Unlike last year we had sunshine and a bit of wind. The lavender ice cream man was back, as well as the regulars from the River Stour Trust who run and organise the event. We had a good selection of different craft on show. There was Dick's Teifi replica with ally lathes and green tarpaulin cover and also his new one, which is a Towy replica, using more traditional construction.

Quentin brought along his usual collection of recycled cows with some friends to paddle them. Conwy came properly dressed resplendent in top hat and tweed, in his coracle made for the Russell Crow Robin Hood film. All very fine and tidy craft. Then I unloaded mine…. One leaky Ironbridge and of course the well used “nautical wheelbarrow” in the shape of a Cleddau replica.

We had two new builds turn up one was made on a course at Assington Mill that had the owner in the water straight away. The other was made at home using photos as a guide and seemed to work quite well. Of course they were made very welcome and we hope to see them next year.

We try and devote most of the afternoon to getting the public to join us on the water as a way of promoting the river and the diversity of craft that can be made and used. The races happen during the day, when we all feel like it, as opposed to any specific timetable. The first was a friendly for the press and the only one I did in the Ironbridge.

The second was my favourite - the poachers run. Start under the bridge, up to the last buoy, back past the jetty to pick up a fish out of the water. Then to the bridge turn, around, now paddle furiously to the jetty. Get out swiftly, pick up boat, paddle and fish and run to the brick BBQ. First one there collapses! I came first followed by Rowany and Dick.

Mr Q had a brilliant idea for the slalom. “Lets do it one handed!” So off we go weaving through the buoys, then a two handed sprint to the bridge. It soon became obvious that only Mr Q and I regularly paddle one handed. Q with nets and me with litter pickers. I came first followed by Quentin then Conwy I think, I’m not sure. I should have taken notes, too busy racing. All the racing was done with fishing style coracles to even the field out a bit.

Thanks must be given to Helen Richardson of the River Stour trust who has organised the event over the years. I must also say thank you to all the people who had a camera thrown at them during the event for the pictures shown here.

Steve Miles