For this year’s Guinness World Records Day, we took a look back at all the records held by Salisbury and its people. From medieval clocks to prehistoric stones, South Wiltshire’s records span millennia.
Records held by Salisbury recognised by Guinness World Records
1. Wiltshire’s longest-standing record
A trilithon is a structure made of three stones. The world-famous Stonehenge outside Amesbury is notable not only for its age, but for incorporating the largest structures of this kind on the planet.
2. Tick-tock
The faceless clock at Salisbury Cathedral has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest working clock, despite claims made about other clocks in France, Italy and Honduras.
3. These cheeks are made for walking
The fastest ever 20-metre bum walk, an exercise to strengthen gluteal muscles, was recorded at one minute and 4.05 seconds, achieved by Harriet Pickrell of James Hay Partnership at Salisbury and South Wilts Sports Club on Friday, July 19, 2013.
4. Just keep climbing
The farthest distance ever climbed on a ladder in 24 hours by an individual was achieved by Keith Saunders of Warminster on July 11 and July 12 of 2014. Keith performed the feat at Salisbury Fire Station on Ashley Road.
5. Magic flight
The highest number of magic tricks ever completed during a skydive is 11, achieved by Martin Rees as he dived into Old Sarum Airfield on October 15, 2016.
6. Boom
The largest amount of high explosives ever detonated in a single film take is 136.4kg of TNT equivalent, achieved by EON Productions, MGM Studios, Universal Pictures, Chris Corbould and Event Horizon on Salisbury Plain on March 8, 2019.
7. Never give up
Salisbury’s Anne Baker, known for her decades of fundraising for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), became the oldest person to ever receive an MBE when she was awarded the honour on December 30, 2020 at the age of 106. Anne celebrated her 109th birthday on Sunday, May 14 of this year.
8. Kick and spin
The record for the highest number of backflips on a kick scooter is 15, set by Tyler Hainey of Salisbury at the age of 10 on January 15, 2022.
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