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High Leigh Convention Centre. Hoddesdon. Hertfordshire
Monday 18th February 2008Till
Friday 22nd February 2008
The price for members is £240.00 if booked before September 30th
Non-members £260.00 if booked before September 30th
After that date it will be
Members £255.00 non-members £275.00
There will be a limited number of single rooms, so booking is on a 'first come, first served' basis.
Later bookings will be in twin rooms.
Please contact:
FCMUK28 St Giles CloseChurch Street
HolmePeterboroughPE7 3QZ
.
FCMUK 2008 Conference
Please watch this space for further updates and items for the convention. Or go to www.fcmuk.org
OILA
In this issuePresident .........................Editorial .........................Letter .........................Dippy .........................Book Review 1 .........................It’s a Record .........................Cover Story .........................Quick Trick 1 .........................Report .........................Quick Trick 2 .........................Book Review 2 .........................Chop Cup .........................Regional Meetings .........................Well done Matt .........................Vent Sketch .........................Committee .........................Conference Info .........................
2345-667 8-910-1112-13141516171819-2122Cover
President: Major Ron Smith 72 Bach Close, Brighton Hill, Basing- stoke, Hampshire RG22 4JZ email: [email protected]
Vice Elwyn Harries - 2 Orchard Crescent, Enfield, MiddlesexPresident Tel: 020 8363 6083 or 0208350 2638
Secretary: Mrs Mary Jenks - 17 Clifford Road, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire WR9 8UR Tel: 01905 779904 email: [email protected]
Treasurer: Mrs Joyce Mabb - 28 St Giles Close, Church Street, Holme, Peterborough PE7 3QZ Tel: 01487 831294 email:[email protected] Welfare Gordon Stoves – South View House, Station Terrace, Fence Officer Houses, Houghton-le-Spring DH4 6HR Tel: 0191 385 6655
Media Rep: Barrie Jenks -17 Clifford Road, Droitwich Spa, Worcester- shire WR9 8UR Tel: 01905 779904 email: [email protected]
Conference Jon Bonner – 20 Lower Down Road, Portishead, Bristol Organiser: BS20 6PF
Committee Tony Maidment, 28 Castle Grove, Oldswinford, Stourbridge, Members: West Midlands DY8 2HH Tel: 01384 378613
Steve Macbeth - Tricks for Truth, PO Box 54923, London W3 8XS Tel: 0208 354 0292
Ex-Officio: Bob Hill – Antheon 10, Agia Paraskevi, GR153.42, GREECE Tel: 00301 6016695
Webmaster: Peter Gardner – 27 Bucknalls Drive, Bricketwood, St Albans AL2 3XJ Tel: 01923 663849 email: [email protected]
Voila Editor: Alex Russell, 2 Hardwood Gardens, Moodiesburn, North Lanarkshire G69 0HJ email: [email protected]
FCM UK COMMITTEE MEMBERS: 2007/08
Freddie: and how is becoming a different person like gardening, smarty pants? Tom: Well, when you plant a seed, you need to water it, and nurture it before it will ever grow into a real flower! That’s just like when we learn from our mistakes and we try not to do it again.Freddie: Oh well yes, I suppose you are right!Tom: And God loves it when we become a new person. He loves watching us grow as human beings and as Christians. Freddie: So how about when plants bend in the wind and you have to tie them to a pole for support? Explain that one punk! Tom: (laughs) well actually Freddie, God is always there to be our support when we have gone the wrong way. God helps us to get back on the right path. Freddie: Oh, just when I thought I’d got ya! Tom: laughsFreddie: Well who could’ve thought the Christian life was like garden-ing hey! (Laughs)Tom: Well it just goes to show that just as we look after our gardens and try to keep them beautiful, that that’s actually what God wants to do with each of our lives.Freddie: Yes and even better Tom, God already thinks we are beauti-ful no matter who we are! Tom: That’s very true Freddie! Freddie: Even you Tom are beaut….Tom: Oi, watch it! Freddie: However, God was just showing off when he made me! (Laughs)Tom: Well, Freddie, it’s time we left, say goodnight Freddie: Goodnight!
Tom Elliott
PRESIDENTAnother issue of Voila! It doesn’t seem five minutes since I was collecting my thoughts for this column for the last issue.Where has the summer gone to? (Did we actually have any summer?) A number of you have been busy and it has been good to receive the reports on the Regional Fellowship groups. Life for me has been somewhat hectic. We are in the happy position of having outgrown our buildings and since last March, we have watched with interest and growing praise to The Lord as our new Church and Community Halls are being built. Just a few more weeks and we should be getting the keys and we look forward to an exciting and challenging time when we officially open and dedicate the building to God and His glory.
