School team picks away to become the world’s best (From This Is Lancashire)

School team picks away to become the world’s best

10:40am Sunday 14th October 2012 in News

IN a year when Olympic records were broken and set, a Horwich primary school also entered the Guinness Book of Records — for the most baked beans eaten by a team in two minutes using only cocktail sticks.

Four members of staff at St Catherine’s CE Primary School decided to celebrate the Olympics by setting a wacky new world record.

After a spot of research, they settled on trying to eat the most baked beans in two minutes using cocktail sticks.

Until now, the record stood at 335, but the team managed to gobble 429 cold beans in 120 seconds.

Reception teacher Kevin Roberts, site manager Tony Clift and teaching assistants Amy Green and Lynn Kay were cheered on by pupils as they broke the record while being watched by independent adjudicators.

They carried out the attempt earlier this year, and the team members have now received official confirmation that they were successful in setting a new Guinness World Record—with a certificate to prove it.

The attempt was the idea of the headteacher Karen Graham, who had first looked into sports-related records. She decided they were too complicated due to the rules and regulations governing them.

However, the beans-eating record was a lot simpler to carry out.

Mr Roberts said: “It’s ‘bean’ a blast, bearing in mind what beans are said to do for you.

“We are thrilled that our world record has been officially recognised.

“We’d been waiting all summer holidays with our fingers crossed to see if we were successful.”

He added: “We’re now contacting Heinz to let them know the fantastic news. It’s one small step for beans, one giant leap for bean kind.”

Mrs Graham said: “The record we set is now officially 429 baked beans. We are, of course, delighted.”