Article and photos by Raymond Green
Insh is a small, former crofting village in the Cairngorms National Park. Today there are 48 houses, of which 25 are holiday homes. The resident population is about 40 with no school age children.
Two national magazines, 'Britain' and 'Country Life' have both dedicated a few pages to the Towy coracle and included some amazing photographs of the old tradition of coracle fishing.
The future of coracle fishing has a huge question mark hanging over it, but we hope with all the work were putting into safeguarding its future that it will around for future generations to see.
It seems like years ago, but our Coracle Races were enjoyed by hundreds of spectators who joined the Carmarthen River Festival back in July.
The Towy gave a warm welcome to the Teifi coracle men who came to take part in the races. It's great to see the two rivers join forces and support each others coracle event.....even though they sometimes take our trophies!
A great article on 'Keeping Tradition Afloat' in the Country Life Magazine dated 4th May 2016
For those not familiar with the Observer, they release their Top 50 best restaurants, dishes etc in its Observer Food Monthly Magazine. Coracle fishing came in at number 18 and wasn't far away from Heston Bluementhal's famous handmade sweet shop. Great to know they have such exquisite taste!!
It was a surprise to welcome the Blue Team from BBC's Bargain Hunt to the coracle sheds in April. They were filming at a local auction house and saw us repairing an old coracle by the river.
The Blue Team were keen to learn more about its history. Luckily they had already chosen their bargains to auction otherwise we could have been one coracle down!
A Welsh children's book called 'Jac a Jes a'r cwrwgl ar Afon Tywi' has been published by Aberystwyth University and funded by the Welsh Government. The book is part of a collection which will help teach young children the Welsh language and also the Welsh coracle heritage.
The book tells the story of Jac and Jes who take a walk down by the River Towy one evening and Jac questions his grandmother on 'what are those small boats doing?'
The Society, along with our friends from the Teifi Coracle Netsmen Association and The Ironbridge Coracle Trust had a fantastic time at BBC Countryfile Live last weekend. The weather was brilliant and we had lots of interest from members of the public. The Waterside zone, which we were located in, processed over 5000 visitors for the activities on the water and we got over 300 of those in a coracle on the water.
The Coracle Society is saddened to hear of the passing of Irlwyn John, Taf coracleman of St Clears. He passed away in January this year aged 85
We have been sent this photo of a coracle being used on the Thames at Battersea, central London, recently. Thanks to the eagle-eyed Jeremy Hemming for spotting this and sending us a photo
Despite the weather, which couldn't decide whether to be wet or sunny, a good day was had at the second Welshpool coracle regatta which took place on Saturday 2nd July. There was a good turn out for the event with plenty of newcomers participating in the beginners race - one beginner took to coracling like a duck to water, and ended up participating in the intermediates and experts races too!
Society member Martin Baines is organising a coracle demonstration as part of Leominster Heritage Open Days on Friday 9th September.
He is looking from support from members in any way you can offer, but in particular traditionally made craft (hide or otherwise) to showcase at the event.
If you are able to help, please contact Martin directly - martin.nico@btinternet.com