In September I had the opportunity to take part in a Songs of Praise Service (outdoors) in Oxford. This was organised by the Churches Together group and was held to mark the beginning of the annual St. Giles Fair. A good crowd gathered and what an excellent opportunity to share the Gospel with those who were ‘wandering around’ looking at the fair ground rides and stalls.
Plans for the Conference next February are progressing well and the Committee will be meeting this month (October) to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. I do hope that you will be able to attend and share what is the highlight of the year for many of our fellowship.I commenced my thoughts remarking how quickly the time seems to be flying by and that is usually a sign of how busy we are. In all our business, let’s make sure that we make time to spend with our Lord. Time in the morning or evening, during the day, is time well spent in God’s presence.
I pray God’s blessing on you, your family and your ministry.
EDITOR (temporary)Well this is my second shot at editing the Voila, I suppose I had better tell you a little about myself. I’m Barry or if you use the forum Magicbaz. I’ve been doing magic since I was about 8. Most Sundays you would find me with my head in a magic book and nothing’s really changed. I only do gospel magic now although I have worked in a hotel and restaurant working tables, magic that is not serving. I love any magic and would love to see the Paul Daniel's type magic back on TV but I won’t hold my breath. I’m a member at a Methodist church in Manchester and up to two years ago I managed the circuit youth ministries, but 33 churches proved too much for someone in full time employ-ment. I was introduced to the FCMUK about 2 years ago by Paul Morley. I have done a bit of work with and for Paul in the past. So there you have it.... Talking of Paul he’s now in Can-ada but check out the next page.
Freddie: That would be us Tom: Yep - Your delightful performance Freddie leans back in shock – Tom turns to look at himFreddie: My performance Tom looks back at letterTom: impressed everyone that attended the show. Freddie: Oh so mother enjoyed it then! Tom: Thank you so much, and best wishes for the future Freddie looks over and interruptsFreddie: (laughs) from the early learning centre – ha that says it all! (Laughs)Tom: You see Freddie, that’s what we do best! Freddie: Indeed – well it’s what I do best! After all, it’s me that gets the bookings! Tom: I don’t think so Freddie: I think so
Tom: I think not Freddie: I think so Tom: I think not Freddie: I think so Tom: ENOUGH! Pause, Freddie quickly turns, and stares at Tom and then…Freddie: (laughs)Tom: Freddie, I was reading an article the other day that said that the Christian life is a little bit like…Freddie: Bananas! Tom: No…Bananas! Freddie: Yes…the Christian life is…Appealing! (Laughs)Tom: Well, the article actually said that Christian life is like gardening! Freddie: Gardening! Ha! And I thought bananas was a silly answer! Tom: Well, throughout our lives we are always trying to get rid of those weeds and dead flowers! Freddie: That’s not the way to talk about Grandma and Granddad! Tom: I wasn’t talking about Grandma and Granddad. I was talking about all the bad things in our lives and all the things we’ve done wrong that we call sin! Freddie: Oh, well yes. I can go along with that! (Laughs)Tom: And by being forgiven by God, helps us to learn what’s right and what’s wrong and it’s by learning from our mistakes that we become a better and maybe a different person.
Note from Tom: I wrote this ventriloquist script for a Christian / Gospel show I am preparing to perform next year. Freddie is one of my ven-triloquism characters and is a cheeky teddy bear that I regularly per-form with and get great reactions from all ages with. I use this as a
ventriloquist sketch but it can be used with a solo puppeteer and/or 2 puppets however may need to adapt it to suit you.
I haven’t had a chance to audience test this script yet but feel free to use it for yourself, have fun, and let me know the responses you get if
you do use it. To find out more about what I do, check out www.laughingwithtom.co.uk
Coming soon! – My book on “Learning Ventriloquism” – To be available from One Way UK ministries. Watch this space.
