About the Cotswold Magical Society
A magic club steeped in history
The Cotswold Hotel where the formation of the Cotswold Magical Society was planned in 1943
Programme from the clubs first magical séance 'Magic of the Cotswolds' held at Cheltenham Town Hall on 4th July 1943
An early start
On 6th March 1943 World's Fair, the showman’s newspaper, reported the formation of a new magical society in Cheltenham called the Cotswold Magical Society, with an intention to affiliate to The Magic Circle in London.
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It was the brainchild of George Sylvestre and Wilfred Tyler, who planned the formation of the club with the support of their host Donald King-Higgs, while visiting a local hotel called The Cotswold.
The club's first President
George Sylvestre was the Cotswold Magical Society's first President and Chairman. He was also a Member of the Inner Magic Circle (MIMC) and under his leadership the society rapidly established a great reputation and connections with other magical organisations.
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George Sylvestre's contributions to the Cotswold Magical Society were instrumental in its early development and success, fostering a community of magicians and enthusiasts in the region.
Penetration effects and a séance
The number of magicians who first promised to support the Cotswold Magical Society is recorded as 22 and females were admitted provided they were practising magicians.
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In the club's initial reports were several names to conjure with: Horace King, Ricardo, Professor Bofeys, Reg Gattward and Eric (Nit-Wit) Williams.
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At the first closed meeting the subject was "Penetration effects - have they entertainment value?". There is no record of an answer to this question but the effects presented suggest an affirmative. These included a "Die Penetration through Hat" by Peter Akester (a blind member) and a "Block and Frame Effect with Original Routines" by Colin Hughes.
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Under Sylvestre's Presidency, on 4th July 1943 the society held its first magical séance titled "Magic of the Cotswolds". This was held at the Town Hall in Cheltenham. Admission was by invitation and it was attended by over 300 people, including representatives from other magical societies including The Magic Circle, The British Ring (IBM), The British Magical Society, and The Society of American Magicians among others.
Competitions and awards
The society organised its first magic competition on 6th February, 1944, which included various classes of magical effects such as the most original effect using cellophane, crepe paper, ribbons, etc. The Sylvestre Wand, named after the President George Sylvestre, was awarded to Reg Gattward for having the most entertaining act.
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One notable feature in the history of the society was the Annual Cotswold Assemblies. These were the magic conventions of their day and in 1948 included what was called the First Magical Traders Exhibition. Among the competitions was one open to all magical societies in Great Britain, this subject each year to be arranged by the Council of the Society.
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To this day, the club continues to run annual competitions with awards available for the best parlour and close-up magic and it has recently introduced a new 'fool us' competition format.
John Nevil Maskelyne
From its beginning the Cotswold Magical Society acknowledged a magical link with the great British stage magician and inventor John Nevil Maskelyne whose birthplace had been in Cheltenham.
At the formation of the society it was stated that a recognition plaque would be erected but a suitable location had not been determined. At that time, John Nevil Maskelyne’s birthplace was suspected to have been on the site of the existing GWR train station.
In a Programme for the second annual "Cheltenham Section Day" on 15th February 1947, Tom Hayter wrote "J.N. Maskelyne, the Grand Old Man of our craft, was born here in 1839... ...some little time ago I was fortunate in being able to discover that Maskelyne was born at number 20, White Hart Row, now known as White Hart Street, Cheltenham."
In May 1948 a plaque was unveiled at the Old Town Hall by Maskelyne's grandson, Noel. The plaque has since been refurbished and installed in the foyer of the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre.
The Devil's Chimney
The logo of the Cotswold Magical Society is the Devil's Chimney, which is a limestone rock formation located on Leckhampton Hill, south of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. It stands above a disused quarry and although it appears natural it is largely man-made. It was formed when an incline to a quarry was cut behind it, isolating the pillar from the main hillside. The formation is named for its peculiar shape, resembling a crooked and twisted chimney rising from the ground. According to local legend, the Devil's Chimney is the chimney of the Devil's dwelling deep beneath the ground. The Devil, provoked by the many Christian churches in the area, would sit atop Leckhampton Hill and hurl stones at Sunday churchgoers. However, the stones were turned back on him, driving him beneath the ground and trapping him there.
The Devil's Chimney has been a well-known local landmark in the Cotswolds since Cheltenham became a popular tourist destination. It survived an earthquake in 1926, although it sustained a few cracks. In 1985, it was repaired and protected from further erosion. Visitors to the Devil's Chimney sometimes leave coins on the rock as payment to the Devil, ensuring he stays in his underground home.
