I'm always excited to see Robin Hood in the news. :-)

ROBIN HOOD WORLD RECORDS

The largest gathering of people dressed as Robin Hood has become a popular world record attempt in recent years.  Below you will find photos and information on records set in 2006, 2007 &2008.

1119 Robins Saturday 8th March 2008

Despite strong winds and low temperatures 1119 people travelled to Nottingham Castle dressed as Robin Hood to help set a new record.  I had the pleasure of joining fans of the BBC series from www.robinhood2006.com who gathered a large enough group to secure a trophy.  Although taking my camera along would have been a nice idea I've yet to master the juggling act of carrying a longbow without getting the camera bag wrapped round it and the high winds made holding onto the hat a priority.  If anyone has any photos of the event they are happy to share please e-mail me, you will of course receive full credit for any image published here and I am happy to link to your website/blog. 

My costume wasn't the most co-ordinated of efforts but it was fun to give some of the items from my collection an outing as I put on the hoodie worn by Jonas Armstrong in the recent television series Robin Hood, a hat from Robin Hood Men In Tights and carried a bow originally used in 1922 in the Douglas Fairbanks Robin Hood film.  Many talented people had put together fabulous costumes and there seemed to be a sea of green felt hats out on the castle green.  The beer tent provided by Castle Rock Brewery was doing a roaring trade in tea & coffee alongside the ale due to the cold.

After a rousing rendition of the theme tune from The Adventures of Robin Hood television series "Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Riding Through The Glen..." everyone stood still for 15 minutes to meet the Guinness book of records requirements.  The youngest and oldest Robin Hoods were announced with participants just a few weeks old and a lady in her 80s.  The DJs from Heart 106 radio selected the best dressed male & female Robins and the most unusual costume and further prizes were awarded in a draw of participant numbers.  Entrants were also able to enjoy a free ride on the Nottingham Eye.

Here's the link, and they have pictures of past years posted:  http://www.robinhood.org.uk/rhworldrecord.htm

Another news blurb:  http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23345017-5012895,00.html

Can't find any pictures yet of this year. If I lived in England I would have been there. ;-)