People, schools, businesses and even a particularly noisy cat from Northampton and its surrounding villages have found their way into the Guinness World Records over the years.
With the latest entry of new record holders released by GWR on Thursday, September 9, here are some of the most remarkable achievements with links to the town.
Sources for this article include GWR, the Chronicle & Echo, ITV News and BBC News.
9. Guinness World Records
Abbeyfield School also achieved Guinness recognition when 1,543 people gathered wearing high-visibility vests in November 2015. A Guinness adjudicator was there to confirm the achievement, which formed part of an initiative promoting road safety. Photo: Kelly Cooper
10. Guinness World Records
Northampton's record-breaking history stretches much further back than Guinness itself. Overstone Hall is recognised as the world's earliest building to boast cavity wall insulation. The Grade II-listed building, constructed in 1860, featured two skins of masonry separated by an air gap – alongside other then-modern features including central heating, gas lighting and a butler's lift. Photo: Google Maps
11. Guinness World Records
Originally from Northampton, speedcuber George Scholey has amassed an extraordinary collection of records. In 2022, he solved 500 rotating puzzle cubes while riding a skateboard in London, having originally expected to complete around 300. Just weeks later, George tackled an even bigger challenge – solving as many cubes as possible in 24 hours. He finished with an astonishing 6,931, averaging roughly one every 12 seconds. And he wasn't finished. At the 2024 London Marathon, George solved another 520 cubes while completing the 26.2-mile course, setting a record for the most rotating puzzle cubes solved while running a marathon. Library picture, PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: Patrik Stollarz