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Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that's like like that first sip of soup when it's properly cold outside 😊

This week has everything from Joanna Page sharing stories from her memoir to Steve Backshall bringing deadly creatures to Swansea Arena - plus a huge Science Festival and Circus Zyair pitching up the big top to showcase some proper death-defying stunts.

There's even a night celebrating two of perhaps the greatest Dylans of all time - Thomas and Bob, complete with a 3-course menu and music. Do not go gentle into that good bite 😄

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

Andrew

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On a sunny Saturday in May 1990, anyone strolling through Singleton Park could have been forgiven for thinking they’d wandered into a movie set. The quiet lawns and duck ponds were drowned out by the roar of engines, the crackle of radios, and the smell of burning rubber.

This week, enjoy the tale of how one of the city’s biggest parks became a racetrack for the opening stage of the Welsh International Rally.

Read The Rally in Singleton Park

🚂 A new steam locomotive sculpture has been unveiled in Gowerton at the site of the former railway station, celebrating the area's industrial heritage.

🏘️ Plans have been submitted to build 42 affordable homes on former school playing field land next to Clase Primary School.

📚 Swansea Central Library is closing at the Civic Centre tomorrow (October 20th) to relocate 60,000 books and other items to the new Y Storfa community hub in the city centre.

📸 A collection of 1950s photographs documenting the civic duties of Percy Morris, Swansea's mayor from 1955-1956, has been donated to Swansea Museum.

🚌 First Cymru bus strikes scheduled for October 22nd - 25th have been postponed to allow union members to vote on a new pay offer, though strikes planned for later dates will proceed if the offer is rejected.

👷 BBC DIY SOS recently aired, showing how the team transformed the Swansea home of Dan Richards, who was paralysed from the neck down in a New Year's Day swimming accident at Langland Bay.

🍷 te Pā Meet the Winemaker Supper Club: Join winemaker Sam Bennett and importer Schenk for a tasting of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir at ND John Wine Merchants.
Tuesday October 21st | 6 PM | £40

🍽️ Feast Night with the two Dylans: Celebrate the shared passions of Bob Dylan and Dylan Thomas with a Welsh and American 3-course menu, accompanied by a playlist of music curated by the Tangled Parrot.
Wednesday October 22nd | 6 PM | £33.00

🍷 Flynn's Favourite Things! Autumn '25: Join Flynn's Delicatessen for a delightful evening of food and wine tastings, where you'll explore seasonal flavors and unique finds personally selected by the Flynn's team.
Thursday October 24th | 6.30 PM | £25

This week, we headed to Swansea city centre to check out some authentic Korean street food in a little place that many people didn’t know about.

Check out the reel below and give us a follow! We’re over 17,000 followers on Instagram and over 21,000 followers on Facebook!

This fully refurbished three-bedroom semi-detached house in Morriston features an open plan kitchen/diner, en-suite shower room, bi-fold doors to the back garden, and easy access to the M4. Offers in the region of 300,000 with No. 86 Estate Agency.

☕ Urban HQ on Orchard Street has received a revamp, and officially opened as a café and workspace hub, with support from Swansea Council’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

🎉 The BOX Furniture and its sister company Chunk Monkey have opened a joint showroom on Western Street, showcasing handcrafted furniture and bespoke home pieces.

🌱 Swansea Community Farm has been awarded nearly £300,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to launch its three-year Green Sparks project, which will develop green skills, confidence, and wellbeing.

🏢 A former Swansea nightclub (Club Oxygen/Crobar) could be transformed into flats, shops, and a modernised gym, as part of redevelopment plan submitted to the council.

🏢 A disused commercial building on Fabian Way is being transformed into the 'H2Bay hydrogen ecosystem', set to house up to 17 businesses focused on innovation and sustainable development.

This week, we chatted to Lisa, a coach at Man vs Fat Rugby in Swansea, a team where losing means winning…

Tell us a bit about MAN v FAT: MAN v FAT Rugby is a club for men with a BMI of 27.5 or higher who want to get fitter and lose weight in a realistic, practical way. We offer small-sided touch rugby games with qualified referees, weekly weigh-ins, and support from a certified Health Coach.

What impact have you seen on the players? Some players have lost up to 15% of their body weight, while others are simply thrilled to be back playing the game they love. Many have even progressed to join club rugby again.

Why is rugby particularly effective for men's health? The mix of banter, humour and support creates a team environment that builds resilience, camaraderie and confidence. Physically rugby boosts strength, stamina and fitness.

What’s it like being part of the team? Training sessions are all about energy, support and progress. And competitively, our first season saw four teams battling it out for the Pitch, Scales and Cup League titles with Swansea making it through to the semi-finals at the national tournament.

How can people get involved? It’s really easy to join! Visit www.manvfatrugby.com or come along for a free trial session every Monday evening at 7 PM at Pure Swansea, Treboeth. We're also active on social media where you can check out players' experiences and progress.

