Coracle sculptures planned for gorge anniversary

3 hours ago

David Tooley,Local Democracy Reporter, Telfordand

Tim Page,in Shropshire

The sculptures will be placed around the Gorge as part of the anniversary celebrations

Telford and Wrekin Council A black-and-white line drawing of a round coracle boat on its side on a plinth with a paddle leaning against its side. — The sculptures will be placed around the Gorge as part of the anniversary celebrations

The 40th anniversary of the Ironbridge Gorge's adoption as a Unesco World Heritage Site will be marked by the introduction of a coracle sculpture trail.

The round boats were a key form of transport across and along the River Severn for hundreds of years and are seen as a key part of the gorge's heritage.

Eleven semi-permanent sculptures will be placed in key locations.

Telford and Wrekin Council hopes the social media friendly sculptures will encourage residents and visitors to explore the wider area and stay for longer.

The gorge's heritage as the birthplace of the industrial revolution was recognised by the UN cultural body in 1986, which said it "encompasses an extraordinary concentration of mining zones, foundries, factories, workshops and warehouses.

The council said the trail would be up and running in 2027, and "supports the anticipated increase in visitor numbers as a result of the National Trust assuming control of the Ironbridge Museum sites".

The Ironbridge Coracle Trust, one of the partners in the new scheme, already has a trail around the area.

There has also been a previous sculpture trail in the gorge, in 2018, populated by - perhaps less-historically relevant - giant multi-coloured ducks.

One of these had to be rescued from the River Severn after vandals dislodged it from its position.

One of the ducks from a previous sculpture trail had to be pulled from the River Severn

Shaun Dean A man in a red T-shirt holds a large duck sculpture on an angler's wooden platform by a river edge. The duck is painted in rainbow colours with the word 'peace' and coloured flowers along its side. — One of the ducks from a previous sculpture trail had to be pulled from the River Severn

Ironbridge Gorge councillor, Carolyn Healy, said: "I am very much looking forward to the Coracle Trail."

The Let's Go Quackers duck trail had been a "great idea", she said, and was the first event organised under the council's programme of supporting landmark events.

She added that events helped to support high street businesses by encouraging people to visit.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.