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Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that’s like pulling your favourite jumper out of storage and finding it still fits 😊

This week in Swansea has everything from book festivals for the little ones, to Twilight turning 20(!), and Dara Ó Briain live on stage. There's even a murder mystery you can solve over a pint.

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

Andrew

P.S. A big welcome to all our new subscribers this week! Know someone else who’d enjoy the Scoop? Please forward this email to them and ask them to subscribe here 🙂

If you've ever peered down over the Sail Bridge or wandered along the river near SA1 on a still morning, you might have noticed areas of the water doing something weird. Beneath the calm surface of the Tawe, there's a gentle fizz, like a giant glass of tonic water.

It isn't a trick of the light - Swansea's river is literally being bubbled. And the reason why takes us back to the early 1990s, when a bold engineering project changed the shape of the city… but also gave it a problem no one quite expected.

Read Why is the Tawe Full of Bubbles?

🚤 Swansea Canal Society and others have been working hard to restore a long-lost section of the Swansea Canal canal in Clydach - check out their progress in this video from Court Above the Cut.

🚴‍♀️ Swansea Council will soon upgrade more Active Travel routes in Clyne Valley, including between Killay and Dunvant, and the old Carriage Path.

📚 Swansea Central Library will close on October 20th to begin relocating over 60,000 items to its new city centre home, Y Storfa.

🔥 A red plaque has been unveiled in Mumbles to honour firefighter Alan Sherratt, who died in a fire engine accident 53 years ago.

🏗️ Swansea’s former St Thomas railway site is set to become 158 riverside homes, with new public spaces and river access.

⚽ Swansea City and Millwall drew 1-1 in the Championship, with Zan Vipotnik scoring his sixth goal in seven games.

🍗 Popeyes is bringing its famous Chicken Sandwiches to Swansea on October 3rd, opening in the former Topshop building.

🍨 Orka on Princess Way has launched a new menu, including yogurt and mint marinated lamb skewers, breaded halloumi, and pure Welsh honey ice-cream.

🍖 Sunday roasts are returning to On the Rocks in Mumbles, launching on Sunday October 5th, with two and three course options available.

🎉 G&P Afro Nigerian Restaurant on Walter Road is hosting a Nigerian Independence Celebration on Wednesday October 1st, with food, music, and games for all ages.

This week, we made the most of the blue skies and stopped off at a sunny cafe on Gower for a spot of breakfast.

Check out the reel below and give us a follow! We’re over 16,700 followers on Instagram and over 20,000 followers on Facebook!

This 2-bedroom ground floor flat in Fishermans Way, Swansea Marina, features an en-suite, open-plan living, and allocated parking—just a short stroll from the beach and cafes. Chain free. £190,000 via SA Property.

Planning to pick a pumpkin or two this October? Here are five of the best patches in and around Swansea:

🎃 Gower Fresh Christmas Trees’ pumpkin patch is open now, with pumpkins from £2 - £20, marshmallow roasting, Halloween Barn, reindeer feeding, and more. Poundffald Farm, Three Crosses, Swansea, SA4 3PB.

Penyfodau Fawr Farm Shop is based off the roundabout at Garden Village/Kingsbridge, and open 7 days a week from October 11th. Grab a wheelbarrow and get picking! SA4 4LN.

🎃 Porthcawl Pumpkin Patch opens on October 11th, with free entry and pumpkin prices starting from as little as £1.50. Tycoch Farm, Pyle, CF33 4RR

🎃 The Black Cat Pumpkin Patch in Llanelli doesn't just have pumpkins - it has a corn maze, spooky bales, moonlight pumpkin picking, and alpaca walking too. It opens on October 15th. The Barn, Mansant Ganol, Ponthenri, SA15 5RL

🎃 Forage Farm Shop near Bridgend has a maize maze, tractor rides, twilight picking, animals to meet, and more. Opens October 4th. Penllyn Estate, Llwynhelig, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, CF71 7FF

🌿 Holland & Barrett has opened a new flagship store in the Quadrant Shopping Centre.

