The 40th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 15th-19th September 1976 at The Dome, Brighton, with further events at the Corn Exchange, the Pavilion Theatre, the Grand Hotel and the Wagner Hall. The week brings together international performers for the Parade of Past British Shield Winners, the Magic Dealers' Exhibition, the Magic Clinic, the Competition for the British Ring Shield, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, Hospital Shows, the Fourth Collectors' Seminar, the Convention Banquet, Children's Playtime, and the Grand International Gala of Magic.
President Dr. Duncan Fletcher welcomes everyone to the 40th Convention of the British Ring, which this year has returned to Brighton after a lapse of fourteen years, and thanks his committee for their continual interest in providing another unique programme. He extends a special greeting to those attending for the first time, suggesting they make themselves known to the Stewards, and asks Conventioneers to remember those unable to attend through ill health. Walter F. Williams, Jr., International President of the I.B.M., regrets that he cannot attend in person but sends greetings and hopes to visit again before too long, recalling the warmth and friendship he experienced in Great Britain during the war. Councillor Peter E. W. Best, A.I.B., A.R.P.S., F.R.S.A., Mayor of Brighton, welcomes conventioneers to a town he describes as having something of a magical quality, and he and the Mayoress look forward to meeting many during the week.
The British Ring extends a hearty welcome to Overseas Visitors travelling from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, India, Ireland, Malta, Nigeria, Switzerland and the United States of America, who are requested to be at the Top Rank Suite at 19.30 hours on Wednesday 15th September for Official Introduction, ahead of a Cocktail Party given by the Mayor and Mayoress at the Royal Pavilion on the Saturday.
Wednesday 15th September opens on the Sea Front with Howard Peters presenting 'The Ride of Terror' — manacled and chained in a rowing boat linked to a power boat with a burning fuse, the boat is cast adrift and Howard must escape alive. At 14.30 in the Dome the President, Dr. Duncan Fletcher, officially opens the Convention, followed at 14.45 by the Parade of Past British Shield Winners, in which Billy McComb, Morine, Robert Swadling and Valerie, Geoff Ray and Pat, Tony Shelley and Elizabeth, and Sly Smith take part, compered by Alastair, with Keith Hurford at the organ, Horace Jeffery at the drums, and stage direction by Paul Graham, Ron Langhorn and Barry Miller. Throughout the day and every day of the Convention, the Magic Dealers' Exhibition is held in the Corn Exchange, adjacent to the Dome, with some thirty dealers represented including Anverdi, David Berglas, Roy Baker, Books by Post, Ken Brooke, L. Davenport & Co., Peter Diamond, David Hemingway, Hocus Pocus Magic, Jack Hughes, International Magic Co., Hamilton Kaye, Klingsor Magic Shop, Kovari, Luna Magic, Magictrix, Mini Magic, Magical Mart, Murray, Tom Owen, Pabular, Playtime Balloons, Practical Magic, R. A. Roth, Repro 71, Joe Riding, The Supreme Magic Company, Miss Terry Magic Studio and Terry & Norma. The Craig Trophy, presented to the Dealer offering the most attractive display (present holder Peter Diamond), is adjudicated at 17.00 by Miss Claire Richardson, Display Manager of Hanningtons Ltd., Brighton. The evening brings the Civic Reception, Ball and Cabaret at 20.00 in the Top Rank Suite, given by the Mayor of Brighton and the Mayoress, with dancing till midnight to the Steve Lewis Band and a cabaret featuring 'The Sound Idea' Barber Shop Quartet, Champions of the S.E. Region of Great Britain, and Roy Johnson presenting 'Accent on Laughter'. Helene Strachan and Lilian Lees run the Tombola Stand throughout the week in aid of the Benevolent Fund.
