Dancers are record-breakers (From Congleton Guardian)

Dancers are record-breakers

12:35pm Monday 16th June 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

CONGLETON’S young maypole dancers are record-breakers - and that’s official!

A maypole dance in Congleton Park has been ratified by the Guinness World Record team as the largest ever.

Children from 11 primary schools set a new record with 146 dancers, beating the previous total of 126 set in 2006.

“Congleton is an historic market town, with a fantastic community spirit,” said Congleton town mayor Denis Murphy.

“It is famous for textiles, so it is fitting for us to hold the world record for a maypole dance, which is such a traditional, fun, community and textile-related event.”

The record attempt was organised by Congleton Town Council and Congleton Community Projects to help celebrate 150 years of ribbon-making in the town.

Site Engineering Services designed, installed and removed the 33-high pole used for the dance.

Berisfords Ribbons provided the 4,500 metres of coloured ribbon needed for all the dancers, and Jill Young from Congleton Ballet School spent time in each school practising the dance with the children.

“This record attempt would not have been possible without the very generous support of many local companies and individuals,” said Cllr Murphy.

Certificates will be sent out to all the dancers and reserves from the 11 schools who took part.

“The town council is hopeful that its record attempt will appear in the Guinness Book of World Records,” said town centre manager Jackie MacArthur.

“However with more than 40,000 records to choose from Guinness is unable to promise publication.”

A video of the dance can be viewed at www.congleton-tc.gov.uk.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)