The

Griffin

The Monthly Journal of North Wales Magic Circle : Cylch Hud Gogledd Cymru

Volume 64 No7 September 2007

Too Big For His Boots?

Pet

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Hello fellow members Well, what an evening. Thank you all who came to celebrate my Presidents night with me. I hope you enjoyed food and entertainment. A big thank you to my guest performers who put on a fantastic show of their magical talent, humour and entertainment abilities. Kicking off the proceedings was our very own Terry “I’m too good for this place” Jones. I asked Terry to do a spot because I know I can rely on his entertaining humour and whit. An all round performer who’s range of magic is both varied and polished. Terry started with a rope trick followed by a very clever 4 Ace routine with jumbo cards. He then amazed the audience by pulling a single card out of his jacket that had been freely chosen and shouted out by a spectator. He did it again several more times producing the exact card chosen by randomly selected audience members. He finished by matching a card from a red pack with a card from a blue pack both freely chosen by different members of the audience. My next guest performer was young Elliot Carty. Its great to see such talent and ability from one of our youngest members of the society who’s just attained great results from his exams at school. Elliot started with a mind trick that used a magic Morse code to locate the chosen card. His routine of producing the spectators card from the top of the pack several times was great sleight of hand. Elliot finished his spot with a very entertaining coin producing wooden box. Each time we were shown an empty box however Elliott managed to produce a dozen or so coins from it. Well done to a young man who’s performance was entertaining and professional with high degree of magical ability and presented in such a pleasant way. My third invited performer (after the break) was “Commy Trooper” known to fellow members as Albert Harrison. I greatly admire Albert’s progress with his magical abilities as he is one of the newer members of our society, but you wouldn’t have thought that on Tues. His performance was varied and entertaining. Starting with the vanish of an American dollar into a silk only to have 4 Jumbo dollars appear. Albert apologised before performing his next trick, the Atlas Magic Vanishing Bandana, which he had sent away for, as due to the postal dispute he had only received it that morning and was not able to practice it. He had a CD with instructions to follow which asked him to 1st take out a silk from the box followed by the yellow bandana. Unfortunately for Albert the silk was accompanied by a banana!!! What followed next was a hilarious routine of trying to fold the banana as instructed and place it into the

President: Peter HewsonThe Willows, Bryn Hyfryd Park, Conwy

LL32 8PF. tel: 01492 596461

President Elect: Peter OwenSecretary & Welfare Secretary:

Arthur Booker4 Bodelwyddan Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl,

LL18 5BW. tel: 01745 330733Treasurer: Robert Scott

3 Pendyffryn Road, Rhyl, LLI8 4RU01745 351918

Book Librarian: Eddie Hughes & Paul Hughes

“Taklakot”, Craig Road, Old Colwyn, Conway.LL29 9HN. tel: 01492 516712

Video Librarian: Mark Thurold8 Avon Court, Connah's Quay, Deeside, Flintshire CH5 4UN tel: 0779 353 0634

Entertainments Secretary: Noel MasseyThe Stables, Brookpark Farm, Chester Road,

Northop Hall, Mold. Flintshire. CH7 6NJtel: 01244 812813

Competition Organiser: Russell Roberts17 Maes Cynfaen, Brynford, Holywell

CH8 8LA. tel: 01352 716 845Photographer & Griffin Editor: Howie Fay"Witzend" 10 The Rowans, Broughton, Chester.

CH4 0TD tel: 01244 534894(home) tel: 01928 750 381(office)

email: editor@griffinmagazine.co.ukCommittee Members

Trevor LewisRob Coleclough

Dave BakerDon Gilroy (Past President)

The Committee

silk. The audience roared with laughter but the laughter changed to applause as the banana disappeared. Next Albert performed his amazing floating snooker ball routine. Where the ball appears and vanishes magically before you eyes. Great entertainment from our member from Anglesey. I could not have had my Presidents night without asking the man responsible for getting me into the N W M C to do a turn for me. Trevor Lewis was as usual at his very best and its easy to see why he has won so many international awards and lectures around the world. A consummate artist in every respect, entertaining,witty, professional with great dexterity. Trevor started by teasing the audience with coloured changing silks before they vanished completely. He then told a tearful story of not ever getting any pocket money because his father could always predict the card Trevor had turned over in the pack. He had the audience in fits of hysterics and the assisting spectator totally bemused with a supreme cards across routine. Trevor then vanished a glass of whiskey in a tartan bag before it mysteriously appeared in his back pocket.I thought the evening was a great success and a BIG thank you again to all my invited performing artists. I really appreciate that you gave up your time to perform at my special evening. Kind regards Peter

