A remarkable achievement in the realm of record-breaking was recently celebrated when a British woman, who frequently finds herself shouting due to her profession, shattered the Guinness World Record for the loudest scream by a female with an astounding volume of 105.9 decibels.
This feat is particularly noteworthy as it not only sets a personal record for her, but also redefines the standards for the loudest scream by a woman in the world.
Previously, Joseph McGrail-Bateup, an Australian man, held the title for the loudest scream by a male, achieving a remarkable 122.4 decibels. His role as an official town crier in the capital city of Canberra and its surrounding areas highlighted the unique blend of tradition and skill required in this profession.
The Guinness World Records website reported that Brenda Willison, also serving as an official town crier in the UK, accomplished her record-setting scream on September 9. In addition to her remarkable scream, she has now earned the title for the loudest female town crier.
Willison has been dedicated to her role as a town crier in Peterborough since 1987, where she often raises her voice to announce important messages. The actual word she shouted during her record attempt was “Oyez,” which translates to “listen” and has its roots in Anglo-Norman or Old French.
Reflecting on her accomplishment, Willison expressed that she felt she was not in her best form that day. “I think I could have shouted louder,” she stated. “Unfortunately, I was suffering from a bad cold. I am confident that I can achieve an even louder scream in the future.”
Throughout her career, Willison has participated in notable events such as announcing at Buckingham Palace for the Queen Mother’s centenary, Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. She has also visited the Tower of London in her official capacity. In a notable event back in 1995, she issued a “peace proclamation” on the Bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand to commemorate the 50th anniversary of peace.
Discussing gender roles in her profession, Willison remarked, “Many people believe that the position of ‘town crier’ should solely be held by men. However, that’s not the case. As long as the voice is clear, strong, and articulate, anyone can fulfill this role.”
She further elaborated, “You must maintain a sufficient volume and ensure clarity of expression. While some men may have a loud voice, their deep and rough tones can make it difficult for others to understand what they are saying. In contrast, women often have an advantage because their voices tend to be more melodic and clearer.”
After nearly 40 years in this unique profession, Willison was delighted to receive recognition from Emma Salt, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, as she was presented with the certificates for her two new world records. This recognition marks a significant milestone in her career, combining her dedication to her profession with her exceptional vocal abilities.