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Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that's like when the self-checkout works without a hitch 😄

There's plenty happening around town this week - from St Dwynwen's Day celebrations to Pokémon hunting, plus stand-up comedy, a winter garden walk, and the chance to catch Pretty Woman on the big screen for the same price as 1990.

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

Andrew.

P.S. Know someone else who’d enjoy the Scoop? Please forward this email to them and ask them to subscribe free here 🙂

Working out of a small office in a Swansea home is something you don't see much anymore - a local artist making a living from hand-drawn designs.

No One Designs, founded by Chloe, has racked up thousands of sales since 2020. From beautiful and intricate Victorian-inspired bookmarks, pins, art prints, tote bags, and more - every piece is designed and inspired by the books she can't put down.

We sat down with Chloe to find out more about No One Designs, working with ADHD, and why she hand-wrote every single package label in those early days (she's since upgraded to a label printer):

Meet Swansea's Bookish Entrepreneur 📚

♻️ New recycling containers are being planned for homes across Swansea.

👓 Optical Express and its partner brand sk:n moving into Swansea’s 71/72 Kingsway.

🛍️ The arrival of new tenants in the old Swansea Debenhams is edging closer.

🏠 A former Swansea police station has transformed into homeless accommodation.

🚲 A new shared path across Clyne Common has been officially approved.

🔱 Swansea University has helped uncover a large Roman villa at Margam Country Park.

🛹 Victoria Park’s new skate park is expected to be ready by the end of March.

🌼 A Chelsea flower show garden is set for a permanent home in Swansea.

🏠 Over 100 Dyfatty council homes are getting a multi-million pound makeover.

🚗 Brynmill Lane is closing for two months for gas mains work.

🍕 The Gower Dough Co. is running a pizza and pint deal until the end of January.

🌮 The Swigg has launched a new menu featuring tacos and loaded fries.

🍺 Beer Riff is celebrating the annual release of of Verdant Brewing Co PUTTY.

🥘 Sunday buffets are back at GP Afro Nigerian Restaurant.

🍲 Rok restaurant has launched a new menu.

This week, we were invited to a packed Swansea Arena (including access to the VIP lounge 🥂) to watch Mamma Mia! The Musical, which is in on a UK tour and in the city until January 24th:

🎶 There’s still a handful of tickets left for Mamma Mia!’s remaining dates in Swansea. Packed with iconic songs and plenty of laughs, it’s a must-see for ABBA fans 👇

*The above is partnered content. Tickets provided free of charge by Swansea Building Society Arena.

👀 A sneaky look around Swansea Debenhams as it looks right now

🌎 Twin Cities: Swansea vs Mannheim

🛬 Swansea Airport has a celebrity fan

🏠 The Upside Down House is taking shape at Mumbles Pier

🏪 Recent openings in Swansea

This 1 bedroom flat in Mumbles features an open-plan kitchen and living room, modern shower room, and sea views. Offers in the region of £185,000 via The Green Room.

🛹 Foundation Skate School has launched at Exist Skate Park, headed by 25-year skateboarding veteran, Robbo.

🪑 Mumbles Furniture Company has launched, selling unique, restored furniture pieces.

🎒 Swell has opened on Eversley Road in Sketty, selling gifts, accessories, and homeware.

🏥 Help Naja Ride Again: Reader Ellie got in touch to tell us about her good friend and Swansea mum, Naja, whose 13-year battle with a debilitating CSF leak requires specialist treatment in Germany. A GoFundMe and cash prize raffle has been set up to support her journey back to health.

🛼 Swansea City Roller Derby’s 6-week beginner course kicks off at Gower College Tycoch Campus on Wednesday, January 21st.

📽️ Film Abertawe, a new collective of indie filmmakers, has released the first episode of its debut short film.

👨‍🍳 Urban HQ is looking for an Assistant Chef to join its team.

🖼️ Raissa Page Archive: Giving Visibility to the Marginalised: Explore the work of influential social care figure Raissa Page through photography representing marginalised groups, held at Swansea University's Richard Burton Archives.
Monday 19th Jan - Sunday 19th April | Free

🎭 Our Town: Experience Thornton Wilder's Our Town, reimagined through a Welsh lens, starring Michael Sheen at Swansea Grand Theatre.
Various dates and times until January 31st | £20 - £31

🎶 Neurodiverse Sound Bath: Experience a soothing sound bath at The Swansea Wellbeing Centre using repetitive tones, rhythmic patterns, in a sensory-safe environment.
5:40 PM - 6:40 PM | £11.55

👴 Ageing Well Activities for 50+: Enjoy activities in Swansea, including movie and soup specials, coffee mornings, bowling, and social walks.
Various times | Free

🎊 COAST Activities: This week includes an invite to check out Oriel Science’s free sight and sound exhibition.

