Peter Bentley, one of the Magic Circles members, gave Blackmoor & Whitehill WI a spellbinding evening with his talk on his life within the circle.

Peter became interested in magic as a child when he was babysat by Robert Harbin, who showed and taught him tricks with a handkerchief.

It was not until well into his adult life that he became interested in magic again and he has been a member of the circle for seven years.

He has many famous magicians as friends and spoke very highly of Paul Daniels and his fundraising efforts and of how fellow magicians meet at Mr Daniels house to sell off and exchange tricks.

While Peter was talking he was amazing members with tricks with cards, ropes, balls and elastic bands. Right under our noses we saw entwined elastic bands pass through each other and separate without breaking.

His punch line being 'I don't know how it works but I'll show you.'

The Italian evening was a great success with the singing group performing, a quiz and the usual table top sales and raffle. The money raised went towards WI funds.

On show were photographs taken by Sue Williams of the Wisley Garden Scarecrow evening which members attended.

The Flower of the Month was won by Anne Derrick with a beautiful highly perfumed lilac rose.

Forthcoming events are: A walk at Titchbourne on July 12 meeting at noon to start; A bird walk on August 20; Darts Match at Three Horseshoes Public House, Worldham, 7.30pm on July 14; Craft club meets 2.30pm on July 17; A Speaker Selection Day at WI House in Winchester on July 3; Trip to Blenheim Palace on August 2; A trip on the Basingstoke Canal on August 7.

The outcome of the resolutions taken last month were as follows: A Ban on Sea Bottom Trawling was agreed, The Inappropriate Imprisonment of Mental Persons was passed.

There will not be a meeting for the month of August. The next meeting will be on the first Monday of September at 7.30pm at Whitehill Village Hall.