Council backs down on Clyne Valley tarmac plan after public outcry

The Old Carriage Drive bridleway, which links Derwen Fawr and Killay, became the focus of fierce local anger last year after residents discovered proposals to lay a hard tarmac surface along the rural route. Walkers, horse‑riders and cyclists warned the scheme would “urbanise” one of the valley’s most cherished green corridors, prompting protests, petitions and packed public meetings.

Now the council has confirmed it is rowing back on the original plan and will instead restore the bridleway using a more traditional surface dressing, improved drainage and lighter‑touch repairs designed to keep the route’s natural character intact.

A clear shift after community pressure

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the rethink came directly from the strength of feeling shown by residents and community groups.

“Our discussions with residents and community groups have come up with suggestions that will help enhance the route while also maintaining the look and feel of the local natural environment.”

“We’ve listened to what people have been saying about our original proposals and the result will see enhancements aiming to reflect many of their suggestions.”

He said the new approach would still improve accessibility, but without the hard urban finish many feared. The revised plan includes clearing drainage ditches, restoring the bridleway’s original surface and improving connections to adjoining paths.

Residents claim victory after months of opposition

Locals had slammed the tarmac plan as “completely inappropriate”, staging a protest walk through the valley in a bid to stop it. The council’s reversal is already being seen by many as a significant climbdown.

Campaigners had warned that tarmac would damage the valley’s ecology, increase speeds on the route and erase the historic feel of the Old Carriage Drive. Some accused the council of pushing through a scheme that ignored the bridleway’s rural status.

Part of wider investment — but with a lighter touch

The council says the new works will complement more than £1 million already spent upgrading the main Clyne Valley Path, which has been widened and resurfaced in recent years to cope with rising footfall. But unlike the main route, the Old Carriage Drive will now retain its woodland character.

Cllr Stevens said the upgrade would “add to and continue the significant investment” in the country park, while ensuring the bridleway remains in keeping with its surroundings.

What happens next?

Detailed designs for the revised scheme will be drawn up in the coming months, with work expected to focus on restoring the bridleway’s original surface rather than replacing it with tarmac.

For many residents, the shift marks a rare moment where community pressure has directly reshaped a council project — and a win for those determined to keep Clyne Valley’s woodland routes as natural as possible.

More on the Clyne Valley row

Protest planned over Clyne Valley bridleway resurfacing
Residents organise a protest walk after plans emerge to tarmac the historic route.

Residents voice anger over plans to resurface historic Clyne bridleway
Walkers, cyclists and horse‑riders condemn the proposal as “completely inappropriate”.

After all the excitement (!) of the weekend, I’ve had the chance to look at my snaps of the Eurasian Scops Owl on Friday.

I think the best description that my poor little bridge camera produced is a “record shot” 😂

#UKBirding #Wales #Killay #Swansea #Owl #Birds #wildlife #nature #lifer #BirdsOfMastodon

Swansea restaurants fined after serving unsafe meals to allergy sufferers

Three Swansea restaurants have been fined thousands of pounds after investigations revealed they had served meals containing undeclared allergens to customers who had specifically warned staff about their allergies.

Trading Standards officers from Swansea Council carried out undercover sampling and inspections at Saporito Pizza and Grill House on Gower Road in Killay, Indian Street Kitchen on Walter Road in Swansea city centre, and Joyato Sushi and Grill on Salubrious Passage, off Wind Street in the city centre. In each case, staff gave false assurances about food safety, but laboratory analysis later confirmed the presence of allergens including gluten, milk and egg.

At Swansea Magistrates’ Court, all three owners admitted offences under the General Food Regulations 2004 and the Food Safety Act 1990, including placing unsafe food on the market and falsely describing menu items.

The penalties varied, but all were significant. The owner of Saporito Pizza and Grill House, Seckin Bulutoglu, was ordered to pay more than £2,000 in fines, surcharges and costs. At Indian Street Kitchen, Muminul Uddin faced a bill of over £2,300. The heaviest penalty was handed to Yanrui Yi, who runs Joyato Sushi and Grill, with fines and costs totalling close to £9,500.

Council officers said the breaches included mislabelled menu items, poor allergen management systems, and a lack of staff training.

Council: “No excuses”

Cllr Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Corporate Service (Performance), said the cases showed how dangerous poor allergen practices can be.

“These cases highlight the potentially fatal consequences of failing to manage allergens and provide accurate information to customers,” he said.

“All the businesses involved have no excuses, having received significant advice about staff training and the dangers associated with allergens.