October Meeting:

Mark Elsdon Lecture

Mark's lecture has been very well

received by many magical societies so

this is a night not to be missed. Usual

time, usual place

Now as promised a review of the Las Vegas shows ( all magic shows apart from one) Noel Massey, Bob Scott and myself attended on our trip in August. There are literally dozens of shows, musicals and magic acts that you get spoilt for choice. We had studied the reviews listened to suggestions from fellow magicians and the following is a brief description of the shows we chose to see and where they are performed as a guide to anyone who may be

visiting Vegas in the near future. I won’t describe every illusion or trick that each artist performs as it may spoil it for you from seeing the show live and also it will take forever. I will say that a common theme repeated through most shows are cutting people in half or several bits, performer vanishes, performers appearing amongst the audience and large productions of helicopters, bikes, cars, trains and even a Jet plane!!!

Three Go Daft In

We chose one of the Cirque Du Soleil shows “Le Reve” a visually stunning water acrobatic show performed to music and you discover an extraordinary world where dreams swim in the air and dance on water. This is at the Wynn Hotel nightly except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Our first magic show was Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo Hotel. A polished if somewhat dated performance starting with his world renowned dove act with him wearing his top hat and tails. When he vanished from one of his illusions he reappeared swinging from a chandelier above the audience, somewhat reminisance of the scene in Phantom of the Opera. He produces his white Corvette sports car then fly’s it over the stage, an impressive illusion. Dirk Arther in Xtreme Magic at the Tropicana has live tigers, I think the only ones now in a show after the Siegfried and Roy disaster. He produces a helicopter, diesel train and some doves and ducks. The tigers have more personality than Dirk Arther as his performance came across plastic and shallow. Nathan Burton is the young magician who got into the top 10 of Americas Got Talent. He’s on at the V Theatre in Planet Hollywood Hotel. A fast, bright entertaining show where he has new ways of presenting well established illusions. One was a giant hair drier which appeared to blow his assistant horizontally without any means of support ( or the usual broom under the arm). That was an afternoon show and he greeted everyone as they left the theatre. I think we will see a great deal more of this hardworking magician….. Watch this space! David Copperfield at the MGM Grande Hotel was the dearest show we went to see and had the least content of illusions and magic. A third of his show was a video telling us all

how great he is and that he’s sold more tickets than Madonna, been on more TV shows than anyone else, travelled the world with shows more than any other magician. He even showed TV and film clips that mentioned his name when the line was “Who do you think you are David Copperfield”. I was one of twelve that got selected out of the audience to sit in a cage suspended off the floor which was covered and we all vanished only to appear at the back of the theatre amongst the crowd. We were then ushered into a corridor to be shown a video of how the trick would have looked to the audience. We were then told to wait as David would come out to talk to us. A step was then put out, the type you see in a supermarket for filling the top shelves with items that you then can not reach because they take the steps away!!! Anyway then Copperfield appeared from a door stood on the steps looked down at us all and told us it had taken two years to produce that illusion so we must be sworn to secrecy and not tell anyone how it was done. He was so condescending with a “I love me attitude and I’m the greatest magician to have walked this earth” that I was looking for the sick bucket! He never stopped for the requested pictures or even shook anyone hands just gave a lecture and swanned off. By the way anyone wanting to know how the illusion is done just ask me at our next meeting JTim Gabrielson was an afternoon show which is worth a visit. Those of you who went to Southport would have seen him there. He was on at the smaller theatre in Planet Hollywood which had tables and chairs more like a bar atmosphere and you could eat and drink while watching the show. We introduced ourselves on our arrival as members of the N W M C and got free seats on a front table. His one man

