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For the technical savvy amongst you, The HCMS site is Twitter enabled, meaning that, for those of you in the magic world with Twitter accounts, then you can get public article updates via tweets. Each article title, and it's url is sent shortly after it's published. The HCMS twitter ID is (obviously HCMS), and if you dont have a Twitter account, and want one.. sign up at www.twitter.com Of course if all this means nothing to you, and the closest you come to a tweet is the birds outside your window, then don't worry, but there's an excellent Video here on YouTube that explains what it's all about..

Many visitors may be coming to the site after seeing a reference to our site else where, for instance you might be a visitor looking for the Tim Vine Tour dates or John Carney Lectures. We have a lot of information that gets published on the site, so sometimes you wont find those items on the front page.

So you'll find up in the top right hand corner of the site the 'Search' function. Type anything you like in here and the site will come back with everything it can find. So 'John Carney' will bring up all the references to John Carney.. Obviously. So if you can't see it on the front page, or in any of the menus along the top, or the site, try the search. 

BBC THREE’s flagship show The Real Hustle is back for a new Series and Objective Productions are looking for enthusiastic people to take part! Filming has already start and if you want to appear on television, then this is an opportunity.

The Real Hustle demonstrates confidence and magic tricks, distraction scams and proposition bets performed on members of the public by presenters, Alexis Conran, magician Paul Wilson and Jessica-Jane Clement. The show highlights ways in which people can be swayed, systems fooled and goods or money stolen using simple psychology (and the occasional assistance of gadgets or fake props), with a view to educating the viewer in how to avoid becoming a victim.

In particular, we are looking for people who have access to quite a bit of cash and someone who enjoys the odd gamble & would be up for making some quick money. If you know of anyone that might fit the bill email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

All members are invited to bring along items for sale after this months AGM on the 15th May 2008. This is a great opportunity to recycle some of your old props or items, or acquire some new ones!! It's also a great chance to catch up with other members. Andrew Webb will also have a table and a laptop to take anyone through the website, specifically showing you how to login, edit and submit articles, and for any other general advice on the use of the site. Please let myself know ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you wish to have a table, although you can just turn up with items, knowing rough numbers would help us set out tables. The Society asks for a 10% commission on sales.

The Magic Woods Industry Awards (TMW Awards) results are in, Congratulations to all the winners, and it's nice to see a number of HCMS friends in there, John Archer in the Best Magician Catgeory, Dave Forrest in the Best Newcomer category, and Dr Todd Landman in the Special Award category. It was an honor for us to be nominated amongst such excellent names, and once again congratulations to all.

They aren't your normal run of the mill bus drivers, but then again, this isn't your normal type of bus.. Magician, Paul Zenon, fed up of seeing older people in the UK pushed aside or written off, set up 'The Wonderbus' with the intention of providing a bit of fun and companionship to older people in homes and sheltered housing by taking them on trips to see live entertainment and give them a good old-fashioned day out to remember along the way.

Paul ran a comedy show, 'On the Bus' which toured in 2007 to raise money for the project, following it's success, Paul's decided to run a 2008 tour of the show, featuring himself, Harry Hill and Lee Mack in June, but what prompted Paul to start the project??

HCMS Member Bob Swadling will again be appearing at FFFF 2008 (Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic) convention in New York. The FFFF (Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic) convention is the "Original Close-Up Magic Convention" and the most prestigious gathering of close-up magicians in the world. The event which has run since 1971 is 'By-Invitation-Only' and features the best performers, creators and lecturers in the world.

This years Guest of Honor is Boris Wild, and the four day convention features, Obie O'Brain, Richard Turner, Paul Gorden, Steve Beam, Hank Moorehouse, Astor, Mark Leveridge, Mathieu Bich, Ali Bongo, Bob Swadling, Richard Sanders, Dan Garrett, Ian Rowland, Martin Cox, and Paul Gertner to name but a few.

Full details, and past reviews can be found on the FFFF website.

Photo (c) Robin Dawes 2007

The 'Best of British Variety Tour 2008' will be touring the UK through August and September. The acts read like the old variety shows from the 80's, and include Cannon & Ball, Frank Carson, Jimmy Cricket, Brotherhood of Man, The Krankies and notably, Magician Paul Daniels. Tickets cost £25 flat rate for all shows and seats, and can be brought in association with Ticketmaster.