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Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that's like stepping into a warm pub on a drizzly October evening 😊

This week has everything from Stewart Lee facing off with a werewolf to Miriam Margolyes live at Swansea Arena (and the chance to meet her at a book signing) - plus, three days and 30+ drinks to try at the Gower Cider Festival. There's even a biscuit tin banjo workshop at the Environment Centre. Do you get to eat the biscuits first, I wonder?

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

Andrew

P.S I’d just like to give a big thanks to all of our new and returning sponsors this week - their support helps us continue to share the Swansea Scoop with you every week, so please show them some love if you can - and tell them we sent you 🙂

In the early 1990s, people across Swansea were woken by a deep, window-rattling boom in the middle of the night. Some thought it was fireworks. Others blamed UFOs. A few even called the council thinking it was an earthquake.

But the real culprit was Concorde - the sleek, needle-nosed supersonic jet that could fly at 1,350mph and cross the Atlantic in less than three hours.

Just a few years before a deadly crash in Paris ultimately ended the dream of supersonic passenger flight, this week learn how Swansea’s residents had a hand in slowing down the world’s most famous passenger jet.

Read How Swansea Slowed Down Concorde.

⚓ Swansea Council plans to spend £450,000 restoring the historic Helwick lightship, that's been moored in Swansea Marina since the late 1970s.

🏗️ Plans have been submitted to demolish the former Sancta Maria Hospital in Uplands and replace it with five blocks containing 42 affordable flats.

🏛️ Faith in Families has secured nearly £250,000 to develop plans for transforming a disused Bonymaen church into an integrated health and wellbeing hub.

🎓 Over 4,600 students attended Swansea's Student Shopping Night on October 7th, marking a record-breaking 22% increase from last year.

🎄 Swansea’s free "Together at Christmas" event for vulnerable, isolated, and homeless people will return to the Brangwyn Hall on December 9th, offering a two-course festive meal, entertainment, and support services.

🎪 This week's your last chance to help shape Swansea Council's 10-year Events Strategy to transform the city and county into a premier destination for even more vibrant events and festivals. Fill out the survey here before October 17th.

🌿 Vegetarian and Vegan Banquet: Indulge in a scrumptious feast of vegetarian and vegan dishes while mingling with others at one long dining table at Urban HQ.
Friday October 17th | 7 - 10 PM | £25 per person

🧀 Cheese & Wine Evening at Mansion House: Fundraising event for the Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund with welcome fizz, cheese platter, three wines, and entertainment in support of Swansea Bay Health Charities.
Thursday October 16th | 7 PM | £20 per person

🍷 Port Tasting Night: Explore a range of eight exceptional ports, from fruity to aged varieties, paired with a generous cheese board at Flynn's Delicatessen in Swansea.
Friday October 17th | 6.30 PM | £25

🍰 The Late Club: Pixie Cakes in opening until 8 PM every Thursday for late-night cake and coffee runs.

“Catch this in a Swansea” was how I accidentally captioned this Instagram reel yesterday 😆 Don’t let that put you off - over 50,000 people have watched it so far.

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 modern 3 bedroom semi-detached house in Penllergaer features a fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, master with en-suite, landscaped rear garden with summer house, and easy access to the M4. No chain. £330,000 with No. 86 Estate Agency.

📘 Swansea Council has launched the Swansea Business Guide to support entrepreneurs and businesses to establish and grow their ventures in the city.

🇺🇦 Ruta Kitchen has opened on Nelson Street, offering both Ukranian and British dishes.

🐔 Nando’s has submitted a planning application to take over a unit at Parc Fforestfach Retail Park.

🛍️ Cancer Research UK is closing its Swansea store on Union Street as part of plans to shut 88 shops nationwide by May 2026.

🍩 The Crazy Baker has teased the opening of a new venue, opposite the Albert Hall on Craddock Street in the city centre.

This week, we chatted to Ian Chriswick from Cymbrogi (the name comes from an old Celtic word which means 'Companions of the Heart'), an organisation that’s already made a big impact on the lives of young people in West Wales - and plans to do the same here in Swansea.

For those who haven't heard of Cymbrogi, what do you do? We help young people become changemakers through hands-on, real-world learning. Our Tomorrow's Changemaker programme brings schools together with local businesses and community groups to explore things like food, energy, and design - and encourage them to come up with their own ideas for a more sustainable future.

