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British Magical Society
The British Magical Society (BMS) was started in 1905 by F.E. Walker in his home in Birmingham, England.
David Devant was the first President and held the Office for three years. J.N. Maskelyne designed the Society Badge and Emblem and gave considerable help in forming the rules.
For fifty years "Freddie" Walker held the position of Secretary. Ernest Noakes, the second President, became a prominent member of the Magic Circle which was formed a month after the inauguration of The British Magical Society. There has been a strong bond between the two Societies, with many members common to both. The late Goodliffe, three times President, created and edited the World's only International weekly magic magazine Abracadabra for over 35 years.
On the occasion of the Society's Golden and Diamond Jubilees, four-day Conventions were held in Birmingham which attracted hundreds of magicians from all over.
B.M.S has a Library of nearly 2000 books on Magic and the Allied Arts which are available on loan to members. The British Magical Journal, published bimonthly, is devoted to recording reports on shows, lecturers, coming events and other subjects of lively interest.
Honorary Vice Presidents
The current Honorary Vice Presidents are: John Fisher, Wayne Dobson, and Scott Penrose, and Marvin Berglas.
Previous Honorary Vice President include; Paul Daniels, Ken Dodd, Ali Bongo, David Berglas MBE and Derek Lever.
David Berglas Award
The award was presented to the British Magical society by David Berglas. It is awarded annually by the Members and Past Presidents' Committees for "Outstanding Contribution to Magic" by a British magician.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Peter Warlock |
| 1989 | Paul Daniels |
| 1990 | John Fisher |
| 1991 | Ali Bongo |
| 1992 | Alan Shaxon |
| 1993 | Patrick Page |
| 1994 | Roy Johnson |
| 1995 | Ron Macmillan |
| 1996 | David Berglas |
| 1997 | Donald Bevan |
| 1998 | Wayne Dobson |
| 1999 | Jeffery Atkins |
| 2000 | Derek Lever |
| 2001 | Eddie Dawes |
| 2002 | Elizabeth Warlock |
| 2003 | Geoffrey Durham |
| 2004 | Alex Elmsley |
| 2006 | Paul Kieve |
| 2007 | Mark Raffles |
| 2008 | Terry Herbert |
| 2009 | Roy Walton |
| 2010 | Bob Hamilton |
| 2011 | Derren Brown |
| 2012 | Anthony Owen |
| 2013 | Duncan Trillo |
| 2014 | Marvin Berglas |
| 2015 | Andy Nyman |
| 2016 | Dynamo |
| 2017 | Jon Marshall |
| 2018 | Richard Cadell |
| 2019 | Paul Zenon |
| 2020 | Stephen Mulhern |
| 2021 | Scott Penrose |
| 2022 | John Archer |
| 2023 | Fergus Roy |
| 2024 | Fay Presto |
