The History of WAM
Towards the end of World War II a number of local magicians got together and held random meetings!

This developed and on the 13th of November 1943 a show was presented at the Chorley Wood Memorial Hall.

This show was a success and consequently in the summer of 1947 meetings were held at the Spreadeagle in Watford. Stanley Thomas was chairman and Eric Bloom was treasurer/secretary. Others present were, (Joe Jones (E.L. Baffel), Percy Smith, Joe Conn (Zicardi), Wally Gent, John Ross and Eddie Long.

Unfortunately the members were too interested in Magic and not enough in Beer so eventually got moved on. They took up residence at the Old Free School, where they stayed for many years.

The first dinner was held at The Crown in Garston. There were 83 present. The entertainment was provided by, Geoffrey Buckingham, Frank Boynett, Al Koran and Tom Harris.

The membership increased with members coming from Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Harrow and Luton. This meant that the Club could draw from the best talent around, putting on shows at St Mary’s Hall (now an office block), Guildhouse, Croxley Green, and Oddfellows Hall, Watford.

The first president was Cuthbert Andrews, a fine amateur actor, and on several occasions he opened the shows with a prologue written by himself.

Watford became friends with many other clubs and still has a friendly rivalry with the Zodiac in Harrow. A competition is held between the two clubs annually, which is keenly fought.

Several other competitions were introduced. In 1958 Gil Leaney (first vice president), presented the club with a shield to be given to the best after dinner act. The first winner was Eddie Long. Last years winner was Tim Shoesmith.

The dinner in 1972 was a glittering affair, thanks to Tom Angus. After dinner he arranged for everyone to play Bingo, however the cards were arranged in such a way that everyone won at the same time.

Around the mid-seventies St Mary’s hall was demolished and WAM went into hibernation until Vic Marks (who sadly died last year) took the initiative and called a meeting. Vic arranged a new space, Holy Rood Church complex where the club met well into the 90s.

Terry Seabrooke took over as president and at the 1988 party our guests of honour were Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee.