. The Great K’NEX Challenge Week 2 is Windmill Wonders: Can you build a windmill? Can it harness the power of the wind? Maybe it’ll even generate magical energy! Free. Ages 6+.

• Studt's Family Summer Funfair is in Swansea from until Sunday 3rd September, open daily 1 PM - 8 PM at the recreation ground in St Helen's.

• Enjoy a free Circus Activity Day at Gower View Park in Penyrheol from 11 AM - 3 PM. Pop in any time!

• Swansea Museum is hosting its summer holiday workshop, with the chance to reimagine and recreate Swansea Bay from Mumbles to the Museum in a 3D model using a mixture of themes and materials. This week's session is Transport: planes, trains, automobiles, boats, trams, scooters, etc. - from 10 AM - 1 PM. Free. No booking required.

• Join in at St Mary's Church in central Swansea for its Kids Holiday Funday from 10.30 AM - 2 PM. There'll be crafts, games, and a free colouring book for every child that attends. Plus, a free lunch is provided.

• The Gower Heritage Centre hosts its Little Red Hen Goes to Fairyland event - hear the story in its children’s theatre, visit fairyland, make fairytale crafts, and take part in a duck race! Ages 3-8 | Booking required.

• Join the Sharing Table Cymru for a free Family Cooking Class using fresh, healthy ingredients at St Catherine’s Church in Gorseinon from 10 AM - 11AM and 11 AM - 12 PM.

• Every Thursday in August, Founders & Co. will have a table dedicated to LEGO, where kids can freely explore and build their own creations between 12 PM and 3 PM.

Friday August 23rd 🌞

• At the Dylan Thomas Centre, a workshop from 10 AM - 12 PM for families who need a quieter experience that is designed to be autism and neurodivergent friendly. Make puppets and theatres based on traditional seaside themes. Free | Booking required.

• Llys Nini in Penllargaer is hosting its Big Summer Party at 12 noon - with dancing, costume characters, prizes, a bouncy castle, and more. Tickets £7 per child, £1 per adult.

• Evolve Youth Services is hosting its final Beach Day of the summer on Swansea Bay at the Civic Centre steps, with BBQ, games, and more. Ages 11-17.

Saturday August 24th 🎪

• SOFIT will hosting a free kids fitness class at Swansea Beach (meet at the recreation ground car park) from 10 AM - 10.45 AM. Ages 5-11.

• Friends of Cwmdonkin Park is hosting a free Family Fun Day from 2 PM - 5 PM, including a children's disco, costume characters, face painting, and live music from The Rocks.
  

• Head to Elysium from 11 AM - 1 PM for a free Kids Paint Club. Create a work of art to exhibit in the international Beep Painting 2024 exhibition.
  

• It's Summer Parti time at The Purple Badger 11.30 AM - late, with live music, petting zoo, donkey rides, bouncy castle, last man standing, rodeo sheep, super slide, and more! Free.

• The Kilvey Hill Volunteers are hosting the Kilvey Roundhouse Festival from 1 PM until 11.30 PM, including balloon artists, woodland potions, hammocks and swings, face painting, walks and talks, food stalls, live music, and more. Free - just turn up!
  

• Friends of Clyne Gardens is hosting a Have A Go Circus Workshop with Circus Eruption from 10 AM - 12 PM. At 2 PM, there will be live music from the Swansea Concert Band. Free.

• Join Y Mamau for an intimate forest celtic harp concert in Par Le Breos, Gower at 11 AM - including tea, scones, and an interactive musical play space for little ones after the concert. Tickets £12 per adult | All age children welcome.

• Join in at the West Cross Summer Youth Club for a free circus skills and crafts session at the Linden Church and Wellbeing Hub, from 12.30 PM - 3.30 PM. Ages 10-14.

Sunday August 25th 🦜

• Mumbles Pier’s summer of fun continues with Kids Club and Games, with free entertainment from Purple Penguin from 12 PM - 3 PM, followed by live music from 5 PM - 8 PM. Please double check if this is going ahead, due to the recent fire.

• The Mumbles Calling festival will be at Underhill Park from 12 noon until 11 PM, featuring a bouncy castle, costume characters, a children's disco, foam party (all free upon entry), plus live music, a licensed bar and food all day. Tickets £5 per person.

• Friends of Clyne Gardens is hosting a Have A Go Circus Workshop with Circus Eruption from 10 AM - 12 PM. At 2 PM, there will be live music from Midnight Tides. Free.

• Join the Swansea Canal Society for a Pirates! event in Coed Gwilym Park from 10 AM, featuring canoes, kayaks, crafting, and a free children's sandwich box - fancy dress encouraged. Free.

• Penllergaer Juniors AFC is hosting a Girls Fun Day Football Festival for under 7s and under 8s to encourage them to join in and become part of a team. The event kicks off at 11 AM in Penllergaer Playing Fields.

COUNCIL NEWS

New Apartments For Rent Above Oxford Street Shops 🏠

A new collection of 11 apartments is due to open above the former Card Factory shop on the corner of Oxford Street and Portland Street next month. Called Market Lofts, the one, two, and three-bedroom homes will include French doors and Juliet balconies. A new tenant for the shop below has already been found and will open this year. In the next phase of building, spearheaded by Swansea-based Oxford Portland and supported by Swansea Council and the Welsh Government, 10 more homes will be built next door, above Shoezone.

WEATHER

Monday
19🌡️ 16 | ☁️ | 0% | 💨 NE 10 mph

Tuesday
19 🌡️ 12 | 🌦️ | 50% | 💨 E 15 mph

Wednesday
18 🌡️ 14 | 🌦️ | 40% | 💨 E 10 mph

Thursday
19 🌡️ 15 | 🌧️ | 50% | 💨 N 15 mph

Friday
19 🌡️ 15 | 🌦️ | 70% | 💨 N 15 mph

Saturday
19 🌡️ 13 | 🌦️ | 50% | 💨E 10 mph

Sunday
19 🌡️ 12 | 🌧️ | 10% | 💨 E 10 mph

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

August 19th
Elysium | Stephen Paris Agreement | 7 PM

August 20th
The Bunkhouse | The Obsessed | 6 PM

August 21st
Cu Mumbles | Andy Davies with Dave Cottle Trio | 8 PM
The Black Boy | Open Mic | 9 PM

August 22nd
Elysium | Originals Only Open Mic | 7 PM
Waterloo Stores | Open Mic Thursday | 7.30 PM
Gin & Juice | Live Lounge Thursdays | 7.30 PM

August 23rd
The Oyster House | Friday Night Live | 8 PM
Elysium | Eggmen Whoooooo! | 7 PM

August 24th
Killay Precinct | Guilty Pleasures | 7.30 PM
The Swigg | Caribbean Roots Band | 8 PM
Ty Cwrw | The Worried Men of Gower | 8 PM

August 25th
The Swigg | Sabor A Cuba Band | 8 PM
The Commercial | Ed Kurno | 8 PM
The Uplands Tavern | Up to Eleven | 9 PM
The Bug | Love Cats | 8 PM

SPORTS NEWS ⚽

Swansea City head coach Luke Williams praised Zan Vipotnik after the Slovenian striker scored his first goal for the club in a 3-0 win over Preston on Saturday. Vipotnik, who joined Swansea on a four-year deal after leaving Bordeaux, came off the bench to score from close range, which Williams described as “air in his lungs.”

THANKS

Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you found something useful, share it with a friend most likely to own a Blue Peter badge.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up

Want to advertise your business in the Swansea Scoop? Let’s chat

Did I miss something? Got a gig listing? Let me know