🧶 GROW Cymru, a knitting group in Swansea that has donated over 300 lap blankets and numerous items to hospitals, care homes, and charities over two years is urgently appealing for wool donations.

👩‍👦 Single Parent Wellbeing has released a few more spots for free Autumn Feels family meet-up in Swansea city centre on October 26th. These always go fast, so book a spot while you can.

🏔️ Swansea local William Thomas is trekking to Everest Base Camp to raise funds for Swansea Bay Health Charity's cancer services in memory of his father, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2023.

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👻 Welsh Halloween Hauntings: Join Mark Rees at various Swansea Libraries this week for ghostly tales and the city's most haunted places, including Killay, Osytermouth, and Gorseinon
Various times | Free

👴 Ageing Well Activities: Stay active and socialise with various free weekly events for adults aged 50+, including movie and soup specials, social walks, and more.
Various days/times | Free

🎤 An Evening with Katie Price & Kerry Katona: TV personalities Katie Price and Kerry Katona share their personal stories on marriage, bankruptcy, fame, and family at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £28

🎨 Learn to Paint like a Ross! (Bob Ross!): Embrace your inner artist at a Bob Ross-inspired painting workshop in at Penllegare Valley Woods.
10.30 AM | £32.13

🍄 Fascinating Fungi!: Join Teifion Davies in Clyne Valley Woods for a captivating talk about mushrooms and fungi including stories, facts, and an identification session.
Ticket page says 7.30 PM - 9 PM? | Free

👑 Queenz: Drag Me To The Disco!: Experience a vocal drag sensation direct from London's West End, featuring pop royalty celebrations through the decades, at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £24 - £29

🧛 Dai Cula: Prince of the Valleys: Count Dracula travels to the South Wales Valleys after a royal blood mix-up in this new comedy play at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
7.30 PM | £14.30 - £16.50

🌊 Ocean Film Festival World Tour: Join the cinematic celebration of our oceans at the Taliesin Arts Centre, with short films showcasing marine life, seafaring adventures, and ocean exploration.
7:30 PM | £16.50 - £18.50

🎶 Come to Sing!: Learn simple Welsh in a welcoming atmosphere and enjoy a group sing-along led by local musician Delyth Jenkins at the National Waterfront Museum.
11 AM | Free

🏺 Make a Mug @ Founders: Design your own mug from clay and underglazes, enjoy food and drinks, then receive your unique handmade mug in 4-5 weeks.
Opens 6 PM | From £26

🎪 Circus Zyair: Thrilling performances and daring stuntmen descend on Swansea, under the big top at Mumbles Road Recreation Ground.
Various showtimes from Oct 22nd - Nov 2nd | £15.99

🎭 Joanna Page in conversation with Jude Rogers: Welsh actress Joanna Page discusses her memoir, Lush! with candid tales of her journey from Swansea to stardom at National Waterfront Museum. Limited tickets at time of writing.
7.30 PM | £16 - £32

🎃 The Silly Cabaret 'Its Giving Halloween 2.0': Join the hilariously spooky cabaret filled with charms, chills, and cheeky thrills at Elysium.
6 PM - 11 PM | £6 - £13

🪕 Make a Recycled Tin Whistle: Craft a tin whistle from recycled materials in this workshop at Swansea Repair Space, using salvaged items like crutches and zimmer frames.
5.30 PM - 8.30 PM | £30 - £8

🕯️ Roald Dahl's Lamb to the Slaughter & William and Mary: Experience Ostreme Theatre Players' amateur production of Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected at Ostreme Centre, with performances by Candlelight. Also Saturday and Sunday.
7.30 PM - 10 PM | £10

🖼️ Artes Mundi 11:: Explore Kameelah Janan Rasheed's multidisciplinary art focusing on language, loss, and meaning with an immersive installation featuring prints, writings, and videos at this new exhibition at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
10 AM - 4.30 PM | Free

🎤 Kevin Bloody Wilson: The DiLLiGAF Guy, LiVE: Celebrate 40 years of musical comedy with Aussie legend Kevin Bloody Wilson at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | Free

🕺 ABBAMANIA: Europe's top Abba tribute band, ABBAMANIA, brings two hours of hits like Waterloo and Dancing Queen to Brangwyn Hall for an unforgettable evening.
7.30 PM | £29.50

🎭 From Linz to Langland: Ludwig Wittgenstein: Experience a play imagining philosophical discussions between Ludwig Wittgenstein and locals during his Swansea visits, featuring music and posthumously published dialogues - at the Taliesin Arts Centre.
7.30 PM | £10 - £15

🏴Y Silwriaid: Twmpath: Experience a joyful evening of Welsh folk dancing with live music from Y Silwriaid, featuring traditional dances to authentic tunes.
7 PM | £6 - £12

🔬 Swansea Science Festival: Bubbles and Balloons, Super Hero Scientists, Roald Dahl's science, plus tons of interactive exhibits and shows at the National Waterfront Museum in a weekend of exciting hands-on science.
25 Oct 2025 - 26 Oct 2025 | Free

