Flat Holm for Work Experience 

I first heard about Flat Holm as a place to be avoided at all costs. It was the opinion of several people who had been the year before me that the 4 days I was to spend there as part of my A level biology course would be among the worst in my life.

I didn’t want to judge the place before I had been there but I have to admit that these thoughts somewhat lowered my expectations. However in June 2003 I joined the rest of my class on the island and despite the best efforts of dive-bombing gulls, any pre-conceived ideas I had about the island were immediately reversed.

Although we spent those days working and seeing a lot of the barracks but little of the island, I soon realised not only was Flat Holm a great place to spend a few days but that I could quite happily spend much longer there.

Eager to see more, I returned to the island on the 8^th of August for two weeks work experience. 

Being a work experience visitor, I thought my activities on the island would be limited, but this was not the case at all. Over the 14 days I was there I had great fun being able to have a go at almost everything including path maintenance, tractor driving, driftwood collecting, gutter clearing, catering, and cleaning the fog horn station roof. I even surprised myself by being able to carry out mercy killings on gulls affected by Botulism. Soon I began to think of myself as one of the volunteers, albeit a temporary one. 

After a week of being on the island I gave my first solo tour to day-visitors, which went better than I could have hoped with everyone in the group being interested in what I had to say. This was something I was determined to do as I am naturally quite a shy person and it took a lot for me to be confident enough to talk to a group. Success! 

When island work allowed a bit of spare time I found exploring the Victorian and World War 2 fortifications fascinating as, just by walking round the old buildings you can get a wonderful sense of what it must have been like. The most interesting thing I discovered on one of these jaunts was a small room, partially over-grown by Elder, which contained names and addresses written on the wall of the men who had been stationed there. A treasure if ever there was one! 

The island is also a beautiful place to paint and in free moments I often found myself sketching or painting my favourite views and the abundant wildlife.

At night I frequently stargazed with the volunteers and many a debate was had over constellations. The lack of light pollution (except for the lighthouse) makes a magical array of stars visible. At other times we watched firework displays taking place over the mainland.

I had such an amazing time that, when my two weeks were up, instead of leaving for good, I simply went home for four days before returning to fit in another six days on the island before I had to return to school.

Being on Flat Holm not only helped me broaden my knowledge of birds and butterfly species among other things, but I also formed good friendships with the volunteers and society members who were all so friendly throughout my stay.

Flat Holm is a truly amazing island which had an effect on me that I had never thought could be attributed to a place. Especially one so far from anything I had ever known before.

The Flat Holm sceptics who had warned me from the place couldn't believe I had gone back. They couldn't understand what I saw there that I was so drawn to. To them the mundane tasks such as grass collecting that I did on the island held no charms, but for me each day was something I couldn't wait to start, but didn't want to end. I wanted to save every moment, as I knew it wouldn't last forever. I'm glad I did, because now I am away I still have so many great memories to keep me smiling!

I could not have had a better summer than I did. Thanks to everyone for making it so good!
 

Kate Dixon-Payne