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Cornish Magical Society’s 53rd
Annual Dinner
Saturday March 22nd 2014
Reported by Brian Adams
Paul
Daniels – Honorary Vice President of the Cornish Magical Society.
On the evening of March 22, 90 members and guests attended the Cornish Magical
Society’s 53rd Annual Dinner at the Membly Hall Hotel in Falmouth. The Dinner
was dedicated to the memory of Joan Burford a long-term member, past President
and Treasurer of the Society who sadly passed away on Boxing Day. Before the
meal, members entertained their guests with close up magic at their tables. Once
coffee had been served, the President, Jon Martin, welcomed the guests and
announced that the guest of honour, Paul Daniels, had kindly agreed to become an
Honorary Vice President of the Society. To mark the occasion Jon presented Paul
with an engraved magic wand. Jon then invited the members of the society to
raise a toast to the guests. In replying on behalf of the guests, Paul said he
was very pleased to be associated with the Society as Cornwall was where he had
started his professional career. He then spoke for a very entertaining few
minutes as he recalled some of the incidents from his life in magic. This was
followed by a short eulogy for Joan Burford from Paul Scott, the immediate Past
President.
The cabaret was by none other than the Society’s new honorary vice president.
The audience were treated to a number of tricks and effects from Paul’s
extensive repertoire which were all served up with a good helping of humour.
Guests were called up to assist from time to time which enhanced both the magic
and the humour. Those of us who had seen Paul during his recent tour had the
opportunity to see some of the effects he had used then such as: the Linking
Rings (calling up a young girl to help him); Bill Abbot’s Bad Ass (which
involved an imaginary toilet - you had to be there!); and Dean Dill’s Box which
stunned the audience to silence. However, there was so much more and,
unfortunately, a short review like this can’t possibly do justice to the
evening. Everyone agreed that this had been a fantastic show by one of the
greats.
The Cornish Magical Society would like to thank Paul for agreeing to become
their Honorary Vice President. We would also like to thank the Membly Hall Hotel
for looking after us so well on the night.
www.cornishmagicalsociety.co.uk
© Brian Adams – President elect, Cornish Magical Society, March 2014