Prop required – piece of paper to be a letter – To be placed in your pocket. (Make sure it’s the pocket for the hand you are not operating
the puppet with)
Tom: So Freddie, this is our show. Freddie: Our what? Tom: Our show Freddie: Our show?Tom: yep that’s right Freddie: Oh, (laughs) look at all those funny looking people out there (laughs) Tom: They aren’t funny looking Freddie: Oh they are! – Well he is! Tom: Well I wouldn’t say that because they are the ones that say nice things about us after the show!Freddie: (laughs) well they say nice things about me, not so sure about you!Tom: Yes they do, look I have one of our thank you letters. Bring out paper from pocket Freddie: Ooooh what does it say Tom: It says Dear Tom and Freddie,
hi folks, Well greetings from the colony of Canada!! Its been just over a week as I write that we arrived in Stratford Ontario which is about an hour and half from To-ronto. We flew on September 11th believ-ing flights would be cheaper and not so busy! well my mentalist prediction was correct, 6 seats for 3 of us. So you guessed it I was able to stretch out over 3 seats for most of the flight which was very nice. On arrival it was nice to be reunited with a bag of tricks that I had left here on a trip in August. In fact the only things I had with me for the last weeks in England was a thumb tip!! I still managed a family service with it and my sketch board, no I didn't produce it from the thumb tip! It will be a few months before the rest of my stuff joins me here.I have already discovered that not much gospel magic has been done in the area before so its all new territory to work but I am not sure how they will take to the cheesy jokes but hey they will soon get use to them.There is a chapter of FCM in Toronto that meets so I hope that once were settled to visit them and see what's going on this side of the pond. As things develop for us here I will let you know what's going on. I am not sure when we will be back over to the UK , probably in May for a mission but as for the UK conference I am not sure. till I see you all again, keep the secret and share the Truth. blessings
Letter From AmericaCanada
Paul Morley
In my act I hand an envelope to a spec and say that my duck comes from the ancient Scottish island of Arum, where it lives, not on water, or sea or lake but in the roofs of the crofters cottages. He is in fact an Arum attic duck. I name him after the famous shotgun manufacturer Christopher Perkins or Chris P for short. So, ladies and gentlemen without further ado I give you the very serious Chinese prediction by Chris P Arum attic duck.
I then put a blindfold on Crisp P and ask for them to check it is ok " we don't want a peeking crispy Arum attic duck do we?"I go on to have him wrongly choose two cards picked by members of the audience. I get annoyed and pull out four small bags numbered 1 to 4. Another member of audience picks a bag. The bags are shown to contain four different jars with differing sauces, orange, plum, hoi sin, black bean.
Dippy then starts shaking, picks out two more cards which I place face down on the table, so the specs can't see their values. I then get the first guy to open the envelope.Inside is a Chinese menu, one dish is highlighted. I ask him to read it out... 73...I butt in and show the cards. "The seven of clubs and the three of diamonds your cards yes...please continue"..Crispy Arum attic duck...I butt in again "chosen by Crispy Arum attic duck"...please continue...in hoi sin sauce....Your sauce sir. I give you the serious Chi-nese prediction, 73 crispy aromatic duck in hoi sin sauce, thank you very much"
Matt Pritchard wins the award for Best Solo Comedy Show at Buxton Fringe Festival 2007.
Yep, our very own Matt Pritchard, is the crea-
tive force behind a wonderful comedy show
featuring an earnest young professor, Dr
Johnny Façade, who entertains and enlightens
his audience with a science lecture laced with
demonstrations, magic tricks and even a time
travel machine…
Façade offers several 'ponder points' to help us
digest all this and his lecture is expertly illus-
trated with moving diagrams and footage of his
somewhat bewildered work colleagues. Best of all are the audience
experiments whereby Derren Brown-like mind-reading leads to some
genuinely impressive magic tricks, not that Dr Façade would be happy
to have them described as such.
In the incontrovertible words of Dr Façade, be warned: 'Your future
could be harmful to your health”.
Sadly it’s too late for you to see the show, but luckily for me I did catch
it. It was an award well deserved Matt. Congratulations.
Matt is now in Birmingham and has asked me to pass on this request:-
I’m trying to track down people in the area who'd be interested in get-
ting together. Perhaps you could email me [email protected]
or call 07752 828214
Regional MeetsSouth EastThe South Easterners have been busy since the last edition of Voila. We met together in July at Jean Purdy’s for what is rapidly becoming the annual gar-den party. The food was fantastic and so was the magic! We also met in Al-dershot in September. Again the food was amazing (it’s becoming a bit of a theme) and the show-and-tell sessions proved extremely helpful. We dis-cussed dippy ducks, sauces, eggs, cars, cards, fire – just the usual topics of magical conversation!
