A WISBECH couple were off on a magical journey when they left the Fens for Canada back in 1956. Ray Da Silva Palmer and his wife, Joan Frances Palmer, took with them six trunks of magical paraphernalia. Although strictly an amateur, Ray was a hugely succe
A WISBECH couple were off on a magical journey when they left the Fens for Canada back in 1956.
Ray Da Silva Palmer and his wife, Joan Frances Palmer, took with them six trunks of magical paraphernalia.
Although strictly an amateur, Ray was a hugely successful magician, giving shows all over the country.
His interest in magic started when his mother bought him a half-crown box of tricks when he was eight years old.
He found conjuring so fascinating that he spent every spare moment practising and was soon giving private shows to relatives and later to friends at Wisbech Grammar School.
His first public performance was at Walton Highway when he was 17 and when he joined the Magic Circle he was the organisation's youngest member.
Ray and Joan were hoping to try a new act in front of Canadian audience which was a variation on a Houdini act.
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