close up magic show is very warm and amusing. His use of a member of the audience is very funny without belittling them. The gags go on and on and he’s a very talented magician. He was very keen to get our feed back not just about his show but also others we had seen. A charming very polite hard working magician with humility a rare commodity amongst American magicians ( David Copperfield take note!). Hans Klok at the Planet Hollywood’s largest theatre is a fast high speed ride through 40 electrifying illusions. He races around the stage and never stops, its like watching illusions on a DVD at fast forward. The only drawback to his show is the guest appearance of Pamela Anderson ex Baywatch fame, she has trouble stringing a sentence together and really distracts from his dazzling illusions rather than adds to them. The Mac King comedy magic show is on twice in the afternoons in Harrahs Hotel. A very funny show for all the family. His laid pack presentation and offbeat comedy blend in with his magic tricks the American audience loved him. Steve Wyrick in the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood is a mixture of slight of hand and big illusions of a helicopter, bike and aircraft. His signature illusion the “Blades if Death” is unrivalled and making a twin engine Lear Jet aircraft appear is the largest stage illusion being performed in Vegas. I liked his show and the combination of illusions and close up always goes down well with me. So there you have it 9 shows in 7 days in a mind blowing 24/7 larger than life resort that was 110 degrees. Were we mad???? Well I for one would certainly do it all over again and if you get the chance everyone should visit Las Vegas at least once in their lifetime. Best wishes Peter

David Williamson is a comedy magician and master of closeup magic. His signature act involves “ Rocky” a racoon puppet that Williamson presents as a live animal that participates in several magic effects. In 1981 David won first place in the International Brotherhood od Magicians sleight of hand competition.That year he also became the first ever recipient of the prestigious Gold Cups Award of Excellence in close-up magic. David was voted “Sleight of Hand Magician of the Year” two years in a row by his peers at Hollywood's renowned Magic Castle. He was also twice awarded the “Magic Castle Lecturer of the Year” and the “Magic Castle Parlor Magician of the Year”. David was voted “Most Wanted Magician” at the 2003 FISM convention in Den Haag. David has been featured on ABC’s, Champions of Magic. David has also co-starred in several top-rated prime-time network specials including CBS’ Magicians’ Favorite Magicians, NBC’s Houdini: Unlocking His Mysteries, and NBC’s World’s Greatest Magic III.He hosted the United Kingdom’s acclaimed television series The Magic Comedy Strip. He has created illusions for and performed in several

The formation of the CircleThe Circle was formed in 1942 in Rhyl, and was the brainchild of John Leckie. There was no local magic society so John decided to form one. At a function he met Sid Woods, who was the magical entertainer for the evening, to whom he put his idea. Sid was most enthusiastic. They knew of another magician living eastward along the coast, but did not know his address. John wrote him a

letter and addressed it “Mr Magician, Mostyn, Flintshire”. Two weeks later came a reply from the very man... Sam Hughes, of 51 Taylor Street, Flint, saying he would meet them.The three met in the Bedford Cafe, Rhyl and, with a report in the local press, made contact with nine other interested local magicians. These nine held their inaugural meeting on the 4th November 1942, in the Gladstone Hotel, Rhyl. Their names were: W.A.Carr, Sam Hughes, Professor Jesson, Will Lloyd Lawrence M.A., John Leckie, Wilf Leyland, Alvin Lovatt, W.R. Watkins, Sid Woods. They elected Wilf Leyland as President, John Leckie as Hon.Secretary, Alvin Lovatt as Hon.Treasurer, W.A.Carr as Hon.Editor.1940sWilf Leyland held the presidential office until his death in October 1946. Sam Hughes was then elected President, an office to which he was elected annually for the next 29 years until his death in 1975. The rules were then changed, subsequent Presidents could hold office for one year only; but the ruling came too late, for of the original nine, only John Leckie had survived. He

commercials and has developed TV shows for Walt Disney Productions and ABC, as well as consulting for illusionists David Copperfield’s and David Blaine's TV specials. Most recently, David appeared on PAX TV’s World Magic Awards special where he was awarded comedy magician of the year. He was featured on the cover of Magic Magazine in 1991.His best-selling magic book, “Williamson’s Wonders”, has been translated into four languages. He has produced several instructional DVDs “Sleight Of Dave”, “Dave 2” and “Magic Farm”.

