mastodon 4.6.5Independent online #news outlet with the latest from Swansea Bay. #Swansea, #NeathPortTalbot, #Carmarthenshire and #Pembrokeshire.
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Direct trains from Milford Haven, Swansea and Carmarthen to Bristol? Transport for Wales wants to make it happen — and is hoping to launch as soon as September 🚆 Full details 👇
The direct Carmarthen to London train is finally happening 🚆 Lumo has confirmed a December 2027 launch — with stops at Llanelli and Gowerton. Here's the full story of how we got here 👇
He missed his A-Levels the week his father died. Ten years on, Gowerton's Jonathan Phillips has a first from Swansea — and a place at Oxford.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/gowerton-i-like-to-think-my-father-would-be-proud-oxford-beckons-for-graduate-who-lost-dad-during-a-levels/
Want to overhaul your family's diet on national TV? Channel 4 is looking for Welsh families to take part in series two of What Not To Eat — the show that launched to 1.7 million viewers 👇
Kidwelly firefighters spent more than two hours digging through mud in the dark to rescue three lambs trapped 20 metres down an underground stone culvert. All three were safely returned to their owner 🐑
A Swansea man's solar cinema — built from a 1972 caravan that once housed chickens — has been hired to screen exclusive Monty Python films at the unveiling of a Terry Jones statue in Colwyn Bay this Saturday. Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam will be there. 🎬🐍
WRU: Cardiff Y11 ownership bid collapses
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and Y11 Sport & Media have jointly agreed that Y11 withdraw from the bid process for the proposed purchase of Cardiff Rugby due to constructive discussions, with the Union expecting Ospreys to sign the 2025 Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA25) shortly.
https://swanseabaynews.com/wru-cardiff-y11-ownership-bid-collapses/
A Swansea man told his hostel support worker he wanted to go back to prison for "three square meals a day" and gym access — then set the building on fire less than an hour later. Matthew Draper has been jailed for 27 months.
Labour, Plaid Cymru and an independent candidate in Carmarthenshire have united to demand the Senedd holds the WRU to account over its Scarlets merger plans. "This isn't about party politics. It's about protecting something that belongs to all of us."
She went back into education after an 18-year break — and a coincidence meant she graduated from Swansea College of Art side by side with her sister.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/swansea-she-went-back-to-study-after-18-years-and-graduated-side-by-side-with-her-sister/
Port Talbot man who preyed on vulnerable girls jailed for rape
A man from Neath Port Talbot has been handed a long jail sentence after he was found guilty of multiple counts of rape.
https://swanseabaynews.com/port-talbot-man-who-preyed-on-vulnerable-girls-jailed-for-rape/
Fire has broken out at the derelict former Katz nightclub in Neath — a building that failed to sell at auction in March and was due back under the hammer next month with a reduced guide price of £85,000. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Swansea City have signed Ghana international Joseph Opoku from Zulte Waregem on a four-year deal. The 20-year-old winger is Vitor Matos' fifth signing of the summer.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/swans-ghana-winger-joseph-opoku-becomes-matos-fifth-summer-signing/
ANCIENT SKILL REVIVED! 🌳 A traditional Gower "flying hedge" is taking root near West Cross play area in Swansea, bringing a boost for wildlife and tackling pollution! Find out more about this unique project.
https://swanseabaynews.com/ancient-gower-skill-revives-flying-hedge-near-popular-play-area/
A man who strangled his homeless partner until she passed out — then claimed she had consented — has been jailed. Daniel Rogers, 38, had previously sent another ex a photo of himself digging her grave. Swansea Crown Court heard he had an "appalling" record for violence.
Campaigners fighting to save Pontyates GP surgery have lodged a formal complaint over closure plans 🚨
Concerns raised over consultation process, patient impact and capacity at neighbouring surgeries.
Full story 👇
Boys of 14 among seven arrested as police pull six illegal bikes off Swansea's streets — while a fleeing car driver hit almost 60mph on 20mph roads.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/swansea-boys-of-14-among-seven-arrested-as-police-pull-six-bikes-off-the-streets/
A Maesteg dad had a six-hour operation to remove a cancerous tumour — then welcomed his first grandchild and walked his daughter down the aisle, all within a fortnight. Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/maesteg-dads-extraordinary-fortnight-cancer-surgery-a-first-grandchild-and-a-walk-down-the-aisle/
The Llanelli waste site blamed for the fly infestation must stop taking certain waste from 6pm tonight — as NRW escalates its response.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/llanelli-waste-site-banned-from-taking-some-waste-tonight-as-fly-crisis-escalates/
FFOS LAS RACECOURSE: Bowen rides incredible treble on fascinating evening in the spring sunshine
Welsh champion jockey Sean Bowen fired in a treble on the card at Ffos Las’ Tuesday evening meeting, landing three races on the spin in the middle of the card to cap off a great day at his local track.
OSPREYS: Jones positive for region’s future after Y11 Cardiff collapse
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones believes the future is looking brighter for the club after today's news that Y11 Sport & Media have withdrawn their offer to buy Cardiff.
https://swanseabaynews.com/ospreys-jones-positive-for-regions-future-after-y11-cardiff-collapse/
Two major polls put Plaid and Reform neck-and-neck — but the raw YouGov data tells a stark story for Labour in our area. No Labour seats at all in Carmarthenshire. Eluned Morgan loses her seat. A Green takes a Swansea seat at Labour's expense. Here's what the numbers really say 👇 swanseabaynews.com
This Carmarthenshire cottage was built to collect the road tolls that drove west Wales to riot — men in women's clothing smashed the gates, and a gatekeeper died just miles away. Now Llannon's historic tollgate house is going under the hammer. Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/llannon-historic-tollgate-cottage-from-the-age-of-the-rebecca-riots-goes-under-the-hammer/
Wider seats, more legroom and a new cooling system are coming to Swansea Grand Theatre this summer.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/swansea-wider-seats-and-a-new-cooling-system-for-the-grand-this-summer/
Two Ammanford men have been jailed after being caught waiting for a cocaine delivery in Swansea — with messages on their phones showing customers were using "Chinese" as a codeword for orders. One had been caught dealing in Swansea before.
