Warwick Castle’s record time

Author Terry Deary, who wrote The Measly Middle Ages as part of the Horrible Histories series, was at the castle last Friday to hear 427 parents and their children enjoying his words together.

The aim was to win a place in the next Guinness Book of Records by having the largest number of parents all reading the same chapter of the same book to their children for ten minutes.

And their efforts paid off because, after ten minutes, it was announced a new world record had been set.

The whole event was broadcast live on ITV’s Good Morning Britain shortly after 8am.

Before heading off to school, children from Warwick, Leamington, Barford, Hatton and Stratford poured over the castle’s drawbridge.

The idea had been dreamed up by television presenters on the show whose researchers quickly won the support of castle manager Geoff Spooner.

Not least because the castle features in several of the Horrible Histories series, thanks to the “kingmaking” activities of Richard Neville, its 15th century earl. A team of actors regularly recreate the events.

Mr Spooner said: “We’re so proud of the hundreds of children and their parents who got up early to come and help set this new world record. Seeing so many reading for fun was inspiring and we can’t wait to welcome back Horrible Histories next year.”