I.B.M. British Ring 50th Convention

The Golden Jubilee — 50th — Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 30th September – 5th October 1986 in Eastbourne, with events at the Congress Theatre, the Winter Gardens, the Cavendish Hotel, the Devonshire Park Theatre and the Town Hall. The week brings together international performers for Star Lectures, the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, International Close-Up Magic, the Magic Collectors' Seminar, Children's Showtime and the Grand Golden Jubilee Gala.

President Peter Scarlett and his wife Ilona are particularly pleased to welcome Conventioneers back to Eastbourne for this Golden Jubilee occasion, extending Golden Greetings to everyone attending this milestone in the history of the I.B.M.'s largest Ring, with a special welcome to Overseas Visitors and to those attending their first British Ring Convention, in the presence of His Worship the Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Leslie Mason, and the International President of the I.B.M., Karrell Fox, attending with his wife Lynn. Special congratulations are extended to Donald Crombie, who has now attended all fifty Conventions since the first in 1931. The week opens on Tuesday evening with Derek Lever's 'The Night Before Show' at the Winter Gardens. Wednesday brings Nick Janson's new outside stunt, 'The World's Most Handcuffed Man', on the Wish Tower Car Park, Grand Parade, introduced by Terry Herbert; the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair opens in the Exhibition Hall adjacent to the Winter Garden, organised by Tony Shelley and assisted by Bill Scott and Merson Grant, with the Craig Trophy to be awarded to the Dealer presenting the most attractive display and adjudicated at approximately 17.00 hours; the President officially opens the 1986 Convention at the Congress Theatre, followed immediately by 'Fifty Years On', introduced by Terry Herbert with Donald Crombie, Janet Clare, The Cordays, Scott Penrose and Guy Barrett & Pamela, at the organ Keith Hurford and at the drums Bernard McGovern. Overseas Visitors are requested to meet Mr Barry Laymond at the entrance to the Winter Garden at 20.00 hours, prior to the Civic Reception Ball & Cabaret, given by kind invitation of the Mayor and Mayoress, with dancing to The Ricky Norman Sound and cabaret from Terry Seabrooke and Shahid Malik, flagbearers from the Blue Star Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Tombola Stand run by Helene Strachan and helpers in aid of the Benevolent Fund. Thursday brings a Star Lecture in which Janet Clare introduces Peter Pinner with 'Pinner's Winners'; Hospital and Special Venue Shows organised by Les Nottle, taking magic out to local schools, hospitals and residential homes across Eastbourne, including The Downs School, Hazel Court School, Chaseley Home for Disabled Ex-Service Men, the Age Concern pop-in club and All Saints Hospital, with a further show for the Archer Youth Club on the Tuesday evening; the Ladies' Afternoon at the Cavendish Hotel with 'A Jubilee Fashion Show' presented by Country Casuals and Jaeger; and, in the Gold Room, Winter Gardens, Will Ayling's Glove & Rod Puppets followed by the first of Claude Rix's Close-Up Lectures from France, both repeated on the Saturday for a limited audience. Thursday evening brings the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield at the Congress Theatre, organised and introduced by Alastair Oliphant, with Tommy Rowe as Chairman of the Judges, Irene Larsen, Arthur J. Emerson, Ian Adair, Ted Whebell and Stewart Hills (Conference Manager, Eastbourne) completing the panel, Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director, Tony Brooks as Timekeeper and John Palfreyman as Stage Manager. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for 1986/7, Members Only, followed by a Star Lecture in which Peter Scarlett introduces Aldo Colombini (Fabian) from Italy, with the Dealers' Exhibition open all afternoon; Mike Gancia introduces 'An Afternoon of Close-Up Magic', all on Large Screen T.V., leading into the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Theory and the Special Commemorative Les Bonner £100 Cash Prize, with Tony Shelley as Chairman of the Judges and Doug Jones as Timekeeper, followed after a tea break by International Close-Up with Aldo Colombini (Italy), Paul Daniels (England), Cy Endfield (U.S.A., subject to confirmation), Peter Kane (England), Claude Rix (France), June Horowitz (U.S.A.) and Stephen Tucker (England), with special thanks to Paul Daniels for assisting with the video presentation. Friday evening brings the Grand Golden Jubilee Gala at the Congress Theatre, in the presence of Their Worships the Mayor and Mayoress of Eastbourne and other Distinguished Guests, with Chun Chin Foo from Italy, Normag from France and Harry Blackstone Jnr from the U.S.A., together with Peki & Pacita from Germany and Stromboli & Silvia from Scotland, introduced by Karrell Fox, International President of the I.B.M.; Dinner Jacket or Dark Lounge Suit is requested. An After Gala Buffet follows in the Winter Gardens for all Registrants, and, backstage at 23.15, all competitors in the Shield and Close-Up Competitions are requested to assemble for the Presentation of the British Ring Shield and other Awards, together with the Zina Bennett Trophy and other Awards for Close-Up. Saturday brings further Dealers' Demonstrations; David Berglas chairing an Open Forum with some of his Professional Colleagues to discuss and answer magical queries; Children's Showtime at the Devonshire Park Theatre, in which Jack Mayes presents 'Hairy Harry and the Almost Famous Jack Mayes', introducing Peter Stedman, Brian Miller & Audrey, Royston, The Buckmaster Puppets and Royal Command International Children's Entertainer Peter Pinner, plus The I.B.M. Clowns, with John Palfreyman as Stage Manager and Dennis Bussey at the organ, all seats £1.00; repeat performances of Will Ayling's Rod & Glove Puppets and Claude Rix's Close-Up Lecture in the Gold Room, for a limited audience; the Grand Auction of Magical Apparatus, Books, Magazines and Memorabilia at midday, in aid of the Benevolent Fund; Eddie Dawes' 'Some History of Mystery', the Magic Collectors' Seminar at the Cavendish Hotel, with a Chairman's Introduction followed by Jeffery Atkins on 'Illusions and their Presenters', Ben Robinson on 'Twelve Have Died' and John Davenport on 'Davenports: Growth of a Magic Business'; and a Star Lecture in which Edwin Hooper introduces Karrell Fox, International President of the I.B.M., presenting 'His Unique Approach to Magic'. Saturday night's Magic From Around The World plays two houses at the Congress Theatre, the programme arranged and presented by Jeffery Atkins and Ali Bongo, with Ron Langhorn as Stage Manager, Peter Laing and Neil Roberts as Assistant Stage Managers and Barry Miller as Stage Director; John Salisse is Master of Ceremonies, with Javier & Anna (Spain, Grand Prix Winner 1985), Shahid Malik (Pakistan, Winner of the British Ring Shield 1985), Sylvia Diana (Holland, Feminine Sorcery), Topper Martyn (Sweden, International Juggling Star) and, first time in England, Fukai (Japan, Japanese Magic Star), together with Paul Daniels, in excerpts from his One Man Show, assisted by Debbie McGee, Rosie Lane and Paul Daniels Jnr, with music by Trevor Daniels; the taking of photographs and videos during the performance is strictly forbidden. Francis Haxton rounds off Saturday night with 'A Little Night Magic' at the Cavendish Hotel, with Janet Clare, Mark Collin, Alfred Gabriel, Kevin Reay, Rovi and Francis Haxton. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service in the Gold Room, Winter Gardens, 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 by Ted and Rene Whebell's Cocktail Party and the Installation of the New President, who will close the Convention. Organising Secretary/Treasurer: H.J. Atkins. Dealers' Exhibition & Demonstration: Tony Shelley. Hospital Shows: Les Nottle. Souvenir Programme: Peter Scarlett. Souvenir Programme Cover Design: Ali Bongo. Welfare