Page 2 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • June 2004
Death defying stuntman ready for September leap

A madcap world record breaking idea thought up by illusionist Phil Walker from Toothill is now becoming a reality, thanks to The Link.
Our October edition exclusively reported Phil's Phil learnt how to dislocate his shoulder several
plan to be suspended in a straitjacket without a years ago and has done a number of high risk
parachute from a hot air balloon at 13,000 feet. escapes, including one suspended from a one hun-
Four cables will hold him in place, each with an dred foot burning rope at the Wiltshire Festival in
explosive charge attached to go off at thirty second 1999. But doing it at 13,000 feet, the limit before
intervals. He has to escape within two minutes to oxygen breathing apparatus is required, is another
tear away the last charge before an assistant climbs thing.
down with a parachute on which to float to earth. Heather Walker said she had been quite relaxed
Despite the fantastic media coverage, Phil could by Phil's world record fantasy but admitted in-
not persuade sponsors to support him until The creasing tension. "When the other media started
Link story was picked up by the Evening Adver- following up the story I started wondering if this
tiser and BBC Radio Swindon. Now he has teamed was such a good idea. One moment I think 'good
up with West Swindon TV production company for you Phil, you can do it,' the next I panic about
'Sounds Commercial' from Ashworth Industrial the 'what ifs.'
Estate to sell the idea to television companies. "But I know Phil. He plans everything in detail
Phil said, "I was getting despondent that no- and has a team of experts working with him to
body was picking up a stunt with such fantastic ensure he doesn't fail. After all he's 40 next year. It's
potential until The Link story. Since October the a great way to prepare for a mid-life crisis."
project has snowballed; we've done a promotional Whilst waiting for a decision on the TV pro-
video and are getting serious interest from TV gramme Phil and Heather are carrying out their
companies who want to screen a programme with entertainment bookings and he's started a physical
real danger involved." training regime in preparation.
Phil is well known as a magician, illusionist, In Swindon the Greenbridge Pub and the Ghost
corporate event organiser and occasionally a chil- Train in Purton have been raising money for the
dren's party clown, through his company Hemlock Productions. He project and the Link Centre climbing wall team have offered to help Phil
once sky-dived as a hobby and with a military background he has with his training.
assessed the risks of the world record bid and knows it can be done.
"Some people think I'm nuts, but it's not in my interest or the Ever thought of going into print?
sponsor's to fail," he said. "It's been really frustrating to see David Penpushers writers group holds a Self Publishing Event on 5 June,
Blaine get all the attention for sitting in a box, whilst my idea would 10am to 4pm, at St Andrew's Hall, Walcot for anybody interested
make spectacular television. Since The Link came out the project has in producing limited edition books of stories, poems or anthologies.
taken on a life of its own; other people are doing the negotiations with Meet other self-publishers and prize winning author Anne Borrowdale.
TV companies. I'm just waiting for decisions to be made so that we can For tickets, send a £3 cheque & SAE to
get down to detailed planning." Penpushers, 5 Denbigh Close, Swindon SN3 1 EU

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