Scott Quinnell joins Swansea night shift for new S4C series

The former Wales international and British and Irish Lion will roll up his sleeves at Swansea Fish, the city’s wholesale fish market, as part of Dim Cwsg i Quinnell (“No Sleep for Quinnell”). He will also take on a shift at the Amazon centre in Swansea later in the series.

From lambing sheds to fish markets

The programme, which begins on 20 October at 8.25pm on S4C, follows Quinnell as he shadows night shift workers across Wales.

In the first episode, he travels to Aberhafesp in Powys to help deliver lambs in a sheep shed, before heading to Holyhead to repair trains in the middle of the night. Later episodes see him distilling whisky and gin at Aber Falls Distillery near Abergwyngregyn, working as a porter at Portmeirion, and joining Swansea’s night‑time workforce.

‘A huge contribution to Wales’

Reflecting on the experience, Quinnell said:

“I had so much fun filming this series, as I met people all over Wales who work hard at night for us all. From fish to baking, and from lambing to whiskey‑distilling, night shift workers make a huge contribution to Wales, and it was a pleasure to get to know some of them and see first‑hand the work that they do.”

Educational and entertaining

Sioned Geraint, S4C’s Commissioner for Children and Welsh Learners Content, said the series was designed to be both entertaining and accessible for learners of the language:

“What better way to follow Wythnos Dathlu Dysgu Cymraeg than to join rugby star Scott Quinnell as he tackles a number of challenging and varied careers? In this educational series, we get to know some of Wales’s night shift workers, who work hard while the rest of the country sleeps.”

The series will be available to watch live on S4C and on demand via S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer.

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Award‑winning learner Foo Seng inspires others to embrace Welsh

Foo Seng Thean, 47, moved to the city with his family in 2015. Although fluent in English, he soon realised he couldn’t read local signage or join in everyday conversations in the language of his new home. Determined to change that, he began learning Welsh alongside his two sons.

“There’s an old saying — to prosper in a new place you must embrace its traditions and way of life,” he said. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. We sing together, share our learning, and even have a Welsh day at home. My niece in Singapore calls me her Welsh uncle!”

Foo Seng’s commitment has earned him the New Welsh Speaker Award at this year’s Inspire! Adult Learning Awards, which will be presented at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall on 18 September. The awards, part of Adult Learners’ Week (15–21 September), celebrate people who have transformed their lives through learning.

His journey began while working at the Chinese in Wales Association’s Multi‑Cultural Hub, when he joined a Welsh in the Workplace course run by Swansea University’s Learn Welsh Swansea Bay Area. Since then, he has immersed himself in Welsh culture — joining the Welsh Learners Choir, performing at the 2024 National Eisteddfod, and promoting the language in the charity’s tri‑lingual communications.

Foo Seng Thean

Tutor Emyr Jones, who leads the choir, said: “He seized the opportunity to learn Welsh and was enthusiastic from the very start, both in class and through extra learning on his own.”

Foo Seng hopes his story will encourage more people from ethnic minority backgrounds to embrace the language. “I’ve been blown away by its beauty,” he said.

Adult Learners’ Week offers taster courses, online sessions and advice for anyone in Wales looking to start or return to learning. More information is available at adultlearnersweek.wales or via Working Wales on 0800 028 4844.

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