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.
My brother Dave Nicoll who was a member probably from 1996 when he built his first coracle on a Terry Kenny’s course on the weekend of the Ironbridge regatta of that year, died on Saturday 20th April after a short illness aged 85
The funeral is on 16th May at the Bury St Edmonds Crematorium at 1pm and it is being streamed (please contact Euan Raffel for details). Donations to Alzheimer’s Society. And colourful clothes would be preferred.
He invited me down to the regatta that first year and the following years until at the end of 1999 he made me my own coracle and we met up when we could to paddle at Ironbridge, the Mongomery canal dinghy dawdle and also the S2C Sudbury to the Sea paddle each year a 2 day paddle on ht river Stour. Until his Alzheimer’s and age meant the long distance driving & paddles were too much. I started just doing 1 day of the S2C and taking him for little a paddle on the river Stour on the 2nd day. He would also go to Bures on the Stour, when he could, to enjoy the regatta there in August. We even carried our coracles up to the peat bog at Plynlimon the source of the river Severn and paddled over a few days to Shrewsbury, doing rapids for the first time which was great fun. In later a year we paddled from Shrewsbury to Stourport.
He also built himself a Shrewsbury coracle which he used to go fishing with his friends in the Suffolk area where he lived. He loved his coracles and took his Ironbridge coracle on his Narrow boat when they went away so he could paddle in different places when they were moored for the night. He’d always wanted to build a one and Terry's course gave him the chance and it gave him many years of pleasure and adventures. We would have liked to paddle more together but the 170+ miles between us meant it was a bit of a logistic challenge at times, but the coracles gave us a lot of fun and memories.
Wendy Gee
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
Login | Privacy, Terms & Safety | Contact us | Contribute
E&OE. Unless otherwise stated, all content on this site is Copyright © 1990 - 2024 The Coracle Society and contributors