Thursday 16th September opens at 09.30 in the Dome with the Dealers' Demonstration, timed by Doug Jones, with Alan Holmes, Brian Roe, David Beckley and Arthur Setterington on stage staff and John Pye and Bill Scott on dealer liaison; the Trade Fair runs from 12.00 to 18.30. At 10.30 in the Pavilion Theatre, Bobby Bernard and his friends present 'The Magic Clinic', featuring David Beckley, Ken Hawes, Chris Pratt and Bobby Bernard teaching the kind of magic that can be used, with novelties and action-packed routines for 'The Boys'. At 14.30 in the Dome, T.V.'s Man of Mystery David Berglas presents a Lecture-Demonstration, 'Professional Magic for Magicians', while at the same time the Pavilion Theatre hosts a Ladies' Afternoon including a talk and demonstration on 'Home Freezing' with film illustrations by Miss A. E. Dare of Birds Eye Foods Ltd., followed by singing from Miss Rena Fletcher, accompanying herself on the guitar. At 16.00, Hospital Shows organised by Wilfred Tyler take magic out to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, the Linkway Lodge Old People's Home, St. John's Residential School for Backward Children, Brentwood Assessment Centre, Hollingdale Old People's Home and Heron Court & Holmeleigh Convalescent Home, with the I.B.M. Clowns congregating at the Grand Hotel at 15.50 for a 16.00 departure. Thursday evening brings the British Ring Shield Competition at 19.30 in the Dome, introduced and organised by Alastair, with Donald Crombie as Chairman of the Judges, Hugh R. Riley (U.S.A.), Arthur Setterington, Robert Swadling, Cliff Townsend and Ted Whebell completing the panel, Jack Potter as Timekeeper, Keith Hurford at the organ, Alfred Gabriel at the drums and Tony List directing the stage. At midnight, 'New Faces' at the Grand Hotel, arranged and presented by Alfred Gabriel, brings Clem Bailey (Bolton), Arthur Barry (Ilford), David John (Newquay), Robin Maddy (Farnborough), Cynthia Neptune (Whitley Bay), Michael Symes (Wallington), Ron Shimell (Ruislip), Philip Southwood (Penzance), Roy Vickers (Leicester) and Johnny Wainwright (Warwick) to the stage.
Friday 17th September opens at 10.00 in the Dome with the Annual General Meeting, chaired by the President, Dr. Duncan Fletcher; the Trade Fair runs from 11.30 to 18.30. At 15.00, Peter Warlock presents 'I Went to Langham Place', introducing John Alborough as Edward Victor, Jeffery Atkins as Raoul, Fred Buttress as Okito, Deveen as Oswald Williams, Dr. Bernard Juby as Selbit, Kovari as Cullpitt, Bill Stickland as Owen Clark, and John Young as John Nevil Maskelyne, with Keith Hurford at the organ, Horace Jeffery at the drums and stage direction by Paul Graham, Ron Langhorn and Barry Miller. The Convention Banquet is held at the Grand Hotel, 19.00 for 19.30, with Leslie Finch, F.N.A.T., as Toastmaster; the menu comprises Desert Island Cocktail, Filet of Sole Bonne Femme, Coq au Vin with English Garden Peas and Potatoes Parmentier, Chocolate Profiteroles and Coffee. Toasts are proposed to The Borough of Brighton by Alastair Oliphant, Esq., B.Sc. (Past President of the British Ring), with a response from the Mayor of Brighton; to The British Ring by Henk Vermeyden, Esq. (Secretary, F.I.S.M.), with a response from the President, Dr. Duncan Fletcher, who also proposes the toast to The Ladies and Visitors, answered by the Rev. Dr. John Booth (U.S.A.). At 20.00 in the Pavilion Theatre, 'The Magic Clinic' is repeated, and at 22.30 the After Banquet Show at the Dome brings Geoffrey Robinson presenting 'Later Magic', with June Bryant, Harry Dewhirst, Marc Duval, John Maire, Preben Palsgard (Denmark), Geoffrey Robinson and John Wade.
