Mayor walks on water – could it be a record?
UNDETERRED by a snub from the Guinness Book of Records, Ely mayor Cllr Ron Bradney, claims to have set a world record on Saturday. He literally walked on water at Ely Rowing Club s second classic regatta, travelling across the River Great Ouse and back on
UNDETERRED by a snub from the Guinness Book of Records, Ely mayor Cllr Ron Bradney, claims to have set a world record on Saturday.
He literally walked on water at Ely Rowing Club's second classic regatta, travelling across the River Great Ouse and back on a milk bottle bridge.
He has written to the World Record Academy, a rival to the Guinness Book of Records, seeking confirmation as the first mayor to travel across a river and back on a bridge supported by milk bottles.
Cllr Bradney said: "They are still making a decision as to whether they consider it to be a world record, but regardless of this, I am using my powers as mayor of Ely to declared it as such.
He added: "I did get wet, but only from the rain."
Over the past few months an initiative to span the river with 14,100 empty plastic four-pint milk bottles has been gathering momentum, but the Guinness Book of Records refused to recognise it as a valid record attempt to be the first bridge made from milk bottles.
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Cllr Bradney said: "I'm disappointed by the decision of the Guinness Book of Records, they have very odd rules, but this does not distract from the hard work that has been put into to building this bridge and raising awareness of recycling and it deserves to be recognised."
The regatta saw four milk bottle rafts, each with four oarsmen and a drummer competing in a race.
Huntingdon Boat Club won, beating off teams from S & Y Haulage, Huntingdon Sea Cadets and a team consisting of members of Ely and District Venture Scouts and the Isle of Ely Rowing Club.
A series of more orthodox rowing races took place throughout the day as well as sailing demonstrations from junior and novice members of Ely Sailing Club.
Trophies were presented to the winners in the evening.
Organiser Jack Waterfall said: "We had what I would call 'character building' weather which gave us challenges throughout the day, but we managed to have a good time and achieve our objectives.
"I would like to thank East Cambridgeshire District Council's Open Space Team, who provided tremendous support in helping to organise everything. We are also grateful to Cox's butchers for helping with the barbecue, STRADA stroke association for providing refreshments and Fenland Brewery for putting on the bar.
