Congratulations Will and Amelia!

‘We just wanted to send a massive thank you for everything you did to make our day so magical’

Will and Amelia, Stubton Hall, 29th May 2022

It was a pleasure to be part of the lovely Amelia and Will’s wedding day celebrations in May at Stubton Hall. I was delighted when Laura (Amelia’s close friend) very kindly recommended my services to the bride. Amelia wanted the magic to be a special surprise for fiancé Will who is a big fan of prestidigitation.

Close-up magic in the beautiful gardens of Stubton Hall.

Throughout the many months of preparation for the wedding day, Amelia managed to keep my inclusion a secret from Will – a fantastic feat of magic in itself! It was tremendous to see the look of surprise on the newlywed groom’s face when we met during the drinks reception period. Indeed, this was a great time to mingle freely with Will and Amelia’s family and friends: performing close-up magic in the enchanting environs of Stubton Hall.

Mix-and-mingle magic for Amelia and Will’s guests.

Performing table-side entertainment was a massive pleasure!

Table magic throughout the wedding breakfast period was a marvellous privilege to perform. Amelia and Will’s guests were a fantastic group to entertain and it also provided an exciting opportunity to deliver some special routines for the top table. This is always great to do on a wedding day, particularly if the couple and close family have been engaged in group photo shots during the drinks reception period.

Laura takes the mysterious envelope out of the safe…

A very special thank you to Laura and Lee for keeping two predictions I made, and delivered to the venue two weeks prior to the wedding, securely locked up in the safe of Stubton Hall. These mysterious predictions had been sealed inside two envelopes and would later be magically revealed to Amelia and Will…

Amelia managed to keep my inclusion as a secret from Will throughout the many months of wedding planning – incredible!

I also really appreciate Amelia and Will’s decision to share these fantastic photographs for this article. The exceptional Darren Creswell Photography did an outstanding job in capturing all those very special moments throughout the wedding day. Find out more about the services they provide at: Darren Creswell Photography

Congratulations again to the lovely newlyweds Amelia and Will!

Congratulations Amelia and Will! It was fantastic to be part of such a magical and very special day at Stubton Hall.

Stubton Hall is a first class wedding and events venue located close to Newark, North Nottinghamshire, UK. Find out more about the outstanding services they provide at: Stubton Hall Venue

David Fox is a professional entertainer based in Nottingham, UK. Find out more about him at: David Fox Magic

Magick Enterprises of Sheffield

Magick Enterprises, 82 Broad Street, Sheffield, S2 5TG

For an exceptional selection of magic effects, make sure you visit Magick Enterprises of Sheffield. The store boasts a fantastic range of tricks, illusions, magic sets, books, DVDs and magical memorabilia. Ideal for both hobbyist and professional alike, Russell the proprietor always ensures he has the right balance of new modern innovations, along with the timeless classic favourites of magic.

Magick Enterprises is very close to Sheffield city centre and has been a popular haunt of magicians for many years. Regular classes and workshops provide an invaluable opportunity for practitioners of the art to develop and hone their skills.

Please visit the website at: Magick Enterprises

Telephone: 0114 276 0482

David Fox is a professional entertainer based in the UK. Find out more about him at: David Fox Magic

Eastwood – DH Lawrence Country

DH Lawrence (1885 – 1930) Illustration: David Fox

Eastwood Hall – once the offices of the Coal Board now a prestigious four star venue

It’s always fantastic to visit Eastwood and entertain audiences at weddings, parties and special events. Most recently it was a tremendous privilege to be part of Tanya and Matt’s fantastic wedding at the outstanding Eastwood Hall.

Congratulations Tanya and Matt! What a fantastic day it was at Eastwood Hall.

The town is most famous as being the birthplace of the world famous writer and poet DH Lawrence (1885 – 1930) and his legacy remains evident around the area. Indeed, the DH Lawrence Birthplace and Museum on Victoria Street provides an interesting insight into this extraordinary man’s life, work and times.

