I have known Neil and Heather Francombe, and their daughters Hannah and Beth for many years, and I would imagine the girls were about 8 years old when I met and first and performed some magic for them, a trick called the ‘Frog Prince’, which ended up with them each having a little origami frog made from a playing card. They still both have the frog, after all of these years.

I have entertained at various family parties and corporate events for Neil over the years, and it was lovely for me to drive to Latimer Place in Chesham, to entertain at the wedding reception of Hannah and her husband Mark Shananhan who were married yesterday. In addition, the day before, Mark found out that he has passed his final exams in Accountancy, so it was memorable couple of days for the Groom

Naturally, sister Beth was a bridesmaid, together with five of Hannah’s friends, and Mum Heather, who is a superb artist, had painted a wonderful watercolour of the marriage venue, which she presented to the ‘Happy Couple’ during the speeches, for them to hang in their new home

I arrived at Latimer Place extra early, in order than I could listen to Neil’s ‘Father of the Bride’ speech, which he undertook without the use of notes, looking extremely natural addressing those gathered for the Wedding Breakfast. The speech was a good mixture of humour and anecdotes, photos were shown on a large screen, and I know that Neil has a long list of contacts, but he also had arranged video messages from Louie Spence, saying how much he was upset that Mark was getting married, and also from Marks footballing hero, England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who offered his apologies for not being able to attend the wedding but offering the couple his best wishes. Well done Neil.

All I had to do was follow that! Initially by performing for Hannah and Mark whilst coffee was being served, capturing Hannah’s first signature as Mrs Shanahan, and entertaining their family and friends at their tables, being followed around, as usual, by Neils Dad Rex who loves magic and  the Toastmaster, both of whom seem to thoroughly enjoying the entertainment I was providing. When the guests retired to the grounds and the wonderfully historic rooms of the venue, i continued to entertain one and all with  ’Mix and Mingle’ magic whilst the day guests were joined by those attending the evening party.

What a fantastic day, I have a wonderful time, performing for such an appreciative audience

Many congratulations to the newly married Mr and Mrs Shanahan, wishing them a wonderful future life together