- FREE heritage open day in the Castle Grounds
- Watch how a coracle is made
- Try a free coracle ride and learn about their history
Tamworth Borough Council is inviting everyone to a FREE craft event as part of the national Heritage Open Days. This event will be all about coracles – a small, lightweight boat - and everyone is welcome on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September.
A coracle is a small, lightweight boat and may have been the first form of human water transportation - it was easy to build and used naturally found materials such as wood and animal hide.
Designed for use in swiftly flowing streams, the coracle has been in use in the British Isles for thousands of years. Julius Caesar noted coracles in his invasion of Britain in the mid first century BC and used in his military campaigns in Spain. Possible coracle remains were found in an Early Bronze Age grave at Barns Farm near Dalgety Bay, Scotland.
Expert coracle makers from midlands based, ‘Cairn Crafts’ will be running the coracle making demonstrations and offering free coracle rides. Cairn Crafts was founded by Kevin and Ellen over 30 years ago, they have been demonstrating coracle making around the country and have made coracles for various films and television productions, including most recently, the television series, ‘Game of Thrones’.
Come along to this free event to find out more about the traditional craft of coracle making. Watch how a coracle is made, try a free coracle ride, learn about the history of the coracle and find out what they were used for.
Coracle making demonstrations and the coracle rides for adults and children (aged 4+) will be located at 'The Hub, The Old Swimming Baths', opposite the Tennis Courts, in Tamworth Castle Grounds on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September.
Dates and times:
- Saturday 7 September: 10am – 3pm
- Sunday 8 September: 10am – 3pm
Address:
- The Hub, The Old Swimming Baths, Castle Grounds, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7ND
The theme for the 2024 heritage Open Days is ‘Routes – Networks – Connections’. This year celebrations are taking place for how people and ideas have moved around and come together throughout history. The transport routes, communication networks, trade unions and social clubs. The travellers who have spread ideas and the hosts who welcome them.
Councillor Nova Arkney, Portfolio Holder for infrastructure, heritage and local economy, said: “We are excited to be hosting this heritage event in the castle grounds as a celebration of Tamworth heritage and to encourage people to join in with the creativity whilst learning about our past.
“We’re also lucky to have the castle, which is so uniquely important in UK history. We encourage everyone to visit to learn more (admission fees do apply).”
This event is part of the Heritage Open Days which is England’s largest festival of history and culture. Every year, thousands of volunteers and supporters organise events that allow us to discover hidden places and try out new experiences. Brought to you by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, Heritage Open Days gives everyone free access to experiences and events across England, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission. For details and opening times, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk.
This project has received funding from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.