Post by neil6147 on Mar 30, 2007 23:37:44 GMT 10
The phone box made famous in the film Local Hero is claiming a new world record for the highest number of people to be squeezed inside.
The red phone box in Pennan, Banffshire, found fame when it featured in the 1983 Burt Lancaster film.
A total of 16 members of young skipping group Skip 2 The Beat helped the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership claim the new record for Pennan.
The previous world record for human phone box filling stood at 14 people.
It was set in Edinburgh's Royal Mile in 2003, beating a previous record of 12 people which was set in Germany in 1997.
The Bill Forsyth film saw representatives of a US petro-chemical giant, who were seeking to build a refinery in a coastal village, come to find the gentler rhythms of the local life practically irresistible.
Pennan has since been given the accolade of the best film location in the UK.
Now the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership is increasing awareness of the area.
Skip 2 The Beat coach Silvanna Matheson said: "It's absolutely brilliant.
"We thought we could maybe get 15 but the girls managed to squeeze in another two."
'Gymnastics skills'
The last girl in, 11-year-old Hannah Pert, said: "It was good fun, we just had to support each other."
Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership chairman Karen Crowe said: "Skip 2 The Beat were the ideal candidates to take part in this record-breaking attempt.
"Dinky and dainty, bendable and nimble, the members have fantastic gymnastics skills to benefit them in trying to squeeze as many people into the Pennan phone box as possible."
She explained: "Undoubtedly the world's most famous red phone booth, the Pennan phone box is a renowned landmark.
"Tourists from as far afield as Japan and Australia make the pilgrimage to the village to take a picture in front of the illustrious attraction.
"Making this world record will further celebrate its legendary status."
Area director of VisitScotland, Ian Dunlop, said: "The Pennan phone box is a real draw for tourism to the area, with a host of sightseers attracted annually to the booth which has achieved a celebrated place in film history.
"What better way to acknowledge the status the Pennan phone box has gained than this record-breaker."
Well all I say is. Lets hope they did not have beans before attempting this record.
The red phone box in Pennan, Banffshire, found fame when it featured in the 1983 Burt Lancaster film.
A total of 16 members of young skipping group Skip 2 The Beat helped the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership claim the new record for Pennan.
The previous world record for human phone box filling stood at 14 people.
It was set in Edinburgh's Royal Mile in 2003, beating a previous record of 12 people which was set in Germany in 1997.
The Bill Forsyth film saw representatives of a US petro-chemical giant, who were seeking to build a refinery in a coastal village, come to find the gentler rhythms of the local life practically irresistible.
Pennan has since been given the accolade of the best film location in the UK.
Now the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership is increasing awareness of the area.
Skip 2 The Beat coach Silvanna Matheson said: "It's absolutely brilliant.
"We thought we could maybe get 15 but the girls managed to squeeze in another two."
'Gymnastics skills'
The last girl in, 11-year-old Hannah Pert, said: "It was good fun, we just had to support each other."
Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership chairman Karen Crowe said: "Skip 2 The Beat were the ideal candidates to take part in this record-breaking attempt.
"Dinky and dainty, bendable and nimble, the members have fantastic gymnastics skills to benefit them in trying to squeeze as many people into the Pennan phone box as possible."
She explained: "Undoubtedly the world's most famous red phone booth, the Pennan phone box is a renowned landmark.
"Tourists from as far afield as Japan and Australia make the pilgrimage to the village to take a picture in front of the illustrious attraction.
"Making this world record will further celebrate its legendary status."
Area director of VisitScotland, Ian Dunlop, said: "The Pennan phone box is a real draw for tourism to the area, with a host of sightseers attracted annually to the booth which has achieved a celebrated place in film history.
"What better way to acknowledge the status the Pennan phone box has gained than this record-breaker."
Well all I say is. Lets hope they did not have beans before attempting this record.
