When: 25th August 2014, 12pm – 4pm
Where: On the River Severn at Ironbridge Rowing Club, Ironbridge, Shropshire
£: Free to watch
What is it?
This bank holiday Monday the River Severn in Shropshire will play host to the Ironbridge Coracle Regatta, held between 12pm and 4pm. The event attracts coracle makers and paddlers from all over Britain to participate in an array of madcap races.
The Ironbridge Coracle Regatta will feature team games, coracle polo matches and other fiercely contended competitions. The event is free to watch and takes place along the picturesque stretch of the River Severn at the Ironbridge Rowing Club on Buildwas Road, Ironbridge.
Novice paddlers can have a go in the water for free using traditional coracles handmade at the Green Wood Centre, or anyone with their own coracle can bring them along and join in the races (life jackets are provided). Food and refreshments will be available, along with a variety of shore-based activities including arts and crafts stalls.
Used for thousands of years, coracles are flat-bottomed boats made from woven wood covered in animal skins, or more often nowadays, canvas sewn on and waterproofed with tar or bitumen. They were used for fishing, ferrying and – commonly in Ironbridge – for poaching. Before the advent of the Iron Bridge, they were also used to ferry people and goods from one side of the River Severn to the other.
More info: www.visitironbridge.co.uk