by Shaurya | Apr 17, 2024 | Blog, Local Stories, Swansea Today, SwanTV Top Stories
Several sports clubs at council-owned community playing fields across Swansea are set to receive a boost as the council plans to set £1m aside for changing room renovations.
The funding will see facilities repaired, modernised and tidied up as community sports hubs are available to the whole community.
“Since the end of the pandemic and during the cost of living crisis, many sports clubs have been at the heart of their communities supporting the health and wellbeing of thousands of people in city neighbourhoods,” said Leader of the Council Rob Stewart.
“We’ve been talking to clubs about what the next steps should be and many called for changing rooms to be upgraded so they could be more easily used by women and girls and be more in line with the expectations of sports’ governing bodies,” he explained.
The council has previously allocated over £7m for over 50 new community play areas for children and planned to allocate £1m for a new generation of skate and BMX park facilities.
“Taken together they are the biggest investment in outdoor community play and sports facilities by the council in more than a generation,” said Councillor Stewart. “We’ve made this commitment because we saw just how important outdoor facilities have been to groups, families and individuals during the cost of living crisis.”
The changing rooms project was introduced last month at Swansea Council’s budget meeting and was approved by the full council; a report seeking funding for the scheme is set to be seen by the cabinet soon.
If the report is approved, an additional £1 million fund will be made available which councillors will be able to apply for to support more community projects and schemes in their areas.
Currently, the community budget scheme allows each member to use up to £15000 each year on qualifying projects.
Councillors have previously used these funds to support initiatives such as the provision of defibrillators, expansion of local wildflower planting programmes, sponsoring community events, and making small streetscape improvements such as sprucing up community gardens or giving public seats.
by Sucheta | Apr 17, 2024 | Blog, Local Stories, Swansea Today, SwanTV, SwanTV Local Events, SwanTV Top Stories, Uncategorized
This month, approximately 30 recently hired operatives will head out to our parks and beaches to assist in maintaining the cleanliness and well-being of some of Swansea’s most beloved landscapes for both residents and visitors.
In February, over 180 individuals applied for seasonal positions with the Parks and Cleaning teams, with the goal of assisting in maintaining our most well-liked locations throughout Easter and the summer.
The six-month stay will run from now until September, to match the busiest season of the year.
According to Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, everyone must do their part to leave our parks and beaches in the condition that they would like others to find them when they leave.
He remarked: “Littering is not only unsightly but it can also be dangerous. Bottles, disposable barbecues and dog messes are what people are concerned about the most because they put others at risk.
“In particular disposable BBQs buried out of sight at the beach retain their heat for many hours and can cause life-changing burns to children and other people who have no idea they’re there until they step on them.”
Anderson urges everyone to treat the parks and beaches with respect. For instance, take the dog poo home if you see that the bin is full. everyone can contribute a little.
In addition to picking up garbage, the summer beach cleaning crews will also help maintain the cleanliness of the council’s expanding network of Changing Places at locations like Knab Rock and Rhossili and remove weeds and sand from walkways and roadside areas.
Additionally, park recruits will assist our regular staff in maintaining our award-winning parks so that both humans and wildlife can take in the beauty and blooms.
Visit this link to learn more about the four award-winning Blue Flag beaches in your area: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/beaches
Visit this link to learn more about Swansea’s wonderful open spaces, including its Green Flag parks: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/parks
Cover Photo: Rhossili Bay https://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/24408/Rhossili-named-among-worlds-best-beaches
by Shaurya | Apr 17, 2024 | Blog, Local Stories, Swansea Today, SwanTV Top Stories
Swansea is planning a new low-carbon heating network to reduce its carbon footprint as part of its goal to be a net-zero city by 2050. The network will use excess heat generated from a large data centre that will be set up in Swansea Port as a part of a £4bn renewable energy project.
Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said, “Working closely alongside DST Innovations and their partners, we’ve identified the opportunity for a low carbon heating network linked to the overall development that would heat many of Swansea’s major buildings in SA1 and the city centre.”
The council’s cabinet has now been asked to approve a study to explore the feasibility of the district heating network further.
