Harrogate Society of Magicians

The Society was founded in 1947 by six local magicians,  two of whom,  George Fowler and Brian Knowles,  remain active and enthusiastic members.    

 These days,  we gather once a month at the Harlow Community Centre  Sixty years ago,  the six local magicians who founded the club held meetings in each other’s homes.  In due course,  as numbers grew,  sessions moved to a local hotel, and, within a year,  the fledgling Society was able to hold its first ‘Evening of Magic’,  at Harrogate Grammar School,  in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Association. 

In December 2007, the Society celebrated its sixtieth anniversary, with dinner at local restaurant, Pinocchio’s.    This building has seen many changes over the years,  and was,  between 1910 and 1931,  the Empire Theatre,  home to a variety of acts, including such famous names as Sarah Bernhardt and Fats Waller.    The dinner itself was held on the former stage – a perfect setting for the occasion. 

 Like most clubs, we are a healthy mix of amateurs and full-time professionals,  run internal competitions, play host to fellow-societies, visit others,  and put on public shows,  raising money for ourselves and other good causes.

 We are a small, friendly Society.  If you have an interest in magic and would like to take it further,   please feel free to get in touch via our contact page or simply turn up to one of our meetings.