I.B.M. British Ring 44th Annual Convention

The 44th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 9th–14th September 1980 at The Dome, Brighton, with further events at the Royal Albion Hotel, the Corn Exchange, the Brighton Centre, the Wagner Hall and the Pavilion Theatre. 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, Hospital and Special Venue Shows, the Ladies' Afternoon, the Convention Banquet, Peter Warlock's Charade, the Civic Dance, Wilfred Tyler's Children's Playtime, the Magic Collectors' Seminar, International Close-up Magic and the Gala Show, World of Magic.

President Clifford Townsend and his wife Edna look forward to welcoming Conventioneers to Brighton for the 44th Annual Convention, the first of the 1980s, in the presence of The Worshipful The Mayor of Brighton, Councillor John Leach, and the International President of the I.B.M., Bruce Posgate. The week opens on Tuesday evening with Alfred Gabriel's Ring Up The Curtain (4th Edition) at the Dome, featuring Maurice Medhurst, Dennis & Betty Rawlins, Terry Burgess, Adam, Louis Kyprianou, Johnny Maire and Duncan Fletcher & Olive, with Keith Hurford at the organ and Horace Jeffery at the drums. Wednesday brings Nick Janson, The Man of 1000 Escapes, presenting his Sensational Original 'Flying Bomb' Escape at the Dome Pavilion Grounds and his £1,000 Challenge Fire Cage Escape on the beach opposite Fish Market Hard; the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair opens for the week in The Corn Exchange, organised by Johnny Neptune and assisted by Bill Scott, with over thirty dealers represented and the Craig Trophy — present holders Peter Diamond & Co — to be awarded to the dealer presenting the most attractive display, adjudicated at approximately 17.00. The President officially opens the 44th Convention at 14.45, in the presence of the Mayor, followed at 15.00 by the International Contest for Overseas Visitors, compered by Terry Herbert with judges Donald Crombie (Chairman), Jean Poissons (France), Fred Castle, Claude Isbeque Klingsor (Belgium) and Ted Lion (Holland). Overseas Visitors are requested to meet Mr Jack Griggs in the foyer of the Dome at 19.30 hours for Official Introduction, ahead of A First Night Gala at 20.00, presented by William G. Stickland and Geoffrey Robinson with Henrique, Dick Marvel & Isa, Barry Miller, Brian Miller & Audrey, Will Ayling and Geoffrey Robinson. Thursday opens with the Dealers' Demonstration at 9.30, arranged by Johnny Neptune with Doug Jones as Timekeeper and Bill Scott, Arthur Setterington, David Haggarty, Eric McDonald, Hugh Gillies and Don Beattie on Dealer Liaison and Stage Staff. At 14.30 the Ladies' Afternoon at the Royal Albion Hotel features a Lecture-Demonstration from Mr Wally Walker of Birmingham, 'The use of Fabrics in the world of Furnishing and Interior Design', followed by raffle, tea and bingo. From 16.00 the Hospital and Special Venue Shows, organised by Les Nottle, take magic out across Brighton and Hove — to the Police Convalescent Home, the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children, the Jewish Home for the Aged, St John's Residential School, Hollingdale, Hamilton Lodge Residential School for Deaf Children, and a Special Home for Mentally Retarded Adults and Children. Thursday evening brings the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield at 19.30, organised by Alastair, with Tommy Rowe as Chairman of the Judges, Richard Buffum, Clem Bailey, James Dodding, A. J. Hewison and Mrs Irene Whebell completing the panel, Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director and Doug Jones and Sam Mallinson as Timekeepers, with nineteen competitors entered for the Shield, the Theo Speaker Cup, the Alastair-presented Third Prize, the Conventioneers Trophy, the Craig Trophy (for the performance by a lady magician), the Tom Harris Cup and the Dittia Shield. Friday opens with Star Lectures at 10.00, chaired by Peter Scarlett — 'Kanes, Kandles & More', presented by the famous South American magician Fantasio, followed by America's most prolific ideas man, Warren Stephens, describing some of the 200 ingenious effects he has created. At 14.30 the President presents the Shield Competition Awards, before Peter Warlock's Charade at 