TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop. The local newsletter that’s like when your phone lands face-up instead of on the screen 😊

If this week’s newsletter had a theme, it would probably be inner strength, what with a visit to Swansea from former SAS elite soldier Jason Fox. That, plus a talk in Pontardawe by Sean Conway - the first person ever to swim the entire length of Britain.

You know, the type of people that inspire us to get out of bed every morning and achieve great things - like the time I found my glasses after only 10 minutes of looking (they were on my head).

But if that’s not your bag, there’s loads more besides, including a new art exhibition showcasing the best of Swansea’s hobbyists, a house party at the arena, and comedy from Britain’s self-proclaimed “only deaf comedian.”

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

Andrew.

P.S. I’ve been posting some fun little videos of Swansea over on Instagram recently and we’ve had a ton of new followers. Check them out and give Swansea Scoop a follow, too! 😊

Wednesday’s Scoop (In Case You Missed It) 🦢

With Valentine’s Day coming up, love is in the air. And what better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than by supporting a local Swansea business?

I've put together a huge list of local restaurants, cafes, and shops offering everything from special romantic dinners to Galentine's brunches, sweet treats, and thoughtful gifts.

Read 49 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Swansea.

THE DIGEST 📰

🏗️ Swansea Council has approved a major restoration project at the historic Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, bringing new life to the grade two-listed Vivian and Musgrave engine houses. The plans include exhibition spaces, retail, and hospitality venues.

🏗️ Swansea’s historic Mond Buildings, a grade two-listed structure dating back to 1911, is set for redevelopment after being acquired by St Mary's Square Developments.

🥡 A new food delivery service, Gower Eats, will launch on February 13, 2025, connecting residents and visitors of the Gower Peninsula to local pubs, cafés, and food producers.

🚵 Swansea Council is investing £2.6m in wheeled sports facilities across the city, including plans to refurbish the Clyne Valley pump track and build a new junior BMX track in Gorseinon.

SCRUMPTIOUS SCOOPS

Looking for some new eats this week? Here are a handful around Swansea to try out:

🍽️ Have you tried Orka’s Sunday lunch? It features duck fat roast potatoes, a choice of meat (including slow cooked sirloin of beef), and sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

🍽️ The Green Room has introduced a new menu for 2025, including pistachio tiramisu French toast and a chipotle brisket grilled cheese sandwich.

🍽️ Rasoi Indian Kitchen in Pontlliw has a “secret” menu every Sunday to Thursday until the end of February - a main and a side for £12. Just ask your server.

🍽️ The George, Mumbles has launched a 2-4-1 burgers deal every Tuesday between 12 noon and 9 PM - including beef, jerk chicken, and veggie options.

🍽️ Joe’s Ice-Cream Parlour has launched its latest seasonal sundae, The Blueberry Crumble. It features fresh vanilla ice-cream layered with blueberry compote and baked crumble.

🍽️ Y Shed is going all in on pancakes this February, with a variety of new specials promised. They’re under wraps at the time of writing, but keep an eye on its Instagram profile for the big reveal.

WHAT’S ON

SAS: Who Dares Wins’ Jason Fox 🎯

I think the most intense interrogation I reguarly face is having to explain to the dentist why I haven't been flossing as much as I should, but Jason Fox is the real deal - a former SAS soldier - and he’s in Swansea to tell us all about it this week.

The star of TV’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, brings his show Life At the Limit to the Brangwyn Hall on Thursday, February 13th, sharing gripping stories from his distinguished military career. The evening promises tales of gunfights, hostage rescues and daring missions, while also exploring his personal battles after leaving the service.

The perfect early Valentine’s date night? I think so. Tickets cost £32 and the event starts at 7.30 PM.

BOOK AHEAD: SINGLE PARENT FAMILY FUN

Are you a single parent or a young person from a single parent family looking to meet other families and make friends?

In two weeks time, Single Parents Wellbeing - a peer-led organisation run by and for single parents - brings their Welsh-themed Big Meet Up to Swansea, offering a supportive space where single-parent families can connect and food and drink, crafts, graffiti workshops, games, meet therapy animals, and more.

