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BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Guinness to speed up verification of record Rayleigh artichoke
Judges from Guinness World Records (GWR) have fast-tracked the process to get an artichoke measured after concerns the towering plant might not last the Garnett, 49, says his 3.22 metre-tall (10.56 ft) sensation has turned the heads of many who pass his home in Rayleigh, Essex, but he had initially joined a three-month queue for an official adjudicator editor-in-chief at GWR, Craig Glenday, pressed the button to "fast track" his application live on BBC Essex, reducing the waiting time to two weeks."He'll get an email now that will say 'here's what you need to provide to us'. He needs a qualified person to say that it's actually an artichoke," Mr Glenday said. Mr Glenday said he knew the vegetable-growing community well."I understand all the little tricks they can play and it's very competitive and people sabotaging their vegetables."It's a really interesting, slightly cut-throat world and so we have to be very careful." 'A thousand a week' He said the process was essential because of scandals like "Dug" in New Zealand, which was touted to be the world's largest potato, until DNA testing found it to be a gourd."There's a few scandals with that topic (like) people filling crevices with mud to make the plants heavier."He added that it was common for a claim like Mr Garnett's to get lost in the "huge tsunami" of applications every year."We get about a thousand a week coming through the system," he if verified, he said this particular plant was "definitely" a record, with the current record being 2.5 metres (8.2 ft). Artichokes are part of the thistle family, and according to the Royal Horticultural Society, can typically grow to between 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft). Nathan Garnett said his neighbours were very impressed."A few people have seen me measuring it, they've raised eyebrows and you get the odd glance. The postman loves it, he's commented on it," he said."We also have had people who are less of a fan. We had a councillor last year who called it a monstrosity."He didn't know who he was talking to, he happened to be talking to my mother-in-law."(They) didn't win my vote in the election." Mr Garnett said he planted the artichoke in Billericay more than five years ago, but "it didn't do much"."Last year it took off and it got to maybe eight, nine feet and then this year's just gone another level."I've been looking into it a little bit it might be to do with the fact we've had two mild winters."I don't even water it... it's a self-sustaining artichoke, it needs very little TLC."I put a bit of horse manure on it, that's it."(Although) I've had to tie it up a little bit in the past, because it leans." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Relegation is a possibility'
Essex are bracing themselves for potential relegation to Division Two of the County Championship, according to the club's chief executive. The county are currently second from bottom in Division One and only have one win from nine games this season - the bottom two sides will be relegated. Advertisement Chief executive Dan Feist told BBC Essex, "It's definitely a possibility and you have to plan around that process. "But it's a possibility for a number of teams in that division, I've not known it to be as competitive as it is this year." Essex's only Championship victory since Chris Silverwood's return as director of cricket came in April when they beat Worcstershire by 28 runs at Chelmsford. They are also bottom of South Group in the T20 Blast, with one win in 11 games, with three more to play, starting with Friday's home fixture against Sussex, also their opponents at Hove when the Championship resumes on 22 July. Advertisement Despite their position, Feist said he is positive about what is to come. "We've got a good run of opportunities, no one knows quite what's going to happen in the next two rounds (of the Championship). "The one thing we do know is that we are very lucky with the loyal fans and the support we have as Essex." He continued: "I don't think it's just us, I think there's a group of teams in that division who are potentially aware of where they could end up. "We know we've got the players and with a little bit more fortune and consistency, we will be back up where we know we can be." Advertisement If Essex were to be relegated, having last played in the second division in 2016, there would be financial implications but Feist said there was no reason to panic on that front. He added: "We'd have to manage around stakeholders and partners, you have to be aware of that. "It's the same as any sporting organisation that has the opportunities around promotion and relegation, it's something you have to build on." Dan Feist was speaking to Victoria Polley on BBC Essex's Around The Wicket. You can listen to the full programme on BBC Sounds here.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Relegation is a possibility'
Essex are bracing themselves for potential relegation to Division Two of the County Championship, according to the club's chief county are currently second from bottom in Division One and only have one win from nine games this season - the bottom two sides will be executive Dan Feist told BBC Essex, "It's definitely a possibility and you have to plan around that process. "But it's a possibility for a number of teams in that division, I've not known it to be as competitive as it is this year." Essex's only Championship victory since Chris Silverwood's return as director of cricket came in April when they beat Worcstershire by 28 runs at are also bottom of South Group in the T20 Blast, with one win in 11 games, with three more to play, starting with Friday's home fixture against Sussex, also their opponents at Hove when the Championship resumes on 22 their position, Feist said he is positive about what is to come."We've got a good run of opportunities, no one knows quite what's going to happen in the next two rounds (of the Championship)."The one thing we do know is that we are very lucky with the loyal fans and the support we have as Essex."He continued: "I don't think it's just us, I think there's a group of teams in that division who are potentially aware of where they could end up."We know we've got the players and with a little bit more fortune and consistency, we will be back up where we know we can be."If Essex were to be relegated, having last played in the second division in 2016, there would be financial implications but Feist said there was no reason to panic on that added: "We'd have to manage around stakeholders and partners, you have to be aware of that."It's the same as any sporting organisation that has the opportunities around promotion and relegation, it's something you have to build on."Dan Feist was speaking to Victoria Polley on BBC Essex's Around The Wicket. You can listen to the full programme on BBC Sounds here.