The Bald Explorer meets the Coracle Man

Peter Faulkner has been making coracles for the past 25 years. He talks to Richard Vobes, the Bald Explorer, about how he first got started and a little about the history of this ancient craft.
Based in Leintwardine in north Herefordshire, Peter paddles his coracles on the River Teme which is close to his old school house workshop. Over the years he hasn't restricted himself to just this river, but has explored other larger water courses.
The Bald Explorer is a series of videos that seek to discover the British way of life, crafts and history, recording it in HD video for viewers to enjoy across the world.
You can find out more about Peter Faulkner, the Coracle Man, at his website: www.coraclesand...
The Bald Explorer website is: www.BaldExplore...

[@ramibu239]

Very interesting vid on some real old world craftsmanship! Beautiful river he was on - makes me long to get out on one of our local rivers!

[@RichardVobes]

Oh yes - Peter is an amazing chap with old time craft skills.

[@neilwilliams2409]

Really enjoyed this video . I used to chat to Eustace Rodgers in Ironbridge. Lovely man and I have a miniature coracle made by him.

[@RichardVobes]

Oh how amazing! Thanks for watching!

[@hectoralers84]

I've made several kayaks out of bamboo! But after watching this I think i found my next project! It was very nice to see old world craftsman talk about his art! Quite enjoyable! Thank you for posting!

[@annosborne7365]

Thank you Richard , your videos are so lovely to watch , and so relaxing

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you - so lovely of you to say so!

[@mickyjb2003]

Brilliant video Richard, fantastic little boat so much history. Thanks again.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks very much Micky. I still have my own coracle.

[@Roolooth]

So enjoyable to watch and listen to Peter Faulkner talk about the coracles that he makes. Background music was perfect.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@Alaneberhard]

Excellent video! It really got at the beautiful beating heart of the coracle culture.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Fascinating! I first heard of Coracles when I was a child watching Rosie & Jim. I'd love to have a go!

[@jasongough5885]

Tranquil video,chomping at the bit to get our guys involved with a build.

[@RichardVobes]

Jason Gough Go for it!

[@jbradshaw4236]

What a beautiful film.

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you.

[@bluemoondiadochi]

His skill in handling the paddle as well as his design (a small small coracle) pursuaded me to make this type of coracle. i'm still torn between a small canoe and this, tho but we will see. I can take such a small coracle on a bicycle, or to a train and go to water wherever i want. that's a plus as compared to canoes.

[@WyeExplorer]

Fabulous short documentary Richard. I love the Wye and have hiked a lot of it but never used a Coracle. Oh - I swim it to. I enjoyed the story of his first customer and the adventures on the Teme, Severn and Wye. Good stuff. All the best. Mark. I've subbed on account of some very good videos.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much Wye Explorer - I will have a look at your channel too - I have a coracle myself and do not get out in it enough. I know it is cheating but I would like to put rollocks on it and row it so I can travel further afield than paddling around Shrewsbury. I must get into Hereforshire soon for more videos.

[@WyeExplorer]

A pleasure to comment. Sounds like that Coracle wants to see the light of day once more. If in Herefordshire I'd be happy to hike with you....All the best.

[@trevpackerphotography]

Well Mark and Richard fancy seeing you both here. Lovely video Richard as always. :)

[@johnbennett7297]

Brilliant!!!!

[@pabloalava1145]

There are, at Altamira caves, some paintings of coracles. Even looks like an assembly manual for a some kind of coracle. At cueva Del Castillo , exactly at the "Tecniphorm chamber", can be seen some coracles in red ochre. They are dated before neolythic

[@rubygray7749]

Just purrfect! But could have been much longer.

[@Khamomil]

It reminds me of a half walnut shell. It's so well adapted to small rivers. It would be used for crossing with loads of goods. I bet even small livestock has traveled in it.

[@RichardVobes]

Yes, I wouldn't be at all surprised! :)

[@1080-r2l]

great video

[@fitzgeraldsue6423]

More of these visits to real Craftspeople please!

[@RichardVobes]

Yes, maybe in the spring and summer, I will have a better opportunity to visit more of these - it takes a bit of organising as you can imagine.

[@jasonleedham5678]

Super little (oh too short) video on this ancient little craft. I built my Boyne style coracle on a course last year, and have not used it nearly enough...Was that the weir at (near) Leintwardine?

[@RichardVobes]

Yes Jason it was. Lovely bit of water.

[@penugolugutta647]

Love from India

[@davemacdonald3889]

Fabulous 🇬🇧

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks very much.

[@davidbooth3285]

He said that he went down the Severn! Could you ride the Severn bore in one? Wheeeee!?!

[@RichardVobes]

I wouldn't like to! :)