Newsletter: 166 for May 2010 ACES May 2010 Well tonight was an unusual one as Dave was off sunny himself (again!) this time in Jamaica and Vice Chairman Mike had offered apologies as his beloved Fulham FC were playing an important cup game so it was left to President Martin to run the evening. Seemed just like old times … We were delighted to welcome back (and introduce to those who had not met him before) our very own Reg Parker who had been unable to come along to club nights for a few years. This evening he was accompanied by wife Ann and Martin spent a little time reminiscing about the “good old days” of numerous 50:50 shows which Reg always performed at including a story where he gained a load of new fans who spent much of the second half (primed I’m sure!) shouting “Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!” Martin was also extremely pleased to present Reg with a lovely desk clock and calendar inscribed from all his friends – old and new – here at ACES. Post meeting, Mike has been advised that Reg is in hospital and very poorly so we all send him our love and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Martin also reminded everyone about the forthcoming AGM and said that next month’s meeting would be the last day to receive nominations for alternative officerships, any other business, etc. Please have a look at the information already with you and let us have your thoughts in June. The Tri-Wizard event participants have also been organised with Dave Croucher agreeing to do the “Stage” category, Mike Elvin has been asked to do the “Close-up” and Martin is going to be asking Patrick to do the “Mentalism”. Post meeting, all agreed but subsequent to agreeing Patrick has realised that he and Lynn will be in Norfolk for the date of the competition (last fitting for Lynn’s wedding dress apparently – not long to go now!) so will be unable to take part. Martin has stepped into the breach and will now take his place. The menus for the Annual Dinner will be available at next month’s meeting too as these have just been received by Halland and very tasty it all sounds. Don’t forget the Buy 8 tickets pay for just 7 deal and invite as many friends and family as you can. Martin had also been in contact with Sian (Robin Toft’s ex-wife) who has passed on much of his magic to auction/sell and he had bought much of it along this evening. Nothing is priced but sensible offers would be gratefully accepted to go towards a future bank account for Robin’s daughter should she wish to go to University or College. Anything not sold tonight will be available again next meeting and after that possibly sent to Portsmouth Jumbo Day auction. Post meeting, the sums so far add up to well over £100 and we will be passing this over to Sian very soon. So it was onto the evening proper and the Challenge this month was “Silks”. Mike P. was up first with a disappearing knot under a glass followed by a well performed 20th century silk routine (I think that was the gist of it as I had so much to write down this month, I might not have completely got that right – apologies Mike!) Stan told the assembled masses a fairy story about Miss Brown and Mr Green (coloured silks) getting married and joining together. After some patter, the joined silks were placed inside the church (change bag) and out came very quickly a row of joined together Mr and Mrs Green silks and a lots of little silks! It was going to be close again, but only the votes would tell us who won later on. Martin introduced tonight’s competition which was in memory of Tony Richards and gave a short biography of Tony for those who didn’t know him. Sounds the life and soul of any party to me. I only wish I’d met him. Stan told everyone about the time he, Robin and Tony entered a TV quiz competition where they were completely beaten by a bunch of firemen. I will paraphrase some of the routines as there was so much in all of them I may well have missed out bits for which I apologise. Mike P. performed first appearing 4 coins, and then catching them invisibly into a glass using his “money hanky”. He then appeared a lighter and then a jumbo sized dollar. Mike followed this with a very sad story about Percy Parrot’s feather which could be seen floating above the six of diamonds. There was a colour changing CD routine. He finished off with a chosen card appearing under a silk and then appeared a potato from nowhere. Mike’s finale was his ever popular tissle and tassel routine. Patrick asked guest Ann to help and did a quick piece of mentalism with her. He asked her to think of a number between 1 and 100 and on hearing the answer discovered his prediction to be one and the same. He followed this with a good diary book test and finished with Reg helping him with a very fast (and sometimes difficult to understand) cup and ball effect which worked very well the second time appearing both an orange and a lemon. After the break the Challenge winner was announced as Stan who after some prompting was challenged for June’s meeting by Pierre sorry John to “Cards”. Somehow Reg even got a vote although I think that was Ann! Colin had decided to take part in tonight’s competition and announced that the magic itself would be very quick so he would “pad this out with plenty of patter and information about the books I am using”. He was right there was plenty of patter and the chosen Tommy Cooper book as written by John Fisher (incidentally I’m currently reading this myself) was chosen and Ann soon discovered that Colin had the correct word chosen. John Holden leapt into character again and as Pierre started his performance appearing brollies and followed this with a chameleon glass effect. There followed card manipulations, cards from silk and a card fan to top hat finishing off with an appearing cane. Good stuff here John and you’re definitely getting more confident and not hiding behind your table as much. President Martin and I took the stage as the final act which is new and included a bag of lites, an appearing blendo silk from a crystal tube, appearing silks from an empty box and then a further rainbow silk cascading to the floor. An appearing confetti Champagne bottle from an empty silk (which incidentally didn’t half make a mess!) and finished with an appearance of our very special magic rabbit Sargeant Harley Fatboy to everyone’s surprise. The competition proved an excellent nights entertainment and the results were very close with Patrick only just coming out on top. Well done Pat, that means you will have to come to the Annual Dinner to collect your trophy now! After everyone had cleared up the evening eventually finished at 10.15pm. Written by: Nicky Lewis |
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