PENLAN: Selfies and fish and chips – First Minister’s ‘off-script’ surprise visit to Swansea social club

The Welsh leader made an unannounced appearance at the Penlan Social Club, catching supporters and staff off guard in a “no airs and graces” visit.

Organisers admit the night went “slightly off script” when the First Minister was found in a huddle with young people in the bar, posing for photos before her formal speech.

Ms Morgan arrived quietly and without fanfare, joining more than 80 people gathered for the launch of Welsh Labour’s new Gwyr Abertawe candidates.

Alison Martin, Club Secretary of Penlan Social Club, said: “Our regulars had no idea she was coming and were delighted to have the First Minister posing for photos in the bar.”

She added: “It’s not every day the First Minister drops in for a fish and chip supper and we’re very proud to have been part of such a special evening.”

The First Minister used the visit to set out her party’s election pledges ahead of the Senedd vote on May 7, promising a “new chapter” for Wales.

The evening also marked a changing of the guard for Swansea, with Ms Morgan paying tribute to long-serving MSs Julie James and Rebecca Evans, who are both standing down.

The new candidate list for the region is led by Mike Hedges MS, followed by Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart, who has spearheaded the city’s regeneration.

In a move that delighted the room, Ms Morgan stayed on after the formal speeches to enjoy a supper of fish and chips supplied by local Swansea chip shop, Roma.

She also took time to meet local business owners, including Nicky Romanello from the popular chippy, who had supported the event.

The First Minister’s unannounced stop in Penlan is seen as a key moment in the lead-up to the May elections, as parties begin to ramp up their local campaigns.

The English Beat, What is Beat?, 1983 on I.R.S. Records

This is the North American version of this release (as evidenced by the “English”) which collected a number of singles, remixes, and live tracks as well as a number of tracks from the first three English Beat albums, serving as a kind of “best of” in the US.

There’s a 2xLP version with a different cover, attributed to The Beat, which was available in Europe. Still looking for a copy of that one.

As though IRS Records could get any cooler in the early 80s. Andy Cox, David Steele, Dave Wakeling, Ranking Roger, Dave Blockhead, Saxa, and Wesley Magoogan make up the band across the tracks, and producers include Bob Sargeant, David Peters, Mike Hedges, and The Beat.

My copy—via Slipped Disc at a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a 1983 pressing from RCA’s Indianapolis plant, with

#1980s #1983 #AndyCox #BobSargeant #DaveBlockhead #DaveWakeling #DavidPeters #DavidSteele #IRSRecords #LowellMA #MikeHedges #MillNo5 #RankingRoger #Saxa #ska #SlippedDisc #TheEnglishBeat #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds #WesleyMagoogan