A POTTED HISTORY OF

NORTH WALES MAGIC

CIRCLEfinally accepted the Presidency in 1981. He died in September 1986.The first Griffin magazine, Vol 1, No 1, was published in May 1943.The National Association of Magical Societies was formed in 1946, and the Circle was among its first members. In March 1947 the Circle very successfully hosted the meeting of the N.A.M.S..

This success undoubtedly put our Circle on the map.In 1947 and 1948, W.R.Watkins, in conjunction with the commanding officer of Kinmel Camp, successfully staged a Searchlight Tattoo at St Asaph. Harry Benson did a blindfold drive; Eric Seager did an act; Alvin Lovatt acted as Treasurer for the event.1950s to 1980sThe first Annual Dinner was held on Friday, 9th April 1956, in the Nant Hall Hotel, Prestatyn. Price 7s 6d per head (37.5 p!).The 25th Anniversary Celebration was held at the Royal Lido, Prestatyn with the then President of the I.B.M.Ring 25, Geoffrey Buckingham as Guest of Honour.In 1968 the Mersey-Dee Inter Society Competition was held in Moore, Warrington. Sam Hughes and Rovi, representing the Circle, brought the trophy to North Wales for the first time. Rovi travelled around trip of 200 miles to represent the Circle. In 1970, the trophy was again brought back to North Wales, this time by Slim & His Magic (Ron Mutch) and Rulon & Helena (Arthur & Ellen Booker).In 1969, Trevor Lewis became World Champion Close-Up Magician.The Circle Master Magician Award was won by Marc & Jayne in 1983. They went on to win the I.B.M. Shield in 1984.The Circle boasts THREE Past Presidents of the I.B.M. British Ring No 25 - Geoffrey Buckingham, Oscar Paulson and Rovi.Geoffrey Buckingham, Rovi and Trevor Lewis are Members of the Inner Magic Circle, Gold Star. Rovi is also the only magician to become a Bard.The Golden JubileeThe Circle Golden Jubilee Year was celebrated with a Banquet and Cabaret held in the St George’s Hotel,

Llandudno, 25th April 1992. There, Robert John, our Jubilee Year President welcomed our guests of honour: David Berglas, President of the Magic Circle and Geoff Ray, President of the British Ring No. 25. Ali Bongo was Toast Master and Compere. This was followed on Sunday, 26th April by a one day convention, held in the same hotel. Both events were highly successful, receiving acclaim from the visiting magic fraternity and guests alike. To mark our Golden Jubilee Year, the Circle adopted its bilingual title which is included on all official documents and stationery.In 1995, Trevor Lewis was lecturing and entertaining on Geoff Maltby’s Magical Cruise aboard the QE2. A special award was made to Trevor for his work in making the event so successful.At the I.B.M. convention in September 1995, Jayne and Stuart Loughland and partner, with their comedy act Marie Claude Chantelle & Co won the Conventioneers’ Trophy for originality, the Tom Harris Cup for Comedy and the British Ring Shield.Present dayAt present we have 69 members. The membership includes professionals, amateurs and beginners. Many members have appeared on TV, a number have performed for British and foreign royalty. Others are internationally well known performers and lecturers in the world of magic. Two members have had their own TV series.The North Wales Magic Circle - Cylch Hud Gogledd Cymru has grown through the hard work of members past and present, to become a most prestigious society.

by Kevin Gallagher

I would guess that most magicians keep a simple accounts book which keeps a note of all incomings and all outgoings to be accounted for on the dreaded tax return but I offer here a strong monitory tip. Use an accountant. I use an accounts software package which provides good visibility and reporting and for many years, I simply managed my own accounts unaided. This entailed recording any payments received together with any costs and all seemed very straight forward. A few years ago, uncertain about a particular aspect, I decided to take a consultation from a professional accountant at the cost of several hundred pounds. I have never looked back. Each year, I now

take a single consultation after I have prepared my accounts for return for his approval. Suffice to say, each year he has paid for his fee several fold. He is able to do this because accounts are his profession and as such, he takes it upon himself to understand all of the implications of the apparently minor details which crop up in each budget which generally pass straight over my head.By way of example, did you know that as a benefit to small businesses this tax year, it is permissible to write down one hundred percent of all capital purchases involving computer or IT equipment. This extends not only to computers but to all associated equipment, like for example, my new invaluable digital camera, purchased exclusively for magic. One of the things that used to be irritating about hi-tech equipment which is now more tolerable is that it can be depreciated at an astonishing rate as it too quickly becomes obsolete to legitimately disappear from the books in but a few years.Car benefits are incredibly complex and there are a number of different ways in which travel may be accounted. If your business is healthy enough, you may be able to purchase or lease a car through it so that insurance, tax, servicing, depreciation and the like become a business rather than personal expense. In my own circumstances, this is not the case and I claim a mileage allowance against each consultation, visit to a potential client or booking. Many magicians that I have talked to have been very surprised to learn that the accepted allowances are

