We shall be making a coracle (for you to take home) based on traditional Welsh styles, with the Ironbridge and Wye and Usk style having most influence on Alistair's design.Suitable for one or two paddlers, it is very portable, and great fun.  It will fit in most cars, but it is strongly advisable to measure the interior of your car before starting to make your coracle.A small, keel-less boat, the coracle was specifically designed for operating in swiftly flowing streams.  Evidence of coracles dates back to the early Bronze Age, though the first clear description of the craft does not appear in texts until 1188.  Early coracles consisted of a basketwork frame covered in animal hide.  Hide covers were supplanted by a material known as flannel (a kind of felt), that in turn gave wasy (1794-1880) to the canvas or calico coverings that we see today.TECHNIQUESEach coracle is made by lacing together a framework of sawn laths (strips of wood).  The laths are clenched (nails bent over) onto the gunwale of the craft that has been formed into a hoop around the seat.  A skin of calico is stretched over the completed frame and tacked into place.  Loose fabric in the corners is tucked into darts that are sewn closed.  The craft then receives three coats of bitumen paint, after which laths are fitted to the inner and ouer gunwales.  It is then ready to paddle. There will be an opportunity to launch your coracle and practice paddling it. Dont forget to bring a flotation jacket!    It will take between two and three days to make your own coracle.  Paddling instruction will be given on the third afternoon. Book early as this is a very small class, and popular.Please let us know asap if you have to cancel as we usually have people on the waiting list.
TOOL  LISTDrill - a cordless or electric drill is preferable8mm drill bitSmall hammer, 4oz or 8 ozDolly (weight to hammer against)Carpentry saw or tenon saw (the Japanese pull saw from Axminster Tools works well)Pincers (for pulling out errant nails)Cross head screwdriver (or bit for your drill)Plane or Surform raspStanley knife or scissorsMetal fileG clamps or similar to 3" capacity - at least 4 (spring clamps are not sufficient)Tape measureHeavy duty staple gun with 10mm staples
AVAILABILITY:  8 places
Participants' comments:

I had a fab time.
A wonderful experience!
I had a wonderful weekend.  Hope to do it again soon.
Lovely working atmosphere,  Thank you.
Thank you for your hospitality and the welcome extended to us as well as our vehicle.  Be happy to recommend anyone thinking of doing it in the future.
Thank you for all extras - recipes, bluebell woods, walks.  Janet Frost
Just a quick email to say thank you very much for a lovely weekend which I and wiggi really enjoyed , even though still feel a bit shattered from it all ! , the food , the mill , and even Olivia couldn't be faulted , still got her voice ringing in my ears , "you need a flat bottom ", both our boats made it home safely and now ready for the next launching , once I have made another paddle , so till the next time look after each other and have fun  ian

 

Getting the calico on before applying three coats of tar varnish.

 

Below:  launching the coracles on the mill pond on the final afternoon - all eight afloat, plus Olivia the leader.

 

The launching party.  Olivia the leader is on the extreme left, in red, Anne is on the right.

 

 

All eight participants afloat on the mill pond at Assington Mill