What kind of impact have you seen so far? This past year we've worked with nearly 2,000 young people across Wales, teaming up with the likes of Milford Haven Port Authority, Bluestone, and Morgan Sindall Construction on everything from energy projects to sustainable building. Teachers often tell us that they see students who find it hard to engage in regular lessons really come alive when they’re with us.

Why do young people need this kind of learning right now? They're growing up in the middle of massive shifts - climate crisis, new technology, changing economy - and honestly, traditional schooling isn't really preparing them for it, whilst building the confidence, hope and resilience they're going to need.

And you’re expanding to Swansea? Yes, we're already working with Swansea Council and Morgan Sindall on a 'Sustainable School of the Future' project, and chatting with a few secondary schools to launch Tomorrow's Changemaker too.

Tell us about your big Hackathon coming up. The Tomorrow's Changemaker Hackathon happens on 14th November at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Seven teams of students will be pitching their ideas for sustainable solutions around tourism, energy, food, and eco-friendly design. It's always brilliant to see what they come up with.

Thanks Ian! Interested in learning more? Visit the Cymbrogi website.

💃 Fat Chance Belly Dancing Swansea surprised Killay with a flashmob yesterday afternoon! Interested in joining a class? Contact Sandra on [email protected]

🌿 Swansea Council is hiring a part-time Gower National Landscape Project Officer to deliver nature recovery, climate action, and community projects on Gower until March 2027.

🎞️ Mioe Creative Productions is inviting women to join its free film-making workshops, starting on November 3rd.

🏳️‍🌈 Progress Cymru is a charity in Swansea that offers free counselling services to members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Thanks to Om for the tip!

☕ Flow Coffee is looking for an experienced barista to join them to help launch its new cafe in Mumbles.

😁 Russell Street Dentist is looking for a qualified dental nurse to join its team.

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

Looking to go all out this spooky season? These venues in Swansea are hosting something special for grown-ups:

🎃 Oystermouth Castle is hosting guided walks, sharing its dark history and ghostly tales.

🎃 The Saloon at Cattle And Co. is throwing Swansea’s only rooftop Halloween bash.

🎃 The Swigg is hosting a Spooky Party with live music and wicked drinks.

🎃 Swansea Little Theatre is staging a production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

🎃 The Ceylon Lounge is hosting an evening of mind-bending magic with Stefan Pejic.

🎃 DJ Judge Jules is headlining a Halloween House Party at the Brangwyn Hall

🎃 Mor Mumbles is serving up a special Halloween menu.

🎃 Swansea Arena plays hosts to a Bingo Lingo Halloween House of Horrors special.

🎃The Silly Cabaret is putting on special Halloween-themed performance at Elysium.

🎃Swansea Dockers Club is hosting a Spooky Vibes Only Halloween party.

🎃 Koala Tree is hosting a Halloween Masquerade Ball with cocktails, costumes, and prize.

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

👴 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

🏛️ Wales: A Home from Home: New Exhibition at the National Waterfront Museum: Embrace Wales' cultural diversity through stories of hope and challenges faced by individuals who call Wales their sanctuary.
Daily 10 AM - 5 PM | Free

🎤 Kick-Ass Comedy Club: Renowned stand-up comedy show with headliner Steffan Alun at Socialdice Board Game Cafe.
7.30 PM | £2

🐺 Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf: Comedian Stewart Lee faces off with a werewolf, exploring humanity with humour, in a battle of wits at Swansea Grand Theatre. Also Thursday.
7 PM | £30.50

🎃 Pumpkin Sip & Paint: Get creative painting your pumpkin masterpiece while enjoying autumn-inspired drinks and festive grazeboard treats at Full of Graze Cafe.
6.30 PM - 8.30 PM | £38

📚 Recipes From Indian Home Kitchens: Join author and cook Maunika Gowardhan at Waterstones to discuss her new book, Curry, featuring authentic recipes.
6 PM | £3 - £29

📚 Justin Lewis - Into The Groove: The 1980s: In conversation with Jude Rogers, Justin Lewis presents "Into The Groove: The 1980s" at Mumbles Tabernacle.
7 PM | £7.50

📚 Jeff Towns in Conversation with Elaine Canning: Join author and Dylan Thomas expert, Jeff Towns, discussing his new book at Waterstones in Swansea with Elaine Canning.
6 PM | £3 - £38

🍻 Gower Cider Festival: Enjoy 30+ ciders and live music from bands like Mudskippers, Felix Subway, and Poco Loco at Gower Heritage Centre, all weekend long.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday | From £9

