I.B.M. British Ring 43rd Annual Convention 1979

The 43rd Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 25th–30th September 1979 at the Spa Complex, Scarborough, with further events at the Royal Opera House, the Spa Theatre, the St Nicholas Hotel and on the Foreshore. The week brings together international performers for Star Lectures, the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, 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, Peter Warlock's One More Time, the Kid Show Forum, Children's Playtime, the Magic Collectors' Seminar, International Close-Up Magic and the Gala Show, World of Magic.

President Ali Bongo, Esq. looks forward to welcoming Conventioneers to Scarborough for the 43rd Annual Convention, asking that everyone play their part in a true spirit of Brotherhood so that no-one is left out or has cause for complaint, and remembering those members who are unable to attend through illness. International President Ray O. Mangel, attending with his wife Dorothy, salutes the British Ring for its great support of the International organisation, and the Right Worshipful The Mayor of Scarborough, Councillor W. J. Woodroffe, extends a warm welcome on behalf of the Borough, noting that since the Ring's last visit in 1969 local government reorganisation has enlarged the area Scarborough Borough Council administers to embrace Filey and Whitby, some 40 miles of coastline and more than half the North York Moors National Park. The week opens on Tuesday evening at 20.30 in the Ocean Room with Ring Up The Curtain — The Night Before Show, arranged and presented by Alfred Gabriel with Barry Miller, Fred Buttress, Kovari, John Rhodes, Christopher Pratt, Cecilia, Robert Knight and Peggy Baldwin. Wednesday brings Britain's most exciting escapologist Howard Peters, presented by Terry Herbert, with his latest and most sensational escape, Escape From The Devil, on the Foreshore at 11.00; the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, organised by Johnny Neptune and assisted by Bill Scott, opens in the Promenade Lounge and Garden Lounge of the Spa Complex, running daily (09.30–18.30, Friday from 11.30, Sunday 09.30–12.00) with some thirty magical dealers represented; the President officially opens the Convention in the Grand Hall at 14.45; and at 15.00 the International Contest for Overseas Visitors is held, compered by Terry Herbert with judges Donald Crombie (Chairman), Frances Ireland (U.S.A.), Claude Isbeque Klingsor (Belgium) and Henk Vermeyden (Holland), Bobby Pagan at the organ and Horace Jeffery at the drums. All Overseas Visitors are asked to assemble in the Ocean Room at 19.30 for Official Introduction ahead of the Civic Reception, Ball and Cabaret given by Their Worships the Mayor and Mayoress, with dancing to Derek Mackfall's Band and cabaret compered by Peter Scarlett featuring the eminent French magician Freddy Fah, the delightful Welsh wizards Roger John and Cynthia, and Ray Cornell and his Dancers, with Helene Strachan and helpers running the Tombola Stand for the Benevolent Fund. Thursday opens with the Dealers' Demonstration at 09.30 in the Ocean Room, arranged by Johnny Neptune with Doug Jones as timekeeper and Bill Scott, Eric McDonald and Hugh Gillies on dealer liaison and Arthur Setterington, David Haggarty and Don Beattie on stage staff, each dealer allowed six minutes maximum; the Three Star Lecturers, chaired by Peter Warlock, bring Jan Torell with 'Originalities from Germany' at 14.00 followed at 15.15 by Henk Vermeyden, the famous Dutch impresario; the Ladies' Afternoon at the St Nicholas Hotel includes a surprise entertainment, tea, a raffle for the Welfare Fund and bingo; and from 16.00 the Hospitals/Homes Shows, organised by Les Nottle, take magic out to St Mary's Hospital, Scarborough Hospital Children's Ward, Coombe Hay House, the National Children's Home, the Old Folk's Home and the Edgehill Community Centre, with reserves Donald Crombie, Duncan Fletcher, Fred Buttress and David Tomkins on standby. Thursday evening at 20.00 in the Royal Opera House brings the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, which Alastair has organised and will introduce, with Tommy Rowe as Chairman of the Judges, Francis White, Roy Johnson, Helene Strachan, Tony Thursby and Keith Norton and Phil Willmarth completing the panel, Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director and Doug Jones as Timekeeper, competing for the New Silver British Ring Shield and Cash Prize, the Conventioneers Trophy, the Craig Trophy (for the performance by a lady magician), the Theo Speaker Cup and cash prize for the runner-up, third prize (cash and a silver wand presented by Alastair), the Tom Harris Cup for comedy (donated by Tom Harris) and the Dittia Shield for manipulation. Late that evening the St Nicholas Hotel hosts the Kid Show Forum, chaired by Terry Herbert with a panel of Frances Ireland (U.S.A.), Trevor Lewis, Mel Harvey and Fred Barton answering members' questions on children's entertainment. