Swansea Council Copy Idea

Election Vote Winner 

 A Fairy Story or grizzly reality??

 Will the wolf eat Red Riding Hood?      Will the giant be slayed by Jack or will the giant use his power to squash Jack?      Will Aladdin escape with the riches or will the wicked magician trap him for ever? 

Once upon a time there was this guy with no money but loads of good ideas. "Why don't I stroll into town and talk to those nice people at the council office. These ideas will help the towns folk who are complaining the shopping centre and lack of customers and I might get just a little bit of money to get these great ideas off the ground, and the townsfolk will be happy too."

So he strolled into town and spoke with several of those nice people at the council who said "Great ideas but we have no money! Go and speak with BID. That nice man at BID will be interested in this"

So the Ideas Guy finally got an appointment with the busy nice man at BID who looked at the idea in detail then said "Great idea but we haven't got any money so please go away" 

So the Ideas Guy went away. He spoke to several local traders and had some dummy cards made up and artwork. The local traders all thought it was a great idea but they had no money either. So the Ideas Guy went away thinking that when the town council thought about the situation they might find a small pot of money. After all it would certainly benefit the townfolk.


But then the town council, BID and the Evening Post decided to bypass the Ideas Guy and pretend they had thought up the idea themselves. The poor deluded fools. Had they forgotten that this had been documented not only on this blog but also in the Evening Post itself!!! In fact the South Wales Evening Post had praised the idea in their article on 22nd November 2012.     Small town mentally or city vision?? Premiership thinking? 



Read on . . . . . . .

  First published 28th November 2009

Carrie the card to get rewards for staying local in Swansea (Evening Post)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

This is SouthWales

SHOPPERS in Swansea will be rewarded for their loyalty to the city thanks to the launch of a new card.
The local business card, Carrie, saves customers money through freebies and discounts. The aim is to get consumers buying from local business, whether out shopping or through the internet.

1. ​
   Mike Leahy with the loyalty card he has launched in Swansea.
   

The card is designed as a key fob and is the brainchild of Swansea entrepreneur Mike Leahy.
"We are giving a top-line service to both cardholders and sellers," he said.
"Just £10 a year for the card and £2 a week to advertise as a merchant isn't going to break anybody's bank. Most people will save that on a single purchase and many merchants will recoup the annual cost in less than a week.
"And there's no commitment. I just want a card that's easy to get, simple to use and guarantees the user something extra. Something that helps everyone through the current economic climate and beyond."
Consumers can look for the symbol in shop windows or on websites and when they present their card they'll get a saving or other benefit.
Businesses which have signed up to the scheme so far include Gower Road Car Wash, Taybarns restaurant, Boudoir Photography and Chauffeur Drive Swansea.
Taybarns general manager Sarah Steele said: "The loyalty card scheme is a benefit for local people. It's something we can all get behind and support.
"There are only seven Taybarns in the UK and there are still lots of people in Swansea who don't know about us.
"This scheme creates links with other businesses to let them know about our offer."
Visit our Business in the Bay website
Mr Leahy was involved in a similar scheme called The Gainers Club in the 1960s in London but the cost of regularly printing updated directories and sending information by post meant the club only lasted 18 months.
Now the internet and automated email newsletters has brought the cost down.
"And it's not just shops," added Mr Leahy. "I'm looking for entertainment such as clubs, bowling, racing and theatres, restaurants, hotels and health clubs, internet businesses and business-to-business.
"In fact, the scheme was originally created to work between businesses but the demand has opened the floodgates. So there will be web designers, sign makers, graphics designers, stationers, plumbers and electricians and many others.
"I've designed the scheme to be simple without any need for unnecessary paperwork apart from registering. A scheme that will be good for both shoppers and sellers."

 

First published 22nd November 2011 (Natalie, thanks for spotting the mistake)

Loyalty card proposal aimed at attracting more shoppers to Swansea (Evening Post)

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A SHOPPERS' loyalty card could be hitting the streets soon if enough traders get behind it.
Swansea businessman Mike Leahy has been gathering support for a number of schemes in the city centre to help boost trade.

