The 35th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 22nd–26th September 1971 in Llandudno, with events at the Pier Pavilion Theatre, the Grand Hotel, the Winter Gardens, the Town Hall and the Arcadia Theatre. Under the presidency of Ron Bishop, and with the Chairman of Llandudno Urban District Council, Councillor H. Barnwell, sending his welcome, the programme features the Jean LaFitte Trial, A Pot-Pourri of Welsh Wizardry, the Civic Reception and Cabaret, the Dealers' Demonstration, Lecture Sessions by Pavel and Sam Berland, the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, Desert Island Tricks, the Convention Banquet and After Banquet Show, the Close-Up Contest for the Zina Bennett Cup, Children's Playtime and the International Gala of Magic.
President Ron Bishop welcomes all members and visitors to the 35th Annual Convention, including the many visitors from overseas. He assures anyone attending a British Ring Convention for the first time that they will find it the friendliest of gatherings, and that Llandudno is a beautiful town from whence, appropriately, stemmed the original magic of Alice in Wonderland. It is the Ring's second Welsh Convention, and he thanks the Chairman and civic officials of the Urban District Council for their co-operation and hospitality, and Convention Organising Secretary Bill Stickland — who, in spite of his heavy extra duties as International President of the I.B.M. throughout the year, has headed a committee whose one concern has been to provide a very full programme of first class magical fare. The International President, Ace Gorham, sends his best wishes to all his friends in Ring 25 and his regret that he is forced to pass up the trip this year, being committed to the Magicians' Alliance Eastern States Convention in Reading, Pa.; he has nominated Earle J. Christenberry Jr., Chairman of the 1971 I.B.M. Convention at New Orleans, as a most worthy substitute, and hopes to be with the Ring in 1972. Councillor H. Barnwell, Chairman of Llandudno Urban District Council, welcomes the delegates and assures them of a very warm welcome not only to Llandudno but to Wales. Overseas visitors are expected from America, Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, South Africa and Sweden.
The week opens on Wednesday 22nd September with the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, organised by Eddie Dexter and Don Lees, with twenty dealers exhibiting at three sites: the Pierhead Concert Hall, the Dolphin Cafe at the Pier entrance and the Amusement Arcade next to the Grand Hotel. The Fair runs on Wednesday 9.30 a.m.–7.30 p.m., Thursday 12.00 noon–6.30 p.m., Friday 11.30 a.m.–6.30 p.m., Saturday 9.30 a.m.–6.30 p.m. and Sunday 9.30 a.m.–midday, with refreshment bars in the Dolphin Cafe and the Pierhead. Exhibitors include Supreme Magic Co., L. Davenport & Co., Ken Brooke's Magic Place, Hamilton Kaye & Co., Fredlo Developments, International Magic Studio, Mayes & Warren Enterprises, Jack Hughes, Miss Terry Magic Studio, Luna Magic, Oscar Oswald's Magical Mart, Unique Magic, Silray Magic Co., Magitrix, Murray Magic Mart, David Hemingway (making his first appearance at any I.B.M. Convention), R.A.R. Magic, Anverdi, Terry & Norma and Roy Baker. The Craig Trophy for the most attractive display, currently held by Ken Brooke's Magic Place, is adjudicated at 5.00 p.m. by Mr. C. D. Williams of Marie et Cie, Ladies & Childrens Fashions, Gloddaeth Avenue, Llandudno. In the forenoon, depending on the tide, Howard Peters faces the Jean LaFitte Trial on the Pier, attempting to escape from chains, handcuffs and leg-irons of the kind LaFitte fastened on his English prisoners before they walked the plank — a story Bill Stickland heard at the recent I.B.M. Convention in New Orleans. At 3 p.m. the President officially opens the Convention in the Pier Pavilion Theatre, and at 3.15 p.m. 'A Pot-Pourri of Welsh Wizardry' — 'There'll be a Welcome' — features Tudor Brock, The Diabolos, Len Lewis, Granville and June, Rendle Morris, David Anton and Pupils of the Llandudno Dancing School, with Keith Hurford at the organ. At 8 p.m. for 8.30 p.m. the Chairman of Llandudno Urban District Council, Councillor H. Barnwell, and Mrs. Barnwell give the Civic Reception in the Winter Gardens, with refreshments, dancing and a cabaret of David Lait, the brilliant young magician, Jean Poisson (France) and The Llanddulas Male Voice Choir, when the Overseas Visitors are introduced. The Tombola Stand, run by Helene Strachan and Lilian Lees, is in aid of the Benevolent Fund.
