Coracles And Sheep Dipping

A Memory of Cenarth.

Cenarth, on the River Teifi, is set in a spectacular gorge with a number of waterfalls, and is famous as one of the last places in Britain where licensed coracles were used, both for salmon fishing and (as seen in this view) sheep dipping by the side of the village bridge. This photo shows sheep being washed prior to shearing, supervised by farmers using traditional coracles to guide them across the river. Coracles are made on a willow frame. They were originally covered with horse or ox hide, but since the late 19th century cheaper canvas or calico has been used, which needs only a single coat of pitch to make them waterproof.