Northern Magic Circle

The Northern Magic Circle was formed on the 15th of April 1956 when seven interested people met, by mutual consent, at the Scotch Corner Hotel near Catterick, in Yorkshire, U.K. and discussed the need, or otherwise, of a magical society.

Members present at that time were:- Frank Baumforth, Derbyshire George Blake, Yorkshire Benny Hindmarsh, Co. Durham Bob Lawrence, Yorkshire Frank Richmond, Co. Durham John Scott, Northumberland Tommy Scott, Co. Durham.

A further, founder member, unable to attend that first meeting were Jim Lumley, Yorkshire and Frank Crosswaite

From the start, the aim of the Circle is to foster the interests of magic and magicians in the Northern Counties; without interfering, or attempting to interfere in any way, with the local magical societies which flourish in many of the Northern towns and cities. The Circle's motto is "AMICITIA PER ARTEM MAGICAE" which translates to means "FRIENDSHIP THROUGH THE ART OF MAGIC."

Within a year of its formation the Circle held its first four-day Convention organised in the North, by Northerners, for Northerners. The success of that first "Easter Parade" (as the Convention is known) in Newcastle upon Tyne, over the Easter weekend in 1957, resulted in it becoming an annual event. The venue changed during the early years, but it came to rest in Harrogate for over thirty years. Recently the Easter Parade journeyed to Southport and Ilkley.

The Junior Section was formed in 1972 and, whilst initially it was centered in Newcastle upon Tyne, since 1985 there have been regular meetings in both Yorkshire and Newcastle.

The Circle has its own magazine, Northern Lights and maintains a Library from which members may borrow books.