🎬 Pontardawe Arts Centre’s brand new cinema is opening on Monday, October 6th - tickets on sale now!

🛍️ Mountain Warehouse's new store is now open at Morfa Shopping Park.

🏢 A new multi-million pound co-working hub has opened at Princess Quarter in Swansea.

🌱 Down to Earth has been granted approval to build Haus Hwb, a £6m housing and training hub in Crofty set to create 150 jobs.

🏍️ M&P Direct in Garngoch has closed its doors after 47 years in business.

🎼 Swansea Singers, an early music choir based in Sketty is looking for new members. Contact John Lever: [email protected]

👩‍👧‍👦 Swansea Council is hiring a Relief Activity Leader - ideal for anyone looking to start a career working with children and families.

🥋 Swansea Kendo Club’s beginner course starts on Sunday October 5th at Swansea Bay Sports Park.

📀 Swansea Central Library has music sale on, including cassettes (50p) and vinyl (£1).

👨‍🍳 Boo’s Kitchen in Mumbles is looking for full-time and part-time Supervisors to join its team.

Got Something to share? Tell Swansea all about it and get it delivered to 7,000+ local inboxes.

🧛‍♂️ Twilight 20th Anniversary Celebration: Join Waterstones for a stylish celebration of Twilight's 20th anniversary with arts, crafts, activities, and exclusive collector's edition items available for purchase.
6 PM | £3 - £33

🎤 Sing-Along Screenings: Join in the sing-along fun at Swansea Albert Hall with weekly concerts on the big screen.
6 PM – 9 PM

🎤 Black Is The Color Of My Voice: Inspired by Nina Simone's life, Apphia Campbell performs iconic songs in this acclaimed play on redemption and reflection, at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7:30 PM | £27.00

🦅 Restoring White-tailed Eagles to Wales Talk: Join Dr. Sophie-lee Williams at St. Hilary’s Church in Killay, to learn about the Eagles Reintroduction Wales project, aiming to establish a breeding population of white-tailed eagles in South Wales.
7.30 PM | Free

🎤 Future Blood Swansea - Live: Led by musicians Rich Thair & Steve Balsamo, this show at Swansea Grand Theatre showcases future soloists, bands, and artists from Swansea.
7 PM | £5.00

🎸 The Bootleg Beatles: Celebrate the iconic songs of The Beatles from their films A Hard Day's Night, Help!, and more with The Bootleg Beatles and orchestra at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £34.50 - £42.50

🩸 Killer Couples: Join crime presenter Emma Kenny as she delves into the chilling world of Killer Couples at Swansea Grand Theatre, exploring twisted love stories turned deadly.
7 PM | £30.50

🎤 Rogues' Gallery Comedy Club: October's comedy night at Elysium Gallery & Bar features rising star Liam Farrelly and character comedian Karren Sherrard, with resident MC Chris Barnes hosting.
7 PM | £8

🍺 Sauna & Tapas: Enjoy a relaxing sauna, cold water tub, and tapas at Nomad in Gowerton, in a special pop-up partnership with Sauna Hut Wales.
Spaces from 4 PM | £15 (scroll down for Nomads booking)

🧗‍♂️ Simon Yates – Pleasure & Pain: 'Touching the Void' mountaineer Simon Yates shares gripping stories of expeditions worldwide, detailing narrow escapes and survival in extreme conditions, at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
7:30 PM | £18.50 - £21.50

🌲 Head Outdoors: Join a free 5-week programme at Penllergare Woods focusing on the benefits of nature for emotional resilience and self-compassion, with mindfulness activities and conservation skills.
Thursdays at 10 AM - 2 PM | Free or voluntary contribution

🎀 Mean Girls Movie Night: Enjoy a special screening of Mean Girls at the Albert Hall, sipping on the West End Girls cocktail and reliving iconic movie lines.
8 PM | Free, table booking recommended