All Accounted For

NWMC Annual Dinner &

Awards

10th November 2007

atThe Oriel House

Hotel, St Asaph

Get Your Tickets Now from Bob

Scotttickets £27.50

Oriel House Hotel: Room

Rates for NWMC Dinner

I've recently booked a room for the night of The NWMC Annual Dinner at The Oriel House Hotel. The special rates quoted for Dinner guests are as follows:

Club Double Room: £78 B&BStandard Double: £62 B&B Standard Single: £55 B&B

Prices correct at time of going to press and subject to availability.

Oriel House Hotel:

Upper Denbigh Road, St. Asaph, Denbighshire, LL17 0LW.

Tel: +44 (0) 1745 582 716

45p for the first 4000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter for cars ranged from 1500 to 2000cc. This rises to an astounding 63p and 36p for cars over 2000cc which can mean in some favourable cases, you could actually be better off driving that nice larger car! Again, I know of some magicians that do little more than claim back petrol at cost.Every single magic expense can be written down including society memberships, conventions, books, videos, accommodation and sustenance, dry cleaning and not just props and outfits which first come to mind. This is not trying to cheat the taxman, they are very legitimate allowances. For each show, you can claim for all of those consumables so go on, for your own entertainment if nothing else, get that waffle dust accounted for!

© Kevin Gallagher January 2003

Paul and Barry are back this year with a first ever for International Artists with a UK Touring Pantomime, Aladdin, this time you’ll be able to see them all around the UK, together with a full cast, Which includes, From there Current tour “Spooky Goings on 2” Safire Featuring Jayne and Stuart Loughland, Luke Jasztal, Simon Harvey, Amanda Poyner and The Chucklettes. And the “Magic Flying Carpet!”

Safire can be seen in the upcoming Chuckle Brother’s Aladdin The Magical Adventure tour in November and December. The production features a cast of 12 in which Stuart plays the Genie and Jayne the Slave of the Ring. The duo will also perform their illusion act and also a new Eastern themed UV puppet act with their Magic Light Puppet Company. Sadly, you'll have to travel a long way from North Wales to see them, the nearest venue is Preston 27th ~28th November and Southport 1st December 2007

Indian magician set to open

magic universityPeople’s Daily Online - Beijing,China, Sunday,

26 August 2007

A top Indian magician plans to open a university in an eastern Indian state for graduation in magic, the Hindustan Times reported Thursday.P. C. Sorcar, who astounded many when he made India’s Taj Mahal monument to love “vanish” in 2000, told the newspaper that 15 pupils would be trained in the ancient art form each year at the proposed university in West Bengal.“They will learn magic and learn to trust only logical sense and science, but not the eyes. Today’s magic is tomorrow’s science, “ the daily quoted Sorcar as saying.His course in optical illusion will last two years. Sorcar said his move aimed at preserving the vanishing art of magic. “My university will preserve the art,” he said.

Most Swords SwallowedAt once by a female

An American, Natasha Veruschka swallowed not one, two or three but 13 swords, each at least 38 cm (15 in) long

in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylviania, USA on September 3, 2004 to become the worlds first female to achieve the feat.She fell only one sword short of the male success of 14 swords recorded since April 6, 2000, in Perth, Australia by another American Matt Henshaw, credited with the title of the Most Swords swallowed by any humanHenshaw’s was so frightening because the swords he swallowed were exactly 4 cm (1.5 in) wide and 58.9 cm (23.1n) long and weighed 4.5 kg (916 140z). if you think this is pure magic and utterly unbelievable, then save your breath for the next marvel.

