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Dracula, Solar Eclipse, Gruffalo, Mother's Day Dining, Improv Comedy

Dracula, Solar Eclipse, Gruffalo, Mother's Day Dining, Improv Comedy

Plus: Owen Money, Family Bluegrass Show, Local Markets, Antiques Roadshow

Andrew M
March 23, 2025

Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop. The local newsletter that’s like spotting your first bee of the year 🐝

We enjoyed a few hours at the Mumbles Railway Festival and Killay Spring Market this weekend - both busy and lots of fun!

Coming up this week, there’s everything from The Gruffalo at the Grand Theatre to solar eclipse viewing at Swansea Airport - plus comedy improv at the Taliesin with Murder She Didn't Write. I’d volunteer to take part, but my detectiveem skills stop at remembering where I parked the car 😄

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

Andrew.

WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢

This week, I shared the story of the UK’s first automatic cafe, which opened in Swansea in 1902. Crowds flocked to High Street to marvel at it and grab a quick meal. Just wait until you read what Swansea’s police chief said about it…

Read 1902: Swansea’s First Automatic Cafe here

THE DIGEST 📰

Credit: WalesOnline

🛩️ The Red Arrows will again perform on both days of Swansea's free Wales National Airshow on July 5-6, 2025, an event that attracts over 200,000 visitors to the city.

🏫 Swansea Council has announced plans to amalgamate Blaenymaes and Portmead primary schools in 2027 before replacing them with a single new 518-pupil school by 2031.

🏗️ Calls are growing to "get on with building the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon" following a new report recommending tidal energy schemes for the Severn Estuary.

🛣️ Swansea Council plans to invest a record £20m in the city's highway network in 2025, including road resurfacing, pothole repairs, and improvements to walking and cycling routes.

📚 Six young writers from Palestine, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK have been shortlisted for the 2025 Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize, which awards £20,000 for exceptional literary talent.

⚽ Swansea City have asked caretaker manager Alan Sheehan to remain in charge until the end of the season after he helped secure seven points from five games following Luke Williams' February departure.

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SWANSEA FOOD & DRINK 🍴

Credit: The Cwtch

Swansea's restaurants are pulling out all the stops for Mother's Day this year. Here are just a handful of options for you to choose from:

🫖 Mother's Day Afternoon Tea: Treat Mum to a luxurious afternoon tea at The Cwtch, including sandwiches, pastries, and scones - complete with a glass of fizz.

🎹 Mother's Day with Live Piano: Enjoy a relaxed Mother’s Day lunch at Founders & Co, while Bobby Cole performs smooth jazz and cozy classics on piano.

🍽️ Sunday Roast at Morgans Hotel: Treat mum to one, two or three courses featuring classic roasts plus vegetarian and vegan options, with a complimentary welcome drink.

🍛 Mother's Day Buffet: Raj Kitchen is offering an extensive Indian buffet featuring poppadums, pakoras, chicken tikka, and homemade desserts, with both veg and non-veg options available.

🎤 Mamma Mia Sing-Along: The Village Hotel is hosting a 3-course meal with ABBA tribute performers. Sing along to hits from Mamma Mia while Mum enjoys a complimentary glass of fizz.

🍩 Mother's Day Donut Decorating: Head down to Whocult at Swansea Albert Hall where you can design your own unique box of heart-shaped donuts, perfect for celebrating Mother's Day.

@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱

A little-known spot in the city centre that marks a significant moment in Swansea’s history was very popular on our Instagram this week. Check it out and follow us (with over 5,000 others!) @swansea.scoop

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PLAN AHEAD: ANTIQUES ROADSHOW

The Antiques Roadshow team with Fiona Bruce will visit the National Waterfront Museum on July 20th, 2025, to film their 48th series featuring experts in everything from jewellery and ceramics to vintage toys and fashion. Perfect for me to discover that my family’s "priceless heirloom" is actually worth about £5 from a car boot sale 😄

It's a ticketed event with limited places, though free to attend. Applications for tickets are open now at www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow.

SWANSEA PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT 🏡

Looking for a new home or just curious to see what’s out there? I’ve picked out a new-to-market property in Swansea that might catch your eye.

4-Bed Link Detached Bungalow | Pennard Drive, Southgate, SA3 | Offers over £350,000

A 4-bed extended link detached bungalow with 2 bathrooms, modern kitchen, wood burning fireplace, garage, and private patio in the catchment for Pennard Primary and Bishopston Comprehensive.

Interested? View the property on Zoopla and contact Melanie Anderson Independent Estage Agent.

WHAT’S ON

Shining a spotlight on everything fun Swansea has to offer this week, coming right up.