“Swansea Council is committed to protecting public health and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against businesses that put consumers at risk.”

Warning to businesses and customers

The council is urging all food businesses to ensure staff are properly trained and that allergen information is accurate and up to date. Consumers are also advised to ask about allergens and, if in doubt, walk away.

#allergens #cllrAndrewWilliams #featured #foodDrink #foodSafety #gowerRoad #killay #restaurant #salubriousPassage #swansea #swanseaCityCentre #swanseaCouncil #walterRoad #windStreet

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

Residents voice anger over plans to resurface historic Clyne bridleway

The £250,000 project, funded through Welsh Government’s Active Travel programme, would see the historic bridleway linking Derwen Fawr and Olchfa Lane resurfaced later this autumn.

Swansea Council says the work will make the route more accessible for walkers, cyclists, horse riders, families with pushchairs and people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

“Already accessible as it is”

Local resident Will Allen sparked the debate after posting online that the project would “ruin the visual appeal of one of the most beautiful parts of Clyne Valley woods” and risk damaging the area’s industrial heritage, including brickwork remnants from the former brickworks.

Allen, a daily cycle commuter and supporter of active travel, questioned whether the scheme would deliver meaningful benefits, suggesting it was “an easy way to spend Welsh Government funding” rather than addressing more pressing gaps such as the long‑discussed Clyne Common link.

His post prompted dozens of responses, many of them emotional.

• Bethany Rowe said: “I’ve seen mobility scooters using this path already so it’s already accessible exactly as it is. My children ride their bikes on it, horse riders use it without issues, and everyone can enjoy the history embedded in the track.”
• Analyst101 added: “I instantly feel immersed in nature and love how it changes week by week. I don’t feel the same walking along the cycle path.”
• Others warned of damage to flora and wildlife, drainage issues, and the loss of a tranquil walking route.

Some residents described the path as “a beautiful walk, especially in autumn when it is truly spectacular,” while others feared the valley could become “a manicured park” rather than a wild woodland.

Horse riders raised particular concerns, saying more hard surfacing would further reduce safe spaces for cantering. One rider said: “We’re losing rights to access such exercise throughout the valley. If the surface was laid like hard dirt and tiny stones that would be ideal, but not hard solid tarmac.”

Campaign call

In a follow‑up post, Allen said the response showed “strong feeling locally that this project should not go ahead.” He claimed local councillors only learned of the scheme after it was approved and that an ecological assessment has not been shared publicly.

He urged residents to contact their MP and MS, sign petitions, and join a campaign to halt the works. “Time to campaign against this is very limited. Work will begin soon. If you can, please do something,” he wrote.

Council: “Improving accessibility for all”

In a statement, Swansea Council defended the scheme, saying the current footpath provides “limited accessibility” and that the upgrade will benefit a wide range of users.

The council said the route was identified during a city‑wide consultation in 2021 and that ecological surveys have been completed to ensure the works are carried out sensitively.

A spokesperson said:

“Our aim is to improve this section, creating a more accessible route for everyone to use, including walkers, cyclists, horse riders, as well as families with pushchairs and people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

The works will not only feature an upgrade to the existing path, we will also strengthen culverts, install seating and provide information boards celebrating the historical nature of this route.”

The council pointed to previous improvements at Olchfa and Sketty, which it said had proved “hugely successful.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtUUS3BT3ls

Cycle‑through video of the upgraded Olchfa active travel route, showing the type of improvements Swansea Council has previously delivered in Clyne Valley.

Political reaction

The scheme has drawn criticism from local Liberal Democrat councillors Mary Jones and Jeff Jones, who represent the area.

In a joint statement they said:

“We were yet again disappointed with the lack of consultation from the Active Travel Team and the relative short notice given. We were under the impression that the detail of works given in 2020/21 were that there would be repair work to existing surfaces and it was understood that there were no plans to increase the number of paths that are tarmacked.”

Former cabinet member Jen Raynor has already criticised the project online, describing it as “an easy way to blow WG grant money in the absence of better alternatives.”

A path at the heart of the valley

The Old Carriage Drive is one of the most historic routes through Clyne Valley, with remnants of the area’s industrial past still visible underfoot. For many residents, that heritage is part of the attraction.

As one commenter put it: “It is not acceptable to destroy natural heritage and write about it on a display board instead.”

Others argued the steep incline means the path will never be suitable for those with severe mobility issues, even if resurfaced. “My dad has severe mobility issues and even when it is tarmacked there is no way I’d take him on that sort of incline,” said one resident.

