Video
WATCH: 200 dance their way into the record books at annual morris and folk festival
Dancers celebrate smashing the Guinness World Record for the largest number of morris dancers performing the same dance, at the same timePhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
The streets of Sheringham were filled with the sound of tapping clogs and clashing sticks, as nearly 50 morris sides from all over the country danced their way into the record books at Sheringham's 25th annual Potty Morris and Folk Festival.
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
More than 200 took part in a mass dance in a fenced-off area of the town centre, smashing the previous, 144-person Guinness World Record set in Preston, Lancashire, in 2015 for the largest number of morris dancers performing the same dance, at the same time.
The feat saw a team of adjudicators, stewards and counters make sure the attempt met Guinness standards, with a local photographer also making a video which will be sent off to officials.
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers were issued with numbered wristbands by Sheringham mayor Madeleine Ashcroft and her deputy Liz Withington as they made they way into the Guinness arena stretching the length of the high street, before being put through their paces by festival chairman and founder member Clive Rayment.
Wicket Brood Border Morris provided music, playing the folk song Not for Joe as trios of dancers performed the Tinners Rabbit for the stipulated time of five minutes.
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Festival vice-chairman Tony Chadwick, who has been involved with the annual event since it was first held in 1993, said the world record attempt had taken months of planning.
'We were worried at one point that we wouldn't have enough space for all the dancers, but it's been a team effort all the way and it has been worth every bit of angst,' he said.
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Most Read
- 1 School closed its doors for three days after Covid outbreak
- 2 Where and when you can park for free in north Norfolk this Christmas
- 3 Deer herds relocated as part of dinosaur attraction's expansion plans
- 4 Conservatives gain Lib Dem ward in double by-election victory
- 5 'This affects everyone' - Erosion strikes Hemsby again
- 6 What's in a Broad? Delving beneath the surface of Norfolk's wonderful waterways
- 7 Weather warning in place as snow falls in parts of Norfolk and Waveney
- 8 What to see in the sky in December: The 'Cold Moon' and meteor showers
- 9 Obituary: Milkman who did the rounds for 40 years dies aged 81
- 10 Car and front doors opened overnight - but nothing stolen
Thanking dancers, the festival committee and Sheringham carnival volunteers for their support, Mr Chadwick added: 'It is a big plus for Sheringham and I think it will be a long time before anybody gets close to topping us.'
Sides taking part ranged from the feather-hatted Dark Horse Morris, from Essex, and the be-ribboned Rattlejag Morris, from Nottinghamshire, to the bandana-wearing Gong Scourers, from Kent, the pink-clad Costswold side Bunnies from Hell and Aald Heilpen, who travelled to Sheringham from their home in Friesland, in the Netherlands.
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Mrs Ashcroft, who handed out commemorative mugs and badges to dancers taking part, said: 'It has been unbelievable - another first for Sheringham.'Sunday events include dancing from 10.30am-1pm and music from 2pm onwards in the Lobster garden.
For a full programme, visit www.pottyfestival.com
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Musicians on parade at Sheringham's Potty Morris and Folk FestivalPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Sheringham mayor Madeleine Ashcroft handing out numbered wristbands to dancers taking part in the world record attemptPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Sheringham mayor Madeleine Ashcroft, who handed out numbered wristbands to dancers taking part in the world record attemptPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers entertaining crowds in Church Street before taking part in the Guinness World Record attemptPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers make their way down Church Street to the Guinness World Record arena in High StreetPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Counters checking world record dance attempt numbersPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers perform the Tinners Rabbit during the Guinness World Record attemptPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Aald Hielpen dancers, who travelled from their home in the Netherlands to take part in Sheringham Potty Festival world record attemptPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Aald Hielpen dancers, who travelled from their home in the Netherlands to take part in Sheringham Potty Festival world record attemptPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Black Pig Border Morris member Clive Trivett, who chose a Stars Wars theme for his hatPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Dancers performing in the town centrePhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
Festival volunteers removing barriers after the morris dancing world record attemptPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
A musician performing at Sheringham's 25th annual Potty Morris and Folk FestivalPhoto: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