Saturday 18th September brings the Trade Fair from 09.30 to 18.30. At 10.30 in the Wagner Hall, Children's Playtime, devised and presented by Wilfred Tyler, brings host Terry Herbert introducing Auntie Cynthia (Neptune), John Pye with his magical 'Hot Pot', Rex Taylor with his 'Taylor Made' magic and De Reski from the Erin Isle, with fun from Terry and Richard Stupple and, to conclude, the magic of Sam and Joy Mallinson, alongside the I.B.M. Troupe of Clowns led by the international Auguste 'Smokey', with music from the Ken Lyon Duo. At 10.00 at the Grand Hotel, the Zina Bennett Close-Up Competition, organised by Don Lees, is judged by Roy Johnson, Tony Griffiths, Mrs. Norah Potter (Director, F.S.I.) and A. J. Heald (Director, Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce), with Doug Jones as Timekeeper. At 14.00 in the Dome, Anverdi presents a Lecture-Demonstration. At 15.45 in the Pavilion Theatre, the Fourth Collectors' Seminar, arranged and chaired by Dr. Eddie Dawes, brings Peter Lane on 'Sidelights on Magazine Collecting', Bayard Grimshaw on 'The Great Carmo', Jon Gresham on 'Automatic Machines of Magical Interest', and, to conclude, the Rev. Dr. John N. Booth on 'Parallels in the India Rope, Geller and Abominable Snowman Stories'. At 17.00 and 20.30 in the Dome, the Grand International Gala of Magic, directed by Tony Hewison, F.I.M. Ent., with the programme arranged and presented by Wm. G. Stickland and stage management by Paul Graham for the British Ring (assisted by Barry Miller and Ron Langhorn), features an overture from Keith Hurford at the organ and Horace Jeffery on percussion, followed by Jackie Gaytone, compere Terry Seabrooke (star of the B.B.C. TV series 'For My Next Trick'), Brian Miller and Audrey (holders of the British Ring Shield), the Dutch 'Half-Wit' Dick De-Witte, Johnny and Suma Lamonte (International Speciality), and T.V.'s International Man of Magic David Berglas; after the interval, Keith Hurford and Horace Jeffery, Al and Valery Preston from Holland ('The Magic Anglers'), the Belgian Champion Manipulator Fred Dery, the Phenomenal Dutch Child Magicienne Sylvia Diana, Jackie Gaytone (The Charming Vocal Instrumentalist), and England's Premier Illusionist Jeffery Atkins and Company presenting 'Magic of the Masters', closing with the National Anthem. At midnight, Close-Up Magic organised by Don Lees is held at the Grand Hotel.
Sunday 19th September brings the Trade Fair from 09.00 to 12.00, followed at 10.30 in the Dome by the Convention Service, conducted by Ringer the Reverend Michael Seacome, M.A., A.R.C.M., Vicar of Barnwood, Gloucester and Official Chaplain to the British Ring — undenominational, with a Silver Collection for the British Ring Welfare Fund. At 12.00 at the Grand Hotel, David Berglas is installed as the new President, followed at 12.30 by a Cocktail Party, before the close of the Convention.
Event Organisers: Gala Show — William G. Stickland. Registration — Jeffery Atkins. Banquet — Francis Haxton. Dealers' Exhibition and Demonstration — Johnny Neptune. Outside Attraction — Paul Graham. Lectures, Souvenir Programme and 'I Walked to Langham Place' — Peter Warlock. After Banquet Show — Geoffrey Robinson. Ladies' Afternoon — The Ladies' Committee. Shield Competition — Alastair Oliphant, B.Sc. Children's Playtime — Wilfred Tyler. Close-up and Zina Bennett Competition — Don Lees. New Faces — Alfred Gabriel. Cocktail Party — Eddie Dexter. Stage Direction — Paul Graham. Stewards — Jack Griggs, assisted by Ken Bamborough, Gilbert K. Barker, Cyril Capon, Cissie Entwistle, George Hatton, Douglas R. Jones, Barry A. Laymond, Dr. McKee, Robert Scott and Les Woodcock.
