I was always taught that a story should have a beginning, a middle and an end, but, as Eric Morecambe used to say, not necessarily in that order. So let’s start at the end of the story with Daniel Hargreaves being declared the winner for the sixth time in succession. I was always taught never say never but, let me tell you, this feat will never be repeated. What an achievement!

The five competitors collectively put on what was acknowledged as the best show for many years and with only one point separating first and second it could not have been closer. Compère Paul Kitchen got the show off to a good start and then kept things moving very smoothly between the performances with funny gags and strong visual magic.

First up was fourteen-year-old Alan Underwood, showing no signs of nerves on his debut appearance in The Spooner Trophy. His act included Card in Bottle, a version of Jim Steinmeyer’s Nine Card Trick, a block release and a stage version of The Clock Trick, constructed by his father. Next on was Grant Constable, at 12 the youngest competitor and another Spooner debutant. His cheeky smile and engaging patter soon had the audience on his side. He did some good magic which ranged from a skilful performance of Rainbow Cascade, through a neck penetration, to a sack and chains escape. Thomas Collinson was impressive with a skilful Ring and Rope routine performed to music. Amazing the audience with his polished performance of The Perfect Match, he closed with colourful silk productions. Five times winner Daniel Hargreaves then took to the stage. His opening trick, disappearing cane from silk foulard, was a real stunner – thanks to the wonder of Pledge! (see me for details). He then proceeded to perform a very well rehearsed act which featured a rope escape, a Magic Colouring Book, Ali Bongo’s multiplying straws and a card trick about Aliens. The final act, another new kid on the block, was fourteen-year-old Dale Constable. He looked the part and did some good stage magic which included a Billiard Ball routine, a Book Test and the sudden appearance of balls from inside a previously seen-empty casket. Here was another well structured act which had a strong opener – disappearing flames.

After just over an hour of excellent magic it was time for the judges, Joe Gray, Joan Wadsworth and Dot Prescott under the chairmanship of Arthur Setterington to reach a decision. It was not going to be easy.After the break Paul Kitchen entertained the audience with more excellent and original magic before introducing Malcolm Bromwich and Roxanne Broadbent who performed, inter alia, their Maskelyne Silver Wand Competition winning act. There was an audible gasp throughout the theatre when Malcolm banged the two sides of the screen together and all were relieved to find Roxanne unharmed.Then it was presentation time and HMC Vice President Ray Burrell presented The Tadman Trophy to Thomas Collinson and The Spooner Trophy to Daniel Hargreaves. All the competitors received a certificate and a cash prize. The replicas which were given to the two winners were provided by the family of Geoff Bell in his memory.

The show ran like clockwork and credit for that must go to Richard Morrell, Brian Wilson and Tim Cockerill who followed absentee, Jon Marshall’s, written instructions to the letter. Elsie Setterington and Sylvia Harrop performed their front-of-house duties expertly and Janice Stott ran a lucrative magic raffle for HYM funds. Hull Magicians’ Circle was well represented in the audience and Roni, Malcolm Bromwich, David Hand, Brian Waltham, Rex Stott, Domanic Li, Alan Johnston and Ray Burrell entertained the audience prior to the show.See you all next year.