A new Mediterranean restaurant is opening in Swansea Marina named after the owner’s mum

Juan Hernandez said his mum Loli taught him to cook. He is opening Loli’s Mediterranean on June 30 Inside Loli’s Mediterranean in Swansea Marina(Image: Loli’s Mediterranean) A beautiful new Mediterranean…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #MediterraneanIngredient #Mediterranean #Swansea
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2616202/a-new-mediterranean-restaurant-is-opening-in-swansea-marina-named-after-the-owners-mum/

A new Mediterranean restaurant is opening in Swansea Marina named after the owner’s mum

Juan Hernandez said his mum Loli taught him to cook. He is opening Loli’s Mediterranean on June 30 Inside Loli’s Mediterranean in Swansea Marina(Image…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #mediterranean #MediterraneanDiet #MediterraneanFood #MediterraneanIngredient #Mediterranean #Swansea
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2616202/a-new-mediterranean-restaurant-is-opening-in-swansea-marina-named-after-the-owners-mum/

#Tasmania #DolphinSands on #bushfire watch.

#TasmaniaFireService has issued a Watch & Act, urging residents to monitor conditions as they are changing.

"There is a fire at McNeills Road, #Swansea. The fire is travelling East towards Dolphin Sands”.

People in the affected area have been told: "The fire is expected to be difficult to control. Embers, smoke, and ash may threaten you and your home before the main fire. It may become difficult to see and breathe."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-26/tasmania-bushfire-alert-for-dolphin-sands-area/106607904

Not Brighton, London or York — UK's most dog-friendly city named and it's fantastic

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/uk-ireland/most-dog-friendly-cities-uk-37065024

SWANSEA: Trading Standards secures conviction against company issuing fraudulent HGV medical certificates

A director whose company issued fraudulent medical certificates as part of HGV licence applications has been convicted following a years-long investigation by Swansea Council Trading Standards.

Andrew Eburne, 51, of Hill Rise, Burbage, Hinckley, was found guilty of operating a fraudulent business through his company Doctors on Wheels Ltd, which provided D4 medical certificates — a legal requirement for anyone applying for an HGV licence.

The investigation was triggered by concerns raised by the DVLA, which had spotted anomalies in certificates being submitted as part of HGV licence applications. Swansea Council Trading Standards worked alongside investigators from across the UK to build the case.

A D4 medical certificate confirms that a driver is physically and mentally fit to operate a heavy goods vehicle. It must be completed by a qualified medical professional — typically a GP or occupational health doctor — and covers eyesight, blood pressure, neurological conditions and a range of other health factors relevant to driving large vehicles safely.

HGV drivers are required to hold a valid D4 certificate when applying for a Group 2 licence, which covers lorries, buses and other large vehicles. The certificates must be renewed periodically as drivers age, with more frequent renewals required for older drivers.

Fraudulent certificates raise serious road safety concerns. An HGV driver who is unfit to drive but holds a falsely obtained licence poses a significant risk to other road users. The weight and size of heavy goods vehicles means that accidents involving them can have catastrophic consequences.

The fraudulent certificates raised the prospect of unfit drivers obtaining HGV licences, with potential consequences for road safety.

Rhys Harries, Swansea Council Trading Standards Team Leader, said the outcome demonstrated the value of close working between agencies. “We were able to show in court that D4 medical certificates were submitted to the DVLA with the intention of them being issued as part of a HGV licence application,” he said.

“Fortunately, due to the expertise shown by the DVLA in spotting these anomalies, along with our own investigation, we prevented this becoming a much more serious issue.”

Harries added that the case underlined the importance of ensuring medical certificates are properly completed by qualified professionals to help keep roads safe.

The DVLA is based in Swansea and is one of the city’s largest employers, responsible for maintaining records on more than 50 million drivers and 40 million vehicles across the UK. The agency’s role in spotting the anomalies that triggered the investigation was described by Trading Standards as central to the successful prosecution.

Anyone with concerns about a business operating unfairly or unlawfully can report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

More stories from Swansea
The latest news from across the city.

SWANSEA: Man told support worker he wanted to go back to prison for gym access — then set his hostel on fire to get there

A man has been jailed after setting fire to his hostel using an aerosol as an accelerant — just hours after telling a support worker he wanted to go back to prison for the food and gym facilities.

Matthew Draper, 40, was living in a hostel for people with complex needs on The Strand in Swansea city centre, run by The Wallich charity, when he set the fire on January 24 this year.

