Home Counties Magical Society

As President of the Magicians of Basingstoke I would like to invite any Home Counties Members to a lecture being given by an international star of Magic. Mr Terry Seabrooke. This special lecture will be on the last Tuesday of September at the Kempshot Village Hall in Basingstoke starting sharp at 8pm. The entry fee will only be £5. Hope to see as many of you there as possible.

With the Olympics in Beijing now drawing to a close, the path is clear for FISM 2009. a number of members have expressed an interest in heading out to the convention, and I know a few have registered already.

The main issue at the moment is lack of information on the price of hotels, flights and similar. This should change in the next few weeks as the Olympic prices settle down and China releases more information about actually what might be susibised by the Chinese Government (such as hotels and flights).

Derek Lever is the UK group organiser for those wishing to travel out as a group and take in some of the sites. I hope to start publishing some of this info as it becomes available over on the Magic Convention Guide. Derek is awaiting new brochures from the organising committee.

For the moment have a think about if you'd like to attend Beijing 2009, and if you've never been to FISM, its a fantastic magicial event with the cream of the worlds magicians lecturing, performing, and selling their wares...

The line up for this years International Magic Convention in London this November looking better and better by the week. Richard Turner, Richard Kaufmann, Andrew Goldenhersh are all appearing, and now announced though Magic Convention Guide, John Lovick is set to bring event more to this years event in November. 

John Lovick, aka Handsome Jack is a regular performer at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, where he has been nominated each of the last eight years as Parlour Magician of the Year. He is also an author, probably best known for his book Switch which offers a comprehensive guide to the $100 Bill Switch, and includes history, variations, subtleties, performance theory, presentation ideas and 60 stand-up and close-up routines.

The London based International Magic Convention is a fantastic event, and I'll be heading up there again this year...

More information over on the Magic Convention Guide

_Discuss

Chris Pratt died peacefully yesterday afternoon (August 11) after a long illness.

Chris obviosuly will be known to many members during his time serving as the Secretary of the Magic Circle, a position which he held for twenty years.

The magic fraternity has suffered a great loss. The thoughts of the Society and Members are now with his wife Jill, and his family.

Ian Keable will be lecturing for the Society in January 2009. We have a fantastic line up building for next year, which we will be releasing over the next few months.

Full details on this years lectures, and for information on next years, please keep checking the Programme and Lecture page.

Remember, if there's a lecturer that you want to see. Let the Programme Secretary know ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

The sudden loss of Derek McFaull, the British Ring President last Monday morning was a big shock to all. He was to have travelled to Louisville along with 68 Brits who attended the IBM/SAM Convention and his passing was a real shock for everyone.

The funeral will take place on Monday 18 August at 1.15pm at St Mary's Church, Calne, Wilits. Family flowers only - donations to be sent to The British Ring, IBM Welfare Fund via the funeral directors, W Wooton & Son, 47 Market Place, Chippenham, Wilts.

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology and the "go-ahead" from the participants, members will be able to see the FIRST Civil Ceremony from The Magic Circle's Headquarters.

Rob Cox (the hard working Membership Secretary) and Mandy Davis (the El Supremo of The Young Magicians Club) will be the first couple "to take the plunge" in what can only be described as a unique setting.

You can see and enjoy the event on Thursday 7 August 2008 by logging on to www.robcoxmagic.com and then clicking on the Wedding Banner. The timing is 1.45pm to 2.30pm.

Older members may remember Rob Cox when he was a member of the HCMS and he will be visiting us again in September when The Magic Circle Examination Night is taking place.

Make a note in your diary now. 

(note I also reported this over at iTricks last weekend which contains a little more info.. - Andrew)

I am very pleased to see that member Andy Stone is standing for election to the Committee of The British Ring. Longstanding members will know Andy from past years but for the benefit of those who know him only by name, a few brief words.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Andy since he was a young teenager and once he became a full member of the HCMS he was a regular member of the Junior Day team where his expertise and knowledge was of great value. He was an active Council Member and Programme Secretary for some time. Due to the nature of his work with the BBC and having moved away from Reading we see too little of him, but despite the journey from Chandlers Ford, he manages to attend more frequently than some who live locally!

I know from his "input" to the HCMS that he will be a valuable member of the British Ring Committee and he certainly has my vote as recorded on my ballot paper which was posted today.

The line up for this years International Magic Convention in London this November is hotting up. Richard Turner, Richard Kaufmann and now Andrew Goldenhersh will be appearing at this years event in November. 

His skill and style have mesmerized and intrigued international audiences in venues ranging from corporate events to the stages of Hollywood’s Magic Castle to national television specials. His dramatic flair, imaginative presentation, and sense of humor are as irresistible as his breathtaking original magic. A favorite at Hollywood’s world-famous Magic Castle, he has been nominated eight years in a row as both Close-Up Magician of the Year and Parlour Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts.

More information over on the Magic Convention Guide

_Discuss