Tag Archives: United Kingdom

Longest journey by taxi

Leigh Purnell, Paul Archer and Johno Ellison (all UK) left Covent Garden, London, UK, by taxi on 17 February 2011 and travelled 69,716.12 km (43,319.5 miles) around the globe, returning to Covent Garden, London, UK, on 11 May 2012. The journey, in Hannah the taxi – a 1992 LTI Fairway FX4 London black taxi cab – clocked up £79,006.80 (US$127,530; €98,490) on the meter. The journey, originally intended as a London to Sydney expedition, does not qualify as a circumnavigation because it did not touch Continue reading →

Oldest competitive ballroom dancer

The oldest competitive ballroom dance is Frederick Salter (UK b. 13 February 1911) who passed his IDTA Gold Bar Level 3 examinations in Latin and Ballroom with Honours at the age of 100 years 245 days, in Eltham, London, UK, on 15 October 2011. Frederick performed the Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba and Paso dances for his Latin examination and the Waltz, Quickstep, Tango and Foxtrot for Ballroom. He achieved a score of 99.75 out of 100 in both the Ballroom and Latin categories.

Most expensive musical instrument sold at auction

The most expensive musical instrument sold at auction is the ‘Lady Blunt’ Stradivarius violin and was sold at £9,808,000 ($15,875,800) by Tarisio Auctions (USA) in London, UK, on 20 June 2011. The auction was organised online on behalf of the Nippon Music Foundation and the proceeds went to the Northeastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. The authenticity of the violin was certified by the firm W.E. Hill & Sons.

Longest surviving artificial heart transplant patient

Peter Houghton (UK, 1938–2007) was implanted with a Jarvik 2000 heart pump at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK, on 20 June 2000 due to severe heart failure. Since the operation, the left ventricular assist device has worked continuously supporting his heart, breaking the previous duration record on 11 August 2004 at 1,513 days.He died 25 November 2007 from multiple organ failure. Death reported on BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7125387.stm The Jarvik 2000 is an artificial heart. Peter was the first person in the world to be Continue reading →

Longest anamorphic painting

The longest anamorphic painting measures 106.3 m (348 ft 9 in) and was created by Joe Hill of 3D Joe and Max (both UK) and unveiled at West India Quay, London, UK, to celebrate Guinness World Records Day, on 17 November 2011.

Most balls juggled

The most balls juggled is 11 and was achieved by Alex Barron (UK), who managed 23 consecutive catches in what is known as a “qualifying” juggling run. This feat was achieved at Roehampton Squash Club, London, UK, on 3 April 2012. Alex, 18 years old at the time of the attempt, spent 2 years practising this feat-a record which had not been broken for 16 years. On the day in question, he spent 4 and a half hours in a squash court in his Easter Continue reading →