1. ​
   Swansea city centre

He is trying to get retailers and businesses to sign up to the Swansea Card.
It would be free to shoppers, but traders would be charged a monthly fee to join the scheme.
It would mean cardholders could get special discounts in different shops, restaurants and cafes.
Mr Leahy said: "The card is designed as a key-fob and is easy to carry and always available.
"Consumers just look for the symbol in shop windows or on websites.
''When they present their card they'll get a saving or other benefit. There is no paperwork, nothing for the retailer to complete or record. And this is ideal for businesses promoting themselves. It's hassle free."

Mr Leahy said he wanted to hand out around 5,000 cards to Swansea shoppers.
He also said he wanted to roll out a "lost key" scheme, so keys with a fob could be handed in to a certain place and identified and returned to the owner.

Mr Leahy added: "I have talked with Chris Holley, leader of the council who walked through the city centre talking with both shoppers and traders and he agreed we have some good projects including a quality busker show, a town crier or something more updated, an arts quarter by the Dylan Thomas Theatre at the Marina and a free key-fob discount city card. This would be linked to offers and incentives from local shops sent out by email and through printed broadsheets of vouchers."

Mr Holley is also backing plans to bring back an all-weather car boot sale at High Street multi-storey car park. "We used to have one there years ago and I would like to see that back," the council leader added. "But it's difficult to get people to run it. I've spoken to Mr Leahy and he's going to come back to me with names of people interested, so we can look at getting that back up and running.

Offered to run car boot sale and waiting for planning permission!!!!!

helen.keates@swwmedia.co.uk

And here is the Council Con. 

After discussions with Council Leader Chris Holley and top executives in the city council who told me they couldn't afford the scheme they came up with a direct rip-off. Even the Evening Post told me it was an original idea even though I had discussed it with them.

First published 12th March 2012

Swansea issues 3,600 loyalty cards

Section Community | Published on 12 Mar 2012

More than 3,600 people have now signed-up for a Swansea city centre loyalty card – that's over 500 a day.
The scheme, launched on Monday March 5, gives shoppers access to a huge variety of discounts at city centre shops, restaurants and other businesses.
More than 70 businesses are taking part in the initiative so far.
The card can only be redeemed in person in the businesses taking part – a measure that's aimed at boosting footfall during difficult economic times across the UK and beyond.
Swansea Council is behind the scheme.
Staff at the Council's City Centre Management Offices have been busy processing applications all week.
Daniel Jones, City Centre Manager, said: "It's been a hectic time since the loyalty card was launched but it's very encouraging to see the level of interest the scheme has generated.
"This is a win-win for traders and shoppers. It gives shoppers access to a huge selection of discounts and will ensure people are visiting the city centre to discover everything that's available there.
"This is especially important because of the gloomy economic climate and the competition our city centre traders face from out-of-town retail parks and internet shopping."
Loyalty cards can be picked-up from the City Centre Management offices on Plymouth Street. People can also apply for a card on the http://www.swanseacitycentre.com/loyaltycard website where the chance to win £100 in high street vouchers is also available.
Action Bikes on St David's Square, Franky and Benny's on Wind Street, Odyssey nightclub and the Dragon Hotel are among the businesses taking part.
Cllr Chris Holley, Swansea Council Leader, said: "This is a terrific scheme that forms part of a broader action plan to help our city centre traders.
"The number of people to have signed-up so far will boost footfall and give more people the opportunity to discover the regional shopping capital of South West Wales.
"This will help raise the profile of the city centre and ensure traders thrive when economic conditions improve."
Businesses taking part in the scheme will have posters in their windows to show their participation. All anyone with a loyalty card has to do is pop in to find out what discounts are available or check the special loyalty card website where offers will be regularly updated.



How Swansea Council and BID listen to local businesses . . .  then steal their ideas.  
So watch out. They'll soon be after your vote in the elections!

Fabulous Karting comes to Swansea

Skidz isSwansea's only indoor karting track. With karts for all ages and abilities and tracks to challenge all types of drivers - they know you'll have a great time karting with them!

From arrive and drive to corporate events, they can do it all - have a look at the Event Types page and get in touch with any questions.

*For arrive & drive, please call first so they can advise on available time slots throughout the day.

