Swansea Scoop
Posts
Where is the most haunted place in Swansea? 😱

Where is the most haunted place in Swansea? 😱

Plus: stand-up comedy, truck pulling, classic car show

James M
August 25, 2024

Good morning, Swansea! Anyone holding out for one last heatwave to save the summer? 🌞

In this week’s Swansea Scoop:

The most haunted places in Swansea 😱
33 kids’ summer holiday ideas 🌞
Big-name stand-up comedy 🤣
… and tons more!

Let’s get to it.

— James

P.S. Enjoy the Swansea Scoop? Share this e-mail - it takes just a few seconds 😇

THE DIGEST

Swansea Postcard Arrives 121 Years Late 📮

A postcard sent from Bath to Swansea in 1903 has arrived at its destination 121 years later. The card, addressed to Mrs. Katie Veronica Jones, was discovered by staff at Swansea Building Society on Craddock Street who found it amongst their ordinary mail.

Swansea Man Breaks EV World Record 🚗

Kevin Booker from Swansea has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest journey on a single charge in an electric vehicle, travelling 569.64 miles in a Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV. The record-breaking journey, completed in 24 hours across the UK, demonstrated the vehicle's efficiency, averaging 6.25 miles per kWh.

@SWANSEA.SCOOP

📷 @jabrony_phovid

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

LOCAL BUSINESS

New Deli and Coffee Shop Opens in Southgate ☕

The Gower Deli has recently opened its doors, with a soft launch running until October. Located at 65 Southgate Rd, the deli will be open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Pop along to enjoy a selection of Mediterranean and Welsh deli items, freshly cooked meals, and café offerings including Crafty Smugglers coffee, cakes, and Italian sandwiches. The full experience, including wines, beers, and evening events will begin in October.

Quadrant Shopping Centre Sale Boosts Hope for Revamp 👛

After its success in revamping Parc Tawe, Swansea-based retail property company Centurion has purchased the Quadrant Shopping Centre in hopes of reviving its fortunes. It aims to attract new store tenants, develop a closer relationship with Swansea Market, and put the Quadrant back at the heart of the city centre.

WHAT’S ON

Classic Car Show Rolls into Mumbles 🚙

Is it even a Bank Holiday without a classic car show? I can’t pretend to like cars that much, but still somehow find myself cooing at the interior of a 1966 Morris Minor on a drizzly summer’s afternoon at least once a year. On Thursday August 29th, Newton Road will be closed off to host the Mumbles Classic Car Show from 5 PM until 9 PM. Over 80 classic cars will be on display, so drop Dad off at the top of the hill and don’t expect to see him for at least a few hours. If cars aren't your thing, there will also be a pop-up market with stalls and street food, plus live music, face painting and more.

Meet the Author To Talk Swansea’s Most Haunted Places 👻

It turns out that the most ghoulish sight in Swansea isn’t the lone figure of me sweeping up food waste off the street outside my house at 5 AM, after a twilight raid by opportunist foxes. Waterstones on Oxford Street is hosting an evening with author Mark Rees, who'll be chatting about his brand new book, Paranormal Swansea and Gower. The book takes readers on a chilling journey through haunted locations and tales across the city - including gothic ruins guarded by terrifying apparitions, the curses Swansea Devil lurking in the museum, and a murderer's ghost haunting his former home. Booking required | Tickets £3.

Comedy Sheep Brings Big Name Stand-up to Wind St 🤣

Comedy Sheep, a stand-up comedy group that gigs with comedians across the world is live at The Perch on Wind Street on September 26th at 8 PM, hot on the heels of its talent performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The headline act is Ignacio Lopez (Have I Got News for You, Live At the Apollo), with support from Priya Hall. Booking required | Tickets £15 - £18.

Truck Pull And Family Fun Day for Charity 🚛

Stephen and Helen Morgan, co-owners of Swansea haulage firm A.T. Morgan and Son have had their lives touched by cancer more than most - daughter Megan died of a brain tumour at just twelve, and Helen has from a rare blood disorder which has required care from the South West Wales Cancer Care Centre at Singleton Hospital. To give back, the firm is holding the Swansea Truck Pull 2024 at its yard in Crymlyn Burrows on Sunday September 8th, which will see teams of four pulling an 8.5-ton tractor unit over 15 metres. There will also be a raffle, food stalls, and inflatables for children. Enjoy the day and cheer the truck-pulling teams on from 11 AM - 4 PM.

National Youth Orchestra and Choir At Brangwyn Hall 🪈

There’s nothing quite like watching incredibly talented young people to make you feel completely inadequate and joyously hopeful for the future in equal measure - and the National Youth Choir of Wales and the National Orchestra of Wales will do that to you. Both will perform at the Brangwyn Hall this week - the former on Monday at 4 PM and the latter on Sunday at 3 PM. The National Youth Orchestra of Wales’ performance will celebrate its 40th anniversary through 40 years of song, while the National Youth Orchestra of Wales will tell the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet through music, with the ballet music of Prokofiev a highlight.

Comedy Play At Ostreme Centre in Mumbles 🎭

“Edward Jones was just an ordinary man, doing ordinary things - until the day before his fortieth birthday. What happened next was, quite literally, incredible. It defies belief. It defies logic. It defies the fundamental laws of science and nature. But it happened. And it came like a bolt from the blue.” Was it a sudden love for comfortable shoes and groaning upon sitting down? I’m not sure, but, The Ostreme Theatre's latest production of A Bolt From the Blue is an adaptation of David Tristram's novel - which promises laughs from start to finish. There are three performances at The Ostreme Centre in Mumbles: Friday August 30th at 7.30 PM and Saturday August 31st at 2.30 PM and 7.30 PM. Tickets £10.

