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The Sorcerer's Apprentice Bookshop

One of the earliest esoteric supply shops catering for the burgeoning interest in Witchcraft, Paganism, Hermeticism and The Occult during the 1970s.

Inaugurated in January 1975 by owner Chris Bray at No 4 Burley Lodge Road, Leeds LS6 1QP West Yorkshire, UK.

Registered Trade Mark 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice®' ????

Inaugurated The Sorcerer's Apprentice Press publishing house. ??

March 1978, Enlarged premises to 6 - 8 Burley Lodged Road, Leeds LS6 1QP

Opened Astonishing Books at The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Hyde Park, Leeds LS6 /??

Mentioned in a debate on prevalence of witchcraft in the U.K. in Parliament APRIL 15: 1988: MP Geoffrey Dickens (now deceased) says

"Will the Leader of the House set aside time for a debate on the workings of the Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951 which repealed the Witchcraft act 1735. IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE IN THIS HOUSE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH AND CONVICTED OF OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN WERE INVOLVED IN WITCHCRAFT INITIATION CEREMONIES We need a chance to discuss the workings of Witchcraft AND HOW IT CAN BE CONTROLLED IN THIS COUNTRY."

APRIL 28 1988: Geoffrey Dickens' gets his adjournement debate and makes latest statement in the House which specifically singles out The Sorcerer's Apprentice Bookshop. Dickens' statement verbatim:

 "There was a shop in Leeds which was the Flashmail order centre of the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Nearby was another shop called Astonishing Books. Both shop was were under the Same Control. The Shops specialised in books on witchcraft Black Magic Satanic Rituals and other occult practices. False Altar Images such as a Phoenician Goddess statuettes and a Satan skull ring were among the objects on sale. The Growth of this business and other such shops reinforced his warning that Britain could SOON FOLLOW THE PATH OF THE U.S.A. Dickens claimed to have spoken to parents who said their children had been assaulted in situations associated with the occult. Dickens repeats his overall condemnation of Witchcraft "  It was common knowledge that many people convicted of offences against children had been involved in witchcraft initiation ceremonies".

Persecuted by Christian fundamentalists throughout 1988.

Sponsored and arranged the first Occult Census ???

Featured in Granada TV's The Cook Report, July 19th 1989.

Astonishing Books branch Firebombed by fundamentalist fanatics, August ?? 1989.

Founded The Sorcerer's Apprentice Fighting Fund (S.A.F.F.) September 1989.

Incorporated SAFF as a separate non-profit making entity ???

La Fontine govt report 1994: No such thing as satanic ritual abuse, figment of the minds of fundamentalist Christians.

Website: http://www.sorcerers-apprentice.co.uk/