TEN scouts and three explorer scouts from the 1st Watchet Sea Scout Group made a return visit to the island of Flatholm in the Bristol Channel.

Lightweight camping in expedition tents and eating military ration packs, they travelled to the island by fast rigid inflatable boats from Penarth and spent the next 24 hours exploring, including being given a tour by the island warden.

The scouts were able to see the fortifications from the 1800s as well as those from World War Two, including gun emplacements and a simple goal post to stop the soldiers from shooting at the lighthouse by accident.

They also viewed the site from where Marconi made his first experimental radio communication across water, enabling the development of radio and ultimately the mobile phone.

Watchet is linked to Flatholm through history as, after the Viking invasion of Watchet and the battle near Williton – Danesfield – in 988 AD the Vikings escaped and took refuge on the island.

During their expedition, the scouts made a camp fire on the shoreline and explored at low water the smugglers caves used to hide goods from the Revenue Officers.

The 1st Watchet Sea Scout Group has four sections, beavers, cubs, sea scouts and explorer scouts, with ages ranging from eight to 18.

Full report and photos in this week’s Free Press (September 7).