The Wallich is a Welsh charity supporting homeless and vulnerable people across Wales. Its Dinas Fechan project on The Strand is a 15-bedroom hostel providing shelter and support to single homeless people with a range of complex needs — including mental health issues, learning difficulties, offending behaviour and substance misuse.

Each resident has their own living space, meets regularly with a support worker, and can access help with everything from drug and alcohol support to advice on finding permanent accommodation.

Swansea Crown Court heard that earlier that afternoon Draper had told his support worker he wanted to return to prison where he would get “three square meals a day” and access to a gym.

Shortly before 4.45pm, he used an aerosol as an accelerant to set fire to lockers against an external wall of the hostel. The flames quickly took hold and reached a window some 15ft above ground level, though they did not enter the building. Rather than raise the alarm or flee, Draper stayed at the scene to watch the fire.

Staff were alerted and called the emergency services. Officers from the nearby fire station arrived almost immediately, the hostel was evacuated, and the blaze was extinguished.

Draper was arrested and answered “no comment” to all questions in interview.

Formerly of Geiriol Road, Townhill, Swansea, Draper has 21 previous convictions for 61 offences, the majority of which are for theft. His most recent prior conviction, from October 2023, was for shoplifting women’s clothes from the Matalan store in Cwmdu, Swansea, and failing to surrender to court.

His advocate told the court that at the age of 40 it was to be hoped Draper was motivated to “deal with the issues that have dogged him for much of his life.”

Draper had previously pleaded guilty to arson and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. With a discount for his guilty plea he was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve up to half that time in custody before being released on licence.

PC Gareth Bennett, of South Wales Police, said the behaviour could have cost lives. “Idiotic behaviour like that shown by Matthew Draper could have resulted in serious injury or even lives being lost on that day,” he said.

“This was completely reckless behaviour and it cannot be tolerated. He is clearly a danger to society and prison is the best place for him.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
Another recent sentencing story from Swansea Crown Court.

Man jailed for strangling vulnerable partner who he threatened would end up back on the streets
Another recent sentencing story involving vulnerable people in supported accommodation.

WRU: ‘A massive victory’ — reaction as Ospreys and Scarlets handed lifeline in Welsh rugby U-turn

The announcement that the Welsh Rugby Union will offer the 2025 Professional Rugby Agreement to both the Ospreys and Scarlets has been met with celebration and relief across south and west Wales — but also with sharp words for the union over the months of uncertainty that preceded it.

The WRU confirmed this week that Y11 Sport & Media has withdrawn from its bid to purchase Cardiff Rugby, that Cardiff will remain under WRU ownership for now, and that both the Ospreys and Scarlets will be offered the PRA25 agreement in line with Dragons RFC and Cardiff Rugby. The WRU has been clear, however, that its ambition to move to three professional clubs by the end of the 2027/28 season remains unchanged, with a decision on how to implement that strategy expected by June.

Here is how some of those who campaigned for the regions have responded.

Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader and Labour candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, who launched legal action against the WRU and called in the competition watchdog during the campaign to save the Ospreys, described the outcome as a major win.

Rob Stewart said: “Today the WRU have announced the deal to sell Cardiff to Y11 is off and a new Professional Rugby Agreement is being offered to the Ospreys and Scarlets — ensuring four teams remain potentially until 2030,” he said.

“Let me be clear — this is a major win for the campaign to save the Ospreys that I’m proud to have been a part of.

“The Ospreys will be playing at a redeveloped St Helens from the start of next season, which will be fantastic for the city, our local economy, and the Ospreys supporters.”

Stewart was also blunt in his criticism of the WRU’s handling of the saga. “We could have been in this position a year ago had the WRU not presided over chaos and confusion. The clubs and the union have suffered financially and fans and our game have faced unnecessary uncertainty. This was completely avoidable and the leadership of the WRU have to take responsibility for the crisis they caused.”

However, the WRU’s own statement makes clear its three-club ambition remains firmly in place. CEO Abi Tierney said the union remains “undeterred from our ambition to move to three professional sides,” with a decision on implementing that strategy expected by June. The PRA25 agreements provide near-term stability — but the longer-term picture for all four regions is still unresolved.

Torsten Bell MP, Swansea West

Torsten Bell, the MP for Swansea West who has been among the most vocal critics of the WRU’s handling of the Ospreys crisis, called the announcement a turning point.

“Today is a huge moment. Fans, and those of us who campaigned relentlessly alongside them against WRU’s chaotic reforms to Welsh rugby, have won a massive victory,” he said.