Thursday 23rd September opens at 9.45 a.m. with the Dealers' Demonstration in the Pier Pavilion Theatre, arranged by Rex Reader, in which nineteen dealers each take a ten-minute slot, from David Hemingway at 9.45 to International Magic Studio at 12.45, with Jack Potter as Time-Keeper. At 2.30 p.m. the Lecture Sessions, chaired by Peter Warlock, present a most welcome return visit by the talented inventor-magician Pavel of Czechoslovakia in the Pier Pavilion Theatre, while the Ladies' Afternoon in the Ballroom of the Grand Hotel presents Smedley Ltd. with 'This Harvest is Yours', with tea, raffles and bingo. At 4.30 p.m. the Hospitals/Homes Shows, organised by Wilfred Tyler, take magic to seven venues around Llandudno and Conway: Llandudno & Anglesey Hospital (children's show), Plas y Dre, Plas Gogarth, Ysgol Gogarth School for Handicapped Children, Dr. Barnado's Home, Dr. Garrett Convalescent Home for Children and Plas Mariander (a close-up show), with the I.B.M. Clowns led by Smokey touring all seven. At 7.30 p.m. Alastair introduces the ten competitors in the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield in the Pier Pavilion Theatre, judged by Geoffrey Buckingham (Chairman), Earle J. Christenberry Jr., Eddie Dawes, Sam Hughes, George J. Rodgers, Rod Rodriques, John (Sly) Smith and Ted Whebell, with Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director, Anthony List as Stage Manager and Jack Potter as Timekeeper. The awards at stake are the New Silver British Ring Shield and cash prize of £10, the Conventioneers Trophy for originality, the Craig Trophy for the best performance by a lady magician, the Theo Speaker Cup and £5 for the runner-up, a third prize of £3, the Tom Harris Cup for comedy and the Dittia Shield for manipulation. At midnight in the Grand Hotel, Francis Haxton presents the Late Night Show, in which Jack Avis, Will Ayling, Alfred Briton, Donald Crombie, Harry Fletcher, Alfred Gabriel, Ken Green, Francis Haxton, Sam Hughes, Fredrick Lowe, Gus Southall and Peter Warlock each perform one of their favourite effects.
Friday 24th September begins at 10 a.m. with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers in the Pier Pavilion Theatre (members only), under Chairman Ron Bishop, with Rex Reader as Returning Officer; voting papers must be left at the Reception Desk by 4 p.m. on Thursday. At 3 p.m. Peter Warlock presents 'Desert Island Tricks', based on the radio programme 'Desert Island Discs', with TV Times columnist Alan Kennaugh interviewing Annabelle, Jack Avis, Frank Boynett, Alfred Briton, Duncan & Olive Fletcher, Francis Haxton, Edward Love, Michael Seacome and Bill Stickland. The Convention Banquet takes place at the Grand Hotel at 6.30 for 7 p.m.: Prawn Cocktail; Cream of Mushroom; River Trout Almondine; Roast Saddle of Welsh Lamb Bouquetier with Fondant Potatoes; Bombe Praline; and Coffee with 'After 8' Mints. The President proposes the toast to The Queen; Earle J. Christenberry Jr., First International Vice-President, proposes the toast to the British Ring, answered by the President, who proposes the toast to the Llandudno Urban District Council, answered by Councillor H. Barnwell; Ron Betteridge, Past President of the Leicester Magic Circle, proposes The Ladies & Visitors, answered by Rod Rodriques, President of the Cape Order of Magicians (South Africa), with Paul Graham as Toast Master. At 10.30 p.m. the After Banquet Show, presented by Geoffrey Robinson, follows in the Pier Pavilion Theatre with Geoffrey Robinson, Ralph Hall & Mollie, Yvonne, Roy Van Dyke, Sam Berland, Jon Gresham, Eric Robins and Robert Sinclair & Gretta, with music by Keith Hurford.