What happens next

Work is expected to begin in late October or early November. Campaigners say they are considering petitions and protests, while the council insists the project will improve safety and accessibility in line with its Active Travel duties.

Related articles

• Swansea University’s bike hire scheme sees a near 300% increase in users
• Future transport plans lead to rethink on city centre walking and cycling route
• Raised boardwalk plan for new walking and cycling route along River Tawe
• Funds for controversial Sketty Road cycle route to be diverted to other schemes

#ActiveTravel #bridleway #CllrJenniferRaynor #Clyne #ClyneValley #ClyneValleyWoods #DerwenFawr #footpath #heritage #industrialHeritage #Killay #Olchfa #OlchfaLane #protest #resurfacing #Sketty #SwanseaCouncil #tarmac #woodland

Budget supermarket reveals not so Lidl expansion plans

Lidl GB has announced plans to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion, as the discounter moves forward with plans to open more than 40 new stores across the country this financial year.

In addition to the store openings, Lidl has also published a list of locations it wants to open new stores – including high streets, retail parks, and mixed-use town centre sites. This includes more than a dozen stores in South West Wales.

There are also places where the budget supermarket wants to relocate several existing stores to provide a larger building.

Lidl currently has 980 stores across the UK and employs over 34,000 people.

Richard Taylor, Chief Real Estate Officer at Lidl GB, said: “This level of investment is a clear sign of our ambition. As we enter our fourth decade in Great Britain and hurtle towards a thousand stores, there are still so many parts of the country crying out for convenient access to a Lidl store. That’s why we welcome the measures proposed in the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill – they recognise the urgent need to remove barriers to development and support the kind of growth we at Lidl are working towards.”

“Our latest site requirements brochure reinforces the scale of our ambition for the future. New Lidl stores mean new jobs, new opportunities for British suppliers, and continued investment into local economies. We’re proud to be one of the fastest-growing supermarkets in the country, and with this investment, we’re taking another big step in our journey.”

All the places in South West Wales Lidl wants to open new stores

Swansea

Lidl has announced 3 locations in Swansea where it wants to open new stores in Morfa, Killay or Sketty and Mumbles. It has also said it wants to relocate its existing Penlan store.

Neath Port Talbot

The budget supermarket has said that it wants to open a new store in Port Talbot – East or Margam.

Carmarthenshire

Lidl wants to open new stores in two locations in Carmarthenshire. One in Burry Port and another to the North of Llanelli.

Pembrokeshire

The supermarket has revealed ambitions to open a one new store in Pembrokeshire, somewhere in Tenby. It also wants to relocate its existing Pembroke Dock store.

Bridgend County

There are four locations Lidl has aspirations to open new stores in Bridgend County, in Bridgend Town, Bridgend – East or Pencoed, Maesteg and Pyle.

South Powys

Lidl has said they’d like to open a new store in Ystradgynlais.

#Bridgend #BurryPort #Business #Killay #Lidl #Llanelli #Maesteg #Margam #MorfaRetailPark #Mumbles #PembrokeDock #Pencoed #Penlan #Pyle #retail #Sketty #supermarket #Swansea #Tenby #Ystradgynlais

Deaf former theatre worker raises curtain on new health board career

The dramatic change in role has provided a boost to the technical services team and has shone a spotlight on accessibility.

Through their work to introduce new adaptive technology, Aeron and colleagues have also helped to pave the way for anyone else with a hearing impairment who may wish to use it in the health board in future.

Aeron, 28, from Killay in Swansea, said: “I know it’s quite a lot of pressure for other people if they have never met or worked with a profoundly deaf person. But the most important thing is it doesn’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing to try, be open minded.

“Confidence comes from knowing you have the support of your managers. They are really willing to listen.

“My advice is that communication is the biggest accessibility tool, so doing what you can to facilitate that is the first step to making sure someone feels comfortable in the working environment, but that will be different for everybody.”

For technical services administrator Aeron, who was born with profound hearing loss in both ears, 90 per cent of his understanding comes from lip reading. As a result, colleagues make sure they face him when speaking so he can see their mouths.

In addition, an Access to Work grant has provided a microphone which transmits directly to Aeron’s hearing aids providing “a backup for the final 10 per cent” of understanding.

This system is used instead of a headset when Aeron uses Teams, which also has a live captioning function.

Technical services manager Howard Stevens said these adaptations cover communication across the majority of Aeron’s work.