For the next FCM South East event, we will be putting on a show in Cobham! The date is Saturday 3rd November. If you are inter-ested in attending (or taking part), please contact Steve Price on 07986 219997 or [email protected]. You don’t even need to live in the South East!Steve Price feels a little saw
A magician was working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. The audience would be different each week, so the magician allowed himself to do the same tricks over and over again.There was only one problem: The captain's parrot saw the shows every week and began to understand what the magician did in every trick. Once he under-stood that, he started shouting in the middle of the show. "Look, it's not the same hat!" "Look, he's hiding the flowers under the table!" "Hey, why are all the cards the Ace of Spades?" The magician was furious but couldn't do anything, it was the captain's parrot after all. One day the ship had an accident and sank. The magician found himself on a piece of wood, in the middle of the ocean, and of course the parrot was by his side. They stared at each other with hate, but did not utter a word. This went on for several days. After a week the parrot finally said, "Okay, I give up. What'd you do with the boat?"
It just uses two forces, replica 7’s and 3’s and four jars with labels for ho sin sauce on the backs. In reality I have just tried to get as many duck related jokes in as possible and the Chinese menu as the predic-tion is supposed to be the kicker (which it has been). David O'Connor
This 38 page book sets out to explain the illusion that is ventriloquism. In 8 chapters Tom takes the beginner through simple and easy to follow instructions that turn this fascinating art from a mystery to an ‘eye-catching, imaginative and fun’ tool that anyone can use in their minis-try – given that they are prepared to work hard and practice regularly.Tom takes the reader through all the skills needed to put on a show, from choosing a puppet and establishing its character to handling the puppet and the three stages of scripting. Along the way, with clearly illustrated diagrams by Andy Gray, the mechanics of lip-sync are ex-plained, and some practice phrases are included. Andy has also added some amusing cartoons to this book.The appendices offer further areas to explore and Tom acknowledges the influences on his work, and points to further sources of informa-tion.The text is helpful and clearly laid out and the overall tone of this book is encouraging, “With practice and determination – you will get there”.If you are interested in adding ventriloquism to your skill-set then this book will tell you everything you need to know to get started.
Learning Ventriloquism by Tom Elliott
Helen Gardner
The 2008 Conference line-up is starting to
come together thanks to the hard work of the
committee. This year there is one difference,
we will be attempting to make a new world
record. The record will be “the largest
number of magicians simultaneously per-
forming the cut and restored rope trick using
the same routine”. We are in the final stage
of application so it’s not guaranteed yet. But
it does look very promising at the moment.
Once finalized we will all get involved with
the trick, the routine will be very simple and
projected on the wall, and the cut and restore
will be just as simple. We will have practice
time built into the week so don’t worry if you
can’t do a cut and restored rope we will teach
you. Steve Macbeth has promised to give us
the rope free of charge, so that’s saved us
quite a few quid, big thanks to Steve for that.
So if you want to be a record breaker all you
will need to do is bring a pair of scissors.
You've no doubt seen magicians work.The cups and balls effect.And no doubt wondered how it's done.Well that's what I expect!But watching three of each is hard.So this time just for fun,I'll make it easier for you.By using only one!One little ball, one metal cup,Upon the mat just so,Into the cup and out again,The litt le ball will go!Now into my jacket pocket.The ball will disappear.Hey Presto, - and what do we find?It's now back over here!Again the ball goes in and out.Then to my pocket goes,Hey Presto, and it's back again.It's magic, goodness knows!Now. empty hands, and empty cup,And just a little ball,
Ev'ry thing is done by magic.No trickery at all!In and out and to the pocket.The routine is quite clear.Yes, it's really in my pocket.And nothing over here!Now if you were watching closely.When I, Hey Presto said.You'd see it leave my pocket, andMove over here instead!Watch once again, the ball goes here.Get ready for the pass.If you don't see it, you must need,A magnifying glass!You saw it that time I expect.If no!, I give up hope.The answer is a lemon, andYou need a microscope!!!(if an item other than a lemon is used, add thefollowing)You might say that's not a lemon, A fact I can't escape. But indeed it was a lemon. Before it changed it'sshape!!!
I’ve got to be honest, I sat down with this book with the intention to
review it. Boy did I get that wrong! It’s amazing just how far I was
drawn into Mark’s words. This wasn’t just a book but an experience.
I never realized that failure could be a creative process. I think
Mark’s Preface says it all.
You are unique.
You are beautiful.
You are made in God’s image.
There is no-one like you.
You are Special.
You are once only.
You are never to be repeated.
You are incredible.
