I’ve always found the east coast of England beautiful and thats where I was on this day. Leah and I had been up till 5am walking on the rocks and watching the tide come in. My senses tuned in fully to the voice of the radio DJ and it was one of the first UK reports that Kurt Cobain had committed suicide. Although it was a tragic report I didn’t realise it would be “history in the making” and at that stage of my life, twenty seven, seemed quite old.

The radio alarm had sort of done it’s job, although it was 11:09 am and I was due on stage at twelve o’clock noon for a lunch time spot. My bedroom was so tiny it was strictly used for storing my clothes and other personal belongings, the living area of the caravan had become my sleeping area. The sleeping bag was put away, clothing selected and then it was time to get naked under a weedy shower in the bathroom of a cold caravan in Scarborough.

The walk to the club house wasn’t far and although the undertow of youth had pulled me into a sea of late nights, too much beer and too many parties, professionalism and dedication to my art was always kept. Show business was hard and still is and it’s been said before that British holiday parks are a great grounding and a great starting block, especially for a young man. Learn quickly, practice hard, and the business may be good to you.

My name is Martin and since my Grandmother bought me my first magic kit when I was seven years old I’ve known my destiny in the sense of career and purpose, family Christmases became hugely exciting for me in my younger days and although the receiving of gifts were part of them, for me they were not the main part. The magic shows I would perform for my family and relatives were taken very seriously, at least by me, and to be fair my family offered great encouragement. By the age of thirteen I was a member of the “magic round table”, and had found my real passion, juggling. Don’t ask me why, I couldn’t tell you.

By the age of fifteen the “Martin Bradford Show” had exhausted every local social club and nursing home not to mention the countless performances at my Dads local pub “The Loft”. High School was a total inconvenience and I was only interested in working endlessly on my routines.