Countdown to King's Coronation is on

Twenty-two roads in the city have applied for and been granted temporary road closures for street parties, while a number of libraries and Glynn Vivian Art Gallery have been staging coronation-themed craft events and stories for children.

Lord Mayor of Swansea, Cllr Mike Day, is writing to Buckingham Palace to offer the congratulations of the people of Swansea to King Charles and the Queen Consort on their big day.

Cllr Day said: "For most of our residents it'll be the first Coronation of their lifetimes, so for them it really will be an historic royal occasion that will live long in the memory.

"As Lord Mayor I want to congratulate King Charles III and the Queen Consort on the coronation and for his service to the people of Swansea and Wales as Prince of Wales for many years before that."

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: "We waived the usual road closure fees so that as many communities as want to can close off the road for local get-togethers.

"National occasions like these are a brilliant opportunity for neighbours to join together, make new friends and share memories."

Swansea Council will be lighting up Guildhall in purple on May 7 in recognition of the Lighting Up the Nation concert being staged at Windsor Castle that evening.

Swansea Museum's 20^h Century exhibition features memorabilia from King Charles' long association with Wales, including a chair from his 1969 investiture at Caernarfon Castle.

That same year he came to Swansea to formally announce Swansea's elevation to city status and 50 years later he and the Queen Consort visited Swansea to celebrate its 50^th anniversary with a range of community groups and other guests.

Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and libraries at Gorseinon, Llansamlet, Morriston and Central will be open on Coronation Day, May 6, for royal-themed craft events.

Other libraries have also been doing royal-themed events in the countdown to the big day. At Penlan Library, for example, youngsters created their own cards to send to Buckingham Palace.

Clydach, Penlan and Brynhyfryd Libraries are organising free craft sessions tomorrow (May 3) while Oystermouth and Townhill Libraries are doing the same on May 4. No booking is required for any of the events, but people are advised to check with individual libraries before they set out in case of any changes to planned activity.

You can find out more here: www.swansea.gov.uk/libraries or at www.glynnvivian.co.uk