🎭 Miriam Margolyes: From A to Z: Miriam Margolyes shares witty, unfiltered stories from her 84 extraordinary years, touching on America, apostrophes, and ageing, at Swansea Arena. Only VIP seating left.
7.30 PM | Check website for ticket prices

🍺 Problematic Pub Comedy Night: Enjoy a night of top-tier comedy at Bar 98, Pontardawe, featuring hand-picked comedians with outrageous stories.
7.30 PM | £15

🎶 The Greatest Musicals Disco: Enjoy a night of musical theatre hits from Hamilton, Grease, and more with dance competitions, prizes, and optional fancy dress at Sin City.
8 PM | £11

📽️ Ivor Allchurch - Golden Days: Explore the life of Swansea City's legendary footballer in this new documentary at Taliesin Arts Centre.
7:30 PM | Free - £6

🍄 Fungi Foray!: Delve into the world of wild mushrooms at Bishop's Wood. Remember your collecting basket! Limited tickets remaining.
10 AM - 12 PM | Free

🎭 An Evening of Burlesque Cabaret: Experience a dazzling night of cabaret, burlesque, and entertainment at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £35

🎤 TEDxSwansea Women "Fireflies in the Shadows": Join TEDxSwansea Women for an inspirational event celebrating remarkable women overcoming challenges and making a difference.
10 AM - 3.30 PM | £11.55

🔍 A Great Gillespie Murder: Immerse yourself in a 1920's themed murder mystery and a meal at Raj Kitchen.
7.30 PM | £37.68

🪕 Build a Biscuit Tin Banjo: Make your own playable banjo with craftsman Emlyn at Swansea Repair Space. Course spans two Saturdays.
10 AM - 4 PM | £65.71

🎬 Drive-in Cinema: Wonder Cinema presents an interactive game followed by a screening of Hocus Pocus at Penlan RFC. Followed by The Goonies at 8 PM.
6 PM | £24

🎨 Young People's Autumnal Ceramics: Create ceramic pumpkins and ghosts with artist Hannah Sharpe at Mission Gallery, for ages 12-16.
11 AM - 1 PM | £27

🕺 Retro Line Dance Day: Travel back in time with classic line dance workshops, guided by talented instructors at the New Lodge, Gorseinon.
1 PM - 5 PM | £5 - £20

🎉 ABBA Day Party: Swansea: Join Daytime Disco for an upbeat ABBA Day Party at Bambu Beach Bar.
3 PM - 8 PM | £20

🔗 Wrongly Imprisoned: An evening with Michael O'Brien, sharing his fight for justice, innocence, and advocacy for others wrongly convicted.
7 - 9:30 PM | £8.83

🛍️ Penllergaer Pop Up Market: Enjoy a diverse selection of food, handmade crafts, skincare products, and more at the Llewelyn Hall.
11 AM - 3 PM

🍄 Fungus Walk: Join Nature on Your Doorstep for a fascinating Fungi Foray at Clyne Valley Country Park, learning about various fungi species and their role in ecosystems. Limited tickets remaining.
10 AM | Free

🎼 The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace: Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sir Karl Jenkins' iconic work at Brangwyn Hall, featuring a brass band version performed by the Aldbourne Band.
6 PM | £30

🎤 Taylor Swift Day: Enjoy a live Taylor Swift concert by Kirsten Orsborn, plus glitter station, bracelet making, meet & greet/photo opportunities, and more at Llys Nini Animal Centre.
12 PM - 2 PM | £15 (one child and one adult)

Monday October 13th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM

Tuesday October 14th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday October 15th
The Swigg | Swansea Jazz Club - Jazz Jam | 8 PM

Thursday October 16th
Elysium | Black Pope | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Kunt And the Gang | 6 PM

Friday October 17th
The Albert Hall | Live Music Friday | 7 PM
Swansea Grand Theatre | Women in Rock | 7 PM
Swansea Arena | The Divine Comedy | 7 PM
The View | Phil Bates | 6.45 PM
Elysium | New Gale | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Definitely Oasis | 6 PM
The Patti | Martin Kemp | 6.30 PM

Saturday October 18th
Sin City | Echobelly + Babybird | 7 PM
Ty Tawe | Even Goodman + SERA | 7 PM
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Lady Nade Sings Nina Simone | 7.30 PM
The Bunkhouse | Benji Webbe (Skindred) DJ Set | 10.30 PM
Sin City | Charlie Rice | 10 PM

Sunday October 19th
The Bunkhouse | Dirty Sound Magnet | 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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