Every driver is provided with a helmet, overalls, gloves and a detailed safety briefing. Drivers will have to make a one time purchase of a balaclava for hygiene reasons - but they're only £1.50 and its yours to keep and bring back next time!

Along with 2 great tracks, there's also a big games room with driving simulators, a pool table, air hockey table, and a cafe serving light refreshments.

If you're looking for a different venue for a conference or party, there is a great party/conference room for hire too - just contact us for further information.

If you're looking for a birthday or special gift idea, then why not buy a Skidz Karting gift voucher. They'll make a great gift and can be used as part or full payment for any type of session offered.

Christmas lights and Parade

Be successful with your Business.

Carrie me and Support Swansea

Hi everyone! I'm Carrie and I'm looking for  businesses who want to promote themselves locally. I'm planning to be around town telling shoppers about what's in store for them. 

I'll have about 10,000 Carrie keyfobs ready to give away in a few days and once you are signed up for free you'll begin to get regular special offers by e-mail. Download and print off the vouchers for interesting deals.

Yes! We tried to lanch this a few years ago  and I've now come out of the Creative Ideas store-room and have been dusted down and re-branded because several traders have asked us to do so. I've changed my outfit and attitude. Last time shoppers paid for me but now I'm free. I'm a giveaway.

You've all seen Groupon and perhaps have taken advantage of the daily deals they have. Well I'm different. I don't take half of the deal price and my deals last longer than a day. I want you to discover new shops and products, new services and entertainent and I want to to try them out and come back time after time.

Swansea has much to offer and I'm looking to help knock down any barriers. I want you to come to town and have a great shopping experience. Worried about parking? The new bridge system is almost finished so there will shortly be little in the way of traffic delays there or along Oystermouth Road now.

PARKING is free for the first hour in the NCP car parks except Sundays. And there is plenty of room.

BUT BETTER. Parking at the High Street multi-storey car park after 10am is just £1 for up to 4 hours. And with the recent police initiative it is safer to walk down the High Street. 

AND ALSO St David's car park is now just £2.40 for up to 4 hours, although yo may not know this as there are no banners up or any other signs apart from an article in the Evening Post.

Watch out for new developments

Swansea Card is coming

Chugging along

I mentioned that charity collectors are allowed to work the city centre free of charge. I totally agree that charities should be allowed to collect without being charged a fee by Swansea Council but the charity collectors, after referred to as chuggers, are paid and they can be intimidating. There have been nummerous articles about them right across the UK. 

It is understood that they might earn a basic pay of around £7 per hour but can be on bonuses giving them considerably more. If they are agency employees then the agency apparently earns a percentage of the direct debit that the giver signs on the street with the charity collector.

It will be interesting to see what it costs some of these charities to have collectors on the streets. In Scotland it is understood that Shelter pay out some £3m to chuggers and gather in £11m. That is a pretty high cost and just consider how many donations they may be losing where people find themselves offended by being accosted. I'm not saying that this might be the case in Swansea but it does leave a question mark. 

I see that the Evening Post posted my article last Thursday about the comparative cost of distributing leaflets in the city centre compared to other cities such as Cardiff and Newport. The council spokesman said that a fee waas charged to cover costs of controlling this activity.

Here is my response in a letter I have sent to the Evening Post. I hope they publish it.

"I do agree that it is necessary to have some control over the distribution of leaflets but why should there be such a high cost? I mentioned in my interview that both Cardiff and Newport do not charge local businesses and encourage them to advertise freely.

It is worth noting that both cities do control leaflet distribution and have guide-lines and application forms to complete. Neither charge as they told me that they consider this a valuable service to local businesses: one that they feel they should support.

Swansea council seem to seek ways to stealth tax local businesses wherever possible, and this hasn’t just applied during the recent cuts in their budgets. The charge for leaflet distribution goes back several years. I note that the Swansea spokesman claimed that charges start from £36 but this was not mentioned when I contacted the City Centre management team asking about charges. They only mentioned that charities can canvass free of charge (although I understand the canvassers are paid a commission) and certain bodies who claim freedom of speech such as political parties. It is also interesting to note that the Big Issue sellers do not pay. I was told that there is a maximum of 4 but it does sometimes feel that there is one on every street corner! I have nothing against Big Issue sellers and in fact after being around 40 years getting people on the first rung of the jobs ladder, they do a good job, but with a small city centre footprint more than two sees overkill.