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
British canoe champ started career in Chelmsford rivers as a boy
An athlete who has become the first Briton to win the K1 Senior Men's Canoe Marathon European Championships says the achievement is only beginning to sink Russell, 27, said he started out by paddling on the two rivers running through Chelmsford - the Can and the Chelmer - as a young Scout at the age of 10. The Chelmsford Canoe Club member told BBC Essex how he took on the 30m course to win, saying it was all about timing that final push. "Coming into the last portage, weighing up my opponents and working out how much everyone had left, and then once I got round the last turn - the last 100m or so - it was just all in, everything you had and luckily it was enough," he said. "It usually takes us about two hours or so to complete the race so it was pretty action packed," he said. Russell won the European title in Ponte De Lima, Portugal, on 7 June, in a race time of 02:06:32 over eight method of his win has been described as a "tactical masterclass".Russell paid tribute to his former Scout leader, who introduced him to paddling after he joined Chelmsford swimming club as a boy."That's how I got into it, ever since the age of 10, I've been down at Chelmsford swimming club learning how to paddle fast, and it's paid off," he said. Russell, now based in Nottingham, was looking forward to the World Games in China, which are held every four marathons are not an Olympic discipline, although sprinting set distances on regatta courses are."I do occasionally have a go at sprinting but my forte definitely is the longer two- hour 30km races, and that's where I'm best," said he has decided to try some sprinting later in the year."We'll see how that goes, maybe LA 2028, who knows, maybe I'll be able to break into the sprint team and qualify for the Olympics," he said. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Gavin and Stacey star makes it clear show will never return
Gavin and Stacey star makes it clear show will never return Larry Lamb has ruled out a reboot of the hit BBC show, admitting the cast and crew have realised the Christmas special was the 'end' of the series The actor is nodding to the much loved TV series on his first ever book tour. Fans of Gavin and Stacey may have finally recovered after the Christmas series finale, but a key actor from the beloved series has quashed any lingering hopes for a revival. Larry Lamb, known for his role as Mick Shipman in the BBC's cherished sitcom for 17 years, described last year's Christmas special as an "extraordinary experience." The festive episode achieved a staggering 19.11 million views, and is even up for a memorable moment award at this year's BAFTAs for the iconic wedding scene. He told BBC Essex: "At the time, we all thought it probably won't be the end, I'm sure we will be doing it again, but gradually what's happened over the months, what I've realised is that was the end." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . While he acknowledged the sadness in concluding the show, he said that it was the right way to finish the much loved series He said: "That scene in the wedding - that's up for the moment of the year. "It was the way to end this story, you can't keep going on with it. Ruth and James brought it to a grand finale." Larry Lamb who plays Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey stole the show with his heartfelt speech (Image: BBC/GS TV Productions Ltd/Tom Jackson ) Article continues below Larry Lamb expressed that Mick will always be a part of him, and he's incorporating a Gavin and Stacey twist into his upcoming tour promoting his new book, 'All Wrapped Up'. He said in a release: "For the past 17 years, it's been such an honour to play the ever-popular Mick Shipman, Gavin's dad. Fans of the show often ask me what it's like to work on a TV or film set – and I hope that my novel gives them a glimpse into that world." Although he's embarking on fresh ventures, Lamb's fondness for the series is evident, particularly with the theme of his book tour. Larry told BBC Essex: 'I've chosen to start my book tour in Billericay, and end in Barry Island, in tribute to the fans of Gavin and Stacey and the unwavering support that each of the local communities have shown us over the years." The tour will kick off at The Reading Rooms in Billericay, Essex on Friday 16th May, and will end at the famous Marco's Café in Barry Island later this year. His tour also includes visiting The Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, The Mold Bookshop in Mold, Flintshire and The Hours in Brecon before finishing the tour in the iconic café where Stacey worked in the sitcom. Earlier this year fans were sent in to meltdown as the cast had a mini reunion to toast the launch of his debut novel. Larry Lamb's debut novel All Wrapped Up is available to buy online and in all good bookstores. (Image: Pete Jones - All Wrapped Up is available to buy now online and in all good bookstores. ) In attendance was his on screen wife Alison Steadman (aka Pam Shipman), Melanie Walters (Gwen ), and Ade Scarborough (Pete Sutcliffe). Read more here. Article continues below