The DH Lawrence Birth Place Museum – Victoria Street – just off Nottingham Road

Lawrence would spend his formative years at the Breach House on Garden Road. This is where the seeds of his genius were sown and inspiration for future literary masterpieces was provided. The Breach House can be visited and forms part of the Blue Line Trail.

The Breach House on Garden Street, Eastwood

Lawrence drew from the unique social and cultural aspects of life around Eastwood and its environs at the turn of the twentieth century. His father was a coal miner and worked at the local Brinsley colliery.

Brinsley Headstocks Nature Reserve now covers the area formerly occupied by the colliery

Unlike his father, Lawrence would pursue a literary career and studied at the University of Nottingham. Illustration: David Fox

Sons and Lovers, Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Women in Love are three of Lawrence’s most famous works. He was considered to be highly controversial in his time, and Lady Chatterley’s Lover would not be published in its entirety in the UK until 1960.

The Lady Chatterley Public House, Nottingham Road, Eastwood

To find out more about exciting places to visit around Eastwood and Nottinghamshire, visit: Things to do in Nottinghamshire.

David Fox is a professional entertainer, freelance writer and artist based in Nottingham, UK.

A member of the Magic Circle, the International Brotherhood of Magicians and Equity, visit his website at: David Fox Magic

Telephone/text: 07946 686 258

Congratulations Ryan and Marie!

‘Ryan and I just wanted to say a big thank you for the day. Our guests loved having you there and so did we!’

Ryan and Marie, 22nd January 2022, Hampton Manor

What a fantastic day it was at the exceptional Hampton Manor in January when we celebrated the wedding of Ryan and Marie. The lovely couple had been forced to reschedule their big day due to the lockdowns, so it was great to see them finally tie the knot in style.

It’s always great to entertain all the generations of family and friends!

It was a massive privilege to provide close-up ‘mix-and-mingle’ magic for Ryan and Marie’s lovely family and friends. Indeed, such entertainment is perfect for the period immediately after the wedding ceremony.

The stunning environs of Hampton Manor made for a very magical day!

Card magic, sleight-of-hand, mind-reading, gambling demonstrations and child-friendly tricks were provided – and it was great to entertain all generations of guest. Thank you again to Ryan and Marie for calling upon my services, and congratulations once again!

Ryan and Marie’s guests were a real pleasure to entertain!

Special thanks to the outstanding Lucie Watson Photography for providing these tremendous photographs. Visit their website for more details: Lucie Watson Photography

Hampton Manor is an exceptional venue located in Solihull, Midlands, UK. Find out all about it here: Hampton Manor

David Fox is a professional entertainer, freelance writer and artist based in the UK. A member of the Magic Circle, The International Brotherhood of Magicians and Equity, find out more about David at: David Fox Magic Telephone/Text: 07946686258

Customised Magic by David Fox

David Fox can create customised packages for any type of event

Are you looking for something different at your next special event? Do you want to provide a truly unique experience for your friends, family, clients and business associates? Customised entertainment packages and magic effects can be created to celebrate your special occasion or market a new product!

David has a wealth of experience having performed in all types of environment

David frequently appears at trade events representing well known brands. His personality and performance are well suited for high intensity promotions at prestigious venues such as the Birmingham NEC, or intimate gatherings in car showrooms or office complexes.

Looking for a positive reaction? contact David today

David Fox has proudly represented a galaxy of top brands over the years. They include: Sytner BMW, Vauxhall, British Gas, SERCO, Capital One, The Jockey Club, Barclays Bank and Virgin.

Contact David Fox today to find out more about his unique service.

Website: David Fox Magic

Telephone/Text: 07946 686 258

David is a proud member of the Magic Circle, The International Brotherhood of Magicians and Equity.

Congratulations William and Fern!

‘Every single one of our guests was blown away by your entertainment including the children. Thank you for being a part of our day.’