🎤 MAMMA MIA!: ABBA's iconic hits set the stage in this tale of love and friendship on a Greek island paradise at Swansea Arena, as Sophie uncovers her father's identity just before a wedding.
Until Jan 24th | £20 - £24

🎨 Craftsea Pottery Painting: Unwind with pottery painting and create something cute to take home at the Albert Hall.
6 PM - 8 PM | £22

🛹 Women Over 30 Coached Skateboarding Session: Monthly session by Exist Skatepark in Swansea exclusively for women over 30, with 2 hours of coaching, skateboards, and safety gear provided. .
6 PM - 8 PM | £20

📸 "Light in the Lens" Photography Exhibition: A free photography exhibition celebrating the transformative power of light in capturing magical, emotive images - at the old Homesense unit in Parc Fforestfach.
Until Jan 25th | Free

🎤 Laughapalooza Stand-Up Comedy Night: Join Hippos Hoose Party for a talent showcase featuring new comedy acts, including Ali Hancock, Aled John, Tom Cea, and Malli Mallpass. MC: Carly O'Connor.
8 PM | Free Entry - pay what you like

🎶 Reggaeton Latino Party: The hottest Reggaeton party at Bambu Beach Bar, featuring top Latin DJs, Reggaeton, Dembow & Brazilian Funk beats.
10 PM - 3 AM | £4

🌿 Mid Winter Wonders Garden Walk: Join former head gardener Teifion Davies for a guided walk celebrating the winter plants in Clyne Gardens, exploring off-path areas too. 11 AM - 12.30PM | £3

📸 Photo Walk: Explore Cwmdonkin Park on a guided walk starting at Kardomah Cafe. All camera skills welcome. Enjoy a coffee break during the 2-hour stroll.
11 AM

🎭 Ceri Dupree: Birthday Show: Celebrate Ceri Dupree's birthday with a spectacular show filled with jaw-dropping costumes, laughter, and impressive impersonations at Taliesin Arts Centre.
7 PM | £25

🎨 LUSH Swansea St Dwynwen's Day Workshop: Create a Dwynwen’s Day card and a limited edition bath bomb at this drop-in workshop. Dress up for Wicked or Dwynwen's Day!
12:30 PM - 3 PM | £10

🎮 Pokemon Weekend at Mumbles Pier: Unleash your inner Pokémon Trainer on Jan 24-25th with activities like hunting Pokemon letters for prizes, Pokémon card trading, and milkshakes.
Sat 24th - Sun 25th Jan | Free

📚 Storyopolis Saturday Club: Creative activities for ages 8-14 at Volcano Theatre, featuring art, games, and free snacks.
10.30 AM | £8 - £14

🦖 Tots Takeover at Buzz Parks Swansea: Special dino guest appearance by Bramble and friends for under 6s at Buzz Parks..
9 AM - 11 AM | £10 per child

🔬 Science Corner: Hands on Sight & Sound: Explore fun activities from making a coffee cup guitar to conducting experiments with vision at Oriel Science. No booking needed. Saturdays in January | 10 AM - 4 PM | Free

🔬 Saturday Sessions: Sight & Sound: Explore sight and sound in the animal world with interactive workshops at Oriel Science, including eye and ear structures, animal vision experiments, and noise-making activities. Saturdays in January at
11 AM & 2 PM | Free

🎵 Santes Dwynwen Sunday: Celebrate Santes Dwynwen, Welsh patron saint of lovers, at the National Waterfront Museum with harp performances, cwtch crafts, and lap harp sessions.
12 PM - 4 PM | Free

📽️ Classic Film Night - Pretty Woman: Enjoy a screening of the iconic film "Pretty Woman" at the Albert Hall, with tickets the same price as when it was first released in 1990.
8 PM | £2.81

Monday January 19th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM

Tuesday January 20th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday January 21st
The Observatory | Swansea Jazz Club: Elijah and Eddie Gripper Quarter | 8 PM
Tangled Parrot | Don Leisure | 6 PM

Thursday January 22nd
Elysium | Beresford + Marsh | 7 PM

Friday January 23rd
Elysium Gallery | Makuta | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Stone Deaf | 6 PM

Saturday January 24th
Elysium | King of Despair + Tom Emlyn | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | The Darling Buds | 6 PM

Sunday January 25th
The Bunkhouse | Goat Major | 6 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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