Church minister wins prize for ‘magic’ skills

Rev Bill Wishart, 52, who leads St Martin’s Church in the Portobello area of Edinburgh, wowed judges with his comedy routine called The Blades of Death, which involved The Crochet Needles of Doom, a trick called Knitty, Knitty, Bang, Bang and the Disecto Arm Chopper.

He was presented with the Harry Kidd Cup for parlour, stage or stand-up comedy magic by the West Lothian Magic Circle.

The minister said he was “chuffed” to have beaten the competition to win the trophy.

“It’s wonderful that the judges, distinguished fellow club members with many years’ experience of magic, enjoyed my act enough to award me the trophy,” he said.

“To say I’m chuffed is an understatement.”

Rev Wishart’s love of magic began 17-years-ago, and he has since performed under the stage name ‘Bill’s Ministry of Magic’.

The cup is competed for every year at West Lothian Magic Circle and is named in honour of a former member of the club who died.

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A minister from Scotland has been awarded a top prize for his magic skills.