But he was concerned about one part of his role, which is to provide cover to the health board’s clinical waste collection service. Around 15,000 people are registered for collections of clinical sharps boxes and other items.

“That involves taking phone calls,” said Howard.

“Aeron blew us away in the interview, but I did wonder how he’d cope with this.”

Thankfully Aeron came prepared with the idea of using a BT app called Relay UK, which involves an operator turning speech from an incoming caller into text which Aeron replies to in text, which is then relayed to the caller by the operator.

And while it was tricky to integrate the app with health board systems, Aeron and Howard praised digital services for their determination to make it work.

“There was a lot of trial and error but Joshua Bell from digital went through every single possibility there was in terms of setting me up,” said Aeron.

“Now there is a framework going forward, which will be a massive help in future in terms of using Relay.

“Using it hasn’t been an issue. But if there is any confusion the operator explains it because it’s part of their job.”

Howard and colleagues also undertook hearing impairment awareness training to help Aeron make the smooth transition to the health board.

This involved learning how hearing impairments range over a wide scale shown on a graph known as an audiogram. This ranges from mild, where some soft sounds may be difficult to hear when there is background noise, to profound, which is Aeron’s level of impairment.

This means he can only naturally pick up sounds of around 120 decibels, equal to the sound of a plane taking off.

“In the training we were told to never say it doesn’t matter if the person you are speaking to doesn’t catch what you say the first time,” said Howard.

“If it was important enough for you to say it, just try again.

“We’ve also had a number of conversations with Aeron and his line manager Kyle Jones and have picked up other minor adaptations.

“We didn’t always used to have our cameras on in Teams meetings, but now we do, so Aeron can lip read and he uses big screens so it’s clearer. We also found out that Aeron struggled if someone was sharing their screen and talking because their video window reduces to accommodate the document and then it’s hard to see their face. So now if we share a document, we take it down as soon as possible.

“Everything has been a very minor addition to how we work and think. It’s a very easy accommodation to make, especially with the software he was given. And we have said that if there’s anything that annoys him – for instance I’m a right one for carrying on speaking when walking out of the room – just say.”

In fact, Howard said that in the end his only worry was that Aeron would find the new job less exciting than his career in a myriad of roles in theatre and meeting stars on opening night.

“His jobs have been very creative, but he’s left the bright lights of stage and screen behind for estates at Singleton Hospital,” said Howard.

Thankfully, however, that has not been an issue at all.

“I did everything from admin to book keeping to communicating with stage managers and opening first nights,” said Aeron.

“But accessibility in theatre is nebulous – there is no great structure. I wanted something more local and more settled.

“This role has boosted my confidence when it comes to being part of the workforce.”

As for excitement and plot twists, these are things to be avoided in his new role.

Aeron deals with hundreds of highly-complex utility invoices for health board sites, including major hospitals, ensuring what we are paying is in line with our own estimation of consumption.

Howard said: “With energy prices the way they are the cost element is incredibly high and there’s a lot of data involved, so any small discrepancy or swing in the data could cost us hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

“You have to be on the ball,” said Aeron.

“But I like looking through the data and recognising the patterns.”

As for creativity, Aeron continues to indulge his passion in his spare time as an avid Cosplayer.

Cosplay is an activity and performance art where participants wear costumes to represent a specific character.

Aeron dresses up for playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends and attends comic conventions known as Comic Cons.

“That’s my creative outlet. My job is very different now, but in a good way,” he said.

(Lead image: Swansea Bay NHS)

#deaf #Killay #Swansea #SwanseaBayNHS #theatre

Swansea takeaways fined for selling ‘unsafe food’

The Council is now urging restaurants and fast-food outlets in Swansea to take allergies linked to certain food ingredients more seriously.

The call to businesses in the city follows action taken by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Team, which has seen three food business owners fined by Swansea Magistrates in March this year.

Trading Standards carried out a series of test purchase exercises in early 2024. Posing as customers, they placed food orders with a number of restaurants and takeaways, declaring they were allergic to specific food ingredients, including milk, gluten and egg, and asked the businesses to reassure them that their order did not contain those ingredients.

Some of the businesses contacted as part of the test purchase exercise made declarations that the requested food did not contain specific ingredients and were safe for consumption.

Owners at Killay Spice in Killay, Clydach Kebab House and Townhill Spice, have all been fined after pleading guilty to the offence of Placing on the Market unsafe food.

