Kilmarnock Magic Circle History

Kilmarnock Magic Circle was founded on Wednesday 13th April 1938. The Club's founder members were David Kelly and Sam Wallace. Other early members included Brothers; White, McGill, Fraser, Paton, Wright, Dalziel, Munro, Miller, Kirkland and Houston. The usual rules of promoting magic at all times, any members revealing the secrets would be expelled were included although the club also had some strager rules including one that stated that members must smoke their own cigarettes at the meetings.

Research shows that the club's original name was Kilmarnock Charlton Magicians Club and meetings were held at No.3 Cheapside Street, Kilmarnock. However by December 1938 the club was known as Kilmarnock Magic Circle and meetings had moved to the Y.M.C.A hall located on the top floor of Howard House. Although the club started on a Wednesday night, meetings moved to a Tuesday and then a Thursday Night throughout the earlier meetings. To this day meetings are still held on a Thursday Night. Members were provided with badges on the 11th May 1938 after paying a fee of 10/11. The club decided to have an Open Night which took place on Tuesday 13th December 1938. The night was a great success and many further Open Nights were held over later years.

As the Second World War (1939-45) broke out, questions were raised wither the club would continue during and after the war. In 1943 Jack Miller, the President of the club declared that the club was going to continue. It was agreed that any member going to aid his country was to hand in his badge for safe keeping. At this time meetings, were still being held weekly, with each week dedicated to a particular form of magic including; Cards, Silks, Ropes and Balls with the final Wednesday kept for Miscellaneous Magic.

In 1942 Kilmarnock Magic Circle began visiting Scottish Conjurers Association in Glasgow. These evenings were very successful and were to continue for many years.