“The WRU have backed down and the Cardiff deal is off. More importantly the Ospreys will sign a new agreement with the WRU for the next four years — seeing the club into the next decade with a significant funding boost.

“So the attempt to force the Ospreys out of professional rugby with no proper process has been defeated.

“Crucially, this means the exciting development of St Helens will now be going ahead. Professional rugby is coming back to the centre of Swansea.

“Today is a vindication for everyone that stood up to be counted. I want to congratulate the fans and clubs for what they have achieved.”

Carl Peters-Bond, independent candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin

Peters-Bond, who joined politicians from Labour and Plaid Cymru earlier this week in calling for Senedd scrutiny of the WRU’s west Wales plans, welcomed the development but echoed the sentiment that much of the damage had already been done.

“I’m delighted that the WRU board have finally seen sense and regional rugby will continue in Llanelli and Swansea,” he said. “Rugby is more than just a sport — it’s part of our culture and an important part of our region’s economy.

“It’s just a shame that it has taken over a year of uncertainty causing anger, frustration and confusion for fans, players and the wider community — something that could have been avoided if the WRU had just listened instead of ploughing on regardless.”

More reaction to follow as it comes in.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

WRU: Cardiff Y11 ownership bid collapses
Our reporter’s full account of the WRU announcement.

Ospreys lifeline as council seals historic St Helens deal
How the St Helens redevelopment became central to the Ospreys’ future.

Swansea Council launches legal action against WRU over Cardiff Rugby sale
The moment Rob Stewart took the fight to the courts.

Scarlets: Candidates unite across party lines to demand Senedd scrutiny of WRU’s West Wales merger plans
Yesterday’s cross-party response to the WRU’s EGM position.

WRU — all our coverage
Full archive of Swansea Bay News reporting on the Welsh rugby crisis.

SWANSEA: Brangwyn Hall named one of the UK’s top 10 micro wedding venues

Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall has been named one of the UK’s top ten most popular venues for micro weddings — the only Welsh venue to make a national ranking dominated by London locations.

The Grade I listed hall, part of Swansea’s Guildhall complex and licensed for civil ceremonies, tied for ninth place in a ranking compiled by luxury chauffeur service SIXT ride.

The company analysed TikTok searches, Instagram posts and Google searches to identify the venues generating most buzz among couples planning intimate weddings in 2026.

Brangwyn Hall scored 19.8 out of 100, level with Sheffield Town Hall, based on 5,200 TikTok searches, 1,000 Instagram posts and 8,100 Google searches in the past year. The top spot went to Chelsea Old Town Hall in London, which scored 86.8 — a reflection of the capital’s dominance of the micro wedding scene, with four of the top five venues located in London.

The ranking reflects a growing national trend towards smaller, more intimate weddings. Searches for “how much is a registry office wedding UK” have grown 1,200% in the past year, while searches for “registry office wedding package” are up 967%.

The trend has been driven partly by high-profile celebrity weddings including that of singer Charli XCX and Made in Chelsea stars Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing.

Brangwyn Hall is one of Wales’ most distinctive event venues — and one with a history that goes well beyond weddings. Built as part of Swansea’s Guildhall and opened in 1934, the hall was originally designed to house the British Empire Panels: sixteen large paintings by artist Sir Frank Brangwyn, commissioned in 1924 for the Royal Gallery of the House of Lords to commemorate the First World War.

The House of Lords rejected them — reportedly because they were considered too colourful and spirited — and Swansea Council acquired them instead. The panels now line the walls of the hall, making it one of the most visually striking wedding backdrops in Wales.

The venue offers spaces ranging from the intimate Lord Mayor’s Room to the grand main hall, with capacity for between 20 and 500 guests.

The Guildhall complex has also served as a backdrop for some major screen productions. The building’s imposing neoclassical exterior and Art Deco interior have made it a favourite with film and TV producers.

Most notably, the complex featured in the Netflix blockbuster Havoc, starring Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker, which used both the Guildhall exterior and the Brangwyn Hall interior for key scenes. Described as the largest feature film ever shot entirely in Wales, Havoc transformed the building into an American police precinct. The Guildhall has also featured in the BBC’s Sherlock and multiple episodes of Doctor Who.

The hall’s profile as a wedding venue may be about to grow further. Swansea’s register office is currently housed at the Civic Centre on the waterfront — one of the last council services still operating from the brutalist building.