🎻 BBC NOW - Celebrating Shostakovich: Experience Shostakovich's powerful Violin Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 7 conducted by Ryan Bancroft at Brangwyn Hall.
7.30 PM | £10 - £20

🎤 Dara Ó Briain: Re:Creation: Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain returns with a new live show 'Re:Creation', promising a hilarious evening at Swansea Arena.
8 PM | Only VIP seats remaining

🎤 An Evening With Mike Bubbins: Join Mammoth star Mike Bubbins for a night of conversation, stories, audience Q&A, and new material at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
19:30 | Only wheelchair seats remain

🩺 Merched Y Môr | Daughters of The Sea: Ballet Cymru & Krystal S. Lowe combine spoken word, dance, and music to share the journey of three women standing together against an unexpected adversary, at the Taliesin Arts Centre.
7.30 PM | £21, £10 (Under 26s/Students)

👨‍👦 Fatherhood: Altered Skin presents a physical and humorous exploration of fatherhood across generations and cultures, at The Welfare Ystradgynlais.
7.30 PM | £10 - £20

🎉 Gower Heritage Centre Harvest Party: Join Cae Tan for its annual harvest celebration on at Gower Heritage Centre featuring live bands, pizza, curry, and more.
5.30 PM | £5, Kids Free

📚 Children’s & Young People's Literature Festival: Meet top children's authors like Kate Mosse and Alex Wharton, enjoy workshops, storytelling, and creative activities to inspire little bookworms at the National Waterfront Museum. Also Sunday.
From 11 AM | Free

👗 Swansea Fashion Week: Experience the inaugural Swansea Fashion Week at Volcano Theatre. Featuring emerging designers, established labels, workshops, and a red carpet event. Free entry.
10 AM - 5 PM | Free

🏛️ History Day at Swansea Museum: Dive into Swansea's past with talks on maritime crime, St Mary's Church, the coal industry, and more.
10.05 AM | Free

🌱 Vegan Mini-Market: Monthly vegan pop-up events at Swansea Market with a variety of global plant-based cuisine, hosted by Brontosaurus Vegan Lifestyle Store.
10 AM - 3 PM

🛍️ Pop Up Y-Bont: Monthly market showcasing local foods and crafts at The Circle in Tesco car park in Pontarddulais.
10 AM - 2 PM

🕵️‍♂️ A Final Curtain Call: Interactive family Murder Mystery at Founders & Co. Solve the murder as the plot unfolds.
4:30 PM | £5.27 - £10.54

🛍️ Monthly Pop Up Market: Join loads of small businesses at The Lodge in Gorseinon, with a range of great local products.
11 AM - 3 PM | Not specified

🎉 Gower Wedding Fayre: South Wales' top wedding suppliers will be at the King Arthur Hotel for you to explore venue options, sample food & wine, enjoy live music, and more.
11 AM | Free (booking required)

Monday September 29th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM

Tuesday September 30th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday October 1st
The Swigg | Swansea Jazz Club - Li Harding & Gary Phillips Band | 8 PM

Thursday October 2nd
Mission Gallery | Casi | 6 PM

Friday October 3rd
The Albert Hall | Live Music Friday | 7 PM
Swansea Grand Theatre | The Best of Queen | 7 PM
Sin City | Monsters of Rock Live | 7 PM
Bar Saint James | Hermione Wild | 7.30 PM

Saturday October 4th
Swansea Grand Theatre | The Carpenters Experience | 7 PM
Sin City | Oasis Supernova | 7 PM
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Luke Jackson | 7.30 PM
The Welfare | Catrin Finch and Aoife Ni Bhriain | 8 PM
The Bunkhouse | Mali Haf | 7 PM
Elysium | Tw*t Union | 7.30 PM

Sunday October 5th
Waterloo Stores | Live Music Sundays | 8 PM
Elysium | Finbar Ansbe w/ Y Pregethwr + Cosmo | 8 PM
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Cwmtawe Brass Annual Concert | 5 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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