Come on Swansea Council. Don’t be penny pinching skin-flints. I understand that you aren’t here to make money for local businesses but to ensure the infra-structure is there for businesses to succeed or fail dependant on their products, plans and management. How do you feel you are succeeding? Have you put in place that infra-structure?

A little bit of help would be most welcome by local independent businesses, particularly during these difficult trading times. You know that the high rents and business rates are crippling so here is your chance to help in a small way."

Change of ideas  I wonder how long social media will be the in fad? All I hear about is how important Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are. I am already beginning to feel that it takes a lot of time to reap small rewards. Maybe I am getting old!! But it seems to me that I am being attached on all sides by useless information that I don't need, personal facts that are too personal, friends that I've never met but want to tell me about their new car, fabulous holiday or party. Very few have comments added. Who do we write for. 

When we meet up with friends or meet business colleagues we have two-way conversations and are interested in each other. Facebook is very impersonal. And for many it seems to be like writing a personal diary - except I always thought diaries were private. 

What do you think?

Be successful with your Business.

I mentioned that charity collectors are allowed to work the city centre free of charge. I totally agree that charities should be allowed to collect without being charged a fee by Swansea Council but the charity collectors, after referred to as chuggers, are paid and they can be intimidating. There have been nummerous articles about them right across the UK. 

It is understood that they might earn a basic pay of around £7 per hour but can be on bonuses giving them considerably more. If they are agency employees then the agency apparently earns a percentage of the direct debit that the giver signs on the street with the charity collector.

It will be interesting to see what it costs some of these charities to have collectors on the streets. In Scotland it is understood that Shelter pay out some £3m to chuggers and gather in £11m. That is a pretty high cost and just consider how many donations they may be losing where people find themselves offended by being accosted. I'm not saying that this might be the case in Swansea but it does leave a question mark. 

I see that the Evening Post posted my article last Thursday about the comparative cost of distributing leaflets in the city centre compared to other cities such as Cardiff and Newport. The council spokesman said that a fee waas charged to cover costs of controlling this activity.

Here is my response in a letter I have sent to the Evening Post. I hope they publish it.

"I do agree that it is necessary to have some control over the distribution of leaflets but why should there be such a high cost? I mentioned in my interview that both Cardiff and Newport do not charge local businesses and encourage them to advertise freely.

It is worth noting that both cities do control leaflet distribution and have guide-lines and application forms to complete. Neither charge as they told me that they consider this a valuable service to local businesses: one that they feel they should support.

Swansea council seem to seek ways to stealth tax local businesses wherever possible, and this hasn’t just applied during the recent cuts in their budgets. The charge for leaflet distribution goes back several years. I note that the Swansea spokesman claimed that charges start from £36 but this was not mentioned when I contacted the City Centre management team asking about charges. They only mentioned that charities can canvass free of charge (although I understand the canvassers are paid a commission) and certain bodies who claim freedom of speech such as political parties. It is also interesting to note that the Big Issue sellers do not pay. I was told that there is a maximum of 4 but it does sometimes feel that there is one on every street corner! I have nothing against Big Issue sellers and in fact after being around 40 years getting people on the first rung of the jobs ladder, they do a good job, but with a small city centre footprint more than two sees overkill.

Come on Swansea Council. Don’t be penny pinching skin-flints. I understand that you aren’t here to make money for local businesses but to ensure the infra-structure is there for businesses to succeed or fail dependent on their products, plans and management. How do you feel you are succeeding? Have you put in place that infra-structure?

A little bit of help would be most welcome by local independent businesses, particularly during these difficult trading times. You know that the high rents and business rates are crippling so here is your chance to help in a small way."

What do you think?

Buskers and entertainment galore in Oxford Street, Swansea

Started the day with a healthy sized slice of luxury victoria sponge. Healthy size but not healthy for my body, but perhaps I'm past that anyway.  