The Civic Centre is earmarked for a major redevelopment as a new City Waterfront district with apartments, an aquarium and a lido. It is understood that as the Civic Centre moves closer to redevelopment, the register office could relocate to the Guildhall complex — which would make the Grade I listed building the official home of Swansea’s civil ceremonies as well as one of the city’s most sought-after wedding venues.

The full top ten, according to SIXT ride’s analysis, is: Chelsea Old Town Hall, The Old Marylebone Town Hall, Islington Town Hall, Manchester Town Hall, Hackney Town Hall, Cheltenham Town Hall, Oxford Town Hall, Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham, and jointly in ninth place, Sheffield Town Hall and Brangwyn Hall.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Flats, aquarium and lido: Swansea’s Civic Centre plans move closer as cabinet gives green light
The redevelopment plans that could see the register office leave the Civic Centre.

Y Storfa opens in Swansea city centre as council services move from Civic
The register office is one of the last services still operating from the Civic Centre.

Swansea Bay’s best businesses scoop top gongs at packed Brangwyn Hall awards
One of many major events the venue hosts each year.

SWANSEA: MP calls emergency public meeting on social media ban for under-16s — and says the issue tops his postbag

Swansea West MP Torsten Bell has called an emergency public meeting to discuss whether children under 16 should be banned from social media, as the UK Government’s landmark consultation on protecting young people online enters its final weeks.

The meeting will be held from 7pm to 8.30pm on Thursday 14 May at Swansea’s Guildhall, and is open to parents, children and community members from across the city. Those wishing to attend have been asked to reserve a seat by emailing [email protected] with their name and postcode, as significant interest is expected.

The event will be one of the last opportunities for people in Swansea to feed into the national debate before the UK Government’s consultation closes on Friday 26 May. Attendees can expect to hear from community leaders, campaigners and teachers, and will have the chance to share their own experiences and concerns about children’s online safety.

The social media ban debate has generated more correspondence to Bell’s office than any other policy issue since the start of 2026, with nearly a quarter of all policy-related letters and emails focusing on the subject — a striking measure of how deeply the issue is resonating with families across Swansea West.

Bell said: “As a father to young children, I am deeply concerned about the impact of social media and delighted that the UK Government is taking the issue so seriously. Many of us know how much we’d have missed out on as a teenager if the time and attention sink of social media had got in the way.”

He added: “No issue is more important than the safety of our children. As the consensus grows that more needs to be done, I’m hosting this meeting to make sure people in Swansea have their voice heard and are at the forefront of shaping what happens next.”

The Government’s consultation — which has dedicated versions for young people and for parents and carers — is exploring a range of potential measures beyond an outright ban. These include whether platforms should be forced to switch off addictive features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, and whether mandatory overnight curfews on social media use could help children get better sleep.

The idea of an Australia-style ban on under-16s using social media has attracted growing cross-party support at Westminster. As Swansea Bay News has previously reported, more than 60 Labour MPs — including Gower’s Tonia Antoniazzi and Mid and South Pembrokeshire’s Henry Tufnell — have already backed calls for such a ban.

In Llanelli, Dame Nia Griffith has urged families to respond to the consultation, saying she would personally support a ban but that any legislation would need to be carefully thought through and enforceable. She described the issue as one of the defining challenges facing parents today.

The concerns are not abstract. In Bridgend, one school warned pupils could face expulsion over abusive TikTok posts. And experts have cautioned that many parents remain completely unaware of the hidden meanings behind popular emojis routinely used by young people to discuss drugs, self-harm and other sensitive topics in plain sight.

Research published on Safer Internet Day earlier this year found that half of parents in Britain had never had a single conversation with their child about harmful online content — even though most 11-year-olds now own a smartphone. The findings helped galvanise support for tougher government action.

The consultation is exploring not just whether to ban under-16s from social media entirely, but a broader package of protections. Among the measures under consideration are requirements for platforms to make safety settings more prominent, limits on the data companies can collect from young users, and stronger age verification requirements.

Whether any measures ultimately become law will depend in part on the responses gathered during the consultation period — which is why Bell’s meeting at the Guildhall on 14 May represents a genuine opportunity for Swansea residents to influence the outcome, not just observe it.

For Bell, who has spoken openly about his concerns as a parent, the issue cuts through the usual political divides. The volume of correspondence his office has received suggests many of his constituents feel the same way — and that the question of when, and whether, to hand a child a smartphone has become one of the most contested parenting decisions of the current generation.

