People trying out the Coracle
When: 27th August 2018, 11am – 4pm
Where: On the River Severn at Ironbridge Rowing Club, Buildwas Road, Ironbridge, Shropshire
£: Free to watch. It cost £2 to park at the event
What is it?
This bank holiday Monday, the River Severn in Shropshire will play host to the unusual Ironbridge Coracle Regatta, with races, games and entertainment.
The event attracts coracle makers and paddlers from all over Britain to participate in an array of madcap races.
But what are coracles? 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.
This year’s Ironbridge Coracle Regatta will feature a team challenge, as well as races for beginners, intermediates and experts. There will also be coracle polo matches and other quirky competitions, including the dizzying 360 degrees and the intriguing Fish Kebabs race.
The events will begin at 11.30am with a chance to have a go in one of the traditional coracles, before the races start at 12.30pm. Anyone can take part in the races, just turn up in plenty of time on the day. The last event of the day will be a duck race at 3.30pm.
Food and refreshments will be available, along with a variety of shore-based activities including arts and crafts stalls. 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.
More info: www.coracleshed.org and www.coraclesociety.org.uk