St David’s Day saw a remarkable celebration of Welsh talent and determination, with a series of extraordinary Guinness World Records being shattered in various categories, from incredible feats of strength to testing the limits of typing speed.
One of the standout achievements came from a married couple, Sue Taylor-Franklin and Sam Taylor from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, who set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest time to pull a narrow-gauge steam train 20 meters. After a second attempt, the couple managed to complete the challenge in just 40.53 seconds, breaking the previous female record.
Despite the chilly weather, Sue, 56, and Sam’s determination shone through. “We’re so very proud of our achievement, but it was a cold day out,” Sue said, reflecting on the effort it took to break the record. The couple’s achievement was even more special as they had to compete against two other couples. “We went last, and because we got it closest, we were allowed to compete again,” Sue explained.
Their victory is also a testament to the power of perseverance. “We didn’t start lifting until quite late. I started when I was 50, and Sam started in her 40s, so it just shows it’s never too late,” Sue shared, encouraging others to take up new challenges, regardless of age.
Elsewhere, the stage was set for a fashion-related record to be broken, as RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Marmalade took the spotlight. The drag queen set the Guinness World Record for the most amount of flowers on a single dress. The dress, adorned with 1,862 real flowers, featured a vibrant display of daffodils, a symbol of Welsh pride.
On Instagram, Marmalade expressed excitement over the achievement, thanking Blas y Tir, the supplier of the flowers. “Thrilled to say that I have officially set the Guinness World Record for the most flowers on a dress with a total of 1,862 flowers!” Marmalade posted, celebrating the colorful feat.
In another record-breaking feat, Michelle Evans-Fecci, a former Great British Bake Off contestant, put her baking skills to the test by attempting to ice as many cupcakes as possible in just three minutes. The goal was to beat a minimum of 35 iced cupcakes, and Michelle exceeded expectations by icing an impressive 66 cupcakes, earning herself a new Guinness World Record.
While two of her cupcakes were disqualified due to visible gaps in the icing, her dedication to perfection paid off with the official title. Her achievement proves that when it comes to baking, there’s always room for more creativity and speed.
Another record attempt pushed the boundaries of typing speed. Ellyn Baker, a worker at the National Botanic Gardens, took on the challenge of typing the notoriously long Welsh place name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch as fast as possible—using only one finger!
With the minimum requirement set at 18 seconds, Ellyn stunned onlookers by completing the task in an astounding 15.33 seconds, setting a new record for the fastest time to type this Welsh tongue twister with a single finger.
These incredible accomplishments highlight not only the spirit of St David’s Day but also the diversity of talents within the Welsh community. From lifting steam trains to typing one of the longest place names in the world, these records reflect a proud tradition of pushing boundaries and achieving greatness.
St David’s Day 2025 will surely be remembered for these awe-inspiring feats, proving that Wales continues to shine brightly on the global stage with its unique blend of culture, history, and, of course, world record-breaking excellence.
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