A Ross-on-Wye family with many and varied interests share a passion for magic across three generations.

Stuart Clarkson is a teacher in a school near Cheltenham but his children, Rhys and Carys attend Brampton Abbotts school and Rhys will soon be joining John Kyrle.

Stuart and Rhys are both members of the Northern Magic Circle and they hope Carys will join them as soon as she is old enough.

Father and son visited the Ross Gazette office during half term to talk about where their interest in magic came from, and also demonstrated several magic tricks.

Stuart was a great fan of Paul Daniels in the 1970s and owned many of his range of magic tricks. He is originally from York and when his brother’s friend invited him to a meeting of the York Magic Circle in 1983 he went along and was hooked.

Within two months he had become a junior member of the Northern Magic Circle and took part in his first competition in February 1984. He said at that age you have to show commitments to magic but senior members have to pass an audition.

Stuart’s father was giving up a lot of his time taking him to meetings and lessons, so he decided to join too. Although he was not a performer, he very quickly joined the Council which organises events, including a convention every year. Stuart’s father was soon elected President and Stuart also joined the council and was editor of the group’s newsletter for about ten years. As a teenager he was earning money from entertaining at children’s parties but he knew he did not want to make a career out of magic. He went to university and became a teacher and became President of the Northern Magic Circle in 2000 while he was still only 27. He was, and still is, the youngest President in the society’s history.

Stuart took a ten year break but was invited back in 2017 to become President again and he has now been joined in the Society by Rhys.

The Northern Magic Circle is one of the biggest magic societies and has members across the UK. Founded in 1956, the Circle is celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year.

Stuart told the Gazette that he is still a member of York Magic Circle as it is where he came from, but the Northern Magic Circle has members across the country. He said there are Circles in Gloucester and Hereford but not one in Ross. He sets up a magic club at any school he teaches at and concentrates on tricks which can be done anywhere. He starts with tricks using a pack of cards and these were among the tricks he demonstrated, along with Rhys at the Ross Gazette office.

Stuart and his family moved to Ross in 2008 and take part in many local activities. Rhys and Carys take part in local gymnastics, Street Dance classes, they also achieved Black Belts in TaeKwanDo and play football and rugby. Magic is a hobby they enjoy on holiday or at the weekend, although Stuart said that Rhys will start honing his performance for the nation convention in September. He has been given a ten minute slot among other young magicians.

Judging by the way he completely fooled me with his card tricks I am sure he is set for a magical future.