 
I always spoil myself when I go to First Call Coffee  in either the Orchard Street or High Street branches. They have such a great selection, any of which are made by Tony George on-site. As a qualified barasta he's pretty good with coffee too. And a little know fact is that he was the winner of the best cup of tea in the UK Tetley Tea competition about 4 years ago.  There's a great team at both branches and I'd highly recommend a visit.

Then I walked across to Oxford Street to see Disruption presented by the Elysium Gallery in Cradock Street. 


26 Artistes presented a range of entertainment that had the town laughing and enjoying themselves.  Some are shown here and include Frances race and her Cleaning Ladies cleaning up Swansea.Ten people dressed as old fashioned stereo-type cleaning women obsessively cleaning the street, two people dusting, two with sweeping brushes, two with vacuum-cleaners, two spraying the benches, another cleaning the cash point and another picking up rubbish. 

An opportunity to make comments by writing on the pavement with chalk was taken up by many passers-by. How lucky the Elysium Galley was to have such a sunny dry day for their disruption event

Sean Puleston and Erin Rickard presented Big Enough for Both of Us?  This was a conumdrum that neither could answer but they did pose other questions.

Elena Videnova danced as she transformed into a butterfly in a representation of shedding skins, shedding cultures and re-birth It provoked the audience to see the possibilities of transformation.

Elena gave out home crafted butterflies as a momento

Yes! A giant corset. And right next to La Senza presented by 4 Queens inviting the public to participate and interact with their own feelings and ideas that they could write on cotton strips using s felt-tip pen and then hanging on the giant corset









A straightforward busker? I' not sure. Watch this space.

Walk through Swansea with Council Leader Cllr Chris Holley

Saturday morning was sunny and bright at 6am. By 10.30 it was raining!! Council Leader Chris Holley was waiting in the car park opposite the Grand Theatre, brolly open.

We started our walkabout and I stopped a young couple to introduce us and asked what they thought of the City Centre. "The Quadrant Shopping Centre is fine but walk outside and everything looks tired and tawdry" they told us. 

Moving on we entered a children's clothes shop and asked again. Immediately a woman customer told us exactly what she thought about shopping in Swansea. "Car parking should be free otherwise everyone will go to nthe out-of-town shopping centres or Trostre at Llannelli. There is a good range of shops there and parking is free and nearby."  Cllr Holley explained that there is subsidised parking at the NCP carparks for one hour and that the High Street car park offers 4 hours for £1 after 10am but this was countered by the shopper who said she'd not park down there as she thought it not too safe an area. It is a difficult situation. On one hand the local council are promoting park-and-ride to keep traffic out whilst BIDs are encouraging people to drive into town.

In the Market we spoke with a trader who explained that he thought the market had become isolated for many older people who found it difficult to walk from the market to the bus station carrying their shopping. He went on to tell us that it was only just a few years ago when the Market was just so much busier. He thought it was a combination of reasons including the fact that most people were now struggling so they didn't have the money to spend. He suggested that some buses should pass the Market and be able to set down and pick up passengers. Although there were a couple of pick up spaces by the market this was insufficient. Cllr Holley said that the Market is the jewel in the crown as far as the city is concerned and is the reason many come into Swansea.

We called at a couple more shops but as the staff were serving we moved on. We stopped off at the Ole Coffee Shop in Oxford Street and had a welcome coffee, out of the rain. Speaking to the owner, Ali,  we were told that  trading was very difficult and that council actions were not helping. Ali said that he and many others he had talked to had little faith in the council employees where one department didn't know what another was doing. A major problem for the Ole Cafe was the high business rates. Cllr Holley explained that the Council were concerned with this but that the Welsh Assembly Government were responsible and it was they who levied the rates. He realised that this was a bitter pill to swallow and that the council  had made representations to WAG.

Ali also mentioned the changes in the streets and local junctions. Oxford Street now narrows at the end so there is only one lane, thus reducing traffic flow, then turning right towards the Kingsway the lights appear out of sync so there are hold-ups.

These views support the feed-back that I've had when I've been out on my own talking to shoppers and traders. A big concern is the one-way system and the fact that traffic is usually gridlocked on Kingsway at any but the quietest times and this does deter people from visiting Swansea. The roadworks over recent months have had a real impact of visitor levels as people are help-up a few times then decide not to bother anymore, so the city has lost footfall that will be difficult to bring back or replace.

