#sketty — Public Fediverse posts

SWANSEA: Nursery children get new garden and water play area — as school beats thousands to national funding https://www.allforgardening.com/1852832/swansea-nursery-children-get-new-garden-and-water-play-area-as-school-beats-thousands-to-national-funding/ #CurriculumForWales #garden #nursery #OutdoorLearning #ParklandPrimaryAndNurserySchool #Sketty #SkettyPark #Swansea #Twinkl

SWANSEA: Nursery children get new garden and water play area — as school beats thousands to national funding https://www.allforgardening.com/1852832/swansea-nursery-children-get-new-garden-and-water-play-area-as-school-beats-thousands-to-national-funding/ #CurriculumForWales #garden #nursery #OutdoorLearning #ParklandPrimaryAndNurserySchool #Sketty #SkettyPark #Swansea #Twinkl

SKETTY: Michelin Guide restaurant Slice to close after 13 years as owners plan new concept

One of Swansea’s most celebrated restaurants is to close — with the team behind Slice in Sketty announcing their final day of service will be 25 October.

The 16-cover restaurant on Eversley Road — a fixture of both the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide since opening in 2014 — is run by chefs Chris Harris and Adam Bannister, who have cooked together since college, with Lyndsay running front of house.

“After 13 wonderful years in business at Slice, we have come to the difficult decision that it is time for a change,” the team said in a statement on social media.

The restaurant will operate as normal until 8 August, before taking its annual two-week break — and when it reopens on 27 August, it will offer its tasting menu exclusively for dinner service through to closure.

“This change is necessary as Chris will be undergoing heart surgery, which will leave Adam and Lyndsay managing the restaurant,” the statement said. “We feel this is the best way to ensure we can continue providing the consistency and quality that our guests have come to expect.

“Following this period, we have decided that the time has come to close the doors of Slice. Our final day of service will be 25 October 2026.”

The pair’s story stretches back to their training together on the hospitality and catering programme at Gower College Swansea‘s Tycoch campus — and both went on to work under Michelin-starred chef Stephen Terry at the renowned Hardwick in Abergavenny.

The two then made a deliberate decision to part ways to build their own experience — Mr Harris taking roles in high-end, premium kitchens around the UK to absorb different culinary styles, while Mr Bannister completed a stint at Lancashire’s Northcote under Great British Menu champion Lisa Allen — before reuniting in Swansea to buy Slice.

Mr Bannister brought the tiny restaurant to a national audience when he won the Welsh title on the BBC’s Great British Menu in 2015 — returning to represent Wales in 2016.

The restaurant — true to its name, a wedge-shaped room seating just 16 diners above the kitchen — has long punched above its weight, with Michelin inspectors highlighting the personal welcome from the chef-owners among its charms.

“We have loved every moment of our journey at Slice,” the team said. “It has been a privilege to meet so many wonderful people, become part of this amazing community, and share countless memories with you over the years. We are incredibly grateful for the support and loyalty you have shown us throughout our time here.”

But the closure will not be the end of the story — with the team revealing they are already working on what comes next.

“While this news may be sad, there is also some excitement for the future. We are currently working on a new concept that will allow us to spend more time with our boys while still remaining part of this fantastic community,” they said.

“We look forward to sharing more details with you in the coming months. Thank you for being part of our Slice story.”

For diners wanting a last visit, the timeline is this: the full offer runs until 8 August, tasting-menu dinners return from 27 August — and the doors close for the final time on 25 October.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

GARNGOCH: Former M&P building to become college’s new construction and green energy campus
The college where both Slice chefs trained — and its newest expansion, announced today.

More restaurant closure stories
The changing face of Swansea Bay’s dining scene.

More food and drink news
The latest from restaurants, cafes and producers across Swansea Bay.

SWANSEA: Meats, milkshakes, sunglasses and cheese — the one-man crime wave that hit 13 city centre shops in a month

A prolific shoplifter who visited the same Co-op nine times in a single month — and hit 13 Swansea city centre shops in four weeks — has been jailed and banned from every Co-op branch in the city.

James Brittain, 46, now of Alexandra Road, Swansea, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft from a shop at Swansea Magistrates Court, stealing goods worth almost £700 during a spree in March and April this year.

Brittain targeted Co-op branches on Bryn Road and Walter Road nine times, taking items including meats, ready meals, bottles of alcohol, chocolate and milkshakes. He also stole alcohol and cheese from Tesco on two occasions, bread from a Greggs bakery, and pairs of sunglasses from Vision Express.

