History

Our History

British Ring No 25 history here.

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The British Ring story

Founded in 1928, British Ring No.25 continues the fellowship, performance and heritage of the International Brotherhood of Magicians while preparing for its centenary in 2028.

Past Presidents

Presidential history

Years with a detailed annual record link to the President’s message and Council snapshot.

Founding years

  • 1947–1948 — Herbert Collings
  • 1948–1949 — John Ramsay
  • 1949–1950 — His Honour Ernest Wethered OBE
  • 1928–1946 — Oswald Rae

1950s

  • 1950–1951 — W G Stickland MBE
  • 1951–1952 — Harry Kaye
  • 1952–1953 — John Gambling
  • 1953–1954 — Oscar Paulson
  • 1954–1955 — Geoffrey Robinson OBE
  • 1955–1956 — Eddie Dexter
  • 1956–1957 — Jeffery Atkins
  • 1957–1958 — Les Levante
  • 1958–1959 — Archie Tear
  • 1959–1960 — Wilfred Tyler

1960s

  • 1960–1961 — Francis Haxton
  • 1961–1962 — Peter Warlock
  • 1962–1963 — Donald Crombie
  • 1963–1964 — J Milton Woodward
  • 1964–1965 — Paul Graham
  • 1965–1966 — Tommy Rowe
  • 1966–1967 — Rev Michael Seacombe
  • 1967–1968 — Geoffrey Buckingham
  • 1968–1970 — Harold Taylor

1970s

  • 1970–1971 — Ron Bishop
  • 1971–1972 — Alastair Oliphant
  • 1972–1973 — Dr Eddie Dawes
  • 1973–1974 — Alfred Gabriel
  • 1974–1975 — Ted Whebell
  • 1975–1976 — Duncan Fletcher
  • 1976–1977 — David Berglas
  • 1977–1978 — Edwin Hooper
  • 1978–1979 — Ali Bongo
  • 1979–1980 — Cliff Townsend

1980s

  • 1980–1981 — Tony Shelley
  • 1981–1982 — Will Ayling
  • 1982–1983 — Hamilton Kaye
  • 1983–1984 — Brian Miller
  • 1984–1985 — Rovi
  • 1985–1986 — Peter Scarlett
  • 1986–1987 — Clem Bailey
  • 1987–1988 — Robert Sinclair
  • 1988–1989 — Ron MacMillan
  • 1989–1990 — Ken De Courcy

1990s

  • 1990–1991 — Alan Shaxon
  • 1991–1992 — Geoff Ray
  • 1992–1993 — Terry Herbert
  • 1993–1994 — Les Nottle
  • 1994–1995 — Tom Owen
  • 1995–1996 — John Pye
  • 1996–1997 — Bob Hayden
  • 1997–1998 — Derek Lever
  • 1998–1999 — Richard Stupple
  • 1999–2000 — Louis Martelle

2000s

  • 2000–2001 — John Palfreyman
  • 2001–2003 — Mike Gancia
  • 2003–2004 — Cynthia Neptune
  • 2004–2005 — Don Beattie
  • 2005–2006 — Mark Raffles
  • 2006–2007 — John Styles MBE
  • 2007–2008 — Derek McFaul
  • 2008–2009 — Trevor Lewis
  • 2009–2010 — Shirley Ray

2010s

  • 2010–2011 — Keith Cooper
  • 2011–2012 — Brian Miller
  • 2012–2013 — John “Sly” Smith
  • 2013–2014 — Neil Roberts
  • 2014–2015 — Alan Astra
  • 2015–2016 — Paul Ray
  • 2016–2017 — Clive Moore
  • 2017–2018 — Richard Cadell
  • 2018–2019 — Brian Lead