Bures Coracle Regatta
Our event is all about meeting up with like minded people and paddling around a bit. Everyone is welcome to join us from beginners to experts. We are all about getting people on the water and enjoying these historic craft.
The Ironbridge coracle is a bowl shaped craft and has been used for a variety of uses throughout its history, including transportation and fishing - both using nets and eel or night lines. They were also used for securing driftwood, removing felled timber from the river during times of flooding to prevent danger if left to float downstream.
In terms of transportation, coracles provided a necessary resource for crossing the river for people to go about their day to day without travelling considerable distances to reach a bridge and paying a toll for convenience of using it. Indeed it was a common sight to see coracles stabled outside residences in the area when they weren't being used - as described by James Cornell "... [nearly] every villager had his own coracle, hung in a tree when not in use..."
The Ironbridge today enjoys a healthy existence. Coracle making courses continue at Small Woods (formerly the Green Wood Centre) just outside the village of Ironbridge, which have until recently been provided by Terry Kenny. These courses were started by the late Fred Davies of Shrewsbury. The Ironbridge and Shrewsbury coracles tend to be the staple of coracle making courses; as a vessel, they are simple craft for beginners to make and ideally suited for first time coraclers on the water.
The Green Wood Centre also helped reinstate the annual Ironbridge coracle regatta - held August Bank Holiday Monday - which had come to an end in the 1930s. The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has been very supportive in promoting the local coracle and the Rogers family, and the newly formed Ironbridge Coracle Trust has taken on the role of preserving and restoring the Rogers family hut in Ironbridge, building an archive on the life and work of the Rogers family and from 2015, organising and running the annual Ironbridge coracle regatta. The Coracle Society and its members have supported the endeavours of the Ironbridge Coracle Trust through publicising its cause and fundraising for the Rogers hut project and grant applications and will continue to do so as the project unfolds.
Some content provided from "Coracles of the World" by kind permission of Sir Peter Badge. Photography credits: Trevor Bagley, Dave Purvis, Euan Raffel, Jude Walker
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24 July 2024
If you've been following our news, you will know that a new project has started this year with the aim of preserving the craft of coracles and coraclemaking, rated as endangered on the Heritage Crafts Association's Red List, for future generations to enjoy.
24 July 2024
We're looking for volunteers to help with the Five Miles From Home challenge. This may be familiar to you if you read the item in the 2023 Journal from member Gary Fruland, who took part in this international event last summer.
24 July 2024
The Society is sad to share the news of the passing of former committee member, Brian Pearce, aged 92.
24 July 2024
Ironbridge style coracle for sale. Well used but in good condition and watertight. Originally built in 1996, has been re-covered many times. Can be put straight on to the water as is, but may benefit from some light repair/restoration. Offers in region of £200 considered, buyer collects from Cheshire
Please contact Euan Raffel for further information
Our event is all about meeting up with like minded people and paddling around a bit. Everyone is welcome to join us from beginners to experts. We are all about getting people on the water and enjoying these historic craft.
The Carmarthen River Festival is back on Saturday 17th August from 3pm. (Rescheduled from July due to river conditions)
There'll be the ever popular Raft Race, Coracle Races, Rowing Race, Duck Race and FREE Canoe, Kayak & Coracle Taster Sessions.
River demonstrations with plenty of dryside entertainment, cookery demos, FREE funfair rides, children's coracle pool, climbing wall and plenty of stalls selling food, refreshments and ice cream.
Annual coracle regatta and races, plus raft race. Licensed bar and BBQ. Part of Cilgerran Festive Week
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