Portsmouth scouts reel in mackerel for a great camp fire supper

CAUGHT Fresh mackerel for tea at the 1979 summer camp at Fishguard

In the picture above we see lads from the 54th Portsmouth (Great Salterns) scout troops showing off their freshly-caught mackerel during summer camp at Fishguard, Wales, in 1979.

I’ve delved into the group’s archives today to mark its 70th anniversary this month.

The Baffins-based group was formed in 1946, immediately after the Second World War.

HOME The new group HQ under construction off Paignton Avenue, Baffins, in 1976

Then the troop met at Westover Road School, less than a quarter of a mile from where its HQ now stands and hence the inclusion of Great Salterns in its title.

The group’s meeting place changed several times from Westover Road School to George Street School and then to Langstone School where it stayed for 18 years.

Perhaps the most important decision made by the group was to build its own HQ which was opened in 1976 by Sir Alec Rose.

-The 70th anniversary reunion takes place on Friday, September 16 from 7.30pm at a pub in the Copnor area. There will be a finger buffet and the night will close about 11.30pm.

E-mail group leader John Penfold via [email protected] for details of the venue and to confirm attendance.