The Billet Article - The Stevie B Page

This article is taken from The Billet Issue - 440 - Nov 2008, Authored by Stephen Bellerby

The Stevie B Page

Well done to all those who took part in the one-trick contest and congratulations to Melvyn on his winning again – and this time with the required one-trick not a full act! If I’m honest though, I think Gemma should have won, as she helped in loads of different tricks! It was also nice to see Steve Naylor getting up and doing a turn after too many years and Paul and Alex were thoroughly enjoyable. It took a while before we realised that Alex’s speedy quips and ad-libs were in fact scripted. Steve Hord had recorded the contest so it will hopefully join several other archives of our events.

Shortly afterwards, I was joined by Colin Gough to attend the Marie Curie Hospice 60th Anniversary Tea-Party. We had been asked if we would like to be a part of their celebrations. Dennis and Gemma also went along to offer their support and Steve Hord was intending to but I hadn’t seen the message he’d sent requesting further details until after the event. I’ll also mention and record thanks here in doing so, that Colin Fox from Leeds Magical Association and a friend to many of us joined Colin and me and together we put on out show. It was received as the highlight by many of those in attendance. There was also a brass band and a charming group of young Asian dancers who came back to watch the magic show. Sadly the girls or the band didn’t have the large audience that they deserved and many people missed two wonderful sets. We were fortunate to have had a fairly full marquee. Hopefully, there will be a report from the show elsewhere in the Billet.

It is hoped that the Thornton Primary School Roadshow will become a regular feature. Generating over £100, it can pay for the hall for a couple of meetings. The amount raised this first time (£170!) would have paid for a lecturer, so looking after such events is in the Circle’s interest.

To that end, we have been invited back to St. James the Great Church, in Pudsey, on the afternoon of 24th January. We are also having our return show at Clayton. This will also be an afternoon show, on Saturday 14th February. While I’ll be putting together the performers for the show in Pudsey, Keith will be arranging the programme for the one in Clayton.

A few of us were able to support Mark Waddington’s Skipton Factor show on 17th October. I agreed to be Stage Manager (while I did my best, I think that there are others far better suited to the job) and was assisted by Phil Howarth. Dennis and Gemma were joined by Stephen Hord who all worked front of house as well as helping on the stalls raising money for Manorlands. Louise also helped out during the afternoon and evening with the Waddington family. The show featured Mark and Daryl Hackett, who this year closed the show. The efforts of many and in particular, Mark has raised over £1100 from this year’s show. Planning for next year’s show is already under way and I’ve heard that Amethyst have been approached to close the show. Well that’s all for now, thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time.

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