14.45, presented by Francis Haxton with Jeffery Atkins, Clem Bailey, Fred Barlow, Mike Gancia, Terry Herbert, Bernard Juby & Yvonne, Kassim, Bruce Posgate, Christopher Pratt, Bob Read, Alan Shaxon and Tony Shelley & Elizabeth, with music from Keith Hurford and Horace Jeffery and stage direction by Barry Miller, Ron Langhorn and Mark Sanders. The Grand Regency Banquet at the Royal Albion Hotel, with Toastmaster Paul Ducaine, brings toasts to The Queen (proposed by the President), The Borough of Brighton (proposed by Ali Bongo, Immediate Past President British Ring I.B.M., response by the Mayor) and The British Ring (proposed by Bruce Posgate Esq, International President I.B.M., response by the President, who also proposes the toast to The Ladies and Visitors, answered by Mons. Jean Poissons of France), the menu comprising Asparagus Soup, Sole Bonne Femme, Entrecote de Boeuf Chasseur, Pomme Duchesse, Broccoli Spears, Sweet Corn, Bombe Alaska and Coffee. The evening closes with A Civic Dance at the Brighton Centre, by invitation of the Mayor, with dancing to Syd Dean and his Orchestra and cabaret from John Wade ('The Patter of Magic Feats'), Mystina ('Acro-Cadabra') and Howard Peters presenting his sensational Harpoon Escape; dress is Dinner Jacket or Dark Lounge Suit, with Buffet Refreshments and the Tombola Stand run by Helene Strachan and helpers in aid of the Benevolent Fund. Saturday brings Wilfred Tyler's Children's Playtime at 10.30 at the Wagner Hall, Regency Road, presented by Jack Mayes with Len Ware and his Punch & Judy, The Uncle Terry Magic Show presented by Terry Herbert, Goldini and his Magic Doves, Brian Miller & Audrey with their popular Children's Show, and Tony Shelley and Elizabeth ('Magic a la Carte'), plus The I.B.M. Clowns, with music by The Ken Lyon Duo, Tony List as Stage Manager and Hamilton Kaye as Front of House Manager. At the Pavilion Theatre, Dick Jarrow from U.S.A. presents his Star Lecture, the 'Quarter Pounder Lecture', at 10.00 and again at 11.00, followed at 13.30 by the Kid Show Forum, chaired by Terry Herbert with Bruce Posgate (Canada), Cedric, Johnny Geddes and Henrique. The Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy is held at the Royal Albion Hotel at 14.00, arranged by Mike Gancia, with Rex Reader as Chairman of the Judges, Donald Crombie, Eric Mason, Geoff Ray and Rex Cooper completing the panel and Doug Jones as Timekeeper. At 15.30, Eddie Dawes chairs The Magic Collectors' Seminar at the Pavilion Theatre, with Rudiger Deutsch (Bellachini XIII) on 'My Favourite Magical Apparatus', Eddie Dawes on 'Coin Slot: The Currency of Magic' and Jay Marshall on 'Another American Magical Melange'. Saturday's Gala Show, World of Magic, plays two houses at 17.00 and 20.30 at the Dome, arranged and presented by Wm. G. Stickland, M.B.E., with Barry Miller as Stage Director, Ron Langhorn as Stage Manager and Mark Sanders as Assistant Stage Manager; Ali Bongo compères, with Bellachini XIII (Germany, 'A Step Back in Time'), Fantasio (South America, 'King of Kanes and Kandles'), T.V.'s famous 'Mr Pickpocket' Mark Raffles, and The Incredible Parisian Illusionist Christian Fechner & Company in the first half, and, after the Intermission, the historical Magic Show of Absolon (Czechoslovakia) presented by Keith Hurford and Horace Jeffery, Britain's Leading Illusionist Jeffery Atkins and Company ('Illusions of the Masters'), World Premier Manipulator Richard Ross (Holland) and The Fantastic German Floral Spectacle Dinardi. In the early hours of Sunday, Mike Gancia presents International Close-up Magic at the Royal Albion Hotel, including Warren Stephens (U.S.A.), Armandi (Holland), Ed Mischell (U.S.A.), Miss June Horowitz (U.S.A.), Geoff Ray (Great Britain) and Bob Little (U.S.A.). The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service at 10.30, 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, followed at 12.00 by Ted and Rene Whebell's Cocktail Party at the Royal Albion Hotel and the Installation of the New President, who will close the Convention. Throughout the week, gifts and novelties are offered for sale at the Welfare Stand in the foyer of the Dome, with unsold items to be auctioned on Saturday at approximately 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.