The event will be held on Sunday, February 23rd at 1 PM in Swansea city centre at the Collaboration Station, Pop Up Wales (in the former Cranes Music Shop in St David’s, SA1 3LG). Tickets are free, but booking is required (limited spaces remaining!).
Thanks to Sharon for the tip!

BEST OF THE REST

Shining a spotlight on everything else great going on in Swansea this week. Ready? Start your planning now :)

Monday February 10th

🏳️‍🌈 LGBT+ Films: The Iris Prize Film Festival brings a free screening of three award-winning LGBTQ+ short films to the Taliesin Arts Centre this evening, showcasing diverse stories of love, identity, and human experiences.
6 PM | Free (booking required)

Tuesday February 11th

😂 Live Comedy: Ben Elton returns to stand-up comedy with his new show "Authentic Stupidity," tackling topics like AI and human folly with his signature taboo-busting, gag-filled style at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £35.50

🧘Free COAST Activities: There are over a dozen free Swansea Council-funded COAST community events happening across the city from February 11th - February 16th, including mindfulness sessions, family yoga, martial arts classes, art workshops, and cooking activities.

Wednesday February 12th

🏊‍♂️ Ultra Athlete Talk: Adventure athlete Sean Conway shares his incredible journey from portrait photographer to world record holder in ultra-endurance sports at the Pontardawe Arts Centre, featuring stories from his 105 consecutive Iron Man competitions and swimming the length of Britain.
7:30 PM | £18.50 - £21.50

🌲 Conservation Task Day: Head to Bishop's Wood Local Nature Reserve, where you can volunteer to help with coppicing and removing invasive species with Swansea Council’s wellbeing team - all equipment and refreshments are provided.
10 AM - 2 PM | Free (booking required)

🎤 John Barrowman Live: John Barrowman brings his new show "Laid Bare" to Swansea Grand Theatre, featuring Broadway classics and contemporary hits alongside personal stories from his extensive career in TV, film, and theatre.
7 PM | £30.00 - £40.00

Thursday February 13th

🐶 Meet Therapy Dogs: The Greyhound Rescue Wales shop on The Kingsway will have some very special visitors this afternoon; pop down to meet its therapy dogs, ready and waiting to give early Valentine’s Day cwtches.
2 PM | Free

👻 Spooky Walking Tour: Join HQ Urban Kitchen's Swansea in Gloom storyteller to discover Swansea’s darkest secrets of murder, superstitions, debauchery, and ghosts, uncovering tales from the medieval era to the mid-20th century.
7.30 PM | £11.55

Friday February 14th

🎤 The Everly Brothers Show: "Walk Right Back" celebrates the incredible story and harmonies of The Everly Brothers, from their Kentucky roots to their Royal Albert Hall reunion, featuring all their classic hits performed live at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7.30 PM | £27.00 - £30.00

🤣 Paddy McGuiness: TV presenter and comedian Paddy McGuinness returns to stand-up comedy after an eight-year hiatus, bringing his new tour, Nearly There, to Swansea Arena. Very limited tickets available.
7:45 PM | From £32.45

🐭 Museum Little Mice: Take your little one to the National Waterfront Museum for its free monthly Welsh stay and play session, featuring crafts, songs, and story time. This month’s theme is Valentine’s Day.
10.15 AM - 12.15 PM | Free

🏇 Night at the Races: Enjoy a fun-filled race night at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe’s Neuadd Fawr, featuring horse racing, raffles and refreshments, with all profits supporting the 2025 Urdd Eisteddfod Dur a Mor.
7:00 PM | £5.00

Saturday February 15th

🎸 Local Music Showcase: Swansea Arena's House Party returns with a showcase of emerging Welsh talent across two stages, featuring CVC, Suns of Thunder, Aderyn, VAIN and more, with all proceeds supporting Music Venue Trust.
5 PM | £10.00

😄 Live Comedy: Steve Day, Britain's self-proclaimed "only deaf comedian," is performing a stand-up show at Koala Tree in Swansea tonight. He’s, appeared on BBC Radio 4, and received five stars from Chortle for his Edinburgh Fringe show "Deafy's Island Discs.”
8 PM | £12.96

🎶 Drag show: Celebrated drag artist Ceri Dupree returns with his 25th birthday extravaganza at Swansea Grand Theatre, featuring new characters and special guest performers in a Valentine's-themed spectacular.
7:00 PM | £23.00

