Welsh seaside church attempts knotted handkerchief world record

A Llandudno church is hoping to turn one of the classic images of the British seaside into a world record.

The knotted handkerchief was once a familiar sight at seaside resorts, worn on the head as an improvised sun hat. Now Holy Trinity Church is asking people to revive the look for a world record attempt on Saturday 22 August.

The church will attempt to gather the largest number of people wearing knotted handkerchiefs on their heads at 3pm, during their Family Fun Day.

The event will also raise money for a stained-glass window at Holy Trinity in memory of those who lost their lives in the Wormhout Massacre of 1940.

The massacre took place near Wormhout in northern France on 28 May 1940, during the retreat to Dunkirk. Around 80 British and French prisoners of war were killed by SS troops after they had surrendered. Eight servicemen from Llandudno were among the local men caught up in the fighting, having served with a Royal Artillery unit which trained in the town.

Revd Vince Morris says, “There’s something wonderfully Llandudno about hundreds of people standing around in knotted handkerchiefs, so we thought, why not try for a world record?

“It should be a lot of fun, but it is also helping us raise money for a memorial that means a great deal to the town.”

Participants must register before 2.30pm on the day to collect a handkerchief and be included in the official attempt. A minimum donation of £5 includes the handkerchief.

The Bro Tudno Ministry Area Family Fun Day runs from 11am to 4pm at Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno, with games, food and family activities.