William and Fern, The Quorn Country Hotel, 13th November 2021

What a fantastic day it was at the exceptional Quorn Country Hotel, Loughborough for William and Fern’s wedding day in November 2021. It was third time lucky for the lovely couple – their wedding having been postponed due to the lockdowns – and we certainly made up for the delay in style!

It was a tremendous pleasure to entertain guests of all ages. Close-up magic during the drinks reception period – as well as table magic during the wedding breakfast – was provided. William and Fern’s guests were a joy to entertain, and it is always fantastic to amuse the younger guests too!

The beauty of magic is that it can be delivered virtually anywhere! We were blessed with a mild sunny day last November, and I thoroughly enjoyed engaging the guests outside whilst the photos were being taken.

The exceptional Forever Pictures masterfully captured the magic on William and Fern’s big day. They were fantastic to work with, and please visit their website for more details: Forever Pictures Telephone number: 07939 631511 Email address: forever-pictures@live.com

Party Time With James did a sterling job at entertaining both children and adults after the wedding breakfast. James is a tremendous family entertainer, and a top man! Please do visit his Facebook page ‘Party Time With James‘. His email address is: partytimewithjames@gmail.com

Congratulations William and Fern! What a great day it was and I really appreciate you investing your trust in me to entertain everyone. I hope to see you all again in the future. Best wishes. David Fox.

David’s website is: www.magician-midlands.co.uk

Telephone: 07946 686 258

Congratulations Mary Ann and Elliott

Magic for Mary Ann, Elliott and guests at the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton – photograph courtesy of Clare Robinson Photography – http://www.clare-robinson.co.uk

‘We booked David for our wedding and WOW he was fantastic!’

Mary Ann and Elliott, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, 22nd May 2021

I was delighted when Mary Ann and Elliott called upon my services for their wedding celebrations in May at the beautiful Pavilion Gardens in Buxton. This would be my first wedding reception since last October, and I was really looking forward to the occasion.

The majestic architecture of the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton. It was a tremendous privilege to be part of such a special wedding day.

The last time I had entertained at the Pavilion Gardens was at a charity fundraiser in the Grand Ballroom. However, due to the government guidelines, Mary Ann and Elliott’s wedding would be a much more intimate affair; which certainly made the day extra special.

I thoroughly enjoyed mixing and mingling with Mary Ann and Elliott’s guests in such a unique venue. Photograph courtesy of Clare Robinson Photography – http://www.clare-robinson.co.uk

Prior to performance, it was imperative to visit the venue and plan carefully for the day. Mary Ann and Elliott’s drinks reception was to be held in the majestic Winter Garden Conservatory and the exceptional Rita of Parkwood Leisure very kindly took the time out of her very busy schedule to discuss the unique format of the wedding with me. Indeed, the more planning and preparation a magician can do, the more powerful the magic will be. All of the staff at the Pavilion Gardens were fantastic and were keen to ensure everything ran smoothly for Mary Ann, Elliott and their guests.

You can always expect a very warm welcome from the exceptional events team whenever you visit the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton.

It truly was a massive privilege to mingle with such a lovely group of family members and close friends throughout drinks reception period. Guests had travelled from far and wide to share in Mary Ann and Elliott’s nuptials, and everyone was in fine spirits. We were also blessed with some sunshine which allowed everyone to sample the exquisite gardens, and the fantastic photographer Clare Robinson was always on hand to organise both group shots and capture those magic moments.

It’s always a pleasure to customise a little personalised magic for such an important occasion.

Clare and the lovely couple very kindly permitted me to display photos of magic being performed in this article. I am sure you will agree that the Manchester based photographer masterfully encapsulates those very special intimate interactions when the guests are drawn closer and closer together by the mysterious power of Magic….

Find out more about Clare Robinson Photography at: www.clare-robinson.co.uk

Make sure you visit the Pavilion Gardens next time you’re in Buxton: www.parkwoodoutdoors.co.uk

For magic and customised entertainment: David Fox Magic: www.magician-midlands.co.uk

Congratulations Mary Ann and Elliott!

