Today (26th May 2019) was the real public baptism of our three new fibre glass coracles, but the day began with foreboding. It had rained heavily for 24 hours and the forecast was very poor. When we arrived the mill pond was higher than we had ever seen it and our ‘jetty’ was afloat. Everywhere was sodden and it just felt miserable.
Members of the Ironbridge Coracle Trust took part in Telford's 50th anniversary celebrations last autumn, including an illuminated display on Southwater Lake. More photos from the event are available on the Ironbridge Coracle Trust's Facebook page
The Insh Coracle Club was awarded with a grant of £500.00 at the end of last year, to purchase some fibreglass coracles to use in the many events they run at Highland Folk Museum each year. These were received by the club just before Christmas and along with other donations, they have been able to purchase one of each type available from Arrowcraft Engineering - an Ironbridge, a Teifi and a Towy.
I made this coracle from some plumbing materials I found in a skip. Building the frame was really pretty easy. It is made from ‘Floplast’ PVCU overflow pipe – it’s very easy to work – just heat it with a heat gun or hot water. I based the design on a willow coracle that I had.
Carmarthen Coracle and Netsmen’s Association have been successful with their Heritage Lottery Fund application under the Sharing Heritage Scheme. The Association will be working closely with Mr Andy Edwards on the project, who will record the old tradition and stories so they can be preserved and enjoyed by future generations.
Further to our news item in our recent spring newsletter, Arrowcraft Engineering have produced their first fibreglass Towy coracle, moulded from Towy coracle used by the Carmarthen Coracle and Netsmen's Association. They will shortly be delivering the coracle the Society has donated funds for to the Carmarthen coraclers.
The Society was joined by the Teifi Coracle Netsmen's Association at last year's BBC Countryfile Live. Whilst they were happy to take part in our activities, getting the public (and a Countryfile presenter!) out on the water, they were concerned about damage caused to their personal, traditionally made, working coracles through the number of guests on the water.
With the support and generous contribution from The Coracle Society and expert craftsmanship from Mr David Pinson of Arrowcraft - the Towy (and Teifi) coracle is in fibre-glass production. These durable fibre-glass coracles will be available to purchase from Arrowcraft and will allow visitors to the River Towy and Teifi a coracle taster session, without causing damage to the old handmade coracles used for fishing.
Carmarthen Coracle & Netsmen's Association have joined forces with local river users to take over the lease of an empty council building on Carmarthen's Quayside.
The Quay Centre has been standing idle for some years, but the groups are planning a DIY Action Day on the 28th April to get the building ready for visitors.
Dr Irving Finkel's well received book, "The Ark Before Noah", has been retold from a child's perspective and illustrated in a new edition aimed at children, titled "The Lifeboat That Saved the World".
This book is available from all good book retailers, published by Thames and Hudson, RRP £9.95
As an active member of a traditional fishery in Wales I have always had an interest in coracles. When this one came up for sale I grabbed it with both hands.
To date she has had a trial on a pond and a short go on the Severn estuary. She is quite stable and forgiving!
With the underwater archaeological group CISMAS we have been working on a reproduction of a possible coracle from number 2 grave Barnes Farm, Dalgety, Fife.