THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer, Waverley, is set to steam back into South West Wales this summer, with scheduled stops in Tenby, Fishguard, and Milford Haven.

Waverley will sail the Bristol Channel from June 2 to June 25, offering a series of scenic day trips and evening cruises. Among the standout voyages is the Pembrokeshire Islands Explorer Cruise departing Milford Haven on Monday, June 2, taking passengers around Skokholm, Skomer, and Ramsey islands — a rare chance to take in some of Wales’ best wildlife and coastal scenery from the deck of a historic steamship.

Tenby residents will want to mark Tuesday, June 24, in their calendars, as Waverley makes her only appearance in the town this year. The day includes a cruise from Penarth to Tenby’s picturesque harbour, followed by an evening sailing past Caldey Island and along the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline en route to Milford Haven.

Waverley will round off her Welsh visit on June 25 with her first public sailing from Fishguard in more than three decades — a momentous occasion for the port town.

Other highlights in the packed itinerary include three trips to the remote Lundy Island (June 3, 15, and 17), where passengers can enjoy time ashore exploring the rugged island where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic.

As part of this year’s Railway 200 celebrations, Waverley will also link up with three heritage steam railways — the West Somerset, Brecon Mountain, and Lynton & Barnstable lines — offering passengers a unique opportunity to combine steamship travel with a nostalgic train ride.

This season also sees more evening cruises than ever before. On June 9, passengers can enjoy a tranquil evening journey up the River Severn from Penarth, passing under its iconic bridges. Another evening cruise, taking in the Holms islands on June 20, will help raise funds for the restoration of the historic Motor Vessel Balmoral.

On June 18, the Captain’s Choice Cruise sails from Porthcawl to Minehead before tracing the dramatic Exmoor coastline to Ilfracombe. Passengers from Porthcawl will also have the option to take the West Somerset Railway or explore the towns of Minehead and Ilfracombe — or even head over to Lundy.

While on board, passengers can experience the magic of steam travel — hear the ship’s telegraph ring, peer into the Engine Room, and watch the paddles turn through portholes. With full catering on board, guests can enjoy anything from a light snack and afternoon tea to a hot meal in the saloon or a drink in one of Waverley’s period-style lounges. A souvenir shop is also available for those looking to take home a memento.

The iconic vessel is currently in Glasgow receiving over £1 million worth of maintenance and upgrades ahead of the 2025 season, which also marks 50 years since Waverley was saved for the nation and began sailing in preservation.

Captain Dominic McCall, Waverley’s skipper, said: “We’ve put together a fantastic schedule for South West Wales so that both locals and visitors can enjoy a trip on this unique vessel. I’m especially looking forward to cruising the Bristol Channel again — it’s one of my favourite stretches of water.”

To help make sailings more accessible, coach pick-up points have been arranged at various locations including Bridgend and Chepstow.

Special ticket deals are available throughout the season, including ‘kids for £1’ (ages 5–16), free travel for under 5s, and free companion tickets for seniors on selected dates.

Cruises start in Scotland on May 16 before Waverley heads south to Wales.

Tickets are on sale now and can be booked via www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0141 243 2224.

INCREASING demand, flatlining budgets, and systemic neglect are pushing adult social care to the brink—especially in rural areas like Pembrokeshire.

Across Wales and England, councils are sounding the alarm: local government funding is no longer sufficient to sustain social care services without sacrificing other essential provisions. Pembrokeshire, facing one of the steepest funding gaps in Wales, is at the sharp end of the crisis.

Mounting pressures on councils

In Wales alone, councils identified £106 million in in-year pressures for adult social care in 2024–25, with a further £223 million forecasted—amounting to 40% of all local government funding pressures. An ageing population and increasingly complex care needs are driving costs ever higher. National projections suggest that by 2037, spending on community care services for older people will have risen by 177%.

Pembrokeshire is particularly exposed. The county’s demographic profile, combined with historic underfunding, leaves it struggling to meet rising demand. The gap between the actual cost of providing care and the budget allocated to pay for it is one of the widest in Wales.

When social care costs exceed budget forecasts, councils are left with stark choices: cut other services, lay off staff, or dip into reserves. Pembrokeshire County Council has established a reserve fund to tackle in-year pressures—but this is a temporary fix, not a long-term solution.