Most Live RattlesnakesHeld in Mouth by a Human

Ever heard of the renowned snake handler who married his third wife in a pit of 300 rattle snakes: if you didn’t, he is Jackie Bibby of the United States of America, who has huddled snakes all his life.Popularly called “Snake man” Bibby held eight 75-cm-long (2ft 6-in) Wester diamondback Rattle Snakes in his mouth for 12.5 seconds without assistance from anyone, during the May 29, 2001. Guinness World Records Experience in Orlando, Florida, USA.That made him holder of the world record of most live rattle-snakes held in mouth.

By the Way Did You Know?

A Ukrainian, Stephan Kovatechuk spent 57 years in the attic of his home in Moutdiutsi, Ukraine? He originally went into hiding to avoid the Nazis, and finally emerged at the age of 75 in Sept 1999 when his sister died.Bizaire? You bet.

It's A Mad Mad World

Message from Thomas BlackthorneThere were six sword-swallowers at this year’s Edinburgh festival. Given that there are so few of us left, this happens rarely so I decided to mark the occasion by getting a few of the guys together for a stunt: swallowing the four legs of a bar stool at the same time - one leg each!

Some friends offered us a guest spot in their show, we had a quick meeting to work out the technical details involved in swallowing such a strange object and on we went: no rehearsals, no proof that it could even be done, just the desire to put ourselves to the test and maybe set a record for the most sword-swallowers swallowing the same object.The result was a blast! The swallow was very hard, due to our different heights and the total lack of space between the stool

Bizarre Record

legs but we got it down and the sedate Tuesday-night crowd went wild!

You can see all the fun here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JachlV55WQE

As always, if you like the video, leave comments and LOTS of stars to attract other visitors over.The guys at Guinness loved the idea and approved it immediately.

Southport Convention Competition results. Here are the competition results from the British Ring’s Southport

Convention last week. Many congratulations to all.

Stage Competition Results:The British Ring Shield Winner +

£1000 (1st place) - High Jinx Theo Speaker Cup + £500 (2nd

place) - Club MagicAlastair Wand + £250 (3rd place)

- Alan MaskellTom Harris Cup for Comedy - Not

awarded (oops!)Dittia Shield for Manipulation -

Club Magic Conventioneers Trophy for Originality - Alan Maskell

The Dealers Trophy - Five of Hearts Magic Productions

Close-up Competition Results:Zina Bennett Cup + £1000 (1st

place) - Steve Dela Certificate + £500 (2nd place) -

Alex Moffat Certificate + £250 (3rd place) -

Will GrayRovi Trophy for Entertaining Card

Skill - Steve Dela.

Death Defying Acts. It is 1926, and Harry Houdini is the most famous performer in the world. Audiences flock to watch him perform his amazing stunts. But the man behind the legend is a tortured soul, having been unable to hear his mother’s dying words. He offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who can contact his mother from beyond the grave. When a beautiful but deceptive psychic, Mary McGregor, and her sidekick daughter, Benji, take the challenge, Harry is initially skeptical, but is soon captivated by her charms. The more time he spends with the mysterious woman, the more attracted he is, and what began as a con soon evolves into a passionate and complicated love affair, as Houdini attempts the most dangerous stunt of his career. Filmed on location in London and at Pinewood Studios, Herefordshire, and produced by Myriad Pictures, this movie is set to be released in 2008. Starring Guy Pearce as Harry Houdini, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Mary McGregor, Saoirse Ronan as Benji the brilliant Timothy Spall as Sugarman.

Sutton’s wizard man appeared in court this week, charged with possessing a knife in a public place.Well known Conrad Garry Pugsley, 57, was arrested on June 25 for carrying an eight inch knife in public.Dressed in a full length black gown and carrying a jewel encrusted staff complete with dragon’s head, eccentricMr Pugsley of Carshalton, pleaded not guilty on religious grounds.Electing to be tried by a jury, he will now appear at Croydon Crown Court on October 30.The self-confessed practitioner of the dark arts is a common sight around Sutton, often found wandering up the high street with his dog, Gandolf.Such is his notoriety that a group entitled Wizzard sic Man of Sutton’ has been set up on social networking site Facebook to track his movements.The group currently boasts 306 members, and includes pictures, sighting and discussion boards all focused on his whereabouts.Having practiced magic since he was a child, Mr Pugsley told the Griffin that he was surprised when a friend told him of his fame.“Unfortunately I don’t have access to the internet,” he said. “But I have heard it’s very complimentary. I’m keen for people to know that I’m an actual practitioner, this is my religion. I am not an illusionist, I don’t do tricks, and I am not a Paul Daniels.”

