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We just moved into a new house and while I was going through piles of dusty junk to make some space in the attic I found a strange box...


Inside was a book called "The Town of Cambridge" by Arthur Gray, along with a book of minutes from an old, forgotten Cambridge society called "the E********** Club".


There were also a few old coins, a broken pocket watch and a couple of faded photographs of Jesus College. One of the coins bears the inscription "In Memory Of The Good Old Days 1768".


I get a weird vibe whenever I go near the box. The minutes book has some seriously creepy stuff in it, but I can't bring myself to throw any of it out. What can it possibly mean?

It means Matt that someone left a few treasured memories behind, Hold them-- read the books & the feeling that you are somehow a little part of their lives will come to you. I have always, since childhood felt , for instance that walls seem to hold memories. Got this first visiting Worcester Cathedral!
When in 1938 my parents bought their first house in Cradley Heath (not too far from you) I always remember the Box Room.
There was a proper stairway up to it. On the inside of the door--in coloured chalk someone had written, 'Welcome to the Flower Garden' and drawn some flowers there as well
There was an old Theatre just round the corner--long closed up--Cradley Heath had 2 Theatres at one time.
It appeared that whoever owned the house previously had lodged actors from the Theatre there.
As my Magic began at age 9, I was given the room purely for Magic. Mum & Dad put a trunk and a wardrobe with shelves up there.
I always felt the old actors were there with me when I rehearsed.
No. 45, Queen Street was the only private house on the Street.It is still there even though all the other houses have been demolished, and replaced with small bungalow types of housing.
Several years ago a theatre friend gave me an old, small wand with a silver emblem bound on it. They had had 2 bungalows knocked into one and the wand was in the bungalow where an old magician once lived. When I used the wand--something always happened--my Cups & Balls ALWAYS worked smoother.
The Wand, and the Cups are now with my son Mike, in Portugal.
So the Wand has been passed on.And he has learnt the C & B's very quickly!!!

Those things were possibly precious in some way as they were kept in a box.
Also they are part of the house.
Keep them safe--in their box.
Look at them from time to time.
Treasure them as perhaps someone from th Past once did!

Allen Tipton

Allen Tipton wrote:When in 1938 my parents bought their first house in Cradley Heath (not too far from you) I always remember the Box Room.
There was a proper stairway up to it. On the inside of the door--in coloured chalk someone had written, 'Welcome to the Flower Garden' and drawn some flowers there as well
There was an old Theatre just round the corner--long closed up--Cradley Heath had 2 Theatres at one time.
It appeared that whoever owned the house previously had lodged actors from the Theatre there.
As my Magic began at age 9, I was given the room purely for Magic. Mum & Dad put a trunk and a wardrobe with shelves up there.
I always felt the old actors were there with me when I rehearsed.
No. 45, Queen Street was the only private house on the Street.It is still there even though all the other houses have been demolished, and replaced with small bungalow types of housing.
Several years ago a theatre friend gave me an old, small wand with a silver emblem bound on it. They had had 2 bungalows knocked into one and the wand was in the bungalow where an old magician once lived. When I used the wand--something always happened--my Cups & Balls ALWAYS worked smoother.
The Wand, and the Cups are now with my son Mike, in Portugal.

Those are wonderful, touching stories! Thank you.

Allen Tipton wrote:Those things were possibly precious in some way as they were kept in a box.
Also they are part of the house.
Keep them safe--in their box.
Look at them from time to time.
Treasure them as perhaps someone from th Past once did!

Allen Tipton

Actually Allen, in the interests of full disclosure, this is a magical presentation I have put together, but I am glad it seems a feasible one.

The box, the coins and photos and the "Town of Cambridge" book are all genuine Victoriana I've collected from Ebay. The pocket watch/pendulum is a modern piece but looks quite old.

The minutes of the E********** Club is a book test from the very wonderful Outlaw Effects, created by the fevered, brilliant mind of Prof BC.

Whatever you do, don't write your name in that minutes book!!!!!!