JACK GRIGGS - MY MAGICAL MENTOR FROM 1987 ONWARDS..
Sadly my Great Friend, Magical Mentor and "Father Figure" Jack Griggs who was a member & former President of Manchester’s Oldest & Finest Magic Club “The Order of the Magi” which is also England’s 3rd Oldest Magical Society passed away in 2019 as per -
https://www.orderofthemagi.co.uk/in-memoriam/jack-griggs-memorial
https://geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php?title=Jack_Griggs
https://www.facebook.com/alexthehypnotist/posts/pfbid02BdakbYGZwkVmo9kSDqHCQRDD2Lo2JGy3ehRvDw8DpmHNrAqEZJeGUkFfqZiT4CSLl
I was Proud to be asked to perform the BROKEN WAND ceremony at his funeral.
My 2011 First Lecture for the Order of the Magi was reviewed by Former Editor of The International Brotherhood of Magicians “The Budget” magazine the Late Jack Griggs here
https://web.archive.org/web/20230602183924/https://klearthoughtsmentalismhypnosis.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/the-magic-of-showbiz-a-new-lecture-workshop-for-magic-clubs-conventions-also-lectures-on-magic-mentalism-hypnosis-also-available-with-jonathan-royle/
He gets the date we first met wrong, I know this as he took me to Blackpool Magic Convention at start of 1988 when I was still just 12 years old...
He also told me how Proud he was of the other lectures I presented at The Order of the Magi of which he also attended as per:
My 2014 Second Lecture for the Order of the Magi is reviewed by Steve Manford here
https://www.magicweek.co.uk/magic_reviews/magic_lectures/review_lecture_jonathan_royle_2014.htm
My 2016 Third Lecture for the Order of the Magi is reviewed by Stuart “Harrizon” Cassels here
https://www.magicweek.co.uk/magic_reviews/magic_lectures/review_lecture_jonathan_royle_2016.htm
Indeed the 2016 Lecture was filmed and is available from
https://jonathanroyle.sellfy.store/p/h2ok/
These were the words I posted when I let people know about his funeral...
Rest in Peace my friend Jack Griggs..
Just heard the bad news that my friend and magical mentor Jack Griggs has passed away.
Many will know Jack edited the IBM magazine The Budget for many years.
He also released many magical tricks through Izani Henley, Supreme Magic Company and others.
Jack Grigg’s Visible Coin Through Glass -
https://jonathanroyle.sellfy.store/p/Ehrm/
Jack Griggs Chinese Mat Magical Production Tube
https://jonathanroyle.sellfy.store/p/Zttc/
He wrote many articles for Magigram, The Budget and Abra as well as many others.
A life member and Former President of the 3rd oldest magical club in England The Order of the Magic in Manchester he was known and loved by many.
But to me he was a father figure, a mentor and A true friend.
He saw my first Psychic show when I was just 15ish..
https://www.magicalguru.com/past-life-regression-psychic-experiments-2/
He introduced me onto stage for one of my first Hypnosis shows..
He taught me tons about Magic and remained my friend and adviser even when I did silly things he did not approve of.
Sadly he lost his wife Francis to dementia a few years before he himself passed away..
At least now they will can be together again.
I also remember so clearly how he kindly took me to my first Blackpool Magic Convention Circa 1988.
And how he smuggled me into Order of The Magi, Manchester's Magical Society when they had no junior section.
He helped me so much...
As I know he did many others..
All of the Magical Items in images below are things Jack kindly left me which have great History including the Tankard awarded to him by THE BRITISH MAGICAL SOCIETY for Bravery as per the article image below..
THIS WIZARD PICTURE HE LEFT ME IS VERY INTERESTING
https://www.facebook.com/673582805/videos/pcb.10161905435567806/7341565182627740
Also his Tankard for Bravery upon which it says
”Presented to Jack Griggs by The British Magical Society in recognition of his Bravery on the 25th November 1976”
He also kindly left me many other items of Magical History & Interest
Jack also contributed to the book “Magi Magoria” which was published by The Supreme Magic Company in 1978
He also did the illustrations for a lot of Magic Books & Magazines for other peoples work & articles including the majority of the illustrations inside the 3 Volumes of the Jack Hughes World of Magic Books published by the Late Derek Lever
When The Order of the Magi Learnt of Jack’s passing they posted on Social Media..
It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jack Griggs, Lifetime Member and Past President of The Order of The Magi.
Jack was a much loved, and active member of our magic society; President from 1976-77, Life member, and Council Officer. Outside of the society, he was a Punch & Judy performer, accomplished magician, inventor of many magical effects, author, artist and former editor of The International Brotherhood of Magicians’ magazine – The Budget.
Away from the stage, Jack had a distinguished career in both the RAF, and Greater Manchester Police, retiring in 1992 as an Inspector.
YOU CAN JOIN THE MAGIC CLUB THAT JACK LOVED SO MUCH HERE
https://www.orderofthemagi.co.uk/
I also remember fondly how Proud Jack was of me when during 2017 I won & held (at the same time) The Best Cabaret Magic Act, Best Close-Up Magical Performance & Best Card Trick Trophy’s & Awards from Britain’s 3rd Oldest Magical Society The Order of the Magi in Manchester, England.
He was (as was everyone else in the room) absolutely stunned, amazed and flabbergasted by the Card Routine that helped me win both the Sly Smith Best Card Trick Shield and also the Best Close-Up Performance Trophy on the same night.
I had to lend him the Luke Jermay DVD’s to watch from which I had learned the absolute Miracle Style routine from and when he discovered the Secrets he told me he thought Luke Jermay was an absolute genius!
I also recall how much of an idiot he thought I was for attempting an extremely dangerous underwater escape without proper training & practice
Details of that 2004 stunt which nearly killed me are located here
https://www.magicalguru.com/royle-magician-magic-shows-lectures/
As I reflect on how lucky I was to have Jack as my Magical Mentor, Friend and indeed an important Father Figure in my life, I know that he would also be proud that I have recently (24th March 2026) been elected as both the New Entertainments and also the new Public Relations Officer for The Order of the Magi
And already I have attracted quite a bit of publicity for the Club, a few examples being
‘Mick the Trick’ steps down after two decades with Order of the Magi
Jonathan wins election to two magical roles
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/rochdale-observer/20260401/281655376620095
Rochdale Magician Jonathan Royle Takes Key Roles at Historic Manchester Magic Society
AND LET’S NOT FORGET JACK GRIGGS FAMOUS FLYING PIG TRICK
Here’s the exact paragraph text from New Tops Volume 7 that mentions “Flying Pig” by Jack Griggs —
“Among the new things we’ve seen is a close‑up novelty, marketed by Supreme Magic. **Called, FLYING PIG, it should appeal to the sit‑down‑at‑the‑table workers. A small plastic pig is placed on the table. It is shielded by a cardboard screen and another card forms a roof. Momentarily, it is out of sight. Pattering to the effect that one hears that pigs can fly, the wizard blows away the cardboard house and the pig has flown. A clever idea by Jack Griggs, it was first published in Abracadabra.”
That’s the full description of the effect as it appears in that issue of New Tops—including props, patter, and credit to Jack Griggs.
On October 15th 2025 Magician Lloyd Barnes posted this video on his Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1741876143197576
When I saw it I instantly was reminded of Jack Griggs Flying Pig Trick
#JackGriggs #OrderoftheMagi #Magician #Magic #PunchandJudy