Image: UNE PhD student, Vijit Nautiyal, (top right) who is studying theoretical physics, was one of many who were astonished by Richard’s skills as an illusionist. Also pictured are Convenor Amelia Willmer and (top left) Australian Skeptics Executive Officer and Editor Tim Mendham.

Among the audience of 70 at Skeptics In The Pub on Wednesday were visitors from Kempsey, Guyra, and Tamworth who travelled especially to Armidale to hear renowned Australian Skeptic, Richard Saunders.

Richard, whose podcast The Skeptic Zone attracts thousands of listeners worldwide, performed a hilarious presentation, Secrets of the Psychics, at the Welder’s Dog Brewery.

Six eager audience members accepted his challenge to participate in a scientific experiment to prove that water divining works.

Each failed spectacularly.

Others learnt how to bend spoons and turn pencils to wobbly jelly.

A special guest was Australian Skeptics Inc Executive Officer Tim Mendham, who is also Editor of The Skeptic magazine.

He congratulated Armidale on being the most successful Skeptics In The Pub in Australia.

The next Skeptics In The Pub is on Wednesday June 18.

UNE adjunct senior lecturer in politics and international relations, Dr Karin von Strokirch, will deliver a a hard-hitting presentation titled: Navigating International Relations In the Dysoptian World of Trump.

“The US under Trump has taken a wrecking ball to international institutions, laws, values and funding,” Dr Strokirch says. “But did the rot precede Trump and can blame be attributed more widely?”