Local magician Stuart Clarkson is president of the Northern Magic Circle and their annual dinner took place recently.

Stuart is a teacher in a school near Cheltenham but his wife works at John Kyrle High School which his son, Rhys also attends.

Originally from York, Stuart attended a meeting of the York Magic Circle in 1983 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 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.

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.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.