👻 Spooks in the City: Swansea Council’s annual Halloween event offers a family-friendly area and a scarier, Monster Mash-up section in Amy Dillwyn Park for braver kids and adults - new for this year. Expect games, music, a fancy dress competition, and eerie creatures.
3 PM - 8 PM

👻 Terror at the Market Garden: Spooky fun awaits at Swansea Market, featuring a trick or treat trail, freaky face painting, creepy cookie decorating, and haunted Halloween portraits.
11 AM - 4 PM | Free

Felting/Ffeltio: Children aged 7+ can enjoy this hands-on felting workshop by Mission Gallery.
11 AM - 12:30 PM | £7

🍁 Skate & Create - Autumn & Halloween Wreath-Making Workshop: Craft an autumn or Halloween wreath at Exist Skatepark, with entry to the skate session.
10 AM & 2.30 PM | £27.80

👸 Pop Princesses: Children's pop concert where Fairytale Princesses go on a World Tour, singing top hits by Taylor Swift, Lizzo, and more, along with favorite film and musical tracks - at Swansea Grand Theatre.
12 PM | £22.50

🎤 Only Men Aloud - 25 Years Celebration: Join Only Men Aloud for their 25th-anniversary tour at Brangwyn Hall, recalling their rise from Last Choir Standing to Olympic performers.
7.30 PM | £31.50 - £69.00

📚 Dylan's Park Creative Writing and Drawing Workshop: Join authors Helen and Thomas Docherty for a fantastical adventure workshop in Swansea’s Cwmdonkin Park inspired by Dylan Thomas, aimed at ages 7+.
3 PM - 4.30 PM | Free

👻 The Spooky Castle: Enjoy singing, dancing, puppet shows, and crafts at Oystermouth Castle. Encounter scary rooms, ghostly delights, and Dave the Dragon's Bubble Trubble.
11 AM - 4 PM | £4 - £18

🧪 Science Corner: Inspired by Nature: At Oriel Science, explore kingfisher bullet trains, whale windmills, and more inspired by nature every weekend in October, with extra activities during half term.
10 AM - 4 PM | Free

📸 Photography Exhibition: The Photographic Angle hosts a diverse showcase of photography celebrating individual creative styles, challenging perceptions, and utilising modern technology to manipulate reality, at Unit 4 & 5, Fforestfach Retail Park. Until October 29th.
Free

🍽️ Uplands Market: Explore delicious fresh food and handcrafted goods at Gwydr Square, Uplands.
9 AM - 1 PM

👛 Felindre Food & Crafts Market: Head to Felindre Hall and Grounds for stalls selling everything from food and drink to jewellery, prints and homewares.
11 AM - 3 PM

👗 Pop-up Vintage Stall: The Pettifor Trust hosts a vintage stall event at Founders & Co, offering a range of unique finds to raise funds for charity.
10 AM – 4 PM

🦁 Steve Backshall's Deadly Live!: Join award-winning wildlife presenter Steve Backshall in an electrifying live show featuring big cats, dinosaurs, snakes, and more, at Swansea Arena.
2 PM | £24

🦸‍♂️ Swansea Comic Con: Join Swansea's ultimate pop culture event at LC Swansea, with VIP guests including Whitehead from Wallace & Gromit, Doctor Who and Star Wars cast members, plus family-friendly attractions, interactive zones, and more.
9 AM - 4:30 PM | Free

🧙‍♀️ Stage Fright! A Night of Showtunes and Spookiness: Join Brave Arts Adult Company at Founders for an evening of spooky surprises and showstopping musical theatre performances.
6.30 PM | From £8.30

🎭 Murder Mystery Experience: Enjoy an immersive evening at Level256, solving a neon-lit murder mystery with character dossiers, clues, and shadowy secrets.
7 PM | £10

Spooky Gluten Free Vegan & Craft Fayre: Head to Three Crosses Community Centre to shop hot food, bread, and cakes, Halloween crafts, and more.
11 AM - 3 PM

Monday October 20th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM

Tuesday October 21st
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday October 22nd
The Observatory | Swansea Jazz Club - Daniel John Martin & The Dave Cottle Trio | 8 PM
Swansea Arena | Wet Wet Wet | 7.30 PM
The Bunkhouse | Husk | 6 PM

Thursday October 23rd
Hangar 18 | Senser | 7.30 PM

Friday October 24th
The Albert Hall | Live Music Friday | 7 PM
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Andy Fairweather | 7.30 PM
Patti Pavilion | Creedence Clearwater Review - Cosmo’s Factory Tour | 7 PM
Elysium | Cwmbia!! | 8 PM
The Bunkhouse | Gama Bomb | 6 PM
The Swigg | Guilty Pleasure | 8 PM

Saturday October 25th
Swansea Grand Theatre | TRextasy | 7.30 PM
Sin City | Omega Nebula | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Higher Power | 4 PM

Sunday October 26th
The Bunkhouse | Adult Leisure | 7 PM

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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