Balloon poodles made against clock

Feb 19 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

MR TWISTER, Wacky ‘D’ and Magic Jack yesterday turned out for a balloon poodle world record setting warm-up.

Along with top magicians and entertainers from the North East, the trio were attempting to make as many poodles as they could in 10 minutes.

The event, held at the Customs House in South Shields, was used as a trial run for the main world record attempt in July.

Performing under the guise of Mr Twister, Darren Bonas, 39, from Newcastle, could manage only 52 poodles in the specified 10 minutes.

He was pipped to second place by 46-year-old Martin Duffy and Michael Murray, 28, with 53 sculpted balloons.

But cruising to victory was Magic Jack and Wacky ‘D’, aka Keith Stirman, 32, and Dominic Cassidy, also 32, both from County Durham.

The pair blew away the competition when they finished with 62 sculpted poodles in their basket.

Mr Stirman, who works for party company Balloon XE UK, said: “This takes years of training. I have been doing balloons since I was 22, about 10 years ago.

“I was in training the other day and my hand swelled up.”

It was stipulated that poodles should be made with 10 sections and contestants had only 10 minutes to make as many as they could.

The record attempt was designed to launch the South Tyneside International Magic Festival which runs from March 10 to March 14, and features world renowned magicians from Spain, Argentina and America.

The festival will feature a number of special performances in schools, hospitals and residential homes across South Tyneside.

Karri Prinn, events officer for South Tyneside Council, said: “This is our fifth year doing the event and it’s something that everyone really enjoys.

“We try to use the entertainment to educate the children in a fun way so they learn valuable lessons, so it’s based around topics like healthy eating and stranger danger.”