Waunarlwydd man jailed after knifepoint burglary

38-year-old Larry Black was one of two masked men who entered a property on Heol Pentyla in Llansamlet, brandishing a hammer and knives.

The men bound their victims with cable ties and demanded gold and money in the terrifying ordeal, but only got away with a set of keys and £500 after Black was bitten on the leg by one of the family’s dogs.

During interview following Black’s arrest later in March, he admitted his involvement in the incident, and he pleaded guilty to robbery in April.

Black has previous convictions for battery, shoplifting, drugs, and twelve separate house burglaries. He had been out of prison for a matter of weeks when he committed the Llansamlet robbery.

Black was handed an extended 13-year prison sentence at Swansea Crown Court. He has yet to reveal the identity of his accomplice.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Holding from South Wales Police said: “Larry Black is a dangerous criminal who is all too happy to brandish knives and other weapons as a means of intimidating his victims.

“The thuggish behaviour of Black and his accomplice left a family terrified for their safety inside their own home. By not providing the name of his associate, Larry has proven that he is incapable of doing the right thing.

“There has been no remorse shown for his actions. Therefore, Larry Black will lose years of his life in prison.”

#burglary #knifeCrime #Llansamlet #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea #Waunarlwydd

National law firm opens new regional headquarters in Swansea

Law firm, Flint Bishop says its new Swansea office will serve as a key operational hub for its debt recovery services, with a strategic focus on developing a full-service commercial law offering in South Wales.

The expansion comes at the same time as the law firm announced the strategic acquisition of Rebel Energy Supply’s Collections & Recoveries team, following the renewable energy supplier’s entry into formal Administration on 1 April 2025.

The move will see 25 former Rebel Energy employees join Flint Bishop on 12 May 2025, coinciding with the launch of the firm’s new regional office in Swansea.

This expansion brings the firm’s total headcount to 338.

Rebel Energy, which provided renewable energy to approximately 90,000 customers, ceased trading earlier this month. The company’s collapse prompted Ofgem to initiate its Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) process, transferring customer accounts to British Gas. Flint Bishop say they acted swiftly, engaging in discussions within hours of the Administration announcement to offer employment opportunities to affected staff.

Flint Bishop say that many of the people joining from Rebel Energy bring prior experience from the outsourced debt collection industry, particularly in working with vulnerable customers.

Qamer Ghafoor, Chief Executive at Flint Bishop, commented: “This strategic acquisition not only strengthens our capabilities within Litigation and Debt Services but also reinforces our commitment to supporting talent and investing in long-term growth. Welcoming this experienced team at a time of considerable employment uncertainty reflects the resilience and agility we’ve built as a business.”

“As we continue to expand our national footprint, Flint Bishop remains committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering exceptional service for our clients, whilst creating meaningful opportunities for our colleagues and the communities we serve.”​

#Business #FlintBishop #law #Llansamlet #Swansea

Swansea supermarket workers raise £5,500 for guide dog charity

After a year of dedicated fundraising efforts both in-store and within the local community, staff at the Llansamlet Tesco store proudly presented a giant cheque to the charity on Sunday.

The charity is close to the hearts of many at the store, with several colleagues having a personal connection with guide dogs and the training of guide dog puppies. The amount raised also meant staff had the opportunity to name two dogs currently completing their guide dog training, with the names ‘Teddy’ and ‘Wyn’ being chosen.

Ryan Pontefract, Tesco’s Llansamlet store Community Champion, said, “We raised £5,500 over the course of 2024 through collections in store and other events like tombolas and car boot sales.

“One of the biggest reasons we decided to raise money for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is that I have an eye condition that could eventually lead me to becoming partially sighted or fully blind. We also decided to name one of the dogs Wyn as one our shift leaders’ grandmothers is a former guide dog trainer.”

Ruth Evans, Community Fundraising Relationship Manager for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, said: “The staff at Tesco in Llansamlet have done incredibly well to raise £5,500. This amazing amount is enough to cover six birthing kits for a guide dog mum, 40 starter kits for a new guide dog partnership or 110 visits to the vet for a guide dog check-up.

“Our volunteers enjoy coming along to bucket collections in the store and shoppers love meeting our dogs and puppies. They always make time for a chat and give so generously. This money will ensure that we can continue to change the lives of people with sight loss in the Swansea area.”

(Lead image: Tesco)

#Charity #GuideDogs #Llansamlet #Swansea #Tesco

Major repair schemes announced for damaged Swansea roads

The council say its funding is spread across a number of different highway improvement programmes, including large resurfacing schemes (LRS), small resurfacing schemes (SRS) – where teams tackle smaller road defects. The money also helps fund the pothole repair scheme.

A number of large schemes have been planned for January and February along major routes throughout Swansea.

The first schemes to get underway include Valley Way in Llansamlet, between the junction of Fendrod Way and the junction at Ferryboat Close. Resurfacing will also take place along Swansea Road at the junction of Hospital Road in Garngoch.

Other schemes set to be completed include a section of Carmarthen Road at the junction with Ravenhill Road and King’s Head Road, Bethel Road and Frederick Place in Llansamlet between the junctions with Peniel Green Road and Trallwn Road, Ceri Road in Townhill and Lime Street in Gorseinon.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “Our highway maintenance teams are starting off the new year just as busy as they were in 2024. A number of major highway improvement schemes are planned for completion during the next few months.