The court heard that his long-term drug use had taken a significant toll on his physical and mental health. His advocate described him as someone who had become “institutionalised” to life in prison and who struggles when in the community.

Brittain was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison and will serve 40 per cent of that time in custody before being released on licence. He was also made subject to a criminal behaviour order prohibiting him from entering any Co-op branch in Swansea for the next three years.

South Wales Police say that the order is the sixth secured by its Neighbourhood Policing Team in Swansea for retail crime in the past two years. The application was supported by evidence compiled through close partnership working with local retailers and local authority CCTV.

Officers added that the broader enforcement effort has contributed to a 14% fall in shop thefts in Swansea city centre.

City Neighbourhood Inspector Andrew Hedley said tackling prolific offenders remained a priority. “Securing this sixth Criminal Behaviour Order in two years for retail crime reflects the proactive and evidence-led work of officers who are focused on those causing the greatest harm through repeat offending,” he said.

“Alongside targeted enforcement and highly visible policing, this work has contributed to a 14% reduction in shop thefts in the city centre. We will continue to focus our efforts and maintain our determination to protect local businesses and disrupt persistent retail crime.”

Swansea Business Crime Reduction Manager Steve Gallagher said the order sent a clear message to repeat offenders. “Persistent retail crime has a significant impact on retailers, their staff, and the overall confidence of the city centre, and this action shows that repeat offending is being tackled effectively,” he said.

“Through strong partnership working with South Wales Police, we are seeing meaningful enforcement that helps deter further offences, reduce financial losses, and improve the day-to-day safety of those working and trading in the city.”

Brittain has 30 previous convictions for 114 offences, including nine house burglaries, 22 non-dwelling burglaries, aggravated vehicle taking, and going equipped for burglary. In December 2020 he was sentenced to 32 months in prison for two attempted burglaries in the Sketty area of Swansea.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Brazen serial shoplifter who stole £5k worth of booze sentenced
Another prolific Swansea shoplifter brought to justice.

Serial shoplifter jailed after £861 spree targeting Swansea stores
More repeat retail crime coverage from Swansea.

Beauty haul shoplifter jailed after £927 spree at McArthurGlen
A shoplifting spree at Swansea’s designer outlet.

Dramatic video shows moment Swansea shoplifter tackled off bike
One of our most-watched crime stories.

Swansea burglar jailed after targeting city business
More coverage of repeat offending in Swansea city centre.

Thousands of shoplifting cases go unsolved in South Wales and Dyfed-Powys as charge rates remain low
The wider picture on retail crime in our area.

SINGLETON PARK: Future of iconic 200-year-old Swiss Cottage in doubt again as leaseholder pulls out

The Friends of Singleton Park group announced that the leaseholder for the Grade II listed building had given up their lease, leaving no clear path to renovating the historic landmark.

Swansea Council confirmed the news, saying that while it was “disappointing”, the authority remained committed to finding a new sustainable use for the cottage.

The news comes less than three years after it was announced that the landmark was set for a new lease of life, with Swansea-based Tifa Properties taking on a 15-year lease in August 2023.

The company had planned to transform the vacant building into a café with food and drink units, creating a new hub for park users.

In a statement on social media, the Friends of Singleton Park said: “It has been brought to our attention that the lease holder for Swiss Cottage has given up his lease.

“This means that 3 years on, there is not a clear path to renovating this iconic building.”

The group noted that while the exterior of the cottage had been repainted, the building was not any more “functionally useable”.

They also highlighted that 2026 is a significant year for the cottage, as it marks the 200th anniversary of its construction in 1826.

A Swansea Council spokesperson said: “The council has provided considerable support to help restore the exterior of this fantastic feature of Swansea’s history.

“While it’s disappointing that the current leaseholder at Swiss Cottage has decided to surrender the lease, we remain committed to finding a suitable sustainable use for the Swiss Cottage and will now look at alternative options to achieve that.”

The picturesque cottage was designed by architect Peter Frederick Robinson, who designed Sketty Hall for the Vivian family, after he was inspired by timber-built houses he had seen in Switzerland.

It has stood empty for many years and has been the subject of numerous failed plans and proposals.

The building was badly damaged in an arson attack in 2010, with a major restoration project completed in 2014 to repair the roof, windows, doors and distinctive decorative features.

Last year, the park was the subject of a public consultation on a new improvement plan, with drop-in sessions for residents held next to the historic cottage.

Protest planned over Clyne Valley bridleway resurfacing

A protest is being organised this weekend against Swansea Council’s decision to resurface Old Carriage Drive in Clyne Valley Country Park as part of its Active Travel programme.

