Newsletter: 146 for October 2008 Dave P. welcomed everyone along tonight and introduced a potential new member, Kevin Morton, to the Club. Kevin had been in touch with Martin and Nicky in 2007 and then met up with David Croucher in Brighton who encouraged him to come along. Just a post meeting mention of thanks for new member David and Reg Moores. On setting up the refreshments, they are often the first ones to rush into the kitchen to ask if any help is needed. In fact David seemed quite disappointed on Wednesday when he told me he was the “Cup Man”! Many thanks to you both for your support. Dave P. let everyone know that he is still to hear about whether he has made the shortlist to join the thousands of other runners at next year’s London Marathon in April. Apparently he’s up to 7 miles road-running now. No doubt he’ll keep us posted and get the sponsor forms out if he gets in. There were a couple of other notices including a reminder of the move from Lewes of the Sussex Magic Circle. Their inaugural meeting in Hassocks with Ali Bongo would be on 9 October. The Annual Dinner numbers were very disappointing and all details were now finalised. Some cheques were still outstanding but these were promised over the next few days. Guests should arrive at Halland by 7.30pm with a start at 8pm. We had apologies from Colin who was due to have his audition tonight as, due to personal circumstances, he has had to postpone this for next time. Not a problem, we can accommodate that. The first part of the evening was not what we expected … David (in a very fetching smoke tinted hat – probably from Spa Valley) had challenged John Holden to “Animals” and showed us his three cats in a hat trick. I don’t know where you got this from Dave but at least it made us laugh. John aka “Pierre” had found this challenge more difficult but managed to appear a couple of doves and a rubber chicken from coloured silks. Very silly but very funny. John has been the run away winner this year but could Dave just knock him off this top spot even just for one month? We would have to wait and see … The main part of the evening was our annual Far Away Competition and first up was Mike Elvin whose routine didn’t completely go to plan. Starting off with an appearing cane and bunch of flowers, a pom-pom stick routine, asking Stan to help with a card to wallet effect and then asking Dave C. and Nicky onto the stage he was planning to show us a joint arm chopper but as this wasn’t working properly and both wanted to keep their arms on their bodies, it was decided to abandon this idea. The card routines were fine and could have perhaps done with a little more decisiveness and conviction. Finishing with mouth coils All in all though, a really good performance. Chairman Dave was next on. He started with a Donald Duck matching routine which he’d bought from Martin a couple of years ago. Asking Brenda to assist with multiplying wands and a sawing the Queen of Hearts in three. Dave’s finish was one he does very well. I never remember what it’s called but it uses the entire pack of cards to tell a story about Queenie going on a date. There were no balloons and we were all surprised by that! John (aka “Pierre”) decided to join us again accompanied by some great jazz music. He made wands turn into flowers, water into colour wines, some card manipulations (which are getting better each time he performs these!) and finishing with cards turning into a very fetching top hat. Well done John, well timed and performed. After the break Brenda “our very own Queen of Hearts” had decided to re-vamp a routine she showed us for Valentines Day. Mike had offered her loads of support and coaching and using her friend Roberto Danova’s music (check him out at www.plazarecords.co.uk) she performed beautifully. This routine was lovely and encompassed many of Brenda’s trademark routines from silk to rose, joining silks and ribbons, jumping silks to appear in an enclosed cabinet, colour changing CDs, turning water into wine(!) and finishing with water to a red rose as her finale. Excellent stuff here and again beautifully performed. Martin took the floor last this evening. He had decided to re-visit an effect which he had used last year to great laughter – the now infamous “Chicken Routine”. Using new boy Dave dressed to the nines as Super Chicken and Chicken Nugget, Martin’s performance was excellent as usual (not that I’m biased in any way you understand!). He finished with his favourite rope trick which he told everyone he uses for older kids, close-up and walk around. This always gets a spontaneous round of applause and tonight was no exception. Very good and very funny! So while members were voting for their chosen Far Away Winner, the announcement came for the Monthly Challenge. It had been very close (no really, this time it really was!) and Dave won much to everyone’s surprise. He was stunned but Mike P. very quickly made a challenge of Coins for November. We would see what happens then. Voting over and the winner by one vote was Brenda. This was totally deserved as she always works so hard on making her magic enjoyable for everyone. So it was on to next month and Remember! Remember! This can be interpreted anyhow you want. If you want to use it as a remembrance to Reg or Bob or a bonfire/firework inspired routine, it’s up to you. Whatever you do during the evening though, just perform. Let’s get some of you up who haven’t entertained us for a while. The meeting finished at 10.10pm Written by: Nicky Lewis Back

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