Castle’s Record-breaking picnic

Nearly 1,000 participants took part in the world’s largest picnic in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

The event, on Bank Holiday Monday, marked the opening of the new £3.5million Clitheroe Castle Museum after a two-year refurbishment.

The picnic, organised by Ribble Valley Borough Council in association with the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, was part of both Lancashire Picnic Month and National Family Week.

It was one of hundreds held across the UK, with an official head count at each contributing to a national total and a Guinness world record attempt.

917 residents from Ribble Valley and throughout Lancashire converged on Clitheroe Castle Field for the picnic, including Ribble Valley Mayor Beverley Jones and her grandchildren.

Councillor Jones said: "We aimed to commemorate the opening of this fantastic facility, celebrate family life and help break a world record, and thanks to the glorious weather we did exactly that.

My congratulations go to the organisers of the event and the hundreds of families who took part."”

National Family Week events manager Gemma Fordham added: "We are thrilled that the Clitheroe Castle picnic was such a success and made such a huge contribution to the world record attempt.

We are awaiting final verification from Guinness World Records, but are confident that we have set a new world record thanks to the Clitheroe picnic and all the picnics that took place across the country."

A family goody bag containing an Xplorer ticket giving unlimited family access to all Lancashire museums for a year and a hamper of mouth-watering produce from ethical food company Gold & Brown, which runs catering at Clitheroe Castle, was won by the Harper family of Clitheroe.

Clitheroe Castle Museum opened to the public last week after a multi-million pound two-year refurbishment funded by Ribble Valley Borough Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, SITA Trust and North West Development Agency, as well as several private sector partners and community groups.

The museum, which is run by Lancashire County Council’s museum service, is open from 11am to 5pm daily throughout the summer and entry is £3.50 for adults, and children under 16 are free, if accompanied by an adult. Further details are available on 01200 424568.