Scrum Down, Print Forward: World Record Linocut in Newcastle
Filming Public Art Events: Northern Print’s Linocut World Record Attempt gave me a front-row seat to one of the most ambitious and joyful creative projects I’ve ever documented.
On Sunday 11 October 2015, a determined group of printmakers, artists, students, and rugby players gathered together on Grey Street in Newcastle upon Tyne with one goal in mind: to break the Guinness World Record for the longest single linocut print ever created.
And yes — the record was officially confirmed.
The project was conceived to celebrate the Rugby World Cup 2015 and formed part of NewcastleGateshead’s Conversion Festival, a cultural programme designed to mark the city’s role as one of the tournament’s host locations. What followed was an extraordinary act of community collaboration — an intersection of art, sport, and public participation — all brought to life through printmaking.
The final piece measured a remarkable 33 metres in length, exceeding the previous world record of 24.5 metres. But it wasn’t just the scale that impressed me as a filmmaker — it was the way the story unfolded in layers. From the intricate lino cuts to the city-centre spectacle, this was filmmaking gold: vibrant, unpredictable, and packed with genuine human connection.
At the heart of the project was a stunning design by artist Sara Ogilvie, cut into a giant sheet of lino and divided into segments. These sections were then sent to eleven print studios and arts organisations across the UK, each representing a Rugby World Cup host nation. Each studio was invited to embellish their section with details unique to their community, celebrating local culture, heritage, and the spirit of rugby.
To add a global touch, another twenty rugby ball–shaped lino panels were created by artists, students, and rugby players representing the competing nations. Each ball-shaped print was integrated into the final design like pieces of a visual jigsaw — a clever way of tying together international participation with local energy.
As a filmmaker documenting the process, I was struck by the precision and teamwork required. Back at Northern Print’s studio, the returned lino sections had to be carefully aligned, recut, and reassembled into one continuous image. One organiser described the process as “a bit like a game of consequences,” where each studio had worked independently and now had to find harmony with their neighbouring panels.
There was also the matter of how to print something 33 metres long, outdoors, in public. The solution was ingenious: a rugby scrum machine, custom-adapted with layers of felt and rubber, was slowly pushed across the surface, pressing paper down onto the inked lino. Volunteers — many from local rugby clubs like Tynedale — powered the machine with controlled precision, rolling it along the entire length of Grey Street to cheering crowds.
Watching the print reveal itself, strip by strip, was magical. People held their breath as each section was peeled back, revealing intricately carved scenes — some poetic, others humorous, all clearly infused with care and creativity. This wasn’t just a printing demo; it was a moment of shared anticipation and celebration.
What stood out most was the diversity of contributors. Kids who had never tried lino printing before got the chance to draw and carve their ideas during community workshops. Students from Northumbria University helped with inking, registration, and coordination. Local families, artists, and rugby players all took part. The act of making was itself the performance — a joyful merging of play and process.
Bringing printmaking into a public space like Grey Street was a deliberate move. As one of the organisers put it, “So much of what we do happens behind studio doors. This was about putting it under people’s noses — letting them stumble upon it while doing their shopping.” That kind of spontaneous visibility is rare in visual arts, and it created a real sense of wonder and discovery.
With the Guinness World Record now confirmed, this project stands as more than just a technical achievement. It’s a powerful example of what community arts can achieve — a creative expression of unity, effort, and shared purpose. The values it celebrated — teamwork, craftsmanship, accessibility — are just as central to filmmaking as they are to rugby and print.
One participant summed it up beautifully:
“It makes people feel like they’ve played a part in something bigger — and everyone loves being creative.”
This was a story I was proud to film. A public art event, a record-breaking print, and a city brought together through ink, sweat, and imagination — captured forever on camera.
Quick Summary
Event: Scrum Down, Print Forward
Location: Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne
Date: Sunday 11 October 2015
Achievement: Guinness World Record for the longest single linocut print (33 metres)
Collaborators: Northern Print, Sara Ogilvie, 11 print studios, 20 nations, students, artists, rugby players, and volunteers
Part of: NewcastleGateshead’s Conversion Festival / Rugby World Cup 2015
Learn more about Northern Print and their work at www.northernprint.org.uk
🎬 Explore more of my artist films at:
alanfentiman.co.uk/vimeo-videos/artist-films