Record-breaking community creates history.
An incredible community effort has put Perry Common on the verge of history.
Local residents, volunteers, schoolchildren, organisations and community groups worked together for three days in order to create the largest holly wreath in the world. Decorating the railings around The Ring on Witton Lodge Road with boughs of holly, the gigantic effort seems certain to win a place in the record books.
An independent surveyor measured the final wreath as being 358.3-metres in circumference. This is almost forty metres longer than the existing record as listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Confirmation that the world record attempt was successful is expected shortly.
Organised by Witton Lodge Community Association, the project united the local community in an unforgettable show of pride and spirit as people from all walks of life across all generations – from 9 to 99 years of age – joined forces to make history.
Resident Chair at Witton Lodge, Linda Hines MBE, said: “What we witnessed over these three days was the power of community and it makes me so very proud.
“Seeing so many people come together in support of this project, working together and for each other, was both inspiring and humbling. They deserve this success and I just want to say on behalf of everyone at Witton Lodge Community Association, thank you to everyone who played a part in this incredible achievement. You are all heroes.”
The holly used in the record breaking attempt was supplied by Birmingham City Council. Rob Netherway, Flourishing Community Services Manager at Witton Lodge, paid tribute to the organisations who backed the project.
“Without the holly we wouldn’t have been able to achieve anything so the council played a massive and integral part in this unique initiative,” he said.
“Part of a fantastic campaign, Light Up Christmas in Erdington, the project was supported by many organisations and we must say a massive thank you to all those who supported us or came out to help including The Active Wellbeing Society, Erdington Police, Story Wood School, Wilson Stuart School, Friends of Witton lakes, Naturally Birmingham and Active Arts.
“A special mention must also go to councillors Robert Alden and Mick Brown for their efforts and helping with the final measurement as official witnesses.”
Other organisations who played a pivotal role in the record attempt were the Erdington Taskforce, Sutton Park Ranger Service, Erdington Litter Busters, Urban Devotion Birmingham and Erdington Local.
