(*Only the ‘Boyne’, or oval, coracle is offered on courses. The circular ‘Teme’ coracle is available by commission only.)
Courses can be booked by arrangement with up to two coracles being built at any one time. Ideally with enthusiasts working in pairs, which guarantees Peter’s undivided attention throughout each stage of the construction ie. up to 4 participants.
Peter supplies all the materials which are sourced locally: the willow having been cut by hand from his own meadow, the hazel gathered and graded ready for use, and the hides, sourced from the local butcher, cured and ready for lashing on.
Anywhere!
Courses can take place at Peter’s workshop, The Old Schoolroom, which lies tucked behind the Community Centre in Leintwardine on the Shropshire/Herefordshire border. Built in 1845 it was the original classroom for local infants, and which Peter attended as a small boy!
Leintwardine is situated on the A4113, 7 miles from Ludlow, Shropshire, and close to the smaller towns of Craven Arms and Bucknell. Please find directions via the following link to multimap.
Peter is also happy to run a course anywhere in the world, previously having travelled to Norway, Finland, Holland, Slovakia, Ireland, Scotland and Brittany, by request.
Much of the activity takes place outside, where there are far–reaching views of the countryside, and waterproof clothing is recommended. All tools are provided but a ROOF RACK or van is essential for transporting your precious craft back home with you!
Accommodation can be arranged in a variety of venues: from a local campsite to an Elizabethan Courthouse nearby. Of course there are many wonderful B&B’s locally too, or try a hotel in the local town of Ludlow.
A tolerance for sea shanties is actually more important than any previous boat–building experience!
Feedback from previous participants“We can’t remember ever having laughed so much, worked so hard, and slept so well!”
“I could not believe that the pile of sticks at my feet and the large brown ‘rug’ would take shape to transport me twelve miles along the Thames recently. Thanks Peter for your help, knowledge and patience. I feel I have discovered a new world on the water.”
“My back ached, my hands hurt and my wife spent a small fortune in Ludlow but for someone who couldn't fix a shelf to the wall, I am now the proud owner of a boat I can say I built myself. The experience was worth every penny, every bead of sweat and every sea shanty which kept me going.”
If you are interested in taking a course please contact Peter on the number below.
Margaret Elphinstone attended a course and made a coracle under Peter’s expert guidance.
Margaret is an author who has since written a novel entitled The Gathering Night – Canongate Books, ISBN 978 1 84797 2889.
Set among the hunter–gatherers of Mesolithic Scotland, it is a story of conflict, loss, love, adventure and devastating natural disaster. This pre–historical novel is set deep in our stone–age past, but resonates as a parable of our troubled planet 8000 years on.
You can see Margaret paddling her coracle on her website.
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