In the late 1970′s, when I finished my initial police training I was posted to London’s East End, area noted in the history books as being associated with Jack the Ripper, Petticoat Lane Market, the Kray Twins and the Tower of London.

My supervising sergeant was a lovely man called Brian Winterflood, who helped me a great deal,in the early years, however as you get posted around London I lost contact with him.

Today, all these years later, I met up with Brian again as  I had the honour of performing at his Daughter Andrea’s Wedding, at the Marygreen Manor Hotel in Brentwood, where she married Nigel Bull. It was an intimate wedding of about 20 people and after the photos of the happy couple and their guests, I entertained during the drinks reception,with some ‘mix and mingle’ magic whilst the main room, where the ceremony was held, was reset for the wedding breakfast.

Some of the brides family hailed from Wales and were friends with  Welsh magician Ifor Parry (aka Rovi), who I new in the early 90′s until he passed away in 1996. I was asked if I could perform some of the magic that Rovi was known for, so on Monday I borrowed a book from the Magic Circle Library, which was written about Rovi’s life and his magic and performed ‘Rovi’s Famous Book Test’ effect, using a book about the great man himself, which was a first for me, I’ve performed the trick on countless occasions but never using a book about the man who taught me it.

I then continued entertaining everyone, with close up magic at the table during the afternoon tea wedding breakfast, personalising some of my magic for particular guests.

May I wish teh new married Mr and Mrs Ball every happiness in their future life together, and I hope not to leave it so long to meet up with Brian again