AN INNOVATIVE canoe-building project is proving a huge hit with both young and old as it travels across the county.
The Big Dee Canoe Project has been in Bagillt and saw members of the public help carve a wooden vessel harking back to a time when industry, fishing and wildfowling first dominated the daily ebb and flow of the Dee estuary.
The canoe, which is being made out of a 16 foot Douglas Fir tree, is the result of a partnership between the RNLI, chainsaw sculptor Clinton Chaloner and Flintshire Council.
“There’s been a lot of interest from local communities particularly fisherman,” said Flintshire coastal ranger Karen Rippin.
“What we’re finding is when people are passing through they’re having a go at the carving and once they’ve started they can’t stop.
“It’s going very well and created a lot of interest which is what we wanted. As the local fishermen have seen it they’ve told their families and brought their parents and children here.”
Clinton is Flintshire Council’s current ‘artist in residence’, as part of a year long Art in Nature project looking at Talacre Beach and the Dee Estuary.
He has been travelling with the project through riverside communities from Talacre to Connah’s Quay inviting people from all over Flintshire to take part.
“I’ve loved it,” said Clinton. “People have really appreciated it. I’ve met so many people.
“This is a very close knit community, a lot of people have lived here for a long time. It’s been a privilege working on this.”
During his time in Bagillt, Clinton has been working with a whole range of people to carve the canoe, including Bagillt Youth Group, students from Gypsy High – a group of young travellers from across Flintshire, and fishermen.
“It’s going down very well with the fishermen,” said Clinton. “Some of them have brought their dad’s down who are retired fishermen.”
Ali Thomas, from Flintshire Youth and Community Service, went to the project on Friday with a group from Gypsy High.
She said: “We thought this would be brilliant because we’ve been doing a lot of practical work and this sounded an ideal project.”
When the project is finished, which is due to be in July, RNLI crew members and Flintshire coastal rangers will launch and paddle the canoe from Connah’s Quay as a tribute to the historic ship and boat building trades.
Donations to the RNLI will be collected along the route.
Bagillt councillor Mike Reece said: “I’m very pleased to see that this has been in our area. All the kids have shown great interest and it’s especially good as Clinton lets them all have a go.”
The Big Dee Canoe Project will be moving to Flint, by the RNLI station, on June 27. Groups are welcome to book block times with the project. Clinton’s other canoe projects can be viewed at Clintonchaloner.co.uk/logboat.
For more information or to arrange a workshop call Gwenno Jones, Flintshire’s arts, culture and events manager on 01352 702471.