The consequences are already visible. Day-care closures, reductions in library and leisure funding, and hiring freezes have all taken their toll. County Hall, once a hub of local services, is now a ghost of its former self.

Care homes under strain

While councils administer social care budgets, most care home services in Pembrokeshire are delivered by private providers—businesses that must remain profitable to survive. Yet the rates they receive vary wildly between counties. Pembrokeshire pays higher rates than its neighbours, but even this is not enough to guarantee stability.

Care homes face rising costs, particularly from increases to National Insurance and the Real Living Wage. One local group running six care homes reports a £150,000 annual cost increase due to these changes. This raises the risk of closures and forces families to shoulder top-up fees.

Smaller, independent care homes—of which Pembrokeshire has many—are particularly vulnerable. Without urgent intervention, some may shut their doors for good.

Chronic staff shortages

Recruiting and retaining staff in rural areas is another serious challenge. Pembrokeshire’s geography and limited transport infrastructure make it harder to attract qualified care workers. The result is high workloads, stress, and burnout for existing staff.

Domiciliary care services are especially strained. Community providers such as Community Interest Care CIC rely heavily on overseas staff, as many local residents are unwilling or unable to take up care work. The reasons are clear: physically demanding roles, unsocial hours, and poor pay compared to less stressful jobs.

According to Care Inspectorate Wales, nearly a quarter of social care workers are experiencing financial hardship, and a significant number are dissatisfied with their pay.

The burden of unpaid care

The crisis extends beyond formal care. Research from Carers Week shows that 23% of Welsh adults—around 584,000 people—now provide unpaid care to family or friends, the highest proportion in the UK. In total, unpaid care in Wales is estimated to be worth £8.1 billion annually.

This hidden workforce provides 96% of all care, often at enormous personal cost. Nearly half of unpaid carers have given up paid work, while many more have cut back on food, heating, or transport to make ends meet. Over half say they cannot manage monthly expenses, and a growing number are turning to foodbanks.

Yet the Welsh and UK governments continue to rely on unpaid carers as a cornerstone of their care strategy, offering minimal financial support in return. While small-scale grants exist, access is limited and the process is often confusing and burdensome.

A system in denial

The situation lays bare two urgent and interlinked policy failures: the outdated model of local government finance and the fragmented, underfunded system of social care provision.

Councils are being asked to deliver 21st-century care with 20th-century funding tools. Piecemeal reform—pilot schemes, short-term pots of money, and local fixes—cannot address the scale of the challenge.

Comprehensive reform is needed, but political appetite is lacking. Promised reviews of local government funding remain stalled, while plans to better integrate health and social care remain vague and underfunded. The idea of a national care service has merit, but no roadmap exists—nor any clarity on how such a service would be paid for.

The uncomfortable truth is that as people live longer, often with complex conditions, the cost of care will only increase. Without bold action and honest debate—on taxation, on responsibilities, and on priorities—the crisis in social care will deepen.

And in places like Pembrokeshire, the cracks are already wide open.

DUST off your platforms, grab your flares and head to the Torch Theatre for a night of glitter, groove and pure pop nostalgia. The UK’s top ABBA tribute show Thank ABBA For The Music is back – and it promises a high-energy, two-hour celebration of one of music’s most iconic bands.

ABBA, the Swedish sensation that took the world by storm in the 1970s, continues to dazzle fans of all ages with their timeless hits. From Dancing Queen to Waterloo, SOS, Mamma Mia, and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, this live concert experience delivers all the songs you know and love – with added sparkle.

Expect stunning vocals, dazzling choreography, pitch-perfect harmonies and spectacular stage costumes. A talented cast, interactive video projections, and a dash of tongue-in-cheek Swedish humour combine to create a glitterball-fuelled party atmosphere. Audience participation is not just welcome – it’s encouraged!

Whether you’re an ABBA superfan or just fancy a fun night out, this show has won rave reviews across the country. The Times and Star called it a “FABBATASTIC NIGHT OUT”, while The Sands Centre, Carlisle crowned it “THE BIGGEST PARTY WITH THE UK’S BEST ABBA TRIBUTE.”

So go on – take a chance! Fancy dress is optional, but highly encouraged.

Thank ABBA For The Music comes to the Torch Theatre on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 June at 7:30pm. Tickets are £25 and selling fast. Book online at www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.