“All the schemes have been planned in relation to ongoing highways inspections we carry out to assess which roads are most in need of repair and upgrading.

“As always, our crews aim to complete the schemes with as little disruption as possible for motorists.”

The council say their pothole crews are also dealing with a high volume of calls from the public, who have reported faults to the Council’s 48hr pothole repair service.

Since April 2024, the council say its pothole teams have filled more than 4,500 defects, with the majority repaired within its 48hr pledge.

Cllr Stevens, added: “The public has played a huge part by reporting potholes to the Council. We can’t be expected to know where every pothole is in the city and many defects can occur overnight if road surfaces become brittle.

“I’m very pleased with our response to the information the public are giving us and I’m confident we are doing all we can to ensure roads are maintained to the highest level possible.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#Garngoch #Gorseinon #Llansamlet #potholes #resurfacing #roadResurfacing #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #Townhill

The Shed at the Pavilion in Llansamlet is one of 12 finalists from around the UK in the hunt for £5,000 in Selco Builders Warehouse’s Community Heroes competition, which attracted nearly 2,000 entries.

A public vote is open until November 30 to decide this year’s champion, while there is also £1,000 up for grabs for the runner-up.

Votes can be cast at https://www.selcobw.com/info/selco-community-heroes

All 12 finalists selected by judges over the course of the last six months have already won £500 worth of building materials from Selco, which has a branch in Llansamlet on Upper Fforest Way.

The Shed is part of a health and wellbeing movement aimed at alleviating loneliness.

The group was given the use of the former OAP pavilion in Birchgrove but it has taken a lot of hard work to get it into a useable condition.

https://youtu.be/9KZ26H7jkDA

Peter Harris, who heads up The Shed at the Pavilion, said £5,000 would make a big difference to the work the group does in the local community.

He said: “Our ethos is to bring people together to combat loneliness and poor mental health. It has gone very well and now we want to push on to the next level.

“Our plan is to build a 30 square metre shed for woodworking, which would allow more people to get involved in craftwork and meet new people in the process.

“We are very grateful to Selco for what they have given us already. Now we’re asking for the public’s support to secure an amount of money that would make a tremendous difference.”

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said:

“Our Community Heroes campaign has once again captured the country’s imagination with nearly 2,000 good causes getting involved.

“We have already supported a dozen monthly winners with £6,000 worth of product and we’re excited to head into the next stage of the competition.

“We’ve had some amazing entries so The Shed at the Pavilion has done exceptionally well to make it this far. The prize money would make a huge difference to the work they do in the local area.”

With hundreds of trade brands always in stock, Selco’s branches are firmly focused on helping tradespeople complete their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible.

As well as offering trade services, Selco also has a strong digital presence including Click & Deliver and Click & Collect services and an app – as well as a ‘Dial & Deliver’ telephone service – to make life as convenient as possible for tradespeople.

For more information on Selco visit www.selcobw.com

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/11/07/swansea-charity-in-running-for-competition-windfall/

#Llansamlet #SelcoBuilders #TheShedAtThePavilion

Swansea Council has invested more than £100k in supporting new and existing groups and this year, 22 Men’s Sheds in the network successfully applied for funding.

Four years ago the number of sheds in Swansea was in single figures. Among those to launch this year is the Llansamlet Men’s Shed.

The group has taken over the former OAP Pavilion in Birchgrove at a peppercorn lease from the council and has received financial support towards the on-going refurbishment of the building.

Thanks to the hard work of volunteers and donations from local businesses and partners there is a new kitchen, the main hall has been brought back into use and a workshop is being added at the rear.

Going forward there are plans for growing beds outside to produce fruit and vegetables for the local foodbank and improved parking at the entrance.

Shed Chairman Peter Harris said:

“I used to drive lorries and was aware of Men’s Sheds in other areas so every now and then I’d go and have a look at them and see what they were doing.

“Starting one here was something I’d been looking to do for a few years and getting this up and running means a lot to me.

“I’m overwhelmed with the support we are getting from the council and the support of the local councillors has been amazing.”

Each Monday there is a sewing and knitting group that is proving popular with the women members.

Around 25 to 30 people attend between noon and 3pm on Tuesdays for tea, cake, biscuits and a chat as well as the occasional guest speaker.

Once the workshop has been kitted out Mr Harris said opening hours will increase and the aim is for the pavilion to be in use every week day and not just for members but for other local groups needing a home as well.

Marcia Ashton said: “It’s been a great thing for people in this area especially if they are on their own and looking for company and friendship. Everyone is welcome.

“I think after Covid a lot of things stopped and never got going again so to have this, to encourage people out of the house, it’s important.”

Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart, and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing Alyson Anthony, recently visited the Llansamlet Men’s Shed to meet the volunteers.

Cllr Stewart said: “I’m very proud that through the council support that’s been made available in recent years the network in Swansea has more than doubled.

“Men’s Sheds have a very positive impact on health, well-being and in reducing social isolation of both men and women and the council’s ongoing commitment to them is just part of our support to local initiatives that make a difference to people’s lives every day.”

Cllr Anthony added: “It’s great to see the growing popularity of the Llansamlet Men’s Sheds and to hear about the exciting plans they have for the future.

“The volunteers are doing a fantastic job and I’m pleased we’ve been able to play our part to get this group up and running and playing such an important role in the local community.”

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/10/17/network-of-citys-mens-sheds-doubles-in-swansea/

#Llansamlet #MenSShed