The above words are true for all people, yet many are unable to
truly accept them. As a priest my hope is that, through this book,
you will begin to discover your own true value as a human being
made in the image of God. I want you to close the final page feel-
ing somehow refreshed, liberated and able to relax, as if some
huge weight has been removed. As a magician my hope is that
you will have a renewed sense of magic and child-like wonder
brought back into your life. So, with this two-fold hope laid be-
fore us let us step together through the metaphorical wardrobe
and into a world of enchantment and discovery…...follow me!
Barry Birchall
Mark was ordained as a priest within the Church of England, he has made several television appearances as a clerical conjurer and has published many original magic effects. In July 2007 Mark decided on a radical change of career, leaving his job as a curate in Leomin-ster, to become a full-time magician.
What are your main influences in Magic? My three mentor-teachers are Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and Kenton Knepper. I could never perform magic in Jeff’s style because it wouldn’t ring true to my own mentalist persona. However, as far as stage Magic goes, he is the performer who excites me the most. His magic is artful, spirituality motivated and combines myth, story and metaphor from all across the globe. He is also a charming man and top class teacher. Eugene’s material is also beautiful and he is a very wise man – nothing short of a Sage within our fraternity. I use Eugene’s presentation of the Gypsy Thread for my own story which I call The Broken Thread. I performed it at Greenbelt this year. As far as Kenton Knepper goes, I am his student and a member of his S.E.C.R.E.T. School which I count as a great honour. Kenton’s use of 'linguistic de-ception', as a kind of verbal sleight of hand, is well known. I have found that his ideas and techniques dramatically change a bog standard magic effect into a pure mental miracle! And Christian Teacher Mentors? My mentor in the Christian world is Richard Rohr. Greenbelters will know of him. Fr. Richard is a remarkable spiritual teacher and just a very fine man indeed. His wisdom and gentle pastoral advice has kept me from ‘going under’ during the very tough last few years of my life.
How do you perform Mentalism as a Christian? I do not pretend to have ‘special powers’. I talk about the fact that what I am about to demonstrate is an illusion just like other forms of magic, only this time it is an illusion of the mind. I also like to say that whereas traditional magic tends to focus on the performer as the ‘special person up front’ with the props etc. mentalism (at its best) fo-cuses on the audience and performer together. I say something along the lines of “this evening we will all together create the magical experi-ence by the use of our imaginations”. I like folk to leave my shows with a feeling that they’ve touched something special, but that ‘something special’ is inside themselves. Of course mentalism at its worst is very performer focused and can be self-indulgent and egotisti-cal. What’s your faith background? I came to faith within a lovely warm Pentecostal Church . However, over time, I found that I really needed to move throughout the various Christian experiences and church styles etc. In a way that journey is still going, though I have settled within the huge and lovable mess of the Church of England. I do not like boxes into which we try and squeeze God. What is the essence of your book The Gospel of Falling Down? We hear a lot about success, both in the world and the Church. But most of us are more accustomed to failure, or at least not reaching our hopes which, surely, is at the heart of the life of Jesus and his message. My book is a radical departure from much of what modern day Christi-anity seems to offer. Rather than seeing Christianity as a group of peo-ple trying to change themselves into the “ideal”, it describes how such a practice is precisely what Jesus came to liberate us from. I try to bring freedom and hope to all those who feel unworthy of just “can’t make the grade”. I also speak of our brokenness, and the cracks and faults in our lives, as potentially the place where the most beautiful spiritual gold is discovered. It is not in “climbing the ladder of perfection” that we meet God, but in falling from it.
www.magicofsoul.com
Effect: magician displays empty paper bag from which six 3 inch cubes subsequently 'appear' representing 'gifts' that we get when we become Christians, then a member of the audience calls a number which when the magician turns the cube round it represents the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Preparation: Bag with the six spring loaded cubes concealed inside. The third one out to have a picture of Jesus on the back. I use the one from the cards or you could make your own on a computer. A predic-tions envelope with ' You will choose the Jesus cube.' They give this to someone in the audience. Magician displays a bag to all stating that inside this bag is every-thing that a person who does not have Jesus in their life has. They then show it empty and say 'Nothing'. Even though you think you might have everything. Magician then begins to take out the six cubes one by one and lines them up in order 1-6 declaring 'this represent what you have when you have Jesus in your life.' Cubes could repre-sent beatitudes, fruit of the spirit or other things like friendship, lack of fear or loneliness etc. Or they could ask the audience what Jesus has given them to illustrate God's blessings to us. They then ask for a number 1-6 ( each number ) will either be counted from the end or spelt out from the end and arrive at the 3rd cube, the one with the Jesus picture on the back. Magician finally asked for his prediction to be read out and is found to be correct.
