Jay Palmer began his performing career assisting Houdini and Leon in the 1920s. His real name was William J “Willie” Burns and he was born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1 Nov 1899. Later with his wife and partner, Doreen, from Liverpool, they toured the USA, UK and Europe with their Magic Kettle Act. In the act Doreen, known as “Lydy ’Awkins”, provided the comedy element. Arthur recalls them performing at The Tivoli Theatre in Hull, Doreen wore a long velvet dress with workman’s boots. If liquid was spilt, she would use her dress to mop the stage. In 1950 and 1951 they won the Comedy Prize at FISM. Jay died in 1970.

This is my first ‘proper’ interview since taking over as Spotlight Operator and I have asked my good friend Chris Pawson to open up his mind to us. Chris is a lecturer in the School of Development, Education & Child Studies at Hull College and enjoys practising Magic in his spare time (when he's not looking after his beautiful new granddaughter).

I hope by reading these articles we will all learn something that we didn’t know about other members, for example, did you know Chris's favourite colour is sky blue pink with yellow dots!!!!

So now let’s focus on Chris and thanks for reading!! [Read More]

The new HMC website is finally up and running with (hopefully) all the problems and bugs fixed and all the software working including a new design to match the new Oracle. It is now configured in a way that makes it really easy for me to up-date it with the latest Missed a Meeting reports, Photos, Articles and Links. This will be your first stop to check on all the new HMC news and reports, in-between print versions of the Oracle. [Read More]

Las Vegas is often considered to be the magic capital of the world. What better place to get married and to spend our honeymoon than watching a shed load of magic shows. [Read More]

The food and magic were plentiful and of good quality. The company was convivial. The place was packed – another winner!

Over forty members, prospective members or members of Humberside Young Magicians attended the supper. This was by far the most in the Circle’s history and this was despite the unavoidable absence of several well-known faces. Two dozen performers had kindly agreed to do close-up magic at the tables in the half-an-hour between the end of the meal and the start of the cabaret. Yet another record. [Read More]