🎹 Victoria Wood Music: "Looking For Me Friend" celebrates the musical legacy of Victoria Wood at the Taliesin Arts Centre, starring Paulus the Cabaret Geek and Michael Roulston in a fun evening of her beloved songs and wit.
7:30 PM | £22.00

🕺 Dance and Snacks: "There Will Be Snacks... And Middle Aged Lady Dancing" brings a unique night of inclusive dancing and socialising to Elysium Gallery, featuring DJ Branwen Munn spinning diverse tunes in a welcoming, pressure-free environment.
7 PM | £6.13 - £8.83

🎻 Classical Concert: BBC NOW performs at the Brangwyn Hall, featuring conductor Ryan Bancroft leading a world premiere by Gavin Higgins, Weinberg's Trumpet Concerto with soloist Håkan Hardenberger, and Shostakovich's dramatic Sixth Symphony.
7:30 PM | £10 - £20

💗 Post-Valentine’s Day Party: The Filipino Community Wales is hosting a Post-Valentine Party at All Saints Church Hall in Mumbles this afternoon. Meet friends old and new, and bring some food to share.
3 PM | Free

🖼️ Exhibition Launch: The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery launches "Come As You Really Are - Swansea Open 2025," a unique exhibition celebrating hobbyists and makers through handcrafted objects, film, and rarely seen items from the gallery's permanent collection.
Runs daily until April 27th | Free

🇮🇳 Indian Films & Meal: Pontardawe Arts Centre hosts an Indian Film Festival featuring two BAFTA-nominated films - "Santosh" about a widowed police constable in rural India, and "All We Imagine As Light," a gentle Mumbai story about three nurses - followed by an optional Indian meal and discussion.
2 PM | £6 per film, £10 for both (Meal: £11-£14)

Sunday February 16th

👩‍🎨 Ceramic Workshop: Artist Sarah Jones leads a unique ceramic masterclass at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, exploring how personal memories and experiences can be transformed into symbolic vessels using various clay techniques.
10.30 AM - 3.30 PM | £50.00

SWANSEA PARENT & BABY/TODDLER GROUPS 👶

A couple of weeks ago, I compiled a list of around 90 parent and baby/toddler groups all over Swansea, active from Monday to Friday. There’s way too many to list here, but here’s the links to the listings on Facebook and Instagram for you to check out:

• Swansea Baby & Toddler Playgroups (Instagram)

• Swansea Baby & Toddler Playgroups (Facebook)

Why not give Swansea Scoop a follow while you’re there? :)

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

Monday February 10th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM

Tuesday February 11th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM
Elysium | Night on the Sun + Strange Orchid | Elysium | 7 PM
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Hayseed Dixie | 8 PM

Wednesday February 12th
Swansea Building Society Arena | Bowling for Soup | 7 PM
Cu Mumbles | Louis & Ella Show | 8 PM

Thursday February 13th
Hippos | Open Mic | 4 PM
Waterloo Stores | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Gin & Juice | Live Lounge Thursdays | 7.30 PM
Altitude 28 | Jazz Thursdays | 8 PM
Elysium | Sura Susso | 7 PM
Swansea Grand Theatre | Michael Jackson Tribute | 7.30 PM
Hangar 18 | TRAGEDY - All Metal Tribute to The Beegees & Beyond | 7 PM

Friday February 14th
The Albert Hall | Live Music Friday | 7 PM
Bonnie Rogues | After Work Perks | 8 PM
The Oyster House | Friday Night Live | 8 PM
Gower Inn | Live Music Night | 7 PM
Sin City | Meteora (Linkin Park Tribute) | 7 PM
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Bwncath | 7 PM
Mansel Workingmens Club | Ghost Train | 8 PM

Saturday February 15th
HQ Urban Kitchen | Saturday Sessions | 1 PM
Bonnie Rogues | Live Music at Bonnie’s | 6 PM
The Swigg | Electric Kicks | 8 PM

Sunday February 16th
Waterloo Stores | Live Music Sundays | 8 PM
The Bunkhouse | wonderbug | 6 PM

Got a gig coming up that you want me to include? Reply to this email to let me know!

THANKS 😊

Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you found something useful, share it with a friend who tells the best jokes.

Catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

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