Out with the old and in with the new! 2024 has been disappointing for the Club at the Highland Folk Museum. As previously reported, our ‘home’ there, the Mill Pond, was badly damaged by Storm Arwen in November 2021.
Sadly we have to cancel this year as one of the organisers is ill, leaving just one person to run the whole regatta. Regrettably, this is the second year running we have had to cancel this regatta.
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.
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.
The Society is sad to share the news of the passing of former committee member, Brian Pearce, aged 92.
We will be completing our first build with the Shrewsbury Branch of the UK Men's Shed Association on 26th and 27th June, located at the Shropshire Agricultural Showground on Gravel lane in Shrewsbury, which is adjacent to the River Severn.
In an effort to preserve the 10,000 year old gentle art of coracle making and sailing, The Coracle Society is commencing a new project with the UK Men's Shed Association to preserve this historical craft from oblivion for future generations to enjoy.
Charles and Maggie, a couple of Architects from Oxford, recently tried their hands at coracle making on a course at The Gorfanc Hideaway in March 2024. Maggie Forrester grew up in Shropshire and remembers the man on the river, Fred Davies “The Coracle Man”, and her local pub “The Coracle” where many a pint was had. So when she came across a leaflet advertising coracle making at Gorfanc in Wales the opportunity was too great to miss out on.
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 Sudbury Crematorium at 1pm it is being streamed (please contact Euan Raffel for details). Donations to Alzheimer’s Society. And colourful clothes would be preferred.
We are working with the UK Men's Shed Association to introduce Sheds to coraclemaking, in order to increase the volume of coracles being built and used, and hopefully secure the future of coraclemaking in the UK, which is under threat as listed in the Heritage Crafts Association's Red List of Endangered Crafts.
A reminder to members that you can purchase quality Society-branded apparel at very affordable prices, to show your support for us when attending events
For more information, please visit the Membership Benefits - Clothing page
Late in 2023 we were contacted by Finley, a school student in the south east of England. His school encourages students in Year 9 to undertake projects over a long period of time to explore something they have an interest or passion in, in depth.
We have been made aware of two events later this year that are looking for traditional craft demonstrators
We all thought the coracle (curach) had died out as a traditional working boat in Scotland in the 18th Century with the cessation of timber floating on the River Spey.
Anyone who has been for a paddle on many of the country’s rivers in the past few years will have noticed much litter floating around, or caught in overhanging branches.
Privacy, Terms & Safety
E&OE. Unless otherwise stated, all content on this site is Copyright © 1990-2026 The Coracle Society and contributors