Charity gearing up for return of coracle world championships

The event, which raises thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support, sees competitors racing across the river in small, round-shaped coracles, once traditionally used for fishing in Wales and other parts of the UK, as well as India, Vietnam and Tibet.

Entries have opened for the event and at least 40 teams are expected to take part on Friday, September 16, at the Pengwern Boat Club alongside the River Severn.

Established by the late Richard Bayliss in 2007, the event has raised more than £320,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support to date.

Invertek Drives, a global innovator and manufacturer of variable frequency drives used to control electric motors has become the main sponsor of the championships.

The firm is a major employer based at Welshpool, Powys, employing 260 people in a range of manufacturing, innovation and technical roles.

“Events such as the Coracle World Championships are vitally important in raising the profile of and money for charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, an organisation closely associated with Invertek Drives. And so we’re very pleased to be supporting the event and its team of volunteer organisers,” said Glyn Jones, Technical Director at Invertek Drives.

“We hope as many other businesses, organisations and individuals enter to make this another great event, as well as helping raise vital funds for Macmillan.”

Racing starts at 2.30pm on the day and runs throughout the afternoon before a presentation evening is held at the nearby Boathouse public house.

Event chairman, Jayney Davies, welcomed Invertek’s support.

“Over the years we have had a huge amount of support from local businesses, and we are very excited that Invertek Drives are joining us as main sponsor this year,” she said.

Kate Thomas, relationship fundraising manager for Macmillan in the West Midlands, said the competition was a major fundraising event for the charity in Shropshire.

She said: “Events such as this help raise awareness of Macmillan and raise vital money in a fun way so that we can continue to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. The Coracle World Championships has become a key event in our calendar and we’re very grateful for all the support it receives.

“We’ve opened entries for the event and we’re hoping for a bumper number of teams, particularly following the absence of the event and others over the past two years. It’s a great day for all involved.”

Teams of four compete against others in races between the banks of the River Severn between the Pengwern Boat House and The Quarry park during the afternoon.

Many competitors wear fancy dress, with a prize going to the best one.

Teams from local businesses, organisations and groups of friends take part.

To enter visithttp://www.coracleworldchampionship.co.uk/register.html

More details can also be found at www.coracleworldchampionships.co.uk