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.
Obituary: Raymond Rees MBE, Life Vice President
21 December 2013
During his life he was a tireless defender of the right to fish with nets on his beloved Afon Tywi. During that time he passed on his skills as a coracle netsman to many others. He was a most skilled coracle and net maker who whilst being loyal to his family’s heritage, was not averse to innovation as witnessed by his use of fibreglass in coracle construction and of cable ties to secure laths one to another in his traditional wooden craft. He was also very happy to discuss coracles with anyone with a genuine interest in them. Raymond was a well educated man who began life, I understand, in the Civil Service which he left to set up and run a very successful fishmonger’s business in Carmarthen. The Coracle Society was very fortunate in having Raymond as one of its first honorary Vice Presidents. He was a constant and most respected Vice President of the Society.
Over thirty years ago Raymond made a traditional Twyi coracle with a woven gunwale for me; later making a modern fibreglass craft also. Over the years my wife and I became close friends of Raymond and his late wife Linda, who would have been so proud of his MBE. During this time he gave me an enormous amount of information about coracles for which I am eternally grateful. May I conclude by saying that our great sense of loss is reduced by the knowledge that the Rees family tradition is being maintained by Raymond’s son Malcolm, to whom our condolences go.
Sir Peter Badge
President of The Coracle Society
Photo: Camarthen Coracle and Netsmen's Association