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, or bring a roof-rack. 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 way (1794-1880) to the canvas or calico coverings that we see today.  Alistair has devised another modern form of covering that is (almost) indestructible, but not traditional.  You can choose which one you would prefer.TECHNIQUESEach coracle is made by lacing together a framework of sawn ash 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, or alternative modern material (your choice), 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 outer gunwales.  It is then ready to paddle.   It will take two days to make your own coracle but, if you use calico, Alistair will give you the materials to paint it with when you get home.  There is an option to use lorry-siding material, which doesn't need painting and can be paddled straight away.  Paddling instruction will be given on the last day, in our own coracles if yours isn't ready,  Please do bring flotation jackets.If the course is fully booked on the website, please ring Anne on 01787 229955 if you would like to go on the reserve list.
Book early as this is a very small class, and usually popular.  Please let us know asap if you have to cancel as we usually have people on the waiting list.
You might have seen us recently on BBC2's programme, "Escape to the Country".
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Participants' comments:

Everything was completely brilliant.  I loved making the coracle, I loved having a go in these beautiful surroundings, and I loved waking up to birdsong every morning!  Anne and Bob were excellent hosts and the food was fantastic, thank you!  Very accommodating too.  Alistair was a patient and expert tutor and I am keen to make another coracle one day.Excellent well paced course.  Size was right for this kind of course.  Valued having a choice of traditional and new-style cover.Very friendly and relaxed.  Excellent hospitality and food wonderful.An excellent weekend - camping facility much appreciated.I am so happy with this course.  Thanks.The last day trying out our coracles on the mill pond and the river was very exciting.  It was good learning to paddle against wind and tide and even how to deal with (tiny) rapids.  The fact that some of us got wet all added to the fun.  Thanks for tea and lovely cakes at the end.
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 F.
Just a quick email to say thank you very much for a lovely weekend which I and Wggi 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 Brilliant weekend – didn’t realise that we could borrow tools though, and bought loads.  Really enjoyed it – lovely friendly setting.  Hope to come back.  We really enjoyed the course.  One of us a practised craftsman, the other had to be taught how to use a hammer.  We both thoroughly enjoyed it.  Beautiful location, great food.  We will remember this weekend for a long time, and look forward to using our coracles! Really enjoyed the course.  Great lunch and venue.