Saturday 25th September starts at 10 a.m. with the Close-Up Showcase and Close-Up Contest for the Zina Bennett Cup, organised by Frederick Lowe, in the Ballroom of the Grand Hotel; the ten entrants are David Anton, Walter Blau, D. G. Beckley, Trevor Dawson, Kevin Fox, Jon Gordon, Ray King, Trevor Lewis, John Milner and Tommy Rowe, with Kelwin (Holland), Arthur Setterington, Francis Haxton, Gus Southall and Fred Lowe appearing as non-entrants and Peter Warlock, Geoff Ray, Lewis Ganson, Will Ayling and Russell Gradwell as the magical judges. At 10.30 a.m. Wilfred Tyler devises and presents Children's Playtime at the Arcadia Theatre, hosted by Fred Barton with Dennis Rhodes, Mel Harvey, Johnny Geddes, Amy Dawes, Granville Anstee & June, Auntie Marian, the Gil Roberts Trio and the I.B.M. Clowns led by Smokey. At 2.30 p.m. the Lecture Sessions continue with Sam Berland, the dealer, writer and inventor of subtle problems from the United States, in the Assembly Room of the Town Hall. Wm. G. Stickland presents the International Gala of Magic twice, at 5 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., at the Pier Pavilion, stage managed by Paul Graham, with Terry Seabrooke as compere and a bill featuring Keith Hurford at the Theatre Organ, Tony & Pauline Derrick, Ted Winkel (Holland), the Eric Bramall Marionettes, Pavel (Czechoslovakia), Pierre Brahma (France), Geoff Ray & Pat (holders of the British Ring Shield), Gentleman Jack (Denmark), Yan Swahn (Sweden) and Jeffery Atkins and Company in 'The Illusions of the Masters'. At midnight in the Ballroom of the Grand Hotel, the Late Night Entertainment features The Keith Hurford Show from Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man.
The Convention closes on Sunday 26th September with the undenominational Convention Service at 10.15 a.m. in the Pier Pavilion Theatre, conducted by Ringer the Revd. 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. Alastair Oliphant is installed as the new President at the Grand 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 Pier Pavilion Theatre offers Magical Motif 1972 calendars, I.B.M. Rock, emblem envelopes and notepaper, a mammoth raffle for spirits and wines and dozens of novelties well below trade prices; Ringers hearing of any cases of sickness or accident should contact Welfare Officer Eddie Dexter. Convention Headquarters is the Pier Pavilion Theatre, where the Registration Desks are in the foyer, the rule 'Admission only by badge' is strictly enforced, and Professor E. Duployen is on hand as Official Interpreter.
Event Organisers: Gala Show — Wm. G. Stickland. Registration — Jeffery Atkins. Banquet, Close-Up and Late Night Show — Francis Haxton. Dealers' Exhibition and Demonstration — Eddie Dexter, Don Lees and Rex Reader. Outside Attraction — Paul Graham. Tombola — Helene Strachan and Lilian Lees. Souvenir Programme Printing — Tommy Rowe. Lectures, Desert Island Tricks and Souvenir Programme — Peter Warlock. After Banquet Show — Geoffrey Robinson. Ladies' Afternoon — Mesdames Warlock, Baker, Crombie, Dexter, Rowe, Gabriel and Haxton. Shield Competition — Alastair. Children's Playtime and Hospital Shows — Wilfred Tyler. Close-Up Magic Competition — Fred Lowe. Cocktail Party — Mollie and Eddie Dexter. Stage Direction — Paul Graham. The Convention Committee comprises Wm. G. 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 Ron Anderson, Ken Bamborough, Gilbert Barker, Harry Benson, Cyril Capon, Sissie Entwistle, George Hatton, Dr. McKee and Les Woodcock.
