AN ALRESFORD resident will attempt to break a world record at this year’s Watercress Festival.
Glenn Walsh will try to eat 80g of watercress in under 37 seconds.
This will be part of the festival's World Watercress Eating Championship, where competitors pit themselves against each other to eat a bag of the plant in the fastest time.
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The festival committee has applied to record this year’s competition as am official world record attempt.
The current holder is Fayisnazer Fayis, from India, who won the record with a time of 37.68 seconds on May 10, 2023, in Abu Dhabi.
Glenn Walsh broke the record at last year's festival, finishing off his 80g of watercress in 31.29 seconds.
However, this was not an official world record attempt, as a Guinness judge was not present. However, this year it could be different.
Simon Evans, entertainments manager for the festival, said: “Glenn has been amazing us for many years with his watercress-eating abilities and we decided that this year we had to formalise his achievement by applying for an official Guinness World Record attempt.
“We’re wishing Glenn lots of luck but of course, there may be someone else out there who can beat him, and this is definitely the year to try and claim the record!”
Anyone can sign up for the competition, which takes place on the main stage.
Other attractions will include the return of the makers market, and a raffle, with prizes ranging from £400 cash to a Yeti Roadie Cool Box donated by Socal BBQ shop, a cookery class from the Lainston House Hotel, a gin selection hamper, a tour of a wasabi farm by The Wasabi Company and a bottle of Wasabi Vodka and other wasabi-based goodies, and more.
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New for 2024 will be the presence of local artists, including Julie Hepenstal, Charlie Jewett and Catherine Ruth Church, capturing the general vibe of the event and offering to paint portraits of festival goers, their children and pets, or whatever they choose.
The team at Season Cookery School, Lainston House Hotel will be running the popular BBQ workshops they introduced last year.
More information can be found by visiting the Watercress Festival website.
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