The early foundation of the club was laid in 1988 when a meeting at Ludi's Joke shop which was run by Steve (Ludi) Doherty in the old Court Arcade took place between Reg Hull, Nick Richmond & Ian Wragg. Three lunatics with a love for all things magical.

Nothing official came of the meetings every Saturday, it was very informal.  Then Ian turned professional in 1989, Nick moved out of the area in 1993 & Reg died in 1994, and though Nick & Ian were still in touch with each other the meetings ended.

Then in 1999 Nick moved back to the town having been deported from Scotland as being undesirable and looking awful in a kilt (only kidding Nick).

Contact with Ian was quickly made and the meetings commenced again with Nick, Ian and Ian's son Daniel, meeting originally at the Greyhound Pub.  Then Graeme Fishwick joined the throng, followed swiftly by Brian (or Bev) Hills, Noel Brooks and Bob (Inspector Gadget) Harland.

It was decided to semi-formalize the club and an Executive Committee was formed/elected consisting of Noel Brooks, Nick Richmond & Ian Wragg, all full time entertainers, thus THE DARLINGTON MAGIC CIRCLE (DMC) was born.

After the second & third AGM's the executive committee has expanded to include Johnathon Godfrey as auditor along with Paul Stephenson as Librarian and Peter La Scalla as Press/Publicity officer. 

After the success of the first "proper" Annual Dinner it has been decided to hold the event every year on the Thursday before Good Friday, as this means it may occur on a meeting night but also because the children will be off school and that most people will be off the following day and therefore be allowed to enjoy themselves a little more.

Rules (Briefly)

We primarily meet to act as a social club for magicians to meet and discuss anything new/old in magic in a friendly atmosphere,  some meetings will have a theme i.e. Mentalism, Card tricks, Rope tricks etc. and some meetings will be set as teaching nights where we will set a sleight, move or technique and share or develop the sleight with every one.

It is DMC's aim to promote and aid in the demonstration and performance of magic.

No age or gender limits are set but all applicants must prove suitability.

An undertaking not to bring Magic and DMC in to disrepute by action, words or deeds.  Never to divulge the secrets of magic to anyone outside of the magic fraternity.

To become a full member you must attend 4 meetings, (You will be asked to leave at 9pm to allow full members to fully discuss secrets).  At the 4th meeting an audition piece or talk (for non performers) is to be performed in front of the members and a vote is to be taken.  Anybody elected as a full member will then be entitled to stay for the full length of the meetings upon payment of joining fee and yearly subscriptions. (Currently £15 Joining fee and £20 subs)

An annual competition for the Bob Harland Memorial Award will be held every July/August to mark the passing of Bob Harland.  It will be judged by everyone  and is to be judged on originality or inventive presentation.

There is also now a "Presidents Cup" competition, based on performances throughout the year on various themes.  Each night, all performers are awarded marks.  After all the nights, the one with the most points wins.