Guinness recognises world record

Belgium has been officially recognised as the holder of the record for the length of time without a government, as Guinness World Records last week gave its seal of approval. Friday, 22 April, marked exactly a year since Open-VLD left the government coalition, precipitating the resignation of prime minister Yves Leterme. Elections followed, but negotiations to form a new government, as all the world now knows, have yet to produce a result.

On a happier note, last week 314 children in Antwerp’s Park Spoor Nord set a new world record for number
of people ducking for apples, smashing the previous record of 266 set by the English town of Heywood in 2010. The record required the apples, floating in 50 inflatable paddling pools under the unseasonal April sunshine, to be fished from the water using only the teeth.

“I got 10 apples out of the water,” Yuki Bevers, 9, told Het Nieuwsblad proudly. “I love apples, and I eat lots of fruit, and I think that’s why I did so well, even though it’s the first time I’ve ever done it.”

(April 27, 2011)