Ironbridge Coracle Regatta, held between 12noon and 4pm on Bank Holiday Monday, 27th August attracts coracle makers and paddlers from all over Britain to participate in an array of madcap races. Featuring team games, coracle polo matches and other fiercely contended competitions, it takes place along the picturesque stretch of the River Severn at Dale End Park, Ironbridge.

Novice paddlers can have a go in the water for free using traditional coracles handmade by the Green Wood Centre charity, or anyone with their own coracle can bring it along and join in the races (life jackets provided).

Food and refreshments will be available plus a variety of shore-based activities and arts and crafts stalls to browse and buy; the regatta is free to watch.

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.

For further details about the Ironbridge Coracle Regatta visit www.greenwoodcentre.org.uk or call the Green Wood Centre on Tel: 01952 432 769. Other things to see and do and accommodation suggestions in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site can be found on www.visitironbridge.co.uk.

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