Home Counties Magical Society

Events
Magic Trek - Sponsorship
Events
Written by Andrew Webb   
Monday, 20 April 2009 00:00

Sponsored Walk From Portsmouth To London On Behalf Of The Anthony Nolan TrustMembers will be aware that Sean Lobban, a magician from the Portsmouth and District Magic Circle, is arranging to walk from Portsmouth to London via Southampton, Winchester, Basingstoke, Reading and Windsor to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust, which is a charity saving the lives of leukaemia patients through bone marrow transplants.

The HCMS Council is giving it's support to this venture and intends to hand over a presentation cheque to the Trekkers when they arrive at our society on the 8th May. If you would like to sponsor member Robert Bone, or simply make a donation to the Anthony Nolan Trust through the HCMS, please use the 'Donate' button below.

Sponsorship for Rob Bone is now closed on the site, you can sponsor the walk directly by visiting: www.anthonynolanevents.org.uk/magictrek

Read more...
 
Competition Night - March
Events
Written by Dan Hudson   
Wednesday, 31 December 2008 12:56

Don't forget that March 19th 2009 is our Annual Competition Night. Please make sure that you have given your details and entry form to myself This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in plenty of time for the evening. We would like as many members to enter as possible. We have a wealth of talent in our midst, please take some time to show it.

 
Member's Lecturettes Evening
Events
Written by Keith Churcher   
Friday, 17 October 2008 10:45

The October Meeting saw the first .... and hopefully other members will follow the example ...  of two lecturettes from our own members.

Brian Dodridge opened the evening with a fascinating talk on the Houdini Seances. He had several attractive posters on display and an easy presentation which touched briefly on the early career of, probably the best known name in magic as far as the public are concerned, but concentrated mainly on the latter years when Houdini was very active in his exposure of fraudulent mediums.

He covered events which followed Houdini's death on 31. 10 1926 when his widow waited for the "agreed code word" to come through from "the other side". Eventually a medium was able to give her the agreed (and apparently only known to H and his wife) word. The Press were somewhat sceptical of the claims and she suffered continual disbelief during her remaining years.

A very meaty subject and apparently still causing a great deal of interest and conjecture ... undoubtedly Brian will have aroused the interest of members present (I shall certainly be re-reading all that I have in my own library).

A great start to the evening and this continued as Brian and Robin Maddy demonstrated very convincingly Geoffrey Scalbert's Mystery of the Seventh Card. We broke for refreshments (as always Susan was active in her domain) ... and awaited the second half of the evening which was to start with an explanation of  "HOW" they had fooled us so well.

Members sat fascinated by the explanation of the 7th Card Mystery and we were taken through the effect stage by stage which enable us to "have a go" with Robin (who played the mental receiver in the presentation) and check our results at each stage in the effect. Brian and Robin had slightly modified the original presentation and without doubt I can see several of us "priming our other halves" so that we can also mystify our friends.

Robin then took the floor for his showing and explanation of just a few of his favourite items which covered a modern version of George Blake's "Uncanny Hanks"; T & R Tissue with a lovely cod explanation to finish; a baffling newspaper prediction (pleased that I'm not the only one who uses this excellent effect) and closed with a very strong ESP Envelope Divination. The explanations were very clear and easily understood by all present ... shame of you missed the evening ...'cos we all learned something and I would put money on several using at least one of the effects shown.  Make sure YOU don't miss the next similar evening.

Simon expressed our thanks to Brian and Robin for a mystifying and entertaining evening .... further offers to present your own "mini" will be welcomed by Dan (aka Fred in the Shed) Hudson who handles our programme.

 
Congratulations and Best Wishes!
Events
Written by Simon Williams   
Thursday, 02 October 2008 05:48

May I on behalf of all members of the Home Counties Magical Society wish Andrew Webb and Michelle our best wishes for their forthcoming marriage this Saturday 4th October 2008. May you both know much joy as you take this special step together. Enjoy the day.

Simon Williams, President

 
Another Successful Dinner
Events
Written by Keith Churcher   
Saturday, 27 September 2008 16:17

Around forty sat down to eat at the Sonning Golf Club for the Society's 2008 Dinner. Numbers were down due to a "dates clash" with the British Ring Convention in Eastbourne ...  an ongoing problem with the seemingly ever increasing magical events slotting into the calendar.

After an enjoyable meal in good company with several members "doing the rounds" and entertaining members and friends we all settled down to enjoy the Cabaret from Mel Mellers. Mel rattled through "the act as known" with effects which ranged from a dove production (which was kicked into touch)  - professor's nightmare with his own touches - prediction and mind reading - a cod wrist amputation, presumably for the magicians present - balloon penetration -and more - to finish with his giant card story and a mass hypnosis of the entire audience.

The raffle prizes were collected and President Simon Williams thanked the two principal "culprits" for the evening - Dan Hudson (aka Fred in the Shed) and Susan Barry who had provided the table decorations. All in all a very pleasant evening with time to chatter and natter before departing homewards. Hopefully there will be photos to follow shortly.

Watch this space for details for the 2009 Dinner.

 


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