Several have thought that the Kingsway is now a health and safety hazard with half the road being one-way whilst the other (for buses and taxis) is two-way. It is confusing even for regular shoppers and must be a cause for accidents. How many have there been in the last 123 months? Before long one will be fatal. If the extra space is needed for the bendy buses then how do they manage so easily en route to the overnight parking areas?

A common comment has been that Swansea has so much to offer, both in the city centre and out of town. Whether culture or action Swansea has it all. We should concentrate on a complete package but certainly it is time to shake the city centre up.

Ferry Company Sinks

THE FASTNET Line Group of companies has been placed into lnterim Examinership by Justice Peter Kelly at a sitting of the High Court.

Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton has been appointed Interim Examiner.

The Cork to Swansea Ferry, operated by Fastnet, will discontinue its full published service with immediate effect.

All booked passengers will be contacted in the coming days, with full refunds been issued.

 

A further hearing date of 15^th November has been set by Justice Kelly upon which the Interim Examiner will present a report on progress to the court.  

Mr.McAteer is hopeful that this Examinership will be resolved as quickly as possible.

About Fastnet Line:

The Fastnet Line companies are owned by the West Cork Tourism Co-Operative Society Limited which was formed in April 2009 and has over 400 members that have individually invested funds into the venture.

This is very sad news that after just two years and support from the Welsh Assembly Government  the Fastnet Ferry Company has sunk. This could have been a solid li9nk between Cork and Swansea bringing in visitors for short breaks and longer. It is understood that the exit from the ferry was planned to run through the city River Tawe entrance that would have shown visitors more of the city. It is hoped that this venture can be saved and runs again from April next year.

Under Milkwood performed at the Dylan Thomas Theatre

Under Milkwood is performed annually at the Dylan Thomas Theatre by the Little Theatre Company. This year the play was performed up to the same high standard that we have grown to expect.

When Dylan Thomas was staying in Wales in New Quay one winter, he went out early one morning into the still sleeping town and verses came to his mind about the inhabitants. He wrote the account of this as a short story named Quite Early One Morning (recorded for BBC Wales 14 December 1944 and broadcast 31 August 1945). He continued to work on the idea for eight years.

In Quite Early One Morning there are numerous ideas and characters which would be developed more for Under Milk Wood. For instance, the short story includes a 28-line poem of which this is the fourth verse (the name and the final line reappear in Under Milk Wood).

    Open the curtains, light the fire, what are servants for?
    I am Mrs Ogmore Pritchard and I want another snooze.
    Dust the china, feed the canary, sweep the drawing-room floor;
    And before you let the sun in, mind he wipes his shoes.

Thomas wrote to his wife, Caitlin, (about 23 May 1953, from the USA, on notepaper headed The Poetry Centre), towards the end of a long letter 'I've finished that infernally eternally unfinished 'Play' & have done it in New York with actors.'

The same year, he read a part of the script in public for the first time in Cambridge, Massachusetts at The Poetry Centre. Soon after, with others, he sound-recorded a performance at the 92nd Street YMCA in Manhattan.

On 9 September 1953, he delivered a full draft of Under Milk Wood to the BBC as he left for a tour of America, intending to revise the manuscript on his return.

Dylan Thomas is reported to have commented that Under Milk Wood was developed in response to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, as a way of reasserting the evidence of beauty in the world

The play opens at night, when the citizens of Llareggub are asleep. The narrator (First Voice/Second Voice) informs the audience that they are witnessing the townspeople's dreams.

Captain Cat, the blind sea captain, is tormented in his dreams by his drowned seafellows, who long to live again and enjoy the pleasures of the world. Mog Edwards and Myfanwy Price dream of each other; Mr. Waldo dreams of his childhood and his failed marriages; Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard dreams of her deceased husbands. Almost all of the characters in the play are introduced as the audience witnesses a moment of their dreams.