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers at 10.00 in the Ocean Room, Members Only, chaired by Ali Bongo with Rex Reader, Esq. as Returning Officer; at 14.45 in the Royal Opera House Peter Warlock presents One More Time, featuring Clem Bailey, Frank Boynett, David Budd & Rita, Fred Buttress, Alfred Gabriel, Mike Gancia, Peter Greenwood, Trevor Lewis, Peter Scarlett, Terry Seabrook, Robert Sinclair & Gretta, Bill Stickland and Robert Swadling, with Bobby Pagan at the organ, Horace Jeffery at the drums, Barry Miller as Stage Director, Ron Langhorn as Stage Manager and Mark Sanders as Assistant Stage Manager, followed at 14.30 by the President presenting the Shield Competition Awards. The Convention Banquet at the St Nicholas Hotel, 19.00 for 19.30, with Paul Ducaine as Toastmaster, brings toasts to the Borough of Scarborough (proposed by Dr Edwin Dawes, Past President British Ring, response by the Deputy Mayor of Scarborough, Councillor D. C. Jeffels) and to the British Ring (proposed by Ray Mangel, Esq., International President I.B.M., response by the President, Ali Bongo, Esq., who also proposes the toast to the Ladies and Visitors, answered by Jay Marshall, Esq.), after which the After Banquet Show at 22.30 in the Royal Opera House brings John Gresham, Stan Marshall, Geoff Ray & Pat, Geoffrey Robinson, Jayne Sullivan, Vercoe and Phil Willmarth, with Bobby Pagan at the organ and Horace Jeffery at the drums. Saturday brings the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy at 10.30 across the Craig Room, Douglas Room, Regency Room and Ballroom of the St Nicholas Hotel, arranged by Mike Gancia, with Rex Reader (Chairman), Peter Kane, Peter Scarlett, Tony Shelley and Donald Crombie judging and Doug Jones as timekeeper; A Magical Children's Playtime, devised by Wilfred Tyler and presented by Jack Mayes, opens 10.30 prompt at the Spa Theatre with the Dave Clegg Duo, the I.B.M. Clowns led by the International Auguste Smokey, Fred Castle, Hairy Harry and Jack Mayes, and the oriental mysteries of Tia Wei Sou and Tien, followed after the interval by The Presto Show with Mel Harvey and Presto the Magic Rabbit, Tony List as Stage Manager and R. Hamilton Kaye as House Manager; at 14.00 in the Ocean Room Phil Willmarth presents his Star Lecture, 'A Ring and Rope and Around the Table'; and at 15.30 in the Spa Theatre Eddie Dawes chairs The Magic Collectors' Seminar, introducing Michael Seacome on 'The Artist and Entertainer', Phil Willmarth on 'Matt Schulien and Bar and Table Magic in Chicago' and Dan Waldron on 'Blackstone Senior: A Picture Journey'. Saturday night's Gala Show, World of Magic, plays two houses at 17.00 and 20.30 at the Futurist Theatre, the programme arranged and presented by Wm. G. Stickland with Barry Miller as Stage Director, Ron Langhorn as Stage Manager and Mark Sanders as Assistant Stage Manager, an overture from the Jean Pearce Dancers and Mark Robertson (the phenomenal young juggler), with compères Terry Seabrooke and Jay Marshall introducing Selim (the brilliant Belgian magician), Jan Torell with his Magic Pyramid of Dice, Ron MacMillan (the man with the golden hands) and Jeffery Atkins and Company ('Illusions of the Masters'), and, after the interval, Brian Sefton (holder of the British Ring Shield, manipulative magic), Crack Banger (the internationally famous French balloon sculptor), Armandi (the 'sophisticated' Dutchman from Holland) and Fred Van Buren and Company (a whirlwind of spectacular mystery), with Bobby Pagan and Horace Jeffery again at the organ and drums; the taking of photographs during the performance is strictly forbidden. In the small hours of Sunday, Mike Gancia presents International Close-Up Magic at the St Nicholas Hotel, including Phil Willmarth (U.S.A.), Phillipe Fiahlo (France), Mel Harvey (England) and Frans Biemans (Holland), alongside a special engagement of the Dutch Magic Micro Show, a novel magic puppet show presented by J. H. W. Schwarze (Holland). The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service at 10.30 in the Spa Theatre, conducted by Ringer The Reverend Michael Seacome, M.A., A.R.C.M., Official Chaplain to the British Ring, undenominational, with a silver collection for the Welfare Fund, followed at 12.00 by the Installation of the New President, Cliff Townsend, Esq., and a Cocktail Party under the direction of Ted and Rene Whebell, before the Close of Convention. Throughout the week the Welfare Stand in the foyer of the Ocean Room offers gifts and novelties well below trade prices, with unsold gifts auctioned on Saturday at mid-day. Organising Secretary: William G. Stickland, M.B.E. Dealers' Exhibition & Demonstration: Johnny Neptune. Hospital Shows: Les Nottle. Chief Steward: Jack Griggs. Souvenir Programme: Peter Scarlett.