Hello, Swansea! What a first week for the Swansea Scoop - nearly 400 of you have subscribed - thank you!

In this week’s Swansea Scoop covering July 15th - 21st:

• Classic Ibiza in Singleton Park 🎧

• Pirates at Mumbles Pier 🦜

• South African dining experience 🇿🇦

• … and tons more!

Let’s get to it.

— James

THE DIGEST

Pop Star Announced for Swansea Grand Panto 🤩

He's behind you! Mark Read from the 90’s boy band A1 has been named as the lead in Swansea’s Jack and the Beanstalk panto for 2024. He'll join Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills and local panto legends Kev Johns and Matt Edwards.

Success for Swansea Troopers 🏀

Did you know that 2024 marked South Wales Basketball's inaugural women's league? Swansea Troopers Basketball Club won the title undefeated - an amazing achievement. Fancy joining in? The ladies’ team train on Wednesdays at the Montana Community Centre in Landore during the off-season, starting at 7.30 PM. Contact Mark Hammond for more info.

Community Group Crowdfunder to Save Town Hub 💷

The Hwb Lles community group in Pontardawe hopes to raise £250,000 to purchase the old Mamas Academy nightclub building at auction, where it currently hosts local clubs, men’s and women’s support groups, yoga, a coffee shop, and more. Visit the Crowdfunder to read more and donate.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

A Taste of South Africa 🇿🇦

HQ Urban Kitchen hosts its next Taste the World evening on Friday July 19th. This time, they’re serving up a three-course homemade meal inspired by the food of South Africa - with meat, vegetarian and vegan options available. Bookings are available between 6-8 PM.

Monthly Marina Market 🌭

Head down to Dylan Thomas Square on Sunday July 21st for the monthly Marina Market, where local traders bring you the best in local produce, food and drink, clothes, jewellery, art, and tons more. The market runs from 10 AM - 3 PM.

A new spot for Sunday Roast 🍽️

Looking for a new Sunday Roast spot to try? The Taproom on Newton Road in Mumbles serves theirs between 12 PM - 7 PM. Vegetarian and vegan options are available and you can wash it all down with a selection of its award-winning Gower Brewery beers.

The Mermaid Launches Its Own Coffee ☕

Coffee lovers, head down to The Mermaid Cafe Bar & Restaurant in Mumbles to try a brand new brew. The talented team have recently launched their own brand of coffee, which is available to sit in and drink or bagged up to enjoy at home.

The Captain Cabin Opens The Bridge Deck ⚓

The Captain’s Cabin in Mumbles has expanded into a second floor, which it has christened The Bridge Deck. It’s packed with camping equipment, modelling, Warhammer, gifts, nautical items, fishing, rope, wetsuits and more.

WHAT’S ON

Let’s Rock 80s Music Festival in Singleton Park 🎸

The Let’s Rock! festival comes to Wales for the first time on Saturday July 20th in Singleton Park, with acts including UB40, The Boomtown Rats, Jason Donovan and ABC performing in an action-packed day offering a huge 1980s nostalgia hit. Gates open at 11.00 AM before the festival starts at midday. The event finishes at 10:30 PM.

Free Guided Walk at Rhossili Vile 🐄

On Saturday July 20th, join an expert guide on a walk through coastal meadows and learn about the ancient history of the headland, finishing up with views over stunning views of Worms Head. Meet at 10.45 AM outside the National Trust Shop to head off at 11 AM.

James Arthur at Singleton Park 🎤

The X-Factor winner and chart-topping singer/songwriter James Arthur brings his summer show to Singleton Park on July 18th. Gates open at 5 PM, with support from DJ Press Play, Dolores Forever and Sigala. Arthur's due to hit the stage at 8.45 PM. Tickets are still available.

Vintage Kilo Clothes Sale 👗

Grab a bag and get rummaging! The Vintage Kilo Sale hits the Brangwyn Hall on Saturday July 20th with 9 tons of handpicked vintage and pre-owned stock. Early bird tickets get you in at 11 AM, with general admission from 12 PM until 5 PM, with rails being replenished throughout the day.

Garden Games at Swansea Museum 🏸

You’d be hard-pressed to believe it’s summer in Swansea given the recent weather, but Swansea Museum is having none of it. From Friday, July 19th, make your way down to try badminton and ring toss in its Garden Games. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM - 4.30 PM.

Classic Ibiza Orchestra in Singleton Park 🎧

Experience a taste of Ibiza in sunny Swansea with some of the biggest dance anthems of the past 30 years brought to life by a 32 piece orchestra with live vocalists and DJs! Classic Ibiza Swansea is in Singleton Park on Friday 19th June from 4 PM - 10.30 PM.

Pirate Fun at Mumbles Pier 🦜

Shiver me timbers! To celebrate the start of its summer season on Sunday July 21st, Mumbles Pier is going all-out on the pirate theme. There’ll be an interactive treasure hunt, a live pirate show, a sandcastle building competition, bouncy castle, face painting, crafting, and more. The free family fun starts at 11AM.

