Ripon the historic Cathedral City in North Yorkshire was the setting for the 2003 annual general meeting of the Coracle Society on Saturday the 5th of July.

Local man Dave Purvis was the organiser of the event (and also representing the Ripon Youth Trust) that began in the Ripon Market Place with a display of information and Coracles by some of the Society Members, with an additional display by British Waterways, an organisation that was represented by John Slaters, pictured below.

Later on the members moved across from the Market Place and into the Town Hall where they were welcomed by the Mayor and Mayoress of the City of Ripon. The President of the Coracle Society, Sir Peter Badge and also the Chairman Mr Peter Faulkner, were formally presented with ties emblazoned with the City badge. Further hospitality by the city was a tour of part of the city treasures guided by the Ripon official Horn Blower, a post existing within the city for many centuries.

The meeting was held in the formal historic Council Chamber, a room with views across the city. Later a buffet lunch was held at a local city Inn where members from all parts of the country had the chance to meet and exchange news and ideas on all things 'Coracle'.

Unlike most of the country that day, the sun shone that afternoon on the members who after luncheon retired to the local canal for the now traditional after-meeting paddle before (for some) they began their long return journeys home......

The President of the Coracle Society Sir Peter Badge
receiving a tie from the Mayor of Ripon

The Chairman of the Coracle Society Peter Faulkner
also receives a tie from the Mayor of Ripon

Peter Faulkner and John Slaters of
British Waterways

Sir Peter Badge and
Dave Nicol

Coracle Display at Ripon

Coracle Display at Ripon

The City of Ripon Horn Blower

Coracles on the Ripon Canal

Chairman of the Coracle Society
Peter Faulkner

The British Waterways Representative
John Slaters in a River Severn Bowl Coracle

John Slaters demonstrates his first experience,
unfortunately in a River Severn Bowl coracle -
the outcome was predictable....

Due to their inherent instability,
River Severn Bowl Coracles should be
left in Museums......

Note for anyone wishing to build or buy their own coracle - for your own safety....
Do not build or buy a coracle with an unstable centre of gravity (ie River Severn Bowl Coracle), with a shallow hull and very high centre of gravity - you will undoubtedly capsize.......

Go for a design such as the ones from the Rivers Towy (Tywi), Cleddau, Teifi, Taf, Dee or Conwy, which all have a lower centre of gravity, and a wider hull, and are thus much more stable.

For a more detailed description of each type
Click Here