The UK Government’s consultation is open to all at gov.uk and closes on 26 May. Those wishing to attend Bell’s Guildhall meeting on 14 May should email [email protected] with their name and postcode to reserve a place.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Should under-16s be banned from social media? Llanelli MP’s urgent plea as parents warned of kids’ secret online lives
Dame Nia Griffith MP urges Llanelli families to have their say on the UK Government’s landmark consultation.

Tonia Antoniazzi and Henry Tufnell among 60 Labour MPs to back call for banning social media for under-16s
Growing cross-party support at Westminster for an Australia-style social media ban for children.

Half of parents have never spoken to their kids about harmful content as calls grow to ban social media for under-16s
Stark findings published on Safer Internet Day as the debate over children’s online safety intensifies.

Bridgend school warns pupils could face expulsion over abusive TikTok posts
One local school’s response to the growing problem of harmful social media content among young people.

SWANSEA: Barges needed to build new £8m riverside cycle and walking path linking city centre to Swansea.com Stadium

A new walking and cycling route along the River Tawe has been given the green light by Swansea Council — with the project set to become one of the most ambitious pieces of active travel infrastructure the city has seen.

The path will run for a mile along the west bank of the Tawe, from a point north of the Tawe bridges through to the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks area — linking the city centre with the copperworks, Swansea.com Stadium and Morfa Retail Park for cyclists and pedestrians. It will be built in three phases and is expected to take three years to complete.

The total cost of the scheme, including design and project management, is £8.25 million. That will be funded through a combination of £6.6 million from the Welsh Government’s regional transport fund, £1.4 million from the UK Government, and a £250,000 developer contribution linked to a separate planning permission.

The council has confirmed the project will be a complex engineering undertaking. A new revetment — a reinforced structure to support the walkway along the riverbank — will need to be constructed, and sections of the work will have to be carried out from barges because of access restrictions along parts of the river corridor.

Once complete, the new path will connect with an existing stretch of shared-use path near the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks — an area undergoing a major heritage restoration that has attracted significant investment in recent years, including the arrival of Penderyn Distillery at the site. The new route will add to the 85 miles of shared-use paths already available across Swansea.

For cyclists and pedestrians, the route will offer a traffic-free connection between the city centre and a cluster of major destinations to the north — including Swansea.com Stadium, home of Swansea City AFC, and the growing Morfa Retail Park. The Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, one of Wales’ most significant industrial heritage sites, sits at the northern end of the route.

The three-phase approach to construction reflects both the engineering complexity of the project and the need to keep disruption manageable along a stretch of riverside that already attracts walkers and recreational users.

The Tawe path forms the headline project in a wider programme of cycling and walking investment confirmed for Swansea in 2026/27. Also included in the settlement is a £700,000 shared-use path linking Ffordd Beck in Gowerton to Pont Y Cob Road — a route that would finally deliver a safe connection between the two communities that has been in planning since 2022. At the moment there is no footpath between the two locations and the only provision for cyclists is a painted advisory route on a narrow main road.

A £500,000 upgrade of the existing shared-use path between Dunvant and Gowerton is also confirmed, widening the route to improve safety and capacity. Gowerton has been the focus of active travel investment in recent years — a new cycling and walking link to Gowerton station opened after significant delays, and the latest round of funding continues to build on that network.

Taken together, the three cycling and walking schemes represent a significant step forward for active travel connectivity across the western side of Swansea — connecting the city centre to the river corridor, and linking Gowerton more effectively to both Dunvant and Loughor.

Stuart Davies, Head of Service for Transport and Highways at Swansea Council, said the funding would enable the council to deliver “a wide range of transport related projects that will benefit motorists, public transport users as well as pedestrians and cyclists.”

The broader transport package for 2026/27 also includes a £750,000 e-bike hire scheme with up to 500 bikes to be made available for short trips across Swansea, further strengthening the active travel offer alongside the new infrastructure. Locations for the e-bike hire points have yet to be confirmed.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New walking and cycling route proposed between Gowerton and Loughor
The long-planned Pont Y Cob Road route between Gowerton and Loughor — now funded for construction.

Gowerton’s long-awaited cycle and walking link to station finally opens after delays
The most recent active travel milestone in Gowerton, which the new investment builds on.

Penderyn Distillery handed keys to new Morfa Copperworks site in Swansea
One of the major regeneration projects at the northern end of the new Tawe riverside path.

New images show how heritage sites at Swansea’s Strand, Hafod Copperworks and museum could be transformed
The wider regeneration vision for the area at the northern end of the new Tawe path.