Locomotion and S&DR200 are inviting the Shildon community to join an official attempt at their first ever GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title on Thursday 26 February at Locomotion for the greatest number of people simultaneously performing the Locomotion dance at a single venue.
The official Guiness World Records stipulates that at least 1752 people must be dancing together for at least 5 minutes, so the museum is calling on you to join the fun and help them break the record.
Video guides to help learn the choreography will be made available on Locomotion’s website and social media. No previous dance experience is required to take part, but participants are asked to familiarise themselves with the dance moves in advance to help the official Guinness World Records attempt run smoothly.
Record producer and President of Railway Benefit Fund, Pete Waterman OBE is supporting the World Record attempt, which will be performed to Kylie Minogue’s version, The Loco-Motion.
Pete worked with Kylie Minogue to re-release her version of the song in 1998, which debuted at No.2 on the UK singles chart and remains one of her most successful single releases to date.
Pete Waterman OBE a dedicated advocate for the rail community, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming record-breaking attempt: “I am delighted to support this event and the brilliant teams at Locomotion and S&DR200.
“As a charity, we are committed to supporting the UK rail industry and the incredible people who keep it moving.
“The railway has evolved in the best possible way, transforming from its historic roots into a modern, high-tech marvel, but it is the dedicated railway people from the engineers to the apprentices, who remain its greatest asset.
“I am particularly excited by the opportunity this event brings to invite more young people to learn more about and be inspired by the rich history and exciting future of British rail.”
Locomotion and S&DR200 are inviting participants to arrive at the museum before 12.30pm on Thursday 26 February for registration, warm up and a brief rehearsal before the official Guinness World Records attempt.
The dancing is going to be led by Darlington-based experienced professional dancer and choreographer Darrien Wright. Darrien won BBC1’s Strictly Dance Fever in 2006 and danced with his idol Kylie Minogue on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show in 2018.
Local dance groups including Harlequin Stages School, Age UK and HC Vocal And Performance Academy will also be taking part.
This official Guinness World Record attempt forms part of Locomotion’s ‘Railway Record Breakers’ half term activities, which will include a poster trail to discover more about the record-breaking vehicles in the museum’s collection, plus self-led STEM record-breaking related activities for visitors to challenge their friends and family to.
The record attempt, in partnership with S&DR200 Festival, also forms part of ongoing celebrations for the bicentenary year of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) and Locomotion No.1, the first steam locomotive to haul a passenger-carrying train on a public railway.
The world-famous locomotive, housed in Locomotion’s Main Hall, will be illuminated as the historic backdrop to the world record attempt.
Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion, said: “The thought that Locomotion might soon have its own official Guinness World Records title is amazing!
“We really hope as many people as possible – young, old, dancers and non-dancers, rail enthusiasts and complete newbies – join us to help us achieve this incredible goal.
“This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the community to come together in a historic setting to achieve something unforgettable.”
Interested participants are encouraged to check Locomotion’s website at locomotion.org.uk/whats-on/be-record-breaker for more details.
The current world record of 1,752 participants was achieved in Margam Park, Neath Port Talbot, on June 24, 2007, during the “Wave for Wales” event. The record involves a continuous conga line dancing to Little Eva’s The Locomotion.
A previous attempt in Darlington in 2008 fell short of the record with fewer than 500 participants. Can Shildon show Darlington how it’s done on 26 February?
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
