The 37th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 12th–16th September 1973 in Harrogate, with events at the Royal Hall, the Majestic Hotel and the Harrogate Theatre. Under the presidency of Dr. Edwin A. Dawes, and with International President Earle J. Christenberry Jr. and the Mayor of Harrogate, Alderman Rodney Kent, sending their welcome, the programme features the Magic Collectors' Seminar, Magic from the Emerald Isle, the Civic Reception Ball and Cabaret, the Dealers' Demonstration, Lecture Sessions by Lubor Fiedler and Fred Kaps, the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, The Reality of Illusion, the Convention Banquet and After Banquet Show, Children's Playtime, the Close-Up Contest for the Zina Bennett Cup and the Grand International Gala of Magic.
President Dr. Edwin A. Dawes extends a very warm Yorkshire welcome to all members and visitors on the occasion of the 37th Annual Convention, which returns to the beautiful inland resort of Harrogate after an absence of twelve years. He sends a particular welcome to magicians from overseas, many of them old friends, and to those for whom Harrogate is their first Convention, asking them to make themselves known to the Stewards; he thanks the Convention Committee for arranging a programme that mixes novel features with the tried and tested ingredients, and the Mayor, Mayoress and Civic Authorities of Harrogate for their hospitality, and he sends good wishes to the members prevented by illness from joining in. The International President of the I.B.M., Earle J. Christenberry Jr., barely two weeks into office, returns to the British Ring with his wife Gladys, having attended the Llandudno convention in 1971, and describes Ring No. 25 as a gem in the Brotherhood's international links. Alderman Rodney Kent, Mayor of Harrogate, welcomes the delegates and their ladies to the leading conference town in the North of England. Overseas visitors are expected from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, India, Ireland, Malta, Rhodesia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa and the U.S.A.
The week opens on Wednesday 12th September with the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, organised by Eddie Dexter and assisted by Johnny Neptune, in Exhibition Hall No. 1, attached to the Royal Hall. The Fair runs on Wednesday 9.30 a.m.–7.30 p.m., Thursday 12.00–6.30 p.m., Friday 11.30 a.m.–6.30 p.m., Saturday 9.30 a.m.–6.30 p.m. and Sunday 9.00 a.m.–mid-day, with twenty-three dealers exhibiting, including Anverdi, Ken Brooke, Roy Baker, Davenport & Co., Albert Goshman, David Hemingway, Kovari, Luna Magic, Practical Magic, Repro 71, the Supreme Magic Co., Terry and Norma and Zodiac Magic. The Craig Trophy for the most attractive display, currently held by the Supreme Magic Co., is adjudicated at 5.00 p.m. by Mr. E. Pollard, Display Manager of Debenhams of Harrogate. At 9.30 a.m. the Magic Collectors' Seminar takes place in the Ballroom of the Headquarters Hotel, chaired by Eddie Dawes, with Bayard Grimshaw on 'Old Faked Cards', Dr. John Henry Grossman with 'Thoughts on the career of Harry Keller', George Jenness on 'Some Maskelyne Ephemera' and Peter Warlock with 'The Great Black Art Caper'. At or about 11.30, in 'With Sight Unseen', Master of Illusion Jeffery Atkins attempts to prove he is 'The man with the X-Ray eyes': blindfolded by the Mayor of Harrogate, he is handed a sealed envelope and must carry out its instructions without sight of them — perhaps even driving an automobile loaned by Kennings of The Stray, Harrogate, if police permission is forthcoming. The President officially opens the Convention at 3 p.m. in the Royal Hall, and at 3.20 p.m. the Irish Ring No. 85 I.B.M. presents 'Magic from the Emerald Isle' with Dereski, Charlie McAfee, Eustace Malcolm, Clare Rogers and Martini, compered by Ted Oldham. At 8 p.m. for 8.30 p.m. the Mayor and Mayoress give the Civic Reception, Ball and Cabaret in the Royal Hall, when Overseas Visitors are introduced, with dancing to Clarry Wilson and his Orchestra and a cabaret featuring India's Gilly Gilly Wonderman, Gogia Pasha, and The Bridge Singers from I.T.V.'s 'Stars on Sunday'. Evening dress. The Tombola Stand, run by Helene Strachan and Lilian Lees, is in aid of the Benevolent Fund.
Thursday 13th September opens at 9.45 a.m. with the Dealers' Demonstration in the Royal Hall, arranged by Rex Reader, in which twenty dealers each take a nine-minute slot, from Kovari at 9.45 to Gil Leaney at 12.36, with Jack Potter as Time-Keeper. At 2.30 p.m. the Lecture Sessions, chaired by Peter Warlock, present 'The Fantasy World of Lubor Fiedler' in the Royal Hall — the famous European inventor demonstrating and explaining some of his ingenious off-beat novelties — while the Ladies' Afternoon at the Majestic Hotel features a talk and demonstration by Mrs. Mary Seacome, 'Happy those Early Days' or 'The Magic of Childhood', with afternoon tea, a raffle for the Welfare Fund and bingo. At 4.30 p.m. the Hospitals/Homes Shows, organised by Wilfred Tyler, take magic to seven venues across Harrogate: Harrogate and District General Hospital, St. George's Home, the Police Convalescent Home (a close-up show), the National Children's Home, the Ian Tetley Memorial Home, Princess Mary's House (British Red Cross) and the Harrogate Citizens' Guild of Help, with the I.B.M. Clowns led by Smokey touring all but the Police Convalescent Home. At 7.30 p.m. Alastair introduces the competitors in the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield in the Royal Hall, judged by Geoffrey Buckingham (Chairman), Les Levante, Dr. J. H. Grossman, Colin Hughes, Claude Perry and Rex Reader, with Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director, Tony List as Stage Manager and Jack Potter as Timekeeper. The awards at stake are the New Silver British Ring Shield and cash prize of £25, the Conventioneers Trophy for originality, the Craig Trophy for the best performance by a lady magician, the Theo Speaker Cup and £15 for the runner-up, a third prize of £10 and the Silver Wand presented by Alastair, the Tom Harris Cup for comedy with £5, and the Dittia Shield for manipulation. Ken Brooke entertains while the judges deliberate, and after the competition Francis Haxton presents informal close-up magic in the lounge of the Majestic Hotel.
