Hidden Charms is a bi-annual conference on magical house protection and related topics. Expert speakers from around the world converge on an historic British city to share their research on magical house protection in a friendly and supportive environment. Each speaker has 20 minutes to deliver a focused piece of research and then there are 10 minutes for them to field questions from attendees. One of the many things people really enjoy about the day is that there is a 45-minute break in the morning and in the afternoon where everyone can mingle, chat and enjoy tea, coffee and biscuits!

Hidden Charms 5 was a great success, running from 9.30am through to 5.00pm. Conference proceedings will be published fairly soon and available to buy in the shop.

 The list of speakers for Hidden Charms 5 was as follows:

Brian Hoggard
Keeping darkness at bay

Dafydd Wiliam
Ritual protection marks within the historical buildings of St Fagans National Museum of History

Dr Petra Schad
Magical Objects to Protect Houses and their Residents in the South of Germany

Louise Lindgaard (online)
Magical house protection at the museum (Denmark)

Dr James Wright
The Lights Burn Blue’ – The Perceived Presence of Spirits in Connection with Burn Marks in Ancient Buildings

Mirko Gutjahr
Magic for the dead revisited - Written charms in medieval burials and elsewhere

Dr Eurwyn Wiliam
Concealed horse skulls in Wales

Val Thomas & Chris Wood
The Multi-tasking ‘Oss