HALF-term was a busy week of activities for members of the 1st Watchet Sea Scouts and its Explorer Scout unit.

The sea scouts were given public order awareness training at the Police Operational Training Centre near Clevedon where they learned about tactics originally used by the Roman Legionaries with shields.

Then, among other activities, they underwent a series of drills, developing their team work by creating cordons as used by the police during riots and protests.

Some of the scouts and explorer scouts visited the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance base in Dorset, where they learned about the capabilities of the aircraft and the lifesaving facilities on board.

It was an important awareness-raising day because the 1st Watchet Sea Scout Group supports the air ambulance by collecting donations at Dunster Fair.

And on Friday the scouts and explorers were shown behind the scenes at the Royal Navy Air Station at Yeovilton as guests of Commando Helicopter Force. They boarded a Merlin helicopter to be shown its capabilities and told about its role both with the Commandos and the wider Royal Navy use on board ships.

The 1st Watchet Sea Scout Group is the only RN recognised Sea Scout Group in Somerset and one of just 107 in the UK.

Anyone wishing to join should email [email protected].