Workshop aims to boost coracle-making tradition

Coracles were traditionally used in places including Shropshire

An attempt is being made to keep the art of coracle-making alive through a two-day workshop.

Organiser Simon Rouse, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire said he felt the skills involved have been slowly forgotten and some forms of coracle were in danger of disappearing altogether.

The event will be held at the town's West Mid Showground on Wednesday and Thursday and those taking part will learn how to make a traditional "Shrewsbury" boat.

Mr Rouse, who has organised it with the help of the UK Men's Sheds Association, said the coracle had strong connections with Shrewsbury and it was important to "keep a local craft alive".

The coracle was designed to be carried on a person's back with a chest strap holding the boat steady and is thought to date back to pre-Roman times.

The small, round-shaped, lightweight boats were traditionally used in Shropshire, Scotland, south Wales, Ireland and parts of west and south west England.

Simon Rouse said it would take two days to build the coracles

Shrewsbury hosts the World Coracle Championships in September and a man in a coracle famously collected the footballs which went into the River Severn when Shrewsbury Town played at their former Gay Meadow stadium in the middle of the 20th Century.

Mr Rouse said the Shrewsbury coracle was distinct from others such as the Ironbridge coracle, made further downstream, due to the way they were weaved.

The design is also more square with a flatter base, according to the Coracle Society.

The workshop is the first of six organised by the group and Mr Rouse said it would take two days to build the coracles which would then be taken to the river for a paddle.

Young farmers, Pengwern Rowing club, men's health groups and a local repair cafe are all due to take part with each day running from 09:00 BST to 17:00 BST.