Richard was 29 years old when he first joined his first magic society and now at 75 years of age (in 2002), his interest is still is still as strong now as it was then.

Richard has had published many original routines in well known magic periodicals, which include: the Abra, Supreme’s Magic Magazine, The Altar Flame also, an effect was included in the book ‘Daemon’s, Darklings and Doplegangers’ written by Tony (Doc) Shiels.

Richard was, until his retirement, a skilled center lathe turner by profession and used his skills in turning brass and other base metals to create and duplicate many effects which he trade for magical secrets from dealers and well known performers of the time.

One of his creations was a ‘salt cellar bill tube’ which was a commercially marketed effect by Supreme Magic and another was a ‘Mauser bullet bill tube’ which was used in connection with Kodak Camera and film promotions.

Richard’s real passions are mentalism and bizarre magic(k), he is also a practitioner of Horay Astrology, having mastered this skill on a four year intensive correspondence course and subsequent examinations. He utilizes this skill to forecast the answers to sitters questions  and is also very well versed in the allied arts.

Richard first encountered the real world of bizarre magic in a really strange way, as follows. After having been to see a well known singer of the day, Victoria Des Los Angelos, he sought shelter from the rain in a doorway of an upmarket spiritualist centre. He noticed an advert pinned to the door for applications to join the Theosophical Society. Having a keen interest in unusual pursuits (witchcraft, spiritualism, occult and the likes) he made a note of the name and number and decided to ring the next day. He contacted the gentleman, Gerald Gardner, and made arrangements to visit at his home in the Isle of Man. On arriving at the home of Mr. Gardner, Richard was disappointed to learn that he had been delayed on his return journey from France but was given the number of a fellow member on the Isle, the famous Dr. Alexander Cannon, whom he contacted and arranged to meet. On meeting Richard, he took an instant liking to him and took him to his home (Lawrence Hall). They discussed the movement and later he happened to show Richard some bizarre card tricks.

Later that evening, after much discussion about magic, Dr. Cannon took Richard to an old run down theatre that he owned which was filled full of junk and took him back stage to his ‘Inner sanctum’. It was there that he showed him spiritualism effects such as a gyrating and talking table and explained how the latter were operated by an induction loop and other means. He also unveiled a vast array of magical society medals and certificates awarded to him from magical societies all over the U.K. He also confided that Theosophical Magick was 50/50 and told him that “if something didn’t work then you had to fake it”. Before departing for home, Dr. Cannon gave Richard a letter of introduction to Howard Gower of the Cardiff Magic Society.

Soon after his return to his home in Cardiff, Richard contacted Howard and was invited to attend the next monthly meeting which he did. This resulted in him making friends with Howard Gower, Fred Jessop and Frank Giles, all of whom shared their secrets with him and have remained life long friends. Over the years, as a group they have visited many conventions and this enabled Richard to meet and make friends with performers like Fred Kaps, Pat Page, John Tremaine, Mile Pollack, Eric Mason and John Salisse, all of whom he counts as friends.

Not long after his meeting with Dr A. Cannon, Richard came across a book written by Englishman, Thomas Chislett, which described in detail how Chislett had rigged a house up so that he could perform a show containing all manner  of effects which he referred to as Occult Magic although these were what we now regard as Bizarre magic.

Richard has a vast knowledge of mental and bizarre effects and is always willing to share this. He has a wicked sense of humour and has always supported members and the North Wales Magic Circle, this was recognized in 2001 when he was awarded Honorary Life Membership of this Circle.

He has always keenly supported the bizarre magic movement in Britain and the now defunct Magik Club, attending events too when health has allowed.

The above profile was written by Mark Thorold.