Monthly Markets in Uplands and Felindre 🛍️

Pop down to Felindre Hall & Grounds or Gwydr Square in the Uplands on Saturday August 31st for monthly markets, where local traders bring you the best in local produce, food and drink, clothes, jewellery, art, and tons more.

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 26th 🚂

Loughor RFC is holding its Family Fun Day from 12 Noon until late, including games, activities, live entertainment, and food.
The popular Derwen Fawr Miniature Railway will be open this Bank Holiday Monday, weather permitting. Check the Facebook page for updates.
It’s Princes and Princesses Day at Oystermouth Castle from 11 AM - 4 PM, with games, stories, bubbles, singing, and more. Normal castle admission applies.

Tuesday August 27th 🦎

Head to Waunarlwdd Community Centre for an Animal Encounters event at 1 PM, including meerkats, a skunk, an armadillo, and a lizard. Free. Booking required
Join author Ian Brown, the creator of the Albert the Tortoise series to listen to him read from his newest books, along with props, stickers, and a replica Albert. At Gowerton Library, 10.30 AM and Townhill Library, 2 PM.
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.
Volcano Theatre will be hosting a songwriting and music production workshop at 10 AM, for children 10+. Free | Booking required.
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 28th 😊

The Taliesin Summer Kids Club has family-friendly films on throughout the summer. Inside Out 2 is showing at 3 PM. Tickets are £2.50 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.
Play with sound vibrations and drawing whirligigs in an experimental workshop that explores the relationship between sound, automation and art, at the Glyn Vivian Art Gallery from 10.30 AM - 12.30 PM. Free | Booking required.
Join artist Sian Stanford at the Swansea Community Workshop on High Street to create colourful mini mosaics, from 10 AM - 12 PM. £5 | Booking required.

Thursday August 29th 🥁

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.
Pop down to West Cross Community Centre for a free family drumming session with Rhythm of Play and One Heart Drummers from 1 PM - 2.30 PM. Free | Booking required.
Head to Waunarlwydd Community Centre for the Waunarlwydd Summer of Fun playscheme, from 10 AM - 11 AM.
Calling all Pirates! Head down to the Gower Heritage Centre for swashbuckling adventures around the Mill at 1 PM, including stories, crafts, scavenger hunt, and duck race. | Tickets £8.30
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 3 is Bridge Builders: Let's build a K'NEX bridge! Will it be a rainbow-coloured bridge, industrial style or a futuristic design? Free. Ages 6+.
Ty Tawe in Swansea City Centre is hosting a play at 11 AM, Mewn Cymeriad: Glenys y Siop, aimed at children (but suitable for Welsh learners, too) - centred around a corner shop in Swansea during the WWII Blitz. Free | Booking required.
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.
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 Fantasy: use your imagination and create some fantastical structures, plants, cars, flying creatures, 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.
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 30th 🎅

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.
Can’t wait for a Christmas Panto? Head down to Bonymaen Community Centre on August 31st (7 PM) or September 1st (3 PM) for Dick Whittington the Pantomime. £4.50 adult, £4 children.
Head to Cwm Glas Primary School in Winch Wen for a school fete hosted by Morriston and Winch Wen Rainbows from 11 AM - 1 PM, with carnival games, prizes, and food and drink.
Join Bourdon Brindille at the High Street Hangout for a Make A Tiny Theatre Workshop at 11 AM or 12 PM. Or, just drop by for free creative sessions at any time. Booking required for the workshop.
Pop down to Penllergare Valley Woods for Summer Fun and Crafts for ages 1-7 in collaboration with Antur Bach Nature Club. Free | Booking required.

Saturday August 31st 🖼️

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.

Sunday September 1st 🐶

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.
Join local marine biologist, Judith Oakley, on a free and exciting seashore safari. What will you find? Meet at Langland Bay at 10.45 AM. Free | Booking required via e-mail on this poster.
Bluey’s Big Play arrives at Swansea Arena, with shows at 10 AM, 1 PM and 4 PM. Tickets from £16.50. Founders and Co. is holding a Bluey-themed arts and crafts session on the day - with coffee, food, and kids menu - from 11 AM - 4 PM. Booking required.

COUNCIL NEWS

Swiss Cottage Renovations Reach Major Milestone

Swansea's iconic Swiss Cottage in Singleton Park has received significant refurbishment work - now obvious from the outside. Funded by Swansea Council and the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, the renovation includes replacing timbers, repainting, and conducting a feasibility study to explore future uses, such as a café and wellness space.

WEATHER

Monday
19🌡️ 15 | 🌦️ | 12% | 💨 NE 10 mph

Tuesday
21 🌡️ 14 | ⛅ | 15% | 💨 N 13 mph

Wednesday
22 🌡️ 15 | ⛅ | 0% | 💨 W 7 mph

Thursday
21 🌡️ 14 | ⛅ | 20% | 💨 N 10 mph

Friday
19 🌡️ 15 | 🌧️ | 35% | 💨 NE 10 mph

Saturday
19 🌡️ 14 | 🌧️ | 40% | 💨N 5 mph

Sunday
21🌡️ 14 | 🌧️ | 25% | 💨 N 5 mph

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

August 29th
Waterloo Stores | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Gin & Juice | Live Lounge Thursdays | 7. 30 PM

August 31st

September 1st

Llys Nini | Swansea Ukelele Club | 2 PM
Waterloo Stores | Live Music Sunday | 8 PM

SPORTS NEWS ⚽

Swansea City has bolstered its squad ahead of the South Wales derby against Cardiff City with two key signings. The club acquired winger Florian Bianchini from SC Bastia on a four-year deal and secured England under-20 defender Nelson Abbey on loan from Olympiacos.

THANKS

Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you found something useful, share it with a friend who hasn’t bought new school uniforms yet.

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

Reply

or to participate.