Fergus G. Anckorn M.I.M.C

Gus: In fact his name is Fergus; Fergus Gordon Anckorn. I can recall the night I first witnessed him on stage at The Victory Services Club in London performing an astonishing act with his dog. At this time I was a guest, and the premises were the temporary home of Magic Circle. The club had several bars, a restaurant, and a large room with a stage. The amazing thing about this act was it appeared that the Dog could read instructions and carrie them out.
A volunteer member of the audience came on to the stage, there was a blackboard with a list of instructions or orders; for example: Bark, sit down, lie down, fetch newspaper, fetch gloves, fetch biscuit, fetch walking cane ect. No sooner was the item ticked (in random order) on the blackboard than the dog responded immediately without any prompting or hesitation. I watched in wonder as Mr. Anckorn went through a most unusual and rare act. The dogs name was Sam, part a border collie and part Labrador. It was obvious to me that Mr. Anckorn had trained this dog to the point of excellence, Sam had a brilliant brain, and responded to his master in a way I had not witnessed before. At the end of the act he received prolonged applause, not least from me. It was some years before I was to see Mr. Anckorn again

Monday 8th April 2002. I had been a regular visitor to the clubrooms since my visit in November, after reading in the library which is full of good reading matter for members who intend to pass the examinations I made my way up to the clubroom for coffee. I had completed an hours study downstairs as I was to take my examinations for membership into The Magic Circle within a few weeks. With coffee and a biscuit, busy chatting to members of the club, I suddenly realized Mr. Anckorn was sat at a table nearby, I did a double take. Yes, that was him all right, I was so pleased. I made discreet enquires, “Oh yes Fergus, ex. P.O.W. You know, he keeps so well he’s 83 doesn’t look it.” I agreed, and that was exactly what I wanted. By the next morning I had all the information I required about this man.

Monday 15th April 2002, Magic Circle H.Q. London. I could not wait, I hoped he would be receptive to me walking up to his table without introduction, he was. “Please sit down and join us, this is John Sherry.” We all shook hands, I casually mentioned I had seen him some years before at the Victory Services Club.
“Oh yes that’s right, Ali Bongo fired a gun at the start of the show, we heard that down the road.” “Would you care to see something of my magic? I enquired. “Yes we would, thanks.” I was rather nervous because Fergus was a member of The Inner Magic Circle and a very experienced magician. I explained about security and proceeded with my Security Test. I could see when I finished he looked baffled, after a pause Fergus asked, “Are you going to tell us how you did that?” “Well in a few weeks time I take my examination, if I pass maybe then, that’s how I met; A Man Called Gus.

Monday 20th May 2002. At last, the big night had arrived. I was to take the examination for membership of The Magic Circle. I took my place in the Devant Room in good time and dressed accordingly. My examiners were Fay Presto, Michael Vincent, and David Tomkins, all well experienced magicians and all Members of the Inner Magic Circle. I noticed Fergus was sat on the front row with John Sherry next to him; they had come to see if I could do the same piece of Magic again. On my final presentation I first requested that David Tompkins helped me, he declined, saying he was examining me, therefore I requested the person next to him help his name Brian Stringer, he agreed. I went through the same routine as I had previously with Fergus. It worked well and I received good applause. My final important words were. “Thank you all for your kind attention” I then retreated downstairs, a little later I thanked Brian Stringer for his help. Several people congratulated me that evening including the examiners. I was informed that none of my examiners knew how of my finally effect was achieved.

Hotel Alpina Interlaken Switzerland, Wednesday 12th June, 2002. Time 2100. I had an important telephone call to make, it was to the examinations secretary and member of the Magic Circle Council Mr. Graham Reed. “Good evening Mr. Reed, I am phoning to enquire about my examination results?” “Michael, I am pleased to tell you, you have passed, let me be the first to congratulate you.” “Thank you so much for that good news” I was so pleased now that I was a member of that fine company.

Monday 23rd September 2002
The evening came quickly I journeyed to London on the 1550 train. I went into the clubroom and sat with Mr. Anckorn and his friend, we got on well together. It was an evening of interest and enlightenment, during the next few months and years I was to learn so much more about this remarkable gentleman.

Wednesday 23rd June 2004. Sadly Peter Blanchard died, both Fergus and I attended the funeral in Kingston Surrey, many magicians attended and paid tribute to Peter who was dedicated to the magical arts and a first class club member.

Fergus and I, we became very good friends and we have journeyed to many interesting places together Germany, France, Switzerland, as well as many towns in the United Kingdom.

Myself with Fergus in Switzerland

“I just love the whole aspect of entertaining people. I don’t see magic as fooling people, I see it as entertainment.”
With Thanks to Bedfordshire on Sunday our local paper

My Magic 2012

Most of my magical work has in the past been abroad including, Switzerland, Germany, and Japan. My particular interest is Mental Magic and what is known as Parlour Magic presented to small audiences usually in private houses. I enjoy book tests, a security test which I designed myself, and a little thought reading sometimes I use a calculator which a spectator will place random sum in and I predict the final result.

