Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - A technological development of great value to mariners of all nations . . .

	May 1897 : Marconi's experiments between Lavernock and Flatholm ; and then between Lavernock and Brean Down.

This wonderfully evocative photograph by Trevor Clarke [090] shows us a westerly view from Penarth Head with the Victorian pier of 1895. The docks are behind you and a gun emplacement, to protect us from the expected French and German invasions, is also close by. On the horizon is the north Devon coast which drifts away toward Cornwall and Lands End; should you miss Lundy Island, next landfall would be somewhere close to the Gulf of Mexico or South America. The Gulf Stream washes these shores and palm trees flourish. The islands of Flatholm and Steepholm are clear and their names descriptive. Lavernock Point may be seen jutting out into the Bristol Channel; and there is Mr. Marconi! The sea distance between Lavernock Point and Flatholm may be clearly appreciated but how many today in Penarth will know that this is a truly historic location?