POCKLINGTON Canal will host a special discovery day of free family activities next weekend, with a chance take to the water in a traditional craft.

The Canal and River Trust, the charity that looks after the canal, is hosting events on Saturday, September 2, from 10am until 4pm.

Among the activities will be a chance to try navigating the canal in a traditional coracle - something organisers say should be a highlight.

Lizzie Dealey, project officer at the Canal and River Trust said: “Pocklington Canal is a wonderful, picturesque waterway, yet it remains a hidden gem.

She said: “Over the past year our charity has begun a three-year project, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore and reveal the history and ecology of this waterway, from the restoration of Church Bridge, to an archaeology dig, to making initial habitat improvements with dredging and a summer events programme.

“I hope people will come and learn more about this stunning, historic canal at our Discovery Day, with even more exciting announcements planned ahead of its bicentenary in 2018.”

Coracles are thought to be the oldest form of water transportation, dating back centuries, and their construction has remained largely unchanged in modern times.

The small, circular traditional vessel is propelled by its one passenger using a paddle, like a kayak or canoe. They are made from a basketwork frame of willow or hazel wood, covered in animal hide, natural cotton canvas like calico or a synthetic fabric such as nylon sealed to make them watertight. They make effective fishing boats and are still used for the purpose, particularly in South Wales.

Other activities on offer will include willow weaving, guided nature walks around Canal Head with expert ecologist Phil Taylor of Eco Sapien, pond-dipping, and a heritage trail with prizes.

Pocklington Canal Discovery Day marks the end of Pocklington’s Big Summer events programme, and the end of the first 12 months of the Gem in the Landscape project.

The discovery day is at Canal Head, which can be found by following brown signs from the A1079 near Pocklington.