The 33rd Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 24th–28th September 1969 in Scarborough, with events at the Spa, the Grand Hotel (Convention Headquarters), the Floral Hall and the Futurist Theatre, preceded by the Night Before Party at the Grand Hotel on Tuesday 23rd September. Under the presidency of Harold Taylor, and with the Mayor of Scarborough, Councillor Norman Fuller, sending his welcome, the programme features Howard Peters' Blazing Coffin escape, the Official Opening and Magic International, Close-Up Magic, the Civic Reception and Dance, the Mammoth Dealers' Demonstration, Lecture Sessions by Phoa Yan Tiong and Fred Lowe, the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, the Ladies' Afternoon, Peter Warlock's 'Lookback', the Convention Banquet and After Banquet Show, Bobby Bernard's Clinic, Micro-Magic, Children's Playtime, the Grand International Gala of Magic and late-night New Era Magic.
President Harold Taylor, writing on behalf of himself and Presh, extends a warm welcome to all members and visitors to Scarborough for the 33rd Annual Convention, describing himself as emotionally and humbly honoured to have been elected President. He thanks the Hon. Secretary, Bill Stickland — 'that Secretary in a million' — Immediate Past President Geoffrey and a hard-working and enthusiastic Committee, sends good wishes for a speedy recovery to those who are sick and unable to attend, and asks everyone to say 'hello' even though the Committee may look busy. The Mayor of Scarborough, Councillor Norman Fuller, is delighted that the Convention is coming to the town, notes that it last visited in 1957, and describes how Scarborough has since built a reputation as one of the country's leading conference centres; he and the Mayoress extend a warm and sincere welcome. The International President of the I.B.M., Royal H. Brin Jr. of Dallas, Texas, sends felicitations on behalf of the Board of Trustees — the I.B.M. has members in over fifty countries on six continents — and regrets that he can be with the Ring only in spirit, hoping that he and his wife will visit in a not-too-distant year. Convention Headquarters is the Grand Hotel: events are announced on the fixture boards at the Registration Office, with a blackboard for alterations, and the two Registration Desks (one for delegates who have already registered, one for those registering at the Convention) are in the Foyer of the Spa Ballroom. Delegates are asked to wear their Convention badge, and the rule 'Admission only by badge' will be strictly enforced; official Convention Stewards, led by Chief Steward Jack Griggs, are on hand to introduce newcomers, and Professor E. Duployen is Official Interpreter to the British Ring. Overseas visitors are expected from Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and the U.S.A.
The Convention opens on Tuesday 23rd September at 7 p.m. in the Grand Hotel with 'Have Another Party with Howard Peters', a special Night Before Party for all registrants — an informal evening of Stageshow, Cabaret, Dancing, Close-up Magic, licensed bars, Films and a Buffet, plus other surprises.
Wednesday 24th September begins with the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, organised by Eddie Dexter and Don Lees, in the Spa Ballroom. The Fair runs on Wednesday 9.30 a.m.–7.30 p.m., Thursday from approximately midday (after the Dealers' Demonstration) until 8.30 p.m., Friday 11.30 a.m.–6.30 p.m. (to allow dealers to attend the Banquet and the Annual General Meeting), Saturday 9.00 a.m.–7.30 p.m. and Sunday 9.00 a.m.–12 noon, with coffees and snacks served all day at the Spa Ballroom Cafe and a fully licensed bar inside the Fair. Eighteen dealers exhibit, including Miss Terry Magic Studio, Jack Hughes, Cliff Lount, L. Davenport & Co., Fredlo Developments, Anverdi, Magictrix, Ted Anderson Enterprises, Luna Magic Co., Diamond Enterprises, Chas. Fitness, Silray Magic Co., the Supreme Magic Co., Inzani Henley Magic Co. Ltd., Murray, Ken Brooke, International Magic Studio and Harry Stanley. The Dealers' Trophy, presented by Mystic Craig for the most attractive stand and currently held by Inzani Henley Magic Co. Ltd., is judged at 5 p.m. by Mr. T. Pickersgill, Assistant General Manager of Marshall & Snelgrove, Scarborough. At 10.45 a.m. on the Beach opposite the Spa Building, Howard Peters attempts to escape from a blazing coffin — the most dangerous escape he has ever attempted. The President officially opens the Convention at 2.45 p.m. in the Spa Theatre, and at 3 p.m. Magic International, a competition for overseas visitors with a time limit of eleven minutes for each act, presents Gene Anderson (U.S.A.), Aston (Norway), Alfred Hayes (Australia), Ronnie Rex (Germany) and Mister Senko (Bulgaria), with guest artists James Gregory, Morine (winner of Magigal's Trophy) and Sam & Joy Mallinson presenting 'Magic to Please'. Paul Graham is compère, Keith Hurford and his Music provide the accompaniment, and the judges are Ron Bishop, Mystic Craig, Tom Hawbecker and Rex Reader. At 5 p.m. Close-Up Magic, introduced by Francis Haxton in the Ballroom of the Grand Hotel, features Gene Anderson (U.S.A.), Jack Avis, Alfred Briton, Donald Crombie, Francis Haxton, Alan Holmes, Gus Southall and Phoa Yan Tiong (Holland). From 8 p.m. until midnight the Mayor and Corporation of Scarborough invite delegates to the Civic Reception and Dance at the Grand Hotel, with dancing to Stanley Ashforth and His Orchestra, buffet refreshments from 10 to 10.30 and a cabaret with Jack Crosbie ('Quick on the Draw') and Hamilton Kaye ('Wizard Extra-ordinary'); dinner dress is worn. Helene Strachan runs the Tombola Stand at the Reception, with all proceeds going to the Benevolent Fund.
