The Chester Guild of Magicians

The Guild was informally founded back in 1956 by a small group of enthusiasts, responding to a small advert in the local newspaper. The advertisement had been placed by Dennis Roberts and they met together at his house in Hoole.

Subsequent monthly meetings took place there but as the membership increased larger premises with space in which to perform became desirable. The first “clubroom” was the hall of the New Church in Dixon’s Drive, where, in 1957 the group formally convened as the Chester Magic Circle, electing a President and officers. The first President, who held the office on and off over many years, was H.M. (Pat) Sprake who taught at the then Chester City Grammar School – now Queen’s Park High School. A few of his pupils were members including Graham Leech, who is the last remaining founder member. 

Over time the club has seldom varied its regular meeting schedule of the second Monday in every month though the 'clubroom' has been in a variety of locations – the Red Lion pub on Christleton Road, the Queen Hotel in City Road, the Pied Bull Hotel in Northgate Street, the Chester Deaf Club, the Home Guard Club and currently the Bull & Stirrup pub.

Long ago the club changed its name from the Chester Magic Circle to the Chester Guild of Magicians in response to representations by The Magic Circle about the use of the name, as did a number of other magicians’ clubs around the country – there is, after all, only one Magic Circle in the world, let alone in the United Kingdom!  

Membership has waxed and waned over the years but essentially the club has flourished and for many years starting in the 1960s held a very successful annual dinner dance and cabaret at what was then Quaintways Restaurant in Northgate Street in Chester which always attracted a large number of “lay” guests as well as members. In 1982 to celebrate its Silver Jubilee the club held a one-day Magic Convention on a Sunday at the Chester Gateway Theatre which attracted magicians from all over the country.

The membership is and always has been a mixture of magic enthusiasts ranging from full-time entertainers through part-time professionals to non-performing amateurs, all united in their love of the art of magic. A number of the members are also members of The Magic Circle. Most meetings are, obviously, members-only but there are occasional open evenings including an annual meal & cabaret evening. On November 3rd 2006 the Guild celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a Dinner Dance and Cabaret at the Ramada Hotel, compered by the then Guild Secretary, Stephen Cooil, with entertainment provided by comedy magician David Jones and the illusionists Safire. 

Though members perform individually, they will also gather together as a group to present a whole evening of magic for local clubs, societies and schools. The Guild is committed to the promotion of the art of magic and such magical evenings achieve that while at the same time helping Guild funds.

History courtesy of Graham Leech