Councillor Stewart said, “Along with the other aspects of this ground-breaking project it will significantly reduce Swansea’s carbon footprint while creating thousands of jobs and placing our city at the heart of global green economy innovation.”
The proposed heating network will be responsible for heating several buildings in the SA1 and city centre areas of Swansea by connected pipes.
These include the developments in the docks and SA1 area, the Swansea University campus on Fabian Way, the Civic Centre on Oystermouth Road, and buildings like Swansea Museum HMP Swansea.
The proposed heating network is part of a wider project that includes a tidal lagoon, a high-tech battery manufacturing centre, eco-homes anchored in the water and an oceanic and climate change research centre.
“We’re all aware of the impact of climate change and the importance of taking steps to reduce its effects on us and future generations,” said Councillor Stewart. “This is why we’ve set a target of becoming a net zero city by 2050 and will continue do all we can alongside Swansea’s businesses and residents to reach that goal.”
by Sucheta | Apr 17, 2024 | Blog, Food and drink, Local Stories, Swan food, Swansea Today, SwanTV, SwanTV Art & Crafts, SwanTV Business, SwanTV Top Stories, Uncategorized
Swansea is a happening place buzzing with a lot of activities for its locals and tourists. It has a lot of fun events upcoming this summer for individuals and families.
They include major performances in Singleton Park, art gallery displays, breathtaking parks and beaches, and places like the LC and Plantasia.
The Wales Airshow and IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea are major highlights that people are looking forward to.
Picture: https://www.ironman.com/im-world-championship
See the video for The Wales Airshow: https://youtu.be/bqqhpH5CK6g
The Swansea Council’s Enjoy Swansea Bay team, along with several other businesses and organisations including restaurants, hotels, and bars, are organising various events.
Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies remarked: “The council and many others are preparing to offer people a lot more fun indoors and outdoors.
“I applaud the work of all those in the cultural and tourism sector who do so much to make Swansea a great place to visit and in which to live.”
Dylan Thomas Centre, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea Grand Theatre, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea Museum and libraries are some of the council-run venues offering such fun events.
Council-run attractions include:
- Blackpill Lido – open from May 4
- Crazy golf at Southend Gardens and Singleton Park – open now
- Oystermouth Castle – open now and with live theatre planned
- Singleton Boating Lake pedalos – operating now
- Swansea Bay Rider Land Train – operating now
Forthcoming events with council support include:
Picture from the iron man 2024 swansea
- Enigma Variations, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Brangwyn Hall – April 12
- Swansea International Jazz Festival – June 13-17
- World Triathlon Para Series Swansea – June 22
- Wales Airshow – July 6-7
- IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea – July 14
- James Arthur, Singleton Park – July 18
- Classic Ibiza, Singleton Park – July 19
- Let’s Rock Wales, Singleton Park – July 20
- Peter Pan, outdoor theatre, Oystermouth Castle – August 7
- Romeo and Juliet, outdoor theatre, Oystermouth Castle – August 8
- Admiral Swansea Bay 10k – September 15
It is time to make the most of the warmer days. both inside and outside!
Cover Photo: From Wales National Airshow.
by Mike Leahy | Jun 26, 2023 | Blog
Hi Swantv Viewers
Swansea & Gower are now a UK destination for both long and short vacations. Living in the UK? You can get to Swansea in less than 3 hours from London, Birmingham and Manchester, perfect for a short break. And train or coach allows you to relax en route, rather than have the hastle and costs of motoring. Swansea is compact and you can enjoy beaches, countryside and nightlife either walking or by public transport. Bikes can be hired too. And Swansea has been the driest place in the UK since the beginning of May with glorious blue skies and sun drenched beaches.
We have all seen video or pictures of packed beaches, not just on the Costa del Sol but also in the UK, for example at Blackpool during the heatwaves this year. And this might be your heaven but the contrast with Swansea and Gower beaches could not be more different.
You may enjoy being on your own square metre of sand, jostling your way into the sea,queuing for that ice-cream or, if you are out of the country, longing for a Britsh cup of tea. It might be very hot (although summers here are getting longer and hotter) and the food may be different, although I hear of visitors abroad who look for english food and beer. You may have had long delays or even cancellations at the airport or ferry.