‘Overwhelming opposition’ from residents

Local resident Will Allen said hundreds of people responded to his online post raising concerns about the scheme, with the “overwhelming majority” opposed.

“We wrote to councillors, Active Travel officers, MPs and MSs and were told that our concerns were being considered. However today they got back to us to say they are ploughing ahead with the scheme,” he said.

Allen added:

“I feel angry and frustrated at this – someone drew a line on a map during a city‑wide consultation, after which we hear nothing until the work is irrevocably approved by the Council. The feedback we provide when we finally learn is politely listened to but basically ignored.”

“As polite emails have not got anywhere I have decided to organise a protest. It should be well‑attended, and will give people the chance to show their concerns and highlight the beauty and history of the location,” he said.

Council defends scheme as part of Active Travel duty

In a letter to campaigners, Stephen Williams, Swansea Council’s Active Travel Officer, said Old Carriage Drive was identified in the 2021 Active Travel Network Map consultation and is intended to provide a safe, direct off‑road link between Killay and Derwen Fawr.

“This route is important as it reduces the distance required to travel actively between Killay and Derwen Fawr, and enables those journeys to be made free from traffic,” he wrote.

Williams said the resurfacing would not change the bridleway’s designation or access points, but would improve drainage and accessibility.

“We believe that by improving the surface of this path, we can enable more journeys to be undertaken actively, without disadvantaging the needs of any existing user group,” he added.

He also pointed to wider benefits:

“If we are to improve outcomes such as health, environmental, economic, obesity rates, and travel independence for children, we will need to make changes to our physical environment. We accept that some members of the public will not welcome these changes, however we believe this scheme will enable more journeys to be undertaken actively.”

Concerns over housing development

Former council cabinet member Jen Raynor suggested the resurfacing could be linked to future housing development.

“One of the key drivers to making this route into a mini tarmac road is the likely chance of the fields adjacent to the route being granted planning permission for houses. If it can be said there is an Active Travel route then less space is needed for car parking so more houses can be squeezed onto the land,” she wrote.

Raynor added:

“I was a councillor when the first Active Travel routes were proposed and this carriageway was certainly not proposed for tarmacking. In fact I and other councillors were assured that the Country Park would retain a variety of routes and surfaces because of the different users.”

Calls for councillor involvement

Local resident Carol Edwards urged campaigners to keep pressing elected members, pointing to a previous case where community pressure stopped a cycle path plan in Uplands.

“It was because of a lot of complaints, and the involvement of local councillors, that the active travel plan to put a cycle path through Uplands from the railway station was stopped,” she said.

“Councillors’ involvement is really important, and getting many people to write a short email to the Council with reasons why it shouldn’t proceed regardless of what the Council have decided.”

Protest details

The protest is due to take place at 4pm on Saturday 25 October at the Clyne Valley Road entrance to the woods. Organisers say they expect a strong turnout from local residents opposed to the scheme.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Residents voice anger over plans to resurface historic Clyne bridleway
Initial community reaction as campaigners opposed Swansea Council’s Active Travel resurfacing plans in Clyne Valley Country Park.

Future transport plans lead to rethink on city centre walking and cycling route
Swansea Council reviews its city centre active travel route in light of new transport strategy priorities.

Funds for controversial Sketty Road cycle route to be diverted to other schemes
Welsh Government reallocates funding away from the Sketty Road project following local opposition.

Raised boardwalk plan for new walking and cycling route along River Tawe
Proposals unveiled for a raised boardwalk to improve access and safety on the River Tawe corridor.

Gowerton’s long‑awaited cycle and walking link to station finally opens after delays
New active travel link connects Gowerton railway station after years of planning and setbacks.

#ActiveTravel #CllrJenniferRaynor #Clyne #ClyneValley #ClyneValleyCountryPark #ClyneValleyWoods #DerwenFawr #Killay #protest #Sketty #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #tarmac #woodland

The hidden Swansea cafe that is wowing its guests with a taste of the Mediterranean   https://www.diningandcooking.com/2110630/the-hidden-swansea-cafe-that-is-wowing-its-guests-with-a-taste-of-the-mediterranean/ #BluebellCoffee&Kitchen #featured #Mediterranean #MediterraneanFood #RestaurantReview #Sketty #Tycoch

The hidden Swansea cafe that is wowing its guests with a taste of the Mediterranean   https://www.diningandcooking.com/2110630/the-hidden-swansea-cafe-that-is-wowing-its-guests-with-a-taste-of-the-mediterranean/ #BluebellCoffee&Kitchen #featured #Mediterranean #MediterraneanFood #RestaurantReview #Sketty #Tycoch