Elijah Just scored on his first Swansea appearance as the Swans beat Serie A side Udinese 2-0 to sign off their Austria camp, with Liam Cullen opening the scoring inside six minutes.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/swans-just-marks-debut-with-a-goal-as-swansea-sign-off-austria-with-udinese-scalp/
Fly-tipper Ordered To Pay £5,000+ After Being Caught by Hidden Camera in Neath
A man with links to Bristol has been ordered to pay more than £5,000 after a hidden camera in Neath caught a series of fly-tipping incidents.
Mums-to-be in Llanelli who plan to give birth in Swansea face travelling there for every consultant appointment, under changes coming in December.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/llanelli-mums-to-be-face-swansea-trips-for-check-ups-as-maternity-clinic-changes/
There are now 384 life-saving bleed control kits across Swansea — including 18 along the seafront and 26 within 50 metres of the most popular beaches. Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/swansea-life-saving-bleed-kits-now-line-the-seafront-and-gower-beaches-for-the-summer/
"A massive victory." Torsten Bell MP and Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart react as the WRU offers the Ospreys and Scarlets a lifeline — but the three-club threat hasn't gone away. Here's the reaction from those who fought to save west Wales rugby 👇
Swansea's Brangwyn Hall — home to the panels rejected by the House of Lords, filming location for a Tom Hardy Netflix film, and now one of the UK's top 10 micro wedding venues.
https://swanseabaynews.com/swansea-brangwyn-hall-named-one-of-the-uks-top-10-micro-wedding-venues/
A Pembrokeshire zoo has launched its own beer — and it's named after a penguin's monobrow. Every can and pint sold raises money for conservation.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/folly-farm-zoo-launches-its-own-beer-inspired-by-a-penguins-monobrow/
Cardiff Airport has appointed a former British Airways World Cargo executive as it bids to become a regional freight hub — with £205m of Welsh Government investment now cleared after Bristol Airport's legal challenge was thrown out last month. swanseabaynews.com
'Nothing will match today' — Kev Johns brought Swansea Arena to its feet as the university made him an honorary doctor, months after his stroke.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/swansea-honour-of-my-life-standing-ovation-as-kev-johns-awarded-honorary-doctorate/
The Princess Royal name is no more — Port Talbot's £18m theatre has a brand new name, revealed in a video fronted by Twin Town star Di Botcher and faces from the town's arts scene.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/port-talbot-princess-royal-theatres-new-name-revealed-by-twin-town-star-di-botcher/
Major new MRP poll projects Plaid Cymru as the LARGEST party in the Senedd for the first time ever. Reform second, Labour in historic collapse. But who will actually represent YOU? We can reveal the candidates on course to win your seat 👇
The Scarlets have welcomed the WRU's offer of a Professional Rugby Agreement — and revealed new investment, surging season ticket sales, and a 9,000-strong crowd at last weekend's Welsh derby. But the three-club threat hasn't gone away.
Wales National Pool Swansea have announced they're letting kids swim for free this summer holidays.
Here's all the details 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/swansea-kids-can-swim-free-at-wales-national-pool-almost-every-day-this-summer/
Flames on Kilvey Hill again — residents told to keep windows shut as smoke drifted across Swansea on Thursday evening.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/kilvey-hill-fire-breaks-out-above-st-thomas-homes-as-smoke-drifts-across-swansea/
Fans will be able to join Bonnie Tyler's farewell at Swansea Minster — with the full route through Mumbles and Skewen now confirmed.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/bonnie-tyler-public-invited-to-swansea-minster-farewell-as-funeral-route-is-confirmed/
Welsh league football will stay free-to-air for three more years — S4C has confirmed a new Sgorio deal covering the Cymru Premier, Adran Leagues and both Welsh Cups.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/cymru-premier-welsh-league-football-to-stay-free-to-air-as-s4c-confirm-new-deal/
Up to 400 new homes could be built on the former 3M factory site in Gorseinon — in a corner of Swansea where thousands of homes are already being built or fought over.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/gorseinon-up-to-400-homes-planned-for-former-3m-factory-site/
Swansea Council has taken over two city centre car parks from collapsed operator NCP — with all-day parking now £5.
Full story 👇
https://swanseabaynews.com/swansea-council-takes-over-ncp-car-parks-with-all-day-parking-cut-to-5/
Ffos Las Racecourse: Preview and tips for today’s seven‑race meeting
With the lighter evenings, Ffos Las’s seven-race meeting on Tuesday takes place in the evening for the first time this year. We have five races over hurdles to look forward to, and two over fences.
https://swanseabaynews.com/ffos-las-racecourse-preview-and-tips-for-todays-seven-race-meeting-2/
West Wales's only raptor attraction drew 4,000 visitors in its first winter — and now the British Bird of Prey Centre near Carmarthen has launched new all-weather facilities for spring, including owl-vision binoculars and a prey-catching game 🦅