Age UK – A Lock-down Lifeline

IMG_9903 (1)

Age UK have done a magnificent job in providing a lock-down lifeline for thousands of older people across the length and breadth of the country. Since March, the charity has been offering invaluable support by ensuring essential medical and food supplies are delivered to people’s homes.

Age UK’s fundraising events are always fantastic to perform at

I have been well aware of the exceptional work Age UK does throughout the community for many years, and I have been very fortunate to have performed magic at their lively fundraising events. These occasions are always very well attended and are opportunities to celebrate their work supporting isolated and vulnerable people.

AADBCCC6-1731-4D35-AA4B-AA52C4F095C1 — Magic at Alea Casino in Nottingham in June 2019 with Age UK

Indeed, I was delighted that the charity accepted my application to assist with food and medical deliveries when the lockdown started. There are a lot of people around Nottingham in the over 70 age group who have been confined to their homes since March, and it has been a tremendously challenging time for them to say the least. Some elderly people may not have friends or family close at hand, so Age UK has provided an essential network for them. I have been very fortunate and privileged to have been part of this team and witness first hand the difference the charity makes.

‘Without the help of Age UK, I have no idea how we would have coped’ reflected Mrs Fletcher, whose husband was hospitalised during lockdown and has thankfully since recovered from the virus. ‘The weekly food and medical deliveries have taken a large weight off our minds and really helped to reduce the stress levels!’

Working with Age UK has been a hugely enriching experience and has provided me with some much needed structure each week during this chaotic time. I always look forward to the deliveries, chatting to different people and listening to their experiences and perspectives. The crisis has made me even more thankful for being fit and healthy, and also revealed the tremendous amount of good will within the community. Local food store employees and pharmacists have been very keen to assist, and gone above and beyond to ensure that vital supplies reach the people who need them most.

Well done to Age UK in coming to the aid of so many people during the crisis, and for all the other fantastic work you continue to do! Why not volunteer, donate or find out more about Age UK at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

The Curse of the Pharaohs

Like thousands of people all over the UK, I was very disappointed to miss the ‘Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh’ exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery due to the pandemic. Egyptology has fascinated me since childhood when I read about the mysterious ‘Curse of the Pharaohs’.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with the tale, English archaeologist Howard Carter made arguably the greatest antiquarian discovery of all time on the 26th November 1922. After scouring the Valley of the Kings in southern Egypt for two decades, the intrepid scholar had finally managed to locate the tomb of Tutankhamun which had lain concealed beneath the rolling desert sands for over three millennia. Spectacular hieroglyphics, priceless artefacts and the majestic golden sarcophagus of the boy king greeted Carter and his team as they prized open the solid stone gateway to the antechamber.

But the euphoria from the discovery would be short lived. Many people associated with the archaeological feat began to die in mysterious circumstances; most notably Lord Carnarvon who had financed the enterprise. It was believed that he had contracted an unknown disease at the tomb, and at the moment of his death all of the lights in Cairo inexplicably went out and his favourite dog had a seizure and died!

Local people spoke openly of a curse which the ancient Egyptian priests had placed upon the tomb to prevent grave robbers desecrating the final resting place of the Pharaoh. The famous writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – who was a believer in spiritualism – insisted that Carter and his men had angered ‘elementals’ or spirits who had been summoned to guard over the antechamber during the funerary rights of Tutankhamun.

The story had echoes of the notorious ‘Unlucky Mummy’ which was found in Thebes and acquired by the British Museum in 1889. Most people who came into contact with the mummy would either die mysteriously or be met with severe ill luck. The original owner lost his fortune and passed away suddenly along with the men involved with transporting the artefact to London. Some said that the ‘Unlucky Mummy’ even found its way onboard the Titanic and the curse was responsible for the disaster! But this theory was quickly debunked as it still resides in room 62 of the British Museum: serial number EA 22542.

