I.B.M. British Ring 41st Convention 1977

The 41st Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 14th–18th September 1977 at the Royal Hall, Harrogate, with further events at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate Theatre and the Crescent Gardens. The week brings together international performers for the International Show, America's Star Lecturers, the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair and Demonstration, the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, Hospitals/Homes Shows, the Ladies' Afternoon, the Convention Banquet, That's Entertainment, Children's Playtime, the Fifth Magic Collectors' Seminar, Close-Up Magic and the Grand International Gala of Magic.

President David Berglas looks forward to welcoming magicians, friends and guests to Harrogate for the 41st Annual Convention, in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Year — the Ring alternates its Conventions between the South and North of England, and returns to this famous Spa Resort, which hosted the Convention in 1950 and 1961. The Convention is held in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate, Councillor and Mrs. W. R. Mather, and the International President of the I.B.M., Jeffery Atkins, J.P., who sends greetings to all attending and describes the British Ring as the largest Ring in the Brotherhood. A very special welcome is extended to the many overseas visitors — from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Nigeria, Spain, Switzerland, the U.S.A. and Zambia, including Walter Williams, Immediate Past International President of the I.B.M. — and first-time Conventioneers are encouraged to ask the Stewards to introduce them to other members.

The Convention opens with the Night Before Party, at which Alfred Gabriel presents 'New Faces', featuring Clem Bailey, Jim Beavis, Bill Caldwell, David John, The Ronans, Sol (H. C. Solomon) and Barbi Walker.

Wednesday brings Eric Ward's outside attraction in the Crescent Gardens at 11.00 — the Circular Saw Escape, in which, shackled to a moving belt, he faces a fearsome electric saw — before the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair opens for the week in Exhibition Hall No. 3, attached to the Royal Hall, organised by Johnny Neptune and assisted by Bill Scott, open 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday and running through to midday on Sunday. Some forty dealers are represented, including Anverdi, Avtel Products, Ken Brooke's Magic Place, Camtryx (Magic) Limited, L. Davenport & Co., Peter Diamond & Co., Hank Lee's Magic Factory, International Magic Studio, Hamilton Kaye & Co., Kovari Magic Productions and The Supreme Magic Company Ltd, with the Craig Trophy — present holders Peter Diamond and Co. — to be awarded to the dealer presenting the most attractive display, adjudicated by Mr. Tony A. Miles, Director of Resort Services for the Borough of Harrogate, at 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday. The President officially opens the Convention in the Royal Hall at 14.45, followed at 15.00 by the International Show, compered by Paul Diamond (U.S.A.), who introduces Leon Leon (U.S.A.), Fred Von Thom (Germany), Co Voerman (Holland), Professor Peller (Nigeria) and Dominic Lavin (Zambia), with Keith Hurford at the organ and Horace Jeffery at the drums. Overseas Visitors are requested to be backstage at the Royal Hall at 19.30 for Official Introduction, ahead of the Civic Reception, Ball and Cabaret at 20.15, given by the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate, with dancing till midnight to the Jimmy O'Show Band and cabaret from Mr. Fabian (Italy) and Ron Rivers, the popular multi-instrumentalist. The Tombola Stand, run by Helene Strachan and Lilian Lees, is in aid of the Benevolent Fund.

Thursday opens with the Dealers' Demonstration at 9.30 in the Royal Hall, arranged by Johnny Neptune, when thirty-four dealers each present their latest magic in turn at six-minute intervals, with Doug Jones as timekeeper. At 14.30 the Ladies' Afternoon at the Majestic Hotel features a talk and film demonstration, 'The Magic of Wedgwood', by Clement Bailey, followed by tea, a raffle for the Welfare Fund and bingo, while in the Royal Hall at the same time America's Star Lecturers begin with Gene Anderson, 'The Part Time Pro', with Peter Warlock in the chair. The Hospitals/Homes Shows, organised by Wilfred Tyler, take magic out across Harrogate at 4.30 p.m., with stage and close-up shows at Harrogate and District Hospital, the Royal Bath Hospital, the Police Superintendent Convalescent Home, the Nation Children's Home, the Ian Tetley Memorial Home and St. George's Home for the Disabled. Thursday evening brings the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield at 20.00 in the Royal Hall, organised and introduced by Alastair, with Donald Crombie as Chairman of the Judges alongside Tom Ellis, Tommy Rowe and T. Miles, Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director and Jack Potter as Timekeeper.

Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers at 10.00 in the Royal Hall, Members Only, with David Berglas in the chair and Rex Reader as Returning Officer. At 14.00, America's Star Lecturers continue with Paul Diamond, 'A Diamond is a Magician's Best Friend', chaired by Peter Warlock. At 14.45 sharp the President presents the Shield Competition Awards, and at 15.00 Peter Warlock presents 'That's Entertainment', with Clem Bailey, Duncan Fletcher and Olive, Terry Herbert, Mo Howarth, Trevor Lewis, Dean Metcalfe, Percy Press, Michael Symes, John Todd and Claude Perry. The Convention Banquet at the Majestic Hotel (17.00 for 17.30), with Toastmaster W. Lambert, brings toasts to the Borough of Harrogate (proposed by Jeffery Atkins, with response by the Mayor), The British Ring (proposed by the Mayor, with response by the President) and The Ladies and Visitors (proposed by the President, with response by Bruce Posgate of Canada), the menu comprising Quiche Lorraine, Poached Fillet of Sole Bonne Femme, Roast Turkey with Minted Peas, Brussels Sprouts and Croquette Potatoes, Profiteroles with Hot Chocolate Sauce, and Coffee and Mints. For those not attending the Banquet, Maurice Fogel presents his full show of Excitement and Enchantment at the Royal Hall at 19.30. The evening closes at 20.30 with the After Banquet Show at the Royal Hall, compered by Ron Betteridge, with Russ Stevens, Chris Pratt, Elinor Heslop, Mr. Fabian, Julie Llusion, Mike Caveney and Robert Sinclair and Gretta.

Saturday morning brings Children's Playtime at 10.30 at Harrogate Theatre, devised and produced by Wilfred Tyler, with Les Nottle as host, Mo Howarth and Josephine, Drew Masters and Tess, Johnny Geddes, Jack Meredith and the I.B.M. troupe of clowns led by Smokey. At 11.00 the Mayor and Mayoress invite all Overseas Visitors to a Cocktail Party in the Reception Room of the Royal Hall, and at mid-day the unsold gifts from the Welfare Stand are auctioned. The Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy is held at the Majestic Hotel, arranged by Mike Gancia, with John Palfreyman as Chairman of the Judges. At 15.45 Dr. Eddie Dawes chairs the Fifth Magic Collectors' Seminar, 'Mystery and History', in the Ballroom of the Majestic Hotel, with Guy Higgins on 'The Magic of Martin', Amy Dawes on 'The Female of the Species', Dr. John Henry Grossman on 'Comments on Dealers in Magical Apparatus of the Past' and Peter Warlock on 'Into the Looking Glass'. Saturday's Grand International Gala of Magic plays at 17.00 and 20.30 at the Royal Hall, arranged and presented by Bill Stickland, with Terry Herbert as compere, and features El Condor and Lisa (Magic from Mexico), Gene Anderson (U.S.A.), Gentleman Jack (Denmark), The Morettis (Germany), Ken Lion (Holland), Sam and Joy Mallinson, The Da Silva Marionettes, Ger Copper (Holland) and the Jean Pearce Dancers, with Jeffery Atkins and Company presenting 'Illusions of the Masters' to close the show. At midnight, Lewis Ganson presents Magic Films in the Ballroom of the Majestic Hotel, and Mike Gancia introduces Close-Up Magic.

The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service at 10.30 in the Royal Hall, 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 Welfare Fund. At 12.15 at the Majestic Hotel, Edwin Hooper is installed as the new President, followed at 12.30 by a Cocktail Party under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Dexter, before the close of the Convention. Throughout the week the Welfare Stand in the foyer of the Royal Hall, by the Registration Desk, offers I.B.M. notepaper, novelties and a mammoth raffle for spirits and wines in aid of the Welfare Fund. Organising Secretary: William G. Stickland. Registration: Jeffery Atkins. Banquet: Francis Haxton. Dealers' Exhibition & Demonstration: Johnny Neptune. Lectures, Souvenir Programme and 'That's Entertainment': Peter Warlock. After Banquet Show: Geoffrey Robinson. Shield Competition: Alastair Oliphant. Children's Playtime and Hospital Shows: Wilfred Tyler. Close-Up Competition: Mike Gancia. Stage Direction: Paul Graham. Chief Steward: Jack Griggs.