SIR: Thanks for the recent update to the Bolton Worldide Netlist, now up to 69 registrations. Wow!

I have been in touch with quite a number of them and it is great that we all have the one thing in common, good old Bolton.

I understand from my cousin in Bolton that your offices are near the site of the old Grand Theatre. As a boy and teenager I would go to the Grand every week and sit on the front row if possible. Show business fascinated me as I was a budding magician in those days eventually becoming a member of the Blackpool Magic Circle. I am still a life member, an honour attained way back in 1958-59 for my efforts on behalf of the club.

In 1958 I had the pleasure of being invited to appear before the Governor of the Isle Of Man, Sir Flux Dundas. The invitation came from the Magicians of Man. I was also invited to stay with Sir Alexandra Cannon at his mansion house on the island for the two days I was there and did four shows in his specially constructed theatre, which he called "The Enchanted Hall" with other fellow performers. I never slept a wink during those two days. I was too thrilled and excited, I was 31 years old then. Now I am almost 69. One of the most memorable people I met was there, the world famous "Murray" the Australian escapologist. We became friends for a number of years before he passed away.

Tom Lee,Willeton,Western Australia, email: magilee@vianet.net.au

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.