Once again Christmas is upon us and it is said for many people to be one of the most stressful of times. I think Angela and I are in that group as we are in the process of selling our house and the purchases conveyancing clerk thinks he is the building inspector, planning advisor and God, but that's life! At the beginning of last month we had Tony Rix lecturing. He is one of the top comedy magicians in the country and he gave us the benefit of his experience. A very good all round lecture. Our next night was the President's Dinner at the Bankfield Hotel, Bingley. The night was a success. The food and service were good; the acts were good as was the atmosphere generated by all there. My thanks to everybody involved. Just a pity we did not have more members present. At Manchester they had their fourth jumbo auction of the year which saw many good quality illusions up for sale. I am not quite sure what time it finished. I left at 11pm and there were still several lots to go under the hammer. On the 20th November it was the North West close up championship. There was a good standard of entrant and I am pleased to say the winner was Darren McDonald, Known locally to us as Dazzling Darren. At Leeds M.A. Chris Kennedy gave a good lecture on mentalism and marketing. The following fortnight Harrogate magicians paid us an exchange visit and a good night was had by all. Angela and I may not make the next meeting as we are hoping to move to Ripponden that day, fingers crossed, and therefore we would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. | 