Jesus Cube
Magic Bag (SP)www.tricksfortruth.com
General FundIncome Balance brought forward 15841.90 Membership fees 326.50 Conf. ‘07 fees 8373.09 Public show (share) 330.00 Lecture notes 155.00 Donations (DVDs) 210.00 Sale of badges 24.00 Second-hand stall 53.30Conf. ‘08 fees 1530.61Total 26844.40
Expenditure Voila 433.70Brochures & Advertising 270.00Conference ‘07 11587.80Balance brought forward 1565.14 Conference ‘08 deposit 1250.74Interest 187.02 Admin. 15.00Miscellaneous 34.38Balance carried forward 13252.78 Plumbing FundIncomeBalance brought forward 1565.14Interest 187.02Donation 10.00
ExpenditureGrant 110.00Balance carried forward 1652.16 Total 1762.16
Lloyds TSB Current account 137.70
Lloyds TSB Deposit account 14767.24Total 14904.94
Total 1762.16
The forgetful forgiveness of God
When I was young, I remember my father, who was a local preacher, telling a story in church about a young man who couldn't stop telling lies. I remem-ber particularly that, whenever the boy was discov-ered in his lie telling, his father cut a piece off his tie. My father also cut a piece off his own tie. Obvi-ously, at first it was easy to hide, but as more and more got cut off, it became harder to hide. The les-son being 'be sure your sins will find you out'. This was 35 years ago, and it is testimony to the visual
nature of the trick that it still holds a place in my memory. It gives hope to us preachers of the gospel that magic is as likely to remain in the memory as that demonstration.
However, I was thinking of it recently and wondering if I might be able to repeat the story but with an extra twist at the end of restoring the tie. There are a couple of cut and restored tie tricks around: the book "The Source: A gospel magicians reference guide", pub-lished by Abbott Magic and sold in this country by 'Magic books by post' has one in which the tie is swapped in a change bag, mirror glass or similar for a repaired one. This is okay, I suppose, but I wanted a more visual trick. Derek Rutt also distrib-utes one such trick, in which an envelope is cut and the tie appear to get cut with it. This looks false to me - the cut tie comes off with the top of the enve-lope and not the cut piece, and it doesn't match the story, which requires more than one cut. So I looked at the trick and developed my own method.
CUT AND RESTORED TIE
If, when you tie the tie, you twist the front, wide part of the tie to the back of the knot, it can be hidden away in your shirt. A second tie can be cut in half, or slightly less and the wide section tucked into the knot of the tie to replace the, now hidden, part. A little bit of Velcro would help to keep this in place. It is this which is cut. The last piece, hidden in the knot can be pulled out with the last cut and thrown away. Finally, when you untie the tie, the hidden part of the tie will pull out of your shirt and the tie can be shown intact once more. Cut and restored and the forgiving love of God which covers a multitude of sins justifying (just as if it didn't happen) shown.
I doubt if this method is new, but I haven't seen it anywhere. It is rather a masculine trick, although not exclusively so. Good luck with it any-way! Graham Ransom
You will see from the interim balance sheet - Dec.’06 - May ‘07 - that our funds are currently in a healthy state. We have to remember that the Charity Commissioners now suggest that we keep a reserve in hand equal to one year’s anticipated expenditure. We should not let our bal-ance in hand fall below this.
I am happy to report that we covered our conference costs this year without using any of our reserves, due in part to our share of the tak-ings at the Public Show, the sale of the notes so generously given by four of our members and the handsome donation from Terry after his production of conference DVD’s.
Perhaps I should point out here that we have barely £20.00 from each person’s conference fee to provide the necessary funds to cover all our expenses - speakers fees and accommodation, badges programmes and other incidentals. The remaining part of the fee is paid to the confer-ence centre for our stay there. I am sure that those of you who come to conference will agree that we get very good value for our money in pleasant and friendly surroundings.
The charges are higher if we book by the day or part-week as we don’t then get the inclusive rate - each meal is charged separately as taken so the day visitor rate is fixed at £60.00 which covers a 24 hour period i.e. overnight if required.
We need a minimum of 70 people attending full time to ‘break even’ as we cannot know in advance how much extra income we might receive each year. The committee will always welcome suggestions for finding ways to keep our costs down so don’t be shy if you have something to say. Pass your ideas to any committee member. I look forward to see-ing you at High Leigh in February 2008Joyce Mabb