Killay Spice owner, Mr Tafozul Ahmed of Gower Road, was fined £3,000 and was required to pay a surcharge of £1,200 and costs of £2084.

Mr Evren Bozkurt of Clydach Fast Food Ltd (Clydach Kebab House) was fined £200, with an additional surcharge and costs of £2,144.

Mr Abdul Kabir of Townhill Spice Ltd was fined £500 with a surcharge and costs of £2,146.

In the UK, approximately two million people, including children, have a food allergy and the most severe reactions to the consumption of food the person is allergic too, could prove fatal.

The latest research by the Imperial College of London shows that in the UK, approximately 10 deaths occur each year as a result of allergens.

David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Corporate Service and performance, said: “Some food businesses in the city are still not doing what is expected of them in relation to allergens and keeping consumers safe.

“Food allergies can be very serious for a small percentage of people and if they inform a food business they are allergic to specific ingredients, they need to have confidence that the business they are dealing with will keep them safe.

“Trading Standards are continuing to work with food businesses, providing advice and training in relation to allergies. This latest action is part of an ongoing sampling exercise. 

“Hopefully, the latest action taken against local food businesses that are putting people at risk, will send out a strong message to other restaurants and takeaways, that they need to be more responsible or they will risk similar enforcement action.”

In March this year, the Food Standards Agency published new best practice allergy guidance for food businesses that sell non-prepacked food, such as restaurants and takeaways.

The guidance helps food businesses provide written allergy information to consumers with food allergies and intolerances, to help them make safe and informed choices.

#allergens #Clydach #foodDrink #foodSafety #Killay #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #takeaway #Townhill #TradingStandards

Sweet success for Swansea startup

Jayde began her journey in 2015, selling homemade cakes locally to friends and family under the Pixie Cakes brand. During the Covid pandemic in 2020, she expanded her offerings, delivering nostalgic treat boxes filled with school-time favourites like cornflake flapjacks and iced sponge cakes.

Since then, she has continued to build her customer base through local markets and by supplying cakes to popular Swansea cafes, including Crumbs Kitchen in Uplands, Storm in a Teacup in Swansea Market, and Coast Cafe in Swansea Marina.

She has become well known for her Cookie Stack celebration cakes—an alternative to a traditional cake—and her Brownie Bombs, which are filled with different popular sweet treats including Cadburys Crème Eggs and Kinder chocolate.

Located in the heart of Killay in Swansea, the new Pixie Cakes shop will offer locally roasted coffee from Crafty Smuggler, alongside a selection of Jayde’s signature sweet treats. Alongside coffee, the shop will also serve indulgent milkshakes made from Jayde’s popular bakes, including cookie bars and brownies.

The store will further champion hyper-local businesses, stocking an array of handmade products, including Saltskin Jewellery, Gower Candle Co candles, flowers from Petallica Flower Farm, greeting cards by local artist Hannah Davies, chutneys from Crafty Dog, Gower Lavender products, and honey from Little Walterstone Farm.

The Pixie Cakes logo was re-designed by local graphic designer Greenwood Design Co, and the shop’s signage was created by local business The Sign Bros – Jayde went to school with the founders, making this collaboration even more meaningful.

“I’m so proud to be opening Pixie Cakes in the place that shaped me,” says Jayde Brown. “Growing up in Killay, I’ve always loved the sense of community here, and it’s incredibly special to bring my passion for baking back home. Supporting local businesses has always been important to me, and I’m thrilled to be able to showcase so many amazing local makers alongside my cakes and coffee.”

The new shop invites customers to enjoy a warm, welcoming space where they can indulge in delicious homemade cakes while supporting the best of Swansea’s independent businesses. The Pixie Cakes coffee shop will be celebrating its grand opening weekend on 4th and 5th April 2025. 

(Lead image: Magdalena.b Design)

#Business #cakeShop #coffeeShop #featured #foodDrink #Killay #PixieCakes #startUp #UplandsMarket

Killay pop-up street market drives footfall and highlights local producers

The street market was organised by Killay Community Council on 22 March thanks to a £5,000 grant from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund secured through Swansea Council.

Local social enterprise Swansea Bay Street Markets, who also run the popular Uplands Market, were commissioned to deliver the event. 

Killay Community Council say around 20 local traders took part, selling a range of products – from locally produced cakes & bakes, arts, crafts, jewellery chutneys, wines and even pet food.

The council say the market achieved the aim of substantially increasing footfall in the shopping precinct, raising awareness of the local retail offer and encouraging many more people to visit the area.