Morning begins. The voice of a guide introduces the town, discussing the facts of Llareggub. The Reverend Eli Jenkins delivers a morning sermon on his love for the village. Lily Smalls wakes and bemoans her pitiful existence. Mr. and Mrs. Pugh observe their neighbors; the characters introduce themselves as they act during their morning. Mrs. Cherry Owen merrily rehashes her husband's drunken antics. Butcher Beynon teases his wife during breakfast. Captain Cat watches as Willy Nilly the postman goes about his morning rounds, delivering to Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard, Mrs. Pugh, Mog Edwards and Mr. Waldo ("It's another paternity summons").

At Mrs. Organ-Morgan's general shop, women gossip about the townspeople. Willy Nilly and his wife steam open a love letter from Mog Edwards to Myfanwy Price; he expresses fear that he may be in the poor house if his business does not improve. Mrs. Dai Bread Two swindles Mrs. Dai Bread One with a phony fortune in her crystal ball. Polly Garter scrubs floors and sings about her past paramours. Children play in the schoolyard; Gwennie urges the boys to "kiss her where she says or give her a penny." Gossamer Beynon and Sinbad Sailors privately desire each other.

During dinner, Mr. Pugh imagines poisoning Mrs. Pugh. Mrs. Organ-Morgan shares the day's gossip with her husband, but his only interest is the organ. The audience sees a glimpse of Lord Cut-Glass's insanity in his "kitchen full of time". Captain Cat dreams of his lost lover, Rosie Probert, but weeps as he remembers that she will not be with him again. Nogood Boyo fishes in the bay, dreaming of Mrs. Dai Bread Two and geishas.

On Llareggub Hill, Mae Rose Cottage spends a lazy afternoon wishing for love. Reverend Jenkins works on the White Book of Llareggub, which is a history of the entire town and its citizens. On the farm, Utah Watkins struggles with his cattle, aided by Bessie Bighead. As Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard becomes asleep, her husbands return to her. Mae Rose Cottage swears that she will sin until she explode.

As night begins, Reverend Jenkins recites another poem. Cherry Owen heads to the Sailors Arms, where Sinbad still longs for Gossamer Beynon. The town prepares for the evening, to sleep or otherwise. Mr. Waldo sings drunkenly at the Sailors Arms. Captain Cat sees his drowned shipmates-- and Rosie-- as he begins to sleep. Organ-Morgan mistakes Cherry Owen for Johann Sebastian Bach on his way to the chapel. Mog and Myfanwy write to each other before sleeping. Mr. Waldo meets Polly Garter in a forest. Night begins and the citizens of Llareggub return to their dreams again.

Next week the Dylan Thomas Centre celebrate with a week of Dylan Thomas related performances and talks.

Winterland set for sixth consecutive festive outing

WATERFRONT Winterland is returning to Swansea for the sixth consecutive time from the middle of next month.

It's now been confirmed that the attraction will bring festive cheer to the grounds of the National Waterfront Museum from November 18 to January 8.

The main Admiral ice-skating rink, a children's rink and Santa's Grotto will be among the fun.

A funfair and the Miles Hire Giant Wheel with spectacular views over Swansea Bay will also feature.

New for 2011 is the chance to ice-skate and enjoy the fun until 10pm on New Year's Eve - just two hours before millions join in celebrations to mark the arrival of 2012.

Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: "Waterfront Winterland has become a key part of Christmas in Swansea since its inception back in 2006.

"It's an event that generates fantastic festive atmosphere that's enjoyed by thousands of people of all ages.

"It's hard to believe the year has gone by so quickly and that we have just a few weeks left until the Christmas countdown begins here in Swansea."

Other Christmas events people can look forward to include the annual Christmas Parade and switching-on of the festive lights on November 20.

A Christmas Market will also be held in the city centre from November 25 to December 18 and daily entertainment will be arranged in Castle Square from November 19 to Christmas Eve.

Pantomime fans have the chance to catch Aladdin at Swansea's Grand Theatre from December 16 to January 15.

Have a look at www.swanseachristmas.com for more information.

Let's Get things Going

 Press Release being distributed tomorrow

The challenge went out.  And Council Leader Chris Holley took it up and will be in the City Centre on Saturday 29^th October between 10.30 and 11.30 talking to shoppers and business-people on how they view Swansea City Centre.