Monday March 24th

🎭 Swansea Boy: It’s your last chance this week to catch Swansea Boy at Volcano Theatre, a coming-of-age drama set in 1980s Swansea, following love, loss, and the impact of the AIDS crisis.
Opens 7 PM | Tickets from £5

Tuesday March 25th

🐭 The Gruffalo: Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories' magical, musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's classic picture book at Swansea Grand Theatre. Also on Wednesday March 26th.
10:30 AM, 1 PM & 4:30 PM | £16.00, Child £14.00, Family £52.00

📽️ Brit Rock Film Tour IV: Enjoy a stunning line-up of the UK's best climbing and adventure films at Taliesin Arts Centre featuring three superb films including "Nose Job," "Climbing Blind II," and "Freja's Back."
7.30 PM | £12.00, Under 26's/Students £10.00

🔠 Braille 200 Event: Celebrate 200 years of braille at Swansea University's Singleton Park Library with exhibitions, LEGO Braille Bricks, learning sessions, and a keynote from musician Anne Wilkins.
10 AM - 3 PM | FREE

Wednesday March 26th

😂 Steffan Alun & Dave Chawner: Enjoy stand-up comedy at The Cross Keys featuring Steffan Alun, who captures audiences with stories of the bizarre and humdrum, alongside award-winning comic and mental health campaigner Dave Chawner.
8 PM | £7.56

Thursday March 27th

🎭 Water Wars: Company Of Sirens presents a bilingual eco thriller by Ian Rowlands at The Welfare, Ystradgynlais, where England invades Wales to appropriate its water resources, featuring Siwan Morris, Owen Arwyn & Jâms Thomas.
8 PM | Pay What You Can: £8-£18

🧠 Health & Wellbeing Event: Swansea Council is hosting a community day at Cranes Pop Up Space featuring health checks, cookery demonstrations, mindfulness sessions, music, and more.
11 AM - 3 PM | FREE

📚 Anthony Shapland in conversation with Elaine Canning: Join author Anthony Shapland at Waterstones Swansea as he discusses his debut novel 'A Room Above a Shop' with Elaine Canning.
6 PM | £5.00, £3.00 for Waterstones Plus Cardholders, £18.00 with Book

Friday March 28th

🎭 The Money Tree: An evening of music and comedy with Owen Money and Katie Mittell at Cu Mumbles featuring this father and daughter double act.
7 PM | £20.00

🏄 Points Of Change: Multi-award winning surf documentary at The View Rhossili Kitchen with in-person Q&A with director Rebecca Coley, exploring an island community changed forever by the discovery of a 'perfect wave'.
6.30 PM - 10.30 PM | £11.55

🌱 Gardeners' Question Time: Expert panel including Clyne Gardens’ Head Gardener, Teifion Davies, answers your gardening questions at The Ostreme Centre in Mumbles, plus the launch of the Buzz & Bloom 2025 gardening contest.
6 PM | FREE

🧛 Dracula: Blackeyed Theatre presents Nick Lane's adaptation of Bram Stoker's timeless gothic thriller at Swansea Grand Theatre, blending Victorian Gothic with contemporary theatrical style.
7.30 PM | £24.50 - £29.50

🕵️ Murder She Didn't Write: Edinburgh Fringe favourites Degrees of Error bring their sell-out improvised murder mystery to the Taliesin Arts Centre where the audience creates the story and must solve the crime.
7.30 PM | £22.00, Under 26's/Students £10.00

Saturday March 29th

🔭 Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing: Swansea Astronomical Society is setting up dedicated solar telescopes at Swansea Airport to safely view the partial solar eclipse, sunspots, solar flares and prominences.
10 AM - 12 PM | FREE

🪕 The Orange Circus Band: Family-friendly Bluegrass/Americana concert at Pantygwydr Baptist Church in Uplands, showcasing new songs from their upcoming album along with classics.
3.30 PM - 4.30 PM | £6.13, Kids FREE

🎭 Lunchtime Theatre - Blind Corner:
Ron Meldon's play about a speeding car, a tragic death and a distraught sister's quest for vengeance at Swansea Grand Theatre's Arts Wing. 12.30 PM | £10.00

💃 Boogie Days 1st Birthday: Clubbing by day with music from the 70s, 80s and 90s at Cu Mumbles celebrating their first birthday - "Saturday afternoon is the new Saturday night!"
3 PM - 8 PM | £10.00

🎻 Swansea Bay Symphony Orchestra Concert: SBSO performs Verdi, Borodin, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven's Symphony No.5 at All Saints Church, Oystermouth, conducted by Paul Lewis.
7 PM | £10.00, Under 18s and Students FREE

🥁 Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers: In Time: 30th Anniversary Tour at Taliesin Arts Centre featuring big beats, visual treats and vital energy in a full theatrical experience.
7.30 PM | £29.00, Under 26's/Students £25.00

🚶 Walk of Light Swansea 2025: Evening lantern walk to shine a light on blood cancer, with 2.5k and 5k routes starting from The Civic Centre rear lawns.
Registration 5.30 PM, Walk 6.30 PM | £10 per adult, children FREE

🛍️ Uplands Market: Monthly street market selling delicious Welsh food, drink and handcrafted goods in Gwydr Square.
9 AM - 1 PM | FREE entry

☕ Basekamp Market Day: Local traders, coffee and cakes at Basekamp's second market day event.
10 AM - 4 PM | FREE entry

🛍️ Felindre Food & Crafts Market:
Local food, drink and handcrafted goods at Felindre Welfare Hall & Grounds.
10 AM - 3 PM | FREE entry

Sunday March 30th

🌱 Gluten Free, Vegan & Craft Fayre: Swansea's first dedicated monthly gluten-free market returns to the Three Crosses Community Centre, featuring specialty foods, vegan options and crafts.
11 AM - 3 PM | FREE entry

💃 Pagrav Dance Company: Aunusthan: A joyous celebration of classical Indian Kathak dance at The Welfare, Ystradgynlais featuring dazzling spins and bell-jangling footwork set to soaring melodies and riotous beats.
7 PM | Pay What You Can: £8-£18

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

This section is sponsored by The Big Heart of Swansea Hub

Monday March 24th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM

Tuesday March 25th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

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Andrew