A simple directory of local businesses was also produced along with reusable ‘Discover Killay’ branded cotton shopping bags.

Two actors from Cerridwen Theatre, playing the part of locally born Victorian Amy Dillwyn and her trusty companion Joe. They mingled with the crowds and engaged in conversations relating the difference between Killay in 2025 compared to the Victorian era.

Killay Community Council Chairman, Jim Robinson said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the turn out for our Spring Market. Thank you to the traders who brought amazing produce, the individuals who performed and a big thank you to the people who came to support! What a fantastic day with weather to match.”

(Lead image: Killay Community Council)

#Business #Killay #KillayCommunityCouncil #market #retail #streetMarket

Local entrepreneur and food enthusiast, Nick Jones, is excited to announce the opening of The Humble Deli, a new delicatessen located in the heart of Killay.

The Humble Deli aims to provide the community with a curated selection of high-quality, locally sourced meats, cheeses, and specialty products, focusing on celebrating Welsh agriculture and artisanal producers.

Born from a lifelong passion for food, Nick Jones has realized his dream of opening a deli that not only offers an exceptional range of flavours but also supports Welsh farmers and small producers.

From traditional favourites to unique, hand-picked selections, The Humble Deli brings an authentic taste of Wales to the table.

Speaking about the new business Nick said:

“I’ve always dreamed of creating a space where people can come to discover delicious, unique, and high-quality products that highlight the incredible work of our local farmers and food artisans.

“We are committed to offering the best meats, cheeses, and specialty items, with a focus on supporting the community.”

A Focus on Local

At The Humble Deli, customers can expect to find a wide variety of artisanal cheeses, including some of Wales’ finest, as well as carefully selected meats, charcuterie, and locally produced jams, chutneys, pasta, sauces and more. 

“We want The Humble Deli to be a place where people can experience the best that our region has to offer while also learning more about the amazing products and the stories behind them,” adds Nick.

“We’re thrilled to be part of the Killay community and can’t wait to welcome everyone into the shop.”

Nick’s Deli is located at number 436 Gower Road in Killay, Swansea.

Regular store hours are from 10-6:30 Wednesday through Friday, and 9-4 on Saturdays.

For more information, please follow them on Instagram at @thehumbledeli, and on Facebook at The Humble Deli.

[Lead image: the Humble Deli]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/10/27/new-deli-opens-in-killay-celebrating-local-welsh-produce/

#featured #Killay #theHumbleDeli

Their colourful garden of flowers, fruit trees and much else besides secured them joint first place in this year’s prestigious awards aiming to showcase the best blooms in Wales.

The garden has long been a local community landmark and winner in the Swansea in Bloom competition and the garden supports lots of curriculum areas far beyond what can be taught in the classroom alone.

School head teacher Vanessa Taylor said their pride and joy is very much a collaboration between children at the school, staff, parents and Killay gardeners who give up their time to help out and offer guidance.

She said: “It’s amazing to win the award three years in a row, it’s a really outstanding achievement.”

She added: “The school has had many years of success in being ‘Swansea in Bloom’ winners and have shared our school garden, ideas and planning with other schools in Swansea.

“We are a relatively small school with limited outdoor space but we strive to make every inch count! The sensory garden lends itself to plants to taste, a small pond/waterfall for sound, colourful plants and herbs for smell and a quiet seating area to sit and enjoy the garden.”

Pupils are involved in all aspects of the school garden from planting their own hanging baskets, taking cuttings to repot the following year and preparing the soil. The pupils know about the importance of sustainability and collect seeds and pods for replanting the following year.

Pupils grow a mixture of flowers, fruit and vegetables and enjoy harvesting their crops. During the summer term, pupils sell plants to the school community that they have grown from seed. These funds are then used to purchase seeds etc for the following year.

Mrs Taylor said: “We have a range of raised beds which are used for both vegetables and flowers. We have found new ways to grow carrots and last year had a bumper crop from planting them in bottles. We also plant our own hanging baskets and window boxes as this is a manageable way for us to get everyone involved.

“Visitors to the school always comment on the school grounds and we enjoy sharing the beauty of nature with them, it’s a real team effort!.”

Robert Smith, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved with the school garden. It’s not easy to win a Wales in Bloom award and to do it three years in a row is a fantastic achievement.

“The imagination, initiative and hard work of Cila Primary School to produce such an outstanding garden that also contributes directly to pupils’ learning experience is well worth celebrating.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/23/green-fingered-school-scores-wales-in-bloom-hat-trick/

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