Over two-hundred members and guests joined President Eddie Dawes in a standing ovation for, Hon. Vice-President, Arthur Setterington’s achievement of sixty year’s continuous membership of Hull Magicians’ Circle. Eddie presented Arthur with a unique mirror reflecting (from reverse writing) – “Sixty Magical Years” and encased in a hand-made, from rare hardwoods, case, inscribed with many of Arthur’s magical and literary achievements, including the, almost one-thousand, published tricks and ideas contributed to magical magazines, world-wide, principally Abracadabra magazine. The award was crafted by, member, Malcolm Bromwich. The moment was made more special for Arthur’s many friends, and many of his family who were present, as Arthur had only been released from hospital two days before and it was not certain that he could attend. Arthur’s son, Ian, made an acceptance speech for him, saying how much the award meant to his father. And this was not the only award that Arthur collected for he won the Hull Circle’s most recent competition, the Bob Moore Comedy Trophy, competed for earlier, and with this win completed his record of winning all of the Circle’s trophies, many on multiple occasions.

This ceremony was the high-spot of the awards, humorous speeches and toasts, and followed an, as usual, excellent banquet, supervised by Amy Dawes, who also made the table decorations. Don Beattie, President of The British Ring of The International Brotherhood of Magicians, proposed the toast to HMC and Eddie Dawes responded, Vice-President of Hull Magicians’ Circle, Ray Burrell proposed the toast to the guests and Dr Martin Sanderson responded. Alan Johnston was toastmaster. Presentations, made by Pam Beattie, were first to young magicians, the Tadman Trophy to Thomas Collison, the Arthur Setterington Trophy for Close–up to Grant Constable and the Spooner Trophy for Stage Magic, for the sixth time to Daniel Hargreaves. The senior presentations were the Connolly Shield for Stage Magic to Gordon Stow, the Shirley Watts’ Trophy for Close-up Magic to Richard Morrell, the Simpson Shield to Walt Lees and, as reported, the Bob Moore Trophy for Comedy Magic to Arthur Setterington.

And there was more to come as guests were invited to view the re-creation of Jon Gresham’s “Yvette, The Headless Lady” sideshow illusion. Last seen in the 1950s and brought to life by Jon Marshall and Pat Gresham with designer Dave Whatt, sound specialist, Phil Smith and with presenters, Billy Tempest, Tim Cockerill and Hayley Escreet as Yvette. The magic was non-stop; as guests assembled for the after-dinner stage show members of HMC entertained with close-up magic..As a pre-courser to the main entertainment the annual Jasper Maskelyne Silver Wand Competition compered by the immensely funny John Archer was held. The winner Gordon Stow. Runner-up Brian Wilson. Judges were Ken De Courcy, Don Beattie and Maurice Johnson.

Tim Vine, billed as The Man with the Golden Pun” compered with his quick-fire comedy, kept the show moving and, though a comedian, performed his original magic trick. He devined the table numbers where guests had been seated. After a couple of hits with Eddie Dawes and Don Beattie – on the top table, he had less success with his next victim which culminated in the comedy reveal of friend John Archer hidden behind the curtains with a table plan! In the last period of his reign as The Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Paul Dabek with partner Rhian presented their act “Enchantment” , a colourful, fast moving presentation with canes, cards, silk effects and dove productions. With a change of pace, Paul presented a very effective version of the Walking Knot. This attractive couple finished with a fast Substitution Trunk illusion and costume change.On to the star attraction, Geoffrey Durham. Direct from his nation-wide theatre tour, Little Miracles, and his many television appearances. It’s great that Geoffrey, like a few of our countries top professional performers, take time to support many magical functions. Even at the late hour it was by then he gripped the audience and held them spellbound with real conjurering, presented with humour, brilliant timing and skill. From his flash in the hand start he enchanted the audience with many favourites from his repertoire including his signature Torn and Restored Newspaper, a Rubik Cube that was magically solved, a Giant Find the Lady routine, Linking Finger Rings, Signed Silk in Apple, a Card Stab and a big, splashing, finish with Hydrostatic Glass. Alan Hudson stage-managed seamlessly, the artistes were well and creatively lit and the sound perfectly cued.

Around one hundred and seventy members and guests gathered for this year’s Annual Dinner and the verdict was another winner!
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