The story that a ‘cursed’ mummy was onboard the Titanic has long been debunked

Indeed, the far-fetched tale of the ‘Unlucky Mummy’ perhaps reveals how the notion of a ‘curse’ or some sort of supernatural occurrence can quickly be distorted and exaggerated. Is it indeed possible to ‘curse’ or ‘hex’ someone? Or perhaps the process is somewhat psychosomatic? That is to say, if someone ‘believes’ himself or herself to be cursed, then they will start to ‘invite’ misfortune into their lives?

The debate about the efficacy of curses is interesting, but one thing is certain, Howard Carter’s incredible find, along with the mystery and majesty of ancient Egypt, will continue to capture the popular imagination.

David Fox is a professional entertainer and freelance writer based in the UK. Visit his website for more details: www.magician-midlands.co.uk

Aleister Crowley, Jimmy Page and the Legend of Boleskine House

Boleskine House on the banks of Loch Ness has long harboured tales of mystery, magic and intrigue. Once owned by the English mystic Aleister Crowley and, in more recent times, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, the house is currently being restored after a fire and extensive vandalism.

The property is currently being restored by the Boleskine House Foundation

This remote area of the Scottish Highlands boasts a plethora of folklore and superstition. A church once stood on the site of the house and a tragic fire is believed to have resulted in the deaths of the entire congregation. In the 17th century a local wizard is also said to have created panic by claiming to have ‘raised the dead’ in the small graveyard which still overlooks the most famous stretch of water in the British Isles. Indeed, the legend of the Loch Ness Monster is renowned the world over and perhaps it was this mystical allure which attracted the notorious Aleister Crowley to purchase Boleskine House in 1899.

My good friend Daniel in the graveyard where a local wizard was said to have ‘raised the dead’ in the 17th century!

Crowley required a secluded habitation to conduct a complex and dangerous magical working known as ‘The Abramelin Ritual’. Driven by a desire to unlock the innermost secrets of existence, the English occultist settled down to a lengthy period of isolation, fasting and barbarous incantations. The ritual involves communication with demonic forces beyond the realms of mundane existence and is most certainly not for the faint hearted.

Aleister Crowley (1875 – 1947) purchased Boleskine House in 1899

However, Crowley would be interrupted at a critical moment and decided to abandon the project in order to assist MacGregor Mathers (the head of the Order of the Golden Dawn – an occult group Crowley belonged to) in Paris. Mathers was facing revolt inside the famous order and Crowley felt an overwhelming compulsion to support him. Some say that the decision to abort ‘The Abramelin’ was foolish and that the demonic forces summoned by Crowley continue to haunt the area to this day. They also insist that Crowley’s recklessness contributed to many of the tragedies which would befall him – and those who came within his orbit – for the rest of his life.

Like many artists, the legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has cultivated a great interest in Aleister Crowley and his work.

In 1970 Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page acquired Boleskine House. The musician had long cultivated an interest in Crowley’s occult practices. Mysterious tales began to circulate about possible supernatural occurrences during this time. Page’s housekeeper Malcolm Dent became convinced that the property was indeed a centre of paranormal phenomena; despite being an ardent sceptic prior to his arrival! Terrifying sounds and mysterious voices were often heard around the house, and heavy objects would be shifted by spectral hands. Dent also noted the strange effect the building would have on visitors and their mental well-being. Click link for more details: Tales of Boleskine House

Loch Ness is one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in the United Kingdom.

At the time of writing the property is being restored by the Boleskine House Foundation. Find them on Twitter: @Boleskine_House or visit their website: Boleskine House Foundation. Loch Ness is one of the most beautiful and spectacular places to visit in the UK, and you can find out more at: Visit Scotland. The rich folklore, mystery and romance of this region continues to entice and enchant thousands of visitors every year.

David Fox Magic

magician-midlands.co.uk – 07946 686 258

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