The Modern Mystic League
Blackburn & District Society of Magicians
We were all saddened to hear of the death of our good friend Ron Baron. Ron and I joined the Modern Mystic League on the same day, in June 1975. Ron’s initiation show was impressive, with his signature rhyming patter and amusing presentations. He was President of the Society three times; in 1980, 2005 and 2006, and Concert Secretary in 1981 and 1982. He always gave wise and thoughtful counsel when a member of the Committee.
According to his application form, Ron had been interested in magic since 1952, and his favourite magic effects were children’s effects – particularly story magic. He was also a member of the Order of The Magi in Manchester. He did not mention that in 1952 he had won a prize with the Boys’ Magic Club of Prestatyn. Ron told me that he met the late Brian Glover in the mess room when they were in the army on national service in Cyprus. One of them was reading Abra, which was the give-away! Ron always felt his national service was good for him, instilling values of discipline and neatness which he carried for the rest of his life. Ron was always smartly turned out, with well-polished shoes and a neat shirt and tie.
According to his application form, Ron had been interested in magic since 1952, and his favourite magic effects were children’s effects – particularly story magic. He was also a member of the Order of The Magi in Manchester. He did not mention that in 1952 he had won a prize with the Boys’ Magic Club of Prestatyn. Ron told me that he met the late Brian Glover in the mess room when they were in the army on national service in Cyprus. One of them was reading Abra, which was the give-away! Ron always felt his national service was good for him, instilling values of discipline and neatness which he carried for the rest of his life. Ron was always smartly turned out, with well-polished shoes and a neat shirt and tie.
RON BARON
3rd Oct 1935 - 4th Feb 2025
Ron loved to entertain children. In 1978, he contributed an effect called ‘Mrs Floss’s Sweet Shop’ to the book Magi Magoria by members of The Order of The Magi. Based on the squared circle principle, and to appropriate rhyming patter, boxes of chocolates and sweets are magically produced to the delight of the audience.
Ron had a very successful year as President in 1980, and introduced a feature in the MeMeL in which members were invited to write about their beginnings in magic. Each subject then nominated the next writer. It was an interesting series.
In 1987, Ron contributed to a special series in Abra magazine which featured tricks from members of the Society. His offering was a humorous rhyming patter for the Lubor Die routine.
In the 1990s, Ron was able, as an engineer and Training Officer for NORWEB, to secure the use of a lecture theatre complete with raked seating at his place of work in Chorley, for special lectures from Joe Givan from Canada and Warren Stephens from America. Both events were very successful. However, I believe this building has now been demolished for redevelopment.
Ron agreed to carry on as President in 2006 after his own term of office in 2005, due to the untimely death of Harold Taylor. He welcomed many visitors to the MML during those two years, including Walt Lees, Alan Shaxon, Trevor Duffy (from South Africa), Jon Marshall, the North Western Society of Magicians (the Barrow Boys), John Archer and Wayne Dobson (for President’s Day, 2006).
When the MML presented a Magical Variety Show in 2009 at the Thwaites Empire Theatre (the first theatre show for quite some time) Ron was one of the performers. At the very special Centenary meeting in February 2014, he presented a ‘block off’ routine to amusing Lancashire patter.
Ron was an accomplished children’s entertainer, and took part in many MML shows and events. He was never short of a volunteer, as he often ‘persuaded’ his son Johnathan to take part. He presented some excellent rope magic along with his rhyming stories. He was a member of the Cavendish Knights of Close-Up Magic for a short time, but confessed he was not really a fan of card tricks. However, who could ever forget his creation Willie the Wellington Boot, who must have entertained countless children over the years? Fittingly, Willie appeared in the floral tributes at Ron’s Service.
Ron was also instrumental in introducing the Society to the Chorley Subscription Bowling Club, where we have presented many evenings of magic over the years.
Ron was great family man. He and Betty were married in 1962, a partnership of 63 years, and had three children; Christine, Elizabeth and Johnathan, along with seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Quietly, Ron was proud of the achievements of his family as well as introducing them all to Ewood Park, the home of his team, Blackburn Rovers.
Magic was never far away, with much fun and laughter at family parties, which often included an appearance from Horace, Ron’s other ventriloquist’s dummy. He also loved travelling and walking in the great outdoors.
The Modern Mystic League was very well represented at the Service of Thanksgiving for Ron’s life at the Chorley United Reformed Church on 20th February, where many stories and photographs were shared.
Rest In Peace, Ronald Baron: ‘Ron’, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, beloved family man, gentleman, engineer, magician, ventriloquist, raconteur, dog lover, football fan, a great friend and all-round good guy.
A lovely man, he will be much missed and we send our condolences to Betty and all the family.
ROGER WOODS
Ron had a very successful year as President in 1980, and introduced a feature in the MeMeL in which members were invited to write about their beginnings in magic. Each subject then nominated the next writer. It was an interesting series.
In 1987, Ron contributed to a special series in Abra magazine which featured tricks from members of the Society. His offering was a humorous rhyming patter for the Lubor Die routine.
In the 1990s, Ron was able, as an engineer and Training Officer for NORWEB, to secure the use of a lecture theatre complete with raked seating at his place of work in Chorley, for special lectures from Joe Givan from Canada and Warren Stephens from America. Both events were very successful. However, I believe this building has now been demolished for redevelopment.
Ron agreed to carry on as President in 2006 after his own term of office in 2005, due to the untimely death of Harold Taylor. He welcomed many visitors to the MML during those two years, including Walt Lees, Alan Shaxon, Trevor Duffy (from South Africa), Jon Marshall, the North Western Society of Magicians (the Barrow Boys), John Archer and Wayne Dobson (for President’s Day, 2006).
When the MML presented a Magical Variety Show in 2009 at the Thwaites Empire Theatre (the first theatre show for quite some time) Ron was one of the performers. At the very special Centenary meeting in February 2014, he presented a ‘block off’ routine to amusing Lancashire patter.
Ron was an accomplished children’s entertainer, and took part in many MML shows and events. He was never short of a volunteer, as he often ‘persuaded’ his son Johnathan to take part. He presented some excellent rope magic along with his rhyming stories. He was a member of the Cavendish Knights of Close-Up Magic for a short time, but confessed he was not really a fan of card tricks. However, who could ever forget his creation Willie the Wellington Boot, who must have entertained countless children over the years? Fittingly, Willie appeared in the floral tributes at Ron’s Service.
Ron was also instrumental in introducing the Society to the Chorley Subscription Bowling Club, where we have presented many evenings of magic over the years.
Ron was great family man. He and Betty were married in 1962, a partnership of 63 years, and had three children; Christine, Elizabeth and Johnathan, along with seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Quietly, Ron was proud of the achievements of his family as well as introducing them all to Ewood Park, the home of his team, Blackburn Rovers.
Magic was never far away, with much fun and laughter at family parties, which often included an appearance from Horace, Ron’s other ventriloquist’s dummy. He also loved travelling and walking in the great outdoors.
The Modern Mystic League was very well represented at the Service of Thanksgiving for Ron’s life at the Chorley United Reformed Church on 20th February, where many stories and photographs were shared.
Rest In Peace, Ronald Baron: ‘Ron’, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, beloved family man, gentleman, engineer, magician, ventriloquist, raconteur, dog lover, football fan, a great friend and all-round good guy.
A lovely man, he will be much missed and we send our condolences to Betty and all the family.
ROGER WOODS
