Pirates ‘lost’ in pub scupper Penzance’s record attempt

AN ATTEMPT by Penzance to beat the world record of 14,000 pirates in one place failed after a group accidentally stayed in the pub and missed the count.

The Cornish town has been trying to claim back the Guinness World Record for several years, having lost it to Hastings in 2013.

But they will be forced to try again next year after missing out on the title by “just a few” on Sunday.

Organisers blamed the miss in part on a groups of pirates who did not leave their local pub in time to be counted.

Pubs in the area had promised to make sure pirates were out and in the count area by 3.45pm. But Andy Hazlehurst told the crowd: “Sorry to say we’re back again next year, we fell short by a few.”

“We won’t say how many [were in the pub]. We won’t shame those who were down in the Dolphin and that, but we still haven’t taught the people who go to the pub to get here on time.” To beat the record, Penzance needed to have more than 14,231 pirates in one place by 4pm on Sunday. To qualify pirates had to have two accessories, such as a sword or eye patch.

Penzance first plundered the record for the largest pirate gathering in 2011, stealing the title from Hastings. But in 2013, their south east rivals won back the title and Penzance decided to challenge them again a year later.

That attempt was mired in controversy after Penzance Town Council spent £55,000 on the failed bid. Costs included spending nearly £300 on inflatable parrots, nearly £2,000 on pirate T-shirts and £600 on pirate flags.

Dick Cliffe, the Penzance mayor, said: “It is a disappointment to ... miss out by such a small amount. The pirates of Penzance is an expression everyone knows – not the pirates of Hastings. They are just impostors.”