IT is fifty years since ABBA’s landmark album Arrival lit up the charts, and fans will soon have the chance to relive the magic when Arrival – The Hits of ABBA comes to the Torch Theatre this January.

The internationally acclaimed tribute show arrives in Milford Haven with a brand-new, immersive production, promising audiences a chance to sing, dance and celebrate the timeless music that helped define pop history.

Featuring songs from the iconic Arrival album alongside other ABBA favourites, the show combines interactive lyric projection, dazzling costumes and powerful vocals to recreate the unmistakable sound and energy of the Swedish supergroup.

Voted Best ABBA Show and Most Authentic ABBA Show of 2024, and crowned the No.1 International Award-Winning Tribute, the production has been wowing audiences across the world. Since the tour began, rave reviews have followed its performances from India to the USA.

The Stage described the show as “Simply the best ABBA show”, while Hong Kong Stadium hailed it as “The best ABBA show since ABBA”. Vice Magazine added: “The finest tribute act in the UK.”

Arrival – The Hits of ABBA will be on the Torch Theatre stage for two nights only, on Wednesday 21 January and Thursday 22 January, both starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced at £26 and can be booked online at torchtheatre.co.uk or via the Box Office on 01646 695267.

PLANS for an adventure tourism hub in north Pembrokeshire, ruled by a high court judge to have been granted unlawfully following a legal challenge, are due to be heard again by the national park next year.

Back in 2024, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee approved an application by Adventure Beyond Ltd for an outdoor adventure centre, and associated works at The Old Bus Depot, Moylegrove.

The application had been before multiple meetings of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee; the plot originally used as a bus depot by the founder of the Richards Bros bus company.

Concerns were raised about the scheme, including by local community council Nevern, and opponents feared that increased business for adventure firms will worsen the plight of birds and animals including seals.

Following that approval, a high court challenge was brought by Wild Justice, who claimed the scheme would see nesting birds and breeding seals disturbed by ‘noisy’ coasteers.

But Jet Moore, of Adventure Beyond, insisted that the company had been ‘key’ in developing codes of conduct to ensure wildlife safety.

In September Hon Mr Justice Eyre ruled the National Park Authority’s decision was unlawful as a position statement and 2024 survey of breeding birds published by Natural Resources Wales had not been made available beforehand.

The judge also agreed that the management committee had not been properly informed about the impact of the development on the Aberath-Carreg Wylan SSSI, including the potential for coasteering activities to disturb the chough, for which the SSSI is designated.

On that basis planning permission was quashed and the application will need to be re-determined if the development is to go ahead.

Ceibwr Bay forms part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, the West Wales Marine SAC and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to nesting razorbill, guillemot, fulmar, herring gull, chough and kestrel.

Nearby sea caves are recognised pupping areas for grey seals and otters frequent the bay.

Wild Justice argued that an adventure centre would increase recreational activity, such as coasteering and kayaking.

Giving his reaction, Mr Moore claimed objectors had ‘caused more disturbance [to nesting birds] than we ever have’.

At the October meeting of the national park’s development management committee, members received an overview of the judgement, hearing resubmitted plans were expected.

In an update given just before the Christmas break, a spokesperson from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said: “We will be bringing the Moylegrove application back for redetermination in 2026 but do not have a definite date for that yet.”

ONE of Pembrokeshire’s biggest New Year celebrations is set to return as Fishguard prepares to welcome thousands of revellers into the town centre to see in 2026.

Up to 4,000 people are expected to gather in Market Square on New Year’s Eve for the annual Fishguard Street Party, an event that has grown from a small community celebration into one of the most popular New Year destinations in Wales.

First launched to mark the millennium, the event has now been running for twenty-six years and regularly attracts visitors from across the county and beyond.

Live music and midnight fireworks

The evening celebrations will begin at 8:00pm, with local favourites RocCana opening the night. The band will perform a mix of well-known hits from the 1960s onwards, alongside Welsh and Irish songs.

They will be followed by headline act Slipped Disco, a nine-piece Cardiff band known for their high-energy performances, horn section, percussion and disco-funk sound. The band will play through to midnight, before compere Allan Cresswell leads the countdown to the New Year.

As the clock strikes midnight, a fireworks display will light up the sky above Market Square, sponsored by the Royal Oak, Fishguard.

Family activities earlier in the day

Earlier in the day, the street party committee is also laying on entertainment for younger families.

Between 1:00pm and 4:00pm, a dedicated Kids’ Zone will offer face painting, balloon modelling, magic and circus skills workshops with performers Will Hughes and Emma Williams. The area is open to children aged three to 12, who must be accompanied by an adult.

Entry costs £3, or is free with the purchase of a New Year’s Eve Street Party wristband.

Road closures and wristband entry

Roads surrounding Market Square will close from 5:30pm. From 6:30pm onwards, pedestrian access to the square will be restricted to wristband holders only.

Food and drink will be available throughout the evening from local businesses including the Royal Oak, the Farmers Arms, Cove Corner and Fishguard Fish and Chips.

Wristbands cost £6 and are available from a number of local outlets, including Cresswell’s Café, Fishguard and Goodwick Post Offices, West Street Sweets, the Gourmet Pig, Cove Corner, the Royal Oak and the Farmers Arms.

Committee members will also be selling wristbands at Cresswell’s Café from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Monday, December 29.

Fundraising and volunteers

Raffle tickets will also be on sale to raise funds for this year’s chosen charity, the DPJ Foundation. Prizes include a three-night geodome glamping stay at Tregroes, a two-night bed and breakfast stay at the Ivy Bridge Hotel, and a range of other prizes. Tickets cost £1 each.

The street party’s 200 Club will also be open for new members. The annual £10 membership gives one lucky entrant the chance to win up to £1,000 on New Year’s Eve, with proceeds split evenly between the winner and the street party.

Organisers are also appealing for volunteers to help with this year’s event and with planning for future celebrations. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the Fishguard New Year’s Eve Street Party via Facebook or leave their details at Cresswell’s Café.

Committee co-chair Jo Thompson said the event could not continue without local support.

“We want to thank the many local businesses who have supported us, including GD Harries, Thomas Carroll Insurance, the Ivy Bridge Hotel and the Royal Oak,” she said.

“We are hugely grateful to the local community for continuing to get behind the street party and helping us keep it going year after year.”