Thursday 25th September opens at 9.45 a.m. with the Mammoth Dealers' Demonstration at the Spa Theatre, arranged by Rex Reader, in which eighteen dealers each take a ten-minute slot, from Magictrix at 9.45 to Anverdi at 12.35, with Jack Potter as Time-keeper; an orange light and buzzer indicate eight minutes and a red light nine, and the curtains are drawn whether or not the demonstrator has finished. At 2.30 p.m. the Lecture Session, chaired by Peter Warlock, presents Phoa Yan Tiong (Holland) with 'Subtleties and Utility in Magic' in the Spa Theatre — fresh from triumphs in the U.S.A., including an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, he describes the technique he uses. At the same hour the Ladies' Afternoon at the Grand Hotel brings a talk and demonstration on Cake Decoration by David Kite, with tea, raffles and bingo. Voting papers for the Election of Officers must be left at the Reception Desk by 4 p.m. At 4.15 p.m. the Hospital/Homes Shows, organised by Wilfred Tyler, take magic to seven venues across Scarborough — Scarborough Hospital (Children's Ward), the National Children's Home 'May Lodge', Dr. Smart's Home, The Lodge, St. Thomas's Hospital, St. Mary's Home at St. Mary's Hospital and the George Edward Smart Home — with the I.B.M. Clowns under Smokey visiting each venue; acts needing transport should be outside H.Q. (The Spa) by 4 p.m. At 7.30 p.m. in the Floral Hall, Alastair introduces the eighteen entrants in the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, judged by Geoffrey Buckingham (Chairman), George Blake, De Vega, L. Dobson, Ronnie Rex and Henk Vermeyden, 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 the Alastair Wand and £3, the Tom Harris Cup for comedy with £5-5-0, and the Dittia Shield for manipulation. Three United Services coaches carry ladies and the infirm from the Grand Hotel at 7.10 p.m.
Friday 26th September begins at 10.30 a.m. with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers in the Spa Theatre (members only), with Harold Taylor in the Chair and Rex Reader as Returning Officer. At 2.30 p.m. Peter Warlock presents 'Lookback', a sentimental journey through the Land of Make Believe, with Jeffery Atkins, Will Ayling, Alf Briton, Fred Buttress, Francis Haxton, Terry Herbert, Edward Love, Jon Marshall, Peter Nichol, Pat Page and Henk Vermeyden, with music by Keith Hurford. The Convention Banquet takes place at the Grand Hotel at 7 p.m. for 7.30 p.m.: Creme Champignon; Fillet of Whitby Plaice Mornay; Coq au Vin de Bourgoyne with buttered French beans and Pont Neuf and minted potatoes; Bombe Merlin; and coffee. The Toastmaster is George Dale; the President proposes The Queen; Peter Warlock proposes the Borough of Scarborough, answered by the Mayor, Councillor Norman Fuller; Henk Vermeyden (Holland), President of F.I.S.M., proposes the British Ring, answered by the President; and Archie Tear proposes The Ladies and Visitors, answered by Gene Anderson (U.S.A.). Also at 7.30 p.m., Bobby Bernard presents 'The Clinic', a modern school of magical technique, in the Music Room at the Spa — dice stacking and coin moves, assisted by Edward Love (card fanning and weave shuffles) and Tony Faro (the Buckle Count and the Biddle Move) — repeated on Saturday at 4.30 p.m. At 10.30 p.m. in the Grand Hall, Geoffrey Robinson presents the After Banquet Show with Elinor Heslop, Brian Dodridge, Jack Mayes, John Morris, Anthony Crabbe and Kovari, Richard Tite as Stage Manager and music by Keith Hurford; Jack Mayes performs 'Trumpet Voluntary' by kind permission of Cardew Robinson.
