New world record for Cranleigh
The Cranleigh Candlepower Guinness World Record attempt to
create the largest flaming image ever made out of
candles succeeded in spectacular fashion in August 2008.
Success means that Cranleigh St John Ambulance now has –
provisionally - two world records to its credit.
In 1991 the volunteers successfully laid 27 miles
of tuppenny pieces around Cranleigh to get into the Guinness Book
of Records.
For the candle record, a fundraiser to help pay for a new 4x4
ambulance for Cranleigh St John, it was a case of third time lucky.
The event, lighting a giant Maltese Cross, the symbol of St John
Ambulance made out of 24,000 candles on Cranleigh
Showground, had to be postponed twice - on Saturday night because
of torrential rain and wind, and on Sunday morning because of high
gusting wind.
Volunteers including two former Mayors of Waverley, Celia and
John Savage, supported the attempt all the way through, including a
backbreaking stint on Wednesday night, repositioning the candles to
make a tighter image.
Robert Wooldridge, the man behind both Cranleigh world records,
said it was the most wonderful display of team working he had ever
witnessed.
A loyal audience of several hundred people turned out for the
third attempt on Thursday night and the weather finally smiled on
St John. It was a balmy August evening with – at last – no wind.
Around 2,000 names and messages that accompanied
the candle sponsorship were read out as members and friends of St
John lit eight large candles set around the edge of the image.
Then armed with heavy duty gas flame throwers, Cranleigh St John
members began the task of lighting the main design. It took about
20 minutes to get the whole cross and the figures
2008 lit but when it was all alight, the spectacle was absolutely
terrific, a rippling sea of pure candle flame, and well worth the
determination and hard work of everyone involved.
They refused to give up and in the end it was fantastic.
Two adjudicators verified the number of candles
alight, and declared it a provisional world
record. Evidence, including a video recording and
photographs, will be sent to Guinness for them to confirm the
record.
It was no mean feat; the weather was against you on your first
two attempts and the pressure of time on the third. Nonetheless,
you were successful and will rightly be very proud of your success.
Success rarely happens without someone’s good idea – however
impossible it may seem at the time – nor without hard work, Bob’s
idea and the hard work of you all made it happen.
Congratulations!
Tony Mallard
Commander Surrey
If anyone missed out on the event, they can still sponsor
the candles as the event was a fundraiser to pay for a new 4x4
ambulance for Cranleigh St John. Simply go to www.20008candles.com or email
robert.wooldridge1@btinternet.com.