Coracle regatta cancelled amid lack of volunteers

An annual coracle regatta in Shropshire has had to be cancelled this year due to a lack of volunteers.

The Ironbridge Coracle Trust said it needed more trustees for its charity to help with day to day running and organisation leading up to events such as the regatta.

The event, usually held on the August bank holiday, was also cancelled last year due to poor weather.

Mary Lewis, the trust's chair, said it was "really disappointing".

"I've been involved in the coracle regatta for over 35 years, so it is a big thing for us to have taken this decision but we just need more people to help," Lewis said.

Currently, there are six trustees at the charity and "dedicated" volunteers that help on the actual day of the event.

But she said more help was needed behind the scenes.

"It would be really great to get some new blood, some new energy and ideas into our little charity to keep it going for the next 35 years, at least," she said.

Coracle Regattas have been a regular occurrence at Ironbridge since 1881.

It is believed that coracles have been in documented use in the Severn Gorge for more than 350 years.

"I love being on the river and it is something I have done all my life," Lewis said.

"We want it to carry on being fun for everybody and for that to happen we need to spread the work load a bit."

Lewis added that much of the help it needed was to keep funding afloat so the charity could continue.

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