Saturday 27th September starts at 10 a.m. with Micro-Magic in the Ballroom of the Grand Hotel, organised by Fred Lowe. Due to insufficient entries the Contest for the Dr. Zina Bennett Cup is cancelled for this year; instead there is a 90-minute show run on the usual plan, with performers drawn from Phoa Yan Tiong, Geoff Ray, Walter Blau, Herbert Wilkinson, Donald Crombie, Tony Faro, Alan Holmes, Alf Briton, Francis Haxton, Arthur Setterington and Bernard Weller. At 10.30 a.m. Wilfred Tyler presents and devises Children's Playtime in the Floral Hall, with Jack Mayes and Auntie Vilma (Fawcett) as hosts, the Stanley Baker Trio, Poz from Windsor, Peter Pinner with his balloons, Johnny Geddes, Jack Delvin, Devolyn and Irene and the I.B.M. Clowns led by Smokey. At 2.30 p.m. Fred Lowe lectures on 'Low Magic' in the Spa Theatre, with Peter Warlock in the Chair. The Grand International Gala of Magic, arranged and presented by Wm. G. Stickland, stage managed by Paul Graham and introduced by Harold Taylor, is presented at the Futurist Theatre, with Keith Hurford and his Music, Jackie Joy & Bill Ryan, Valerie, Haraldini (Germany, in his first appearance in England), Christopher Woodward, the holder of the British Ring Shield Christian (Austria), Emerson & Jayne and their Magic Carpet, Del Gado, Tom Wallis & Beryl, Phoa Yan Tiong, direct from the Ed Sullivan Show, and Jeffery Atkins and Company in 'Illusions of the Masters'. After the Gala, free tickets are issued at the Grand Hotel for midnight performances of 'New Era Magic' — Geoffrey Robinson, John Morris, Edward Love, Frank Boynett, Elinor Heslop, Terry Herbert and David Budd — with a collection for the British Ring Welfare Fund, and Ray Da Silva's puppet pantomime 'Jack and the Beanstalk', featuring Wispa the Wizard, is also presented at the Grand Hotel.
The Convention closes on Sunday 28th September with the undenominational Convention Service at 10.50 a.m. in the Spa 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. the new President is installed 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 — 'Au revoir until we meet again in 1970'. Throughout the week the Welfare Stand, near the Dealers' Trade Fair, offers Scarborough rock marked I.B.M. at 1/- a bar and dozens of novelties at very reasonable prices, including one penny tickets for bottles of whisky. Harry Bosworth will also be at the Grand Hotel with a small selection of antique magical items (not for sale), and the brochure promotes the F.I.S.M. World Congress of Magicians at Amsterdam, 8th–12th July 1970, under President Henk Vermeyden.
Event Organisers: Gala Show — Wm. G. Stickland. Registration — Jeffery Atkins. Banquet and Close-Up — Francis Haxton. Dealers' Exhibition and Demonstration — Eddie Dexter, Don Lees and Rex Reader. Outside Attraction — Paul Graham. Tombola — Helene Strachan. Lectures, 'Lookback' and Souvenir Programme — Peter Warlock. After Banquet Show — Geoffrey Robinson. Ladies' Afternoon — Mesdames Warlock, Baker, Dexter, Rowe, Gabriel and Haxton. Shield Competition — Alastair. Children's Playtime and Hospital Shows — Wilfred Tyler. Micro Magic — Fred Lowe. Cocktail Party — Mollie and Eddie Dexter. Stage Direction — Paul Graham. The Convention Committee comprises Jeffery Atkins, Eddie Dexter, Paul Graham, Francis Haxton, Geoffrey Robinson, Wilfred Tyler, Peter Warlock and Don Lees, with W. G. Stickland as Organising Secretary and Jack Griggs as Chief Steward, assisted by Ron Anderson, Gilbert K. Barker, Harry Benson, Jack Brazer, Cyril Capon, Kal Ellis, Ruth Ellis, Sissie Entwisle, G. N. Hatton, Ron Hey, Dr. McKee, Sam Oldham, Sly Smith and Ralph Wilkinson. The Souvenir Programme cover was designed by Ron Gilbert and printed by Central Printing Co. (Chas. Sowden) Ltd., Burnley.
