Coracle Project
21 November 2008 17:29
After months of hard work, a group of Caversham youngsters have successfully launched Coracles on the Thame at Dorchester on Thames.
Making the boats was part of a Heritage Lottery funded project at The River & Rowing Museum in Henley. They're made out of ash which is very flexible when wet, so it can be woven into strips into the basket shape which forms the hull of the boat.
They are then covered in fabric and coated several times with waterproof paint.
The youngsters, including 14 year old Conor Hogan from Caversham, paddled the boats down The Thame, which runs through Dorchester to join the Thames. It was in full flood and the youngsters had to learn fast how to paddle and control their hand made boats down the fast flowing river to Bridge End. They then returned to the weir pool and refined their skills skimming about on the turbulent water.
The coracles will be exhibited, along with the other project work the young people have completed at the Museum, in September at Reading Town Hall. The Mayor of Reading will present them with Youth Achievement awards.
See footage from the event from BBC Oxford News.