The Guinness World Record breakers putting Devon on the map

World records aren’t just broken on global stages — some of them belong to Devon, where local people and places have earned their way into the Guinness World Records book.

One of the most colourful titles came courtesy of the Devon County Show, where volunteers stitched together the longest knitted bunting line in history. The display stretched over 14,000 metres and more than doubled the previous record — a homespun triumph of community spirit.

In North Devon, young camper Max Woosey won national headlines during lockdown when he pitched a tent in his garden and vowed to stay there until the pandemic was over. Three years later, through every storm and cold snap, he’d raised more than £700,000 for North Devon Hospice — and earned a Guinness World Record for the most money raised by camping.

Closer to the Bay, Brixham has its own slice of history. Local band Southern Comfort achieved the title for the longest annual residency by a band, performing for 22 years at the Ernie Lister Bar on the harbourside. For over two decades, their mix of blues and rock became part of Brixham’s soundtrack — and now the town itself is in the record books.

Some records have leaned more on daring and skill. Plymouth escapologist Jack Cox earned a Guinness World Record for the fastest escape from prisoner transport irons in just 20.27 seconds, while Northam-born performer Merlin Cadogan set two records by juggling underwater for 1 minute 20 seconds on a single breath and picking six sets of police handcuffs in one minute.

And for sheer endurance, Plymothian Dave Holby-Wolinski spent 934 days on an indoor rowing machine, covering the equivalent of the Earth’s equator — more than 40,000 km — to raise £70,000 for charity.

Devon’s record-holders may not all be household names, but one things for sure – there really is a record for everything.