Mike Leahy, working with Tourism Swansea Bay, has been putting up ideas to promote Swansea and to bring some life and activity that will encourage visitors and heighten their shopping experience on his blog at www.mikeleahy.com. He then went on to challenge the Leader to some face-to-face exchanges. He said “I love Swansea and the whole area. There is so much for the visitor but I feel there is plenty that can be done by the Council to make the city centre more inviting, to improve their shopping experience without having to spend much money”. He went on to say “There seem to be too many groups discussing these issues but not a lot of action. Committees talk, individuals take action”

He has now met with Council Leader Chris Holley who has agreed to do a walkabout in the City and find out the best and worse things perceived by both shoppers and the retailers who serve them. The three main questions they will be asking are “What do you think is the best Swansea offers?”, “What is the worst thing?”, and “What would you like to see or what do you think would be an improvement?”

Mike Leahy has now discussed some of his ideas with Cllr Leader Chris Holley and had a further meeting with Cllr Richard Lewis, the City Ambassador. It has now been agreed that three ideas would be taken up at this stage as local trader initiatives and these are appointing a Town Crier who would be out and about throughout the City at the weekends promoting events and local businesses which would be funded by local retailers: creating an Artists Quarter similar the Montremart in Paris: and finally improving the busking to as near a level as that seen in Covent Garden. The finer detail hasn’t been agreed yet but there has been considerable backing from local traders who feel that much can be done to make the City Centre a vibrant shopping destination. 

Let's not let the sun set on these ideas. Lets put them into action.

Bring in the "A" Team

It seems that the biggest hurdle to achieving anything in Swansea are the different departments that appear to overlap and who need to sanction the smallest change. A question of too many chiefs? Or maybe too many cooks!

Whatever the reason the simple answer for Swansea to progress is to have a small team who have autonomy and can get quick answers and decisions. A team of visionaries who are action driven to turn the city around. To come up with a plan and put it into place immediately. From little acorns big oak trees grow. 

It will take  more than a few nods and grunts to get this off the ground. There would be loads of opposition and many obstacles but a progressive council could cut the red tape and get this going so that there are results before Xmas.

Every day someone tells me they don't shop in Swansea anymore. Too any "Big Issue" sellers. The city is scruffy. Not enough choice. Parking is still difficult. No "Wow" factor. 

The time for Action is now.

An Opportunity to bring Shoppers to town

We should be planning for bigger better shopping experience

Can't we make the Winter Wonderland and Christmas Lights launch a bigger better experience like they are in Cardiff

CITY CENTRE TO STAGE DAY-LONG CHRISTMAS PARTY

Cardiff, named the 6th best shopping centre in the UK is planning a dazzling launch to the festive (lets call it Christmas and forget the local authority fear and political correctness) celebrations with a full day of free entertainment backed by the city centre traders.

Swansea should be focussed already on such an event. It looks like spending will be down as consumers tighten their belts so a bump start could be a great idea. What are BID doing? We need to climb up the ladder and become a shopping centre that visitors look forward to.

Swansea must stop being the bus pick-up point for Cardiff.

Why don't we have living statues around the city bringing some life!!  Why don't we have some real statues of local heroes? These could be the product of a local competition. And perhaps they could be sited for a couple of months and changed. With the huge number of creative artists in the area this is could be a great focal point.

Go to London and walk along the Bayswater Road. Why don't we have artists displaying their work on a Sunday morning along the High Street or in the park in front of the waterfront museum. Or even along Oxford Street. What a draw that would be. You could even have an artists quarter where artists are working outside like in the Montmartre area of Paris

You have to start somewhere and sometime. So why hasn't this been done before? Why can't it be up and running in a couple of weeks? Why can't the council just a few weeks? Local artists would love this and it wouldn't cost the council anything. Charge a few pounds if necessary: just a nominal amount  and certainly nothing for bonefide students at local colleges and universities.

Get rid of the paperwork. KISS - keep it simple, stupid. Issue licenses at £20 that are valid for 8 weeks as a starter. If it works - as it will - and bingo you will soon be drawing in more visitors. Don't be greedy. Look upon this as an investment.













Come on Swansea.This could be the beginning of something really big. Lets get those visitors excited and turn the tide so Cardiff folk come here.