Wizard Appears

In Court

News From The Web MistressNow that the website is up and running, I would like to start adding more information to it. I am aiming to put up a profile page for every member, both past and present. I would like as many people as possible to be featured, and I would also be grateful for profiles of past members and details of the contributions that they made to the Circle. I will list groups/double acts etc. separately, so there will be a page for the group and a page for each of the members.Below is a rough idea of what a profile page will contain, although it is just a guide. You don’t have to fill in every section, and you can add more if you like. I am still tweaking the page design, so it may not end up looking exactly like this.

Member’s Name & PhotographPositions held within the Circle past and present, details of competitions won.Also known as: nickname/performing nameDate Joined Circle/Number of years membershipType of Magic: e.g. cards, coins, close up, childrens’, bizarre, stageContact Details: email address, telephone number, home address, websiteFree text: Write whatever you want in here. The only limitation is your imagination, and laws of taste and decency. (Oh, and the fact that I will alter any “text speak”. I would like the site to have some standards!)

Some suggestions: How did you get into magic? How old were you? How many years have you been interested in magic? Who is your magic hero? What is your earliest memory of magic? What is your most memorable magic moment? What hobbies do you have outside of magic? Ambitions in magic? If you could see any magician, from any time or in any place, who would it be? What is your favourite effect? Who have you performed for? Who would you like to perform for? Have you won any competitions? What is it that you love about magic?

I can add any image of yourself that you supply; it doesn’t have to be a computer file. If you give me a photograph to scan in, I will make sure it gets back to you safely. You could use a drawing, an old school photograph – anything within reason! Think carefully if you want your contact details to be shown. Do you want your mobile number or your home telephone number on the internet where anybody can find it? The same goes for your address. If you’re uncomfortable with having your details on the internet, as an alternative I can add a link to the main NWMC email address and I will forward anything addressed to you. If you want to use your own email address on your page, I will NOT use a direct link – you’ll only end up getting a lot of spam email. If you are a performer actively looking for bookings, I can add a note to that effect. Before I put any of the profiles online, I will make a proof copy, so that you can check that your page is correct. If you want to email your information to me, please use webmistress@nwalesmagic.co.uk

NWMC Website: www.nwalesmagic.co.uk

Aries March 21 - April 19Paranoid fears that the entire world is out to get you will be proven false this week when only the FBI, the CIA, seven county police forces, and an international task force agency are found to be on your trail.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

By hook or by crook, you will crotchet yourself a matching scarf and hat this winter.

Gemini May 21 - June 21You will finally gain the respect of your peers this Thursday after hours spent begging for it on your hands and knees.

Cancer June 22 - July 22By the time you get around to reading the rest of this month's horoscope, procrastination will already have gotten the best of you.

Leo July 23 - August 22Your love of all living creatures will be on display this week when you open the world’s first Animal Rescue Steakhouse.

Virgo August 23 - September 22You have a smile that can light up a room. Sadly, you’ll be too depressed next Tuesday to do anything about the electric company shutting off your power.

Libra September 23 - October 23You will finally land your dream job this week, an ironic achievement considering how little you’ll be sleeping from now on.

Scorpio October 24 - November 21While some questions can only be answered by searching deep within oneself, whatever happened to your spleen and small intestine isn’t one of them.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21Sure, they may all be laughing at you now, but pretty soon they’ll have to stop in order to catch their breath.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19Your daughter’s attention-seeking rendition of “I’m a Little Teapot” will backfire this week when it suddenly dawns on you that you’d much rather have a teapot than a daughter.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18Years of backbreaking work and dedication will finally pay off this Thursday when you suddenly realize the utter futility of trying.

Pisces February 19 - March 20While your towering throne of skulls is still intimidating, the doughnut-shaped hemorrhoid cushion you’ve been forced to purchase does slightly lessen its overall effect.

Your Magical StarsBy Arthur Booker