Our History
( Images are of a selection of past Presidents )
There were 16 members at the first meeting. The first President
was Tommy Harris, with a committee of G Hollingworth, J Lowe,
H Burrows (Chairman), F Wiles (Secretary), J Wilson (Treasurer),
W Ford and G Moore.
The society became popular with local Magicians and quite a lot
joined society. Goodliffe, the original editor of Abracadabra
magazine, was made Hon. Vice President for 1958-1959. In April of
1954, Derby Magic Circle produced a film of their members performing. The first annual dinner was held on 7th May 1955. In October of 1965, Derby Magic Circle suffered the fate of many activity organisations. With dwindling membership and lack of support, the society disbanded.
On 13th February 1974, John Keith appealed on Radio Derby for anyone who was interested in re-forming the Derby Magic Circle to meet him at the Sherwood Hotel, Derby. This produced a response from Fred and Bea Wiles, Joe Bonsall,Wilf Cadman, Dave Cheney, Alan Fox, Mike Hazeldine, Mike Neal, Scotty Thomson, and Jack Skertchly. Breadsall Memorial Hall was adopted as the Derby Magic Circle Head Quarters. John Keith was elected as President, Joe Bonsall was elected as Secretary, and Mike Neal was elected as Treasurer.
For the collective list of our Past Presidents (from 1952 to present day).
In 2020 the Circle continues to evolve.
Past Presidents of Derby Magic Circle
1952 - 1956 Tom Harris
1956 - 1957 Fred Wiles
1957 - 1959 Tom Harris
1959 - 1960 Fred Wiles
1960 - 1961 G Moore
1961 - 1962 V Taylor
1962 - 1963 Fred Wiles
1963 - 1964 J Walker
1964 - 1965 E Newton
1965 - 1965 M Hawthorne
DMC disbanded in October 1965
DMC reformed in February 1974
1974 - 1976 John Keith
1976 - 1977 Roy Field
1977 - 1979 Fred Wiles
1979 - 1980 Ray King
1980 - 1981 Dave Cheney
1981 - 1982 Dez Colona
1982 - 1983 Dennis Gardner
1983 - 1984 Alan Fox
1984 - 1985 Frank Salisbury
1985 - 1986 Clive Moore
1986 - 1987 Joe Bonsall
1987 - 1988 Mikel Dee
1988 - 1989 Fred Wiles
1989 - 1990 Allan Humphries
1990 - 1991 Mike Habbershaw
1991 - 1992 Tony Woollett
1992 - 1993 Dave Faulks
1993 - 1994 B Roe
1994 - 1995 J C McIntyre
1995 - 1996 Stuart Brown
1996 - 1997 Bernie Pedley
1997 - 1998 John Parker
1998 - 1999 Dez Colona
1999 - 2000 Neil Spencer
2000 - 2001 Jean Ellison
2001 - 2002 Ron Betteridge
2002 - 2003 Ian Barradell
2003 - 2004 Dave Faulks
2004 - 2005 Committee
2005 - 2006 Simon Goodfellow
2006 - 2007 James Braybrooke
2007 - 2008 Clive Moore
2008 - 2009 Mike Grimmett
2009 - 2010 Steve Grundy
2010 - 2011 Neil Spencer
2011 - 2012 Paul Sharp
2012 - 2013 Tony Woollett
2013 - 2014 Tony Woollett
2014 - 2015 Paul Sharp
2015 - 2016 Terry Hickman
2016 - 2017 Ray Lewis
2017 - 2018 Allan Humphries
2018 - 2019 Simon Goodfellow
2019 - 2020 Steve Grundy
The Derby Magic Circle was founded by Fred Wiles in 1952. The first meeting was held on the 25th day of March 1952 at Freds Hairdresser shop, number 81 Nightingale Road, Derby.
Allan Humphries 2017-2018
Ray Lewis 2016-2017
Paul Sharp 2014-2015
Terry Hickman 2015-2016
&
Clive Moore 2007-2008
Dez Colona 1998-1999