But wouldn’t it be nice to arrive refreshed after a reasonably short journey with no worry about long-term parking, being 2 hours ahead of a flight, worrying that the flight may be delayed or cancelled, sitting in a crowded plane? South Wales is just a car drive, coach or train journey away. So no passports, medical documents, no language difficulties. And if you arrive by coach or train Swansea is a waterfront city where you can walk to the beach in minutes from the city centre. For a really relaxing vacation there are buses to take you around the Gower and bikes are readily available to hire.
There are now numerous hotels from the national chains to the more intimate private hotels where a real Welsh welcome awaits with real Welsh menus of delicious mouth watering locally produced food. And the guest houses, camp sites and caravan parks offer a huge selection of accommodation to suit every pocket.
Whether using public transport or driving, just pack up a hamper which you can make yourself if in self catering, pick up sandwiches, prepared salads and drinks and off you go. Find a quiet beach ( and there are many) park up and spend a family day. Don’t want to take a hamper? There are many places to eat, great restaurants and pubs serving delicious food made with local produce.
And the beaches! You want some fun as a couple or family or just alone. There are desserted beaches, vast arrays of soft golden sand and clear safe water. Many beaches have top awards for clean water and litter free. The catch? It’s simple, many beaches are a short walk from parking and for many that’s more than enough. But isn’t it worth a 5 minute walk to be in such a haven!
It is becoming more common to have a number of shorter breaks too. So coming to Swansea for 3-4 days plus a weekend a few times might be a good way to make the most of the more days we all have from work now. For the holiday maker there is so much to see and do here from sitting on the beach, walking around the marina or cliff-top routes, seeing local cheeses, chocolate, pastries and other specialities being produced, visiting the many castles and other heritage sites, having a Joe’s ice-cream or being in Wales’s largest indoor market (and voted best indoor market in the British Isles) and tasting local cockles or a pastry. Joe’s ice-cream is iconic and known across the globe, and once tasted never forgotten. There’s also the Heritage Centre, archery, horse-riding and many other activities to enjoy.
And for entertainment there are the usual cinemas and don’t forget the Grand theatre with it’s varied productions, the Little Theatre and Taliesen Theatre on the Singleton University campus. And now the new Arena with a great line-up of shows. There are art galleries and museums.
Swansea, the waterfront city offers so much. And because the city has a small foot-print you don’t need a car, walking anywhere from the beach, marina or city centre is just a stone’s throw. And now with the network of cycle pathways and the ease of hiring bikes you can enjoy a relaxed time.
So if you live locally explore those places you’ve not visited before or try those activities for new experiences. If you live away why not make Swansea a holiday destination next year. We’d love to see you.
Mike Leahy
by Mike Leahy | Jun 25, 2023 | Blog, Uncategorized
Hi Viewers
We are picking up some speed now at SwanTV with some very interesting shows scheduled in for the coming weeks. My aim is to have a comprehensive local station offering a range of programmes and interests for you together with day-to-day “What’s On” information so we plan to bring you daily events that are often free and running in the Swansea Bay area. We will put this up on our website but also initially on Facebook so watch out on our pages.
So we have a Showtime programme with Keith Milward, probably the most well known local showbiz pundit. Keith has radio shows in Swansea and Cardiff and has experience in so many aspects of theatre, solo and choir singing, acting and through to panto dame. Keith is a bundle of energy and we are delighted he has joined us. After a couple of pilot shows you can expect a regular programme now with Keith.
We welcome Lee Ellery who will be hosting “In the Spotlight” talking to disabled people about their successes, ambitions and the obstacles they have had to overcome. Lee will also be looking at current disability issues and welcomes everyone to contact him who is interested in telling their story.
Becky Lowe, author and poet will be hosting “Off the Page”, a selection of spoken words from local writers and poets and like-minded folk. She hosts Tallisman at the Elysium Arts Centre in the High Street, Swansea and is a well known and trusted figure in local literary circles.
There is much more to come so watch this space.
Stay safe, live life.
Mike Leahy
