When the Environment Agency Wales contacted Pembrokeshire Scout Group leader Sharon Donohoe to see if the scouts would be interested in participating in a scout badge programme, it set of a chain of events. The agency formed a partnership with Pembroke rivers trust, Pembroke and district angling club at Orielton, Pembrokeshire anglers association, Milford Haven Port Authority, Heatherton family fun and sports park and the Pembrokeshire group of federation of Welsh anglers, which supplied trained coaches in coarse, game and sea fishing.

At Holgan Farm a group of scouts took part in an introduction to angling, watercraft, safety on the water and tackling up. Further training on fishing knots and countryside codes were carried out in scout huts. Pembroke (Pennar) held their first session at Orielton coarse fishery.

The scouts also had coaching for game fishing on the western Cleddau river. Sea fishing was also high on their list with the port of Milford Haven showing the initiative. The goal was in sight for the highly acclaimed fishing badge. The scouts had to demonstrate that they had the newly found skills in fishing.

Kilgetty scouts took their final test at Llyn Carfan fishery. The final test for another group was at Heatherton, where they took their test in atrocious weather. All the scouts who passed the test were awarded an environment agency certificate and the Scouts angling badge. Those that passed the final test were: Bradley Liddle, Lloyd Davies, Connor Lewis, Graig McDonald, Perry Manwaring, Sam Davies, Jonathan Calcutt, Ryan Donohoe, Connor James and Luke Paddick.

At Heatherton the following scouts passed the test. Jamie Radmore, Sam Beveridge, Rhodri Maiden, Alice Radmore, Daniel Canton, Lee Jenkins , Daniel Thomas all from 3rd Pembroke, plus Mathew Ross, Ieuan Nicholas, Curtis Wiseman and Chris McLaren all of 4th Pembroke.

The Environment Agency coordinator, Roger Pratt, said: “I’m delighted at the response from the scouting movement and taking the fishing course and passing the final test may help them to be better citizens.”

The angling badge is awarded to participating scouts throughout Wales. It is hoped that it will give them a greater understanding of angling and environmental skills and who knows perhaps they may take up angling as a serious hobby in the future.