THIS WEEK IN 1978: John bags baked bean eating record

Best of the bean brigade '“ that was east Hampshire's new world record holder, John Lawrence.
The unusual sight of a bean-eating expert in action as the electronic recorder clicks its way to a world record for John LawrenceThe unusual sight of a bean-eating expert in action as the electronic recorder clicks its way to a world record for John Lawrence
The unusual sight of a bean-eating expert in action as the electronic recorder clicks its way to a world record for John Lawrence

Iron-stomached John turned on a powerhouse display at Petersfield Town Hall to shatter the world baked bean eating record in a race for gastronomic glory against 24 other champion charity chewers.

Seconds after eating 2,353 beans, one by one, in a 30-minute munching marathon at the finals of Petersfield Round Table’s charity bean eating competition, John told The News: ‘I feel famous – but a little bloated.’

Who wouldn’t after keeping up an average of 1.3071 beans a second in a half-hour stint of spearing beans with a cocktail stick?

John beat the existing record of 1,840 beans in 30 minutes.