Sugar lumps that will move mysteriously across a table, I have lately been using a startling head illusion, and then, I have some general magic that will is suitable for all adult audiences. By choice I do not consider myself as a children’s entertainer, although none of my magic is in any way risky.

Above: Street magic by special request
For Children in Japan.
Photo: Mr. Koji Yugawa

On Monday 10th January 2011

From the Bedfordshire Times
NOW you see it, now you don’t!

A magician has been honoured by the leader of The Magic Circle for his services to the prestigious group.
Michael Gurr, 70, was presented with a certificate from president of the group Jack Delvin on Monday evening in recognition of his eight years service. He said: “Jack had told me he would be presenting the certificate to me, so when it was presented to me it wasn’t a shock.
“But when he told me it was massive surprise. “It’s quite a rare thing for him to give out the certificate, it’s not an annual award that he gives out, and he just does it when he feels he wants to recognise a member.
“So I was really very pleased, it was a great honour.” At the time I was the Club night host every Monday evening.

On Saturday 15th September

I was very pleasantly surprised to be honoured with a promotion to A.I.M.C. Associate of The Inner Magic Circle, by the President of The Magic Circle Mr Jack Delvin M.I.M.C. especially as I had guests in the audience that evening.

Fergus Anckorn

I first met Fergus Anckorn on Monday 15th April 2002, this was at the Magic Circle when I asked if I could join him at his table, “Yes, please sit down.” He said. We became firm friends.

Fergus was generous about giving advice to new members; he helped two or three members who were profoundly deaf not only financially but with sign language. This came about when a young lady collapsed on Victoria Railway Station. Fergus realised she was deaf and they were unable to communicate, Fergus set about learning some sign language, this was most helpful to the late Victor Shine. During the last few years most of his engagements were talks about his life story; therefore he donated the proceeds to his main charity which was the Burma Star Association.

Most readers will know about his extraordinary life, but perhaps few will know about some of his travels. I asked if he would join me on a trip to Switzerland; yes was the immediate reply.

We decided we would stay at the Hotel I had worked for in Matten Interlaken, It was a pleasant journey. One evening the hotel owner asked if Fergus would show some Magic to a wedding party, Fergus had very little with him but he managed a twenty minute show which was first class entertainment.

Fergus in the Mountains

Game for anything

Fergus had read Dan Browns book, the Da Vinci Code, It was soon decided, we would go to Scotland. He wanted to visit the Rosslyn Chapel and Greyfriars Kirkyard, this we did.

Rosslyn Chapel

It was a very interesting visit, with a guide book we marvelled at the carvings inside. Unfortunately the outside was shrouded in scaffold. But we were informed we could climb the scaffold and view the roof, I had my doubts, “lets do it” said Fergus, “OK”.

What on earth was I thinking about, taking this 85 year old war veteran with a wonky leg climbing up ladders and clambering over scaffolding? We had a good viewing and got back down safely.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

The next evening it was a planned visit to Greyfriars Cemetery, after a short bus journey we arrived, it was dusk. First was a talk by the Guide about Greyfriars Bobby the famous dog. By the time we set off it was dark with light rain. We started the tour by climbing a wet grassy slope. Again I was concerned, Fergus would slip and fall but he kept up well. After an interesting tour by the guide we finally entered a Mausoleum, this I must admit was rather creepy but Fergus was very happy about the whole experience.

With a violent poltergeist, known to harm late-night visitors, and a history of stolen bodies, it’s no wonder Grey friars Kirkyard is one of the most haunted cemeteries in the world. … Haunting the cemetery is George MacKenzie, called the MacKenzie Poltergeist,

 

 

 

 

 

Deutschland Germany

Although Fergus declared he never wished to visit Germany he told me afterwards, it was one of the best experiences of his life. We decided on a small hotel in the town of Boppard close to my friend’s house Robert Holz.
Most evenings and some days were spent in the good company of Family Holz. Fergus was to me full of praise and kind words about the hospitality shown to him by this Family.

Fergus with Robert Holz

Fergus with family members
Photos: Credit Robert Holz

 

Paris

We just spent a few days in this charming city. Fergus wanted to find an old friend’s house; unfortunately we never did find it.
As Fergus spoke fluent French this was most helpful at the hotel,
and we had a great time entertaining other guests in the evenings, plus a boat ride on the river Seine.

At Home

We had several parties at our house and relative’s homes which Fergus often attended entertaining our guests.
Fergus was a charming gentleman with good manners, kind, and had time for others in spite of all the difficult times he had as a young man.

Not forgetting a master of the classic force and a brilliant entertainer.

Fergus

The audience

With Carla Henson and Alishia Holz