Cream First - a Guinness world record attempt
Published on 23 September 2026 12:38 PM
Cream first! A record to be proud of and a fantastic boost to Cornwall Hospice Care fund raising in 2026 - by Tim Guy, Age UK Cornwall.
Age UK Cornwall participated alongside hundreds of other Cornish charities, residents, and holiday visitors in an effort to break the record for the Great Cornish Cream Tea party. This delightful event was hosted by Cornwall Hospice Care at the Royal Cornwall Showground. Remarkably, the previous world record had been set three years ago in Beijing! The Guinness Book of Records was present, and thanks to the enthusiastic (and hungry) participants and volunteers, Cornwall has now claimed the title.
Chris East from Age UK Cornwall’s St Austell Community Hub and Tim Guy, the Events and Sponsorship team lead, had an enjoyable day as they joined the 2,481 attendees to indulge in 370 lbs of Rodda’s Cornish Clotted Cream, 200 gallons of Tregothnan Tea, and 324 jars of jam.
Chris took the opportunity to distribute materials and forge connections for the Community Hub, while Tim engaged with attendees to discuss Age UK Cornwall’s services and encourage them to donate vintage clothing for the Truro School Vintage Fashion Show on November 12th. He received commitments for some fabulous 60s ball gowns and day attire from a neighbor!
An army cadet ensured that everyone at each table finished their full portion of scone, jam, and cream, along with every drop of tea. Tim was humorously instructed to empty his cup when he returned the empty box.
The wonderfully entertaining Johnny Cowling kept spirits high and laughter flowing throughout the event. Doors opened at 12:30 PM, and the results were announced before 4 PM.
At the start of the day, Johnny shared a heartwarming sentiment: “Say hello to the others at your table; there are no strangers here, we are all friends, it’s just that we haven’t been introduced.” A final thought from Cornwall Hospice Care’s Chief Executive, Paul Brinsley, highlighted the importance of community support: “91% of Cornwall Hospice funds come from gifts and donations,” underscoring the reliance of many charities on the kindness of local people and organisations.
What a wonderful occasion! (Pictures below of our willing volunteers, Tim & Chris)