Friday 14th September begins at 10 a.m. with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers in the Royal Hall (members only), under Chairman Professor E. A. Dawes, with Doug Murfett as Returning Officer. At 3 p.m. Peter Warlock presents 'The Reality of Illusion' in the Royal Hall, introducing Ali Bongo, Bernard and Yvonne, Malcolm Davison, Fred Kaps, Trevor Lewis, Christopher Payne, Christopher Pratt, Geoff Ray and Pat, Eric Sharp, Robert Sinclair & Gretta, and Van Buren and Greta. The Convention Banquet takes place at the Majestic Hotel at 6.30 for 7 p.m.: Seafood Cocktail, Marie Rose; Cream of Asparagus Soup; Roast Saddle of English Lamb Niçoise; Soufflé Surprise, My Lord; and Coffee. Edward G. Love proposes the toast to the Borough of Harrogate, answered by the Mayor; Earle J. Christenberry Jr. proposes the toast to the British Ring, answered by the President, who also proposes The Ladies and Visitors, answered by Les Levante (Australia), Past President of the British Ring. The Committee also express their appreciation of the gifts and prizes presented by Mystic Craig. At 10.30 p.m. the After Banquet Show, organised and produced by Geoffrey Robinson, follows in the Royal Hall with Elinor Heslop, Sly Smith, Terry Seabrooke, The Great Levante and John Todd, compered by Cliff Lount.
Saturday 15th September starts at 10 a.m. with the Close-Up Showcase and Close-Up Contest for the Zina Bennett Cup, organised by Don Lees, in the Conference Hall of the Majestic Hotel, with John Palfreyman as Chairman of the Judges and non-competing appearances by Bob Ostin, David Anton, Mike Chardo, Christopher Pratt and Mike Gancia. At 10.30 a.m. Wilfred Tyler offers his 27th presentation of Children's Playtime at the Harrogate Theatre, hosted by Fred Barton with Terry Burgess, Gladys Cole, Terry Herbert, Dennis Rhodes and San Yen and Co., and the I.B.M. troupe of Clowns. At mid-day unsold gifts on the Welfare Stand are auctioned, and at 2.30 p.m. Fred Kaps presents 'The Best of Kaps' in the Conference Hall of the Majestic Hotel. The Grand International Gala of Magic, arranged by Bill Stickland and stage managed by Paul Graham, is presented twice in the Royal Hall, at 5 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., with Ali Bongo as compere and a bill featuring Brian Chaplin, Armini (Germany), The Pavlov Puppets, Geoffrey Buckingham, Jeffery Atkins and Company in 'The Illusions of the Masters', Armandi and Partner (Holland), Fred Kaps, guest star Arthur Worsley and Charlie Brown, and, direct from the London Palladium, The Wychwoods. At midnight in the Majestic Hotel, Midnight Magic brings magic films by courtesy of Fred Kaps and 'Gosh Will Entertain', introducing Albert Goshman.
The Convention closes on Sunday 16th September with the undenominational Convention Service at 10.30 a.m. in the Royal Hall, conducted by Ringer the Rev. Michael Seacome, M.A., A.R.C.M., Vicar of Barnwood, Gloucester and Official Chaplain to the British Ring, with a silver collection for the Welfare Fund. At 12.15 p.m. Alfred Gabriel is installed as the new President at the Majestic Hotel, followed at 12.30 p.m. by a Cocktail Party under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Dexter, and the close of the Convention. Throughout the week the Welfare Stand in the foyer of the Royal Hall, by the Registration Desk, offers Magical Motif 1973 calendars, I.B.M. emblem envelopes and notepaper, a mammoth raffle for spirits and wines and dozens of novelties well below trade prices, with all unsold gifts auctioned on Saturday at mid-day.
Event Organisers: Gala Show — William (Bill) G. Stickland. Registration — Jeffery Atkins. Banquet and Close-Up — Francis Haxton. Collectors' Seminar — The President, Professor E. A. Dawes. Dealers' Exhibition — Eddie Dexter. Dealers' Demonstration — Rex Reader. Outside Attraction — Paul Graham. Lectures, Souvenir Programme and 'The Reality of Illusion' — Peter Warlock. After Banquet Show — Geoffrey Robinson. Ladies' Afternoon — The Ladies' Committee. Shield Competition — Alistair Oliphant. Children's Playtime and Hospital Shows — Wilfred Tyler. Close-Up Competition — Don Lees. Cocktail Party — Eddie and Mollie Dexter. Stage Direction — Paul Graham. The Convention Committee comprises Bill Stickland, Jeffery Atkins, Gordon Collin, Eddie Dexter, Paul Graham, Francis Haxton, Don Lees, Geoffrey Robinson, Tommy Rowe, Wilfred Tyler and Peter Warlock, with Jack Griggs as Chief Steward, assisted by Arthur Aldridge, Ken Bamborough, Gilbert Barker, Harry Benson, Cyril Capon, Sissie Entwistle, George Hatton, Douglas Jones, Dr. McKee, Roy Roberts, Derek Tapsell and Les Woodcock.