Turner Prize Nominee Exhibition at the Glyn Vivian 🖼️

The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery has launched a big new exhibition, "Out of this World," by Turner Prize nominee Heather Phillipson. It “explores airspace, aerospace, and outer space through sonic and atmospheric elements”, creating “a 'visual and acoustic fog' with automated noises and floating images.” I can’t pretend to know what that all means, but I do know that the Glyn Vivian is always a super chill place to visit either alone or with the family - worth a look.

Teddy Bear’s Picnic at the Waterfront Museum 🧸

If you go down the National Waterfront Museum on July 17th, you’re sure for a big surprise! Join in on a teddy bear's picnic full of free activities, arts and crafts and much more. The event runs from 10 AM until 2 PM.

History Walk in Cwmdonkin Park 🖼️

Enjoy a gentle stroll around Cwmdonkin Park and learn more about its history as the park celebrates its 150th birthday. The event, hosted by the Friends of Cwmdonkin Park, takes place 11 AM - 12 noon on Saturday July 20th and is free, but booking is required.

Clyne Gardens Guided Tour 🌸

Join Teifion Davies, Head Gardener at Clyne Gardens to learn more about the plants and trees that grow and flower in Clyne Gardens during July - there are just a few tickets left at the time of writing. The event takes place on Saturday 20th July from 10.30 AM - 12.30 PM. It’s free to tag along, but you must be a member of the Gower Society.

Afternoon Tea at Dylan Thomas’ Birthplace 🖊️

Explore Dylan Thomas’ birthplace in the Uplands, followed by a traditional afternoon tea (scones, sandwiches, cake!) while listening to some of the writer’s work. The event starts at 2 PM on Thursday July 25th.

Free Rock Climbing Experiences for Over 50s ⛰️

Thanks to COAST funding from Swansea Council, Dynamic Rock is offering free outdoor climbing experiences for over 50s, which will run on Thursdays in August and September at different coastal locations on south Gower. But, spaces are limited. To book, call Dynamic Rock on 01792 845655.

New Pickleball Court in Dunvant Park 🎾

It feels like I can’t go a day without someone asking me if I’ve tried pickleball - a cross between tennis, ping pong and badminton. If you fancy a go yourself, a freshly painted pickleball court has recently popped up in the middle of Dunvant Park, thanks to the Friends of Dunvant Park.

COUNCIL NEWS

Major City Centre Office Development Revealed 🏗️

Swansea Council has released the first images of a proposed public sector hub for council workers, which if approved, will be located in the area of the former St. David’s Shopping Centre. Once built, it will enable the redevelopment of the Civic Centre.

Improvements to Swansea Bay Facilities - Opinions Needed 💡

Swansea Council wants your input on possible improvements to the seafront Between the Civic Centre and Blackpill - whether that's on facilities like Singleton Boating Lake, Blackpill Lido, better food and drink offerings, encouraging biodiversity, and more. Take the short 5 minute survey here. But be quick with your response, the survey closes at midnight tonight.

WEATHER

Monday
17🌡️ 12 | 🌦️ | 65% | 💨 N 10 mph

Tuesday
18 🌡️ 11 | 🌦️ | 35% | 💨 E 10 mph

Wednesday
18 🌡️ 12 | 🌦️ |60% | 💨 NE 10 mph

Thursday
19 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️ | 30% | 💨 NE 10 mph

Friday
19 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️ | 35% | 💨 NE 10 mph

Saturday
18 🌡️ 11 | ☀️ | 10% | 💨E 12 mph

Sunday
19 🌡️ 12 | 🌦️ | 50% | 💨 E 10 mph

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Wednesday 17th

CU Mumbles | Siglo Section Big Band | 8 PM

Thursday 18th

Singleton Park | James Arthur | 5PM
The Bunkhouse | One Man Boycott | 6 PM
Elysium | Originals Only Open Mic | 7 PM
Gin & Juice | Live Lounge Thursdays | 7.30 PM
Waterloo Stores | Open Mic Thursday | 7.30 PM

Friday 19th

Singleton Park | Classic Ibiza Swansea | 7.30 PM
Proud Mary | After-Works Perks | 8 PM
The Bunkhouse | White Leather | 6 PM
Village Hotel | Skools Out for Summer Disco | 7 PM

Saturday 20th

Singleton Park | Let’s Rock Wales |
Proud Mary | Saturday’s Live Music | 6-8 PM
Elysium | Boris and The Joy | 7 PM
The Hanbury | The Revolvers | 9 PM

Sunday 21st

The Bunkhouse | Nameless Friends | 6 PM
Waterloo Stores | Live Music Sunday | 8PM
The Railway Inn | Gethin Liddington Quartet | 4 PM

SPORTS NEWS ⚽

The Ospreys have announced that St Helen’s Sports Ground in Swansea has been selected as the club’s preferred location for its new stadium from the 25/26 season onwards. A multi-million pound investment in the site will see the installation of a new 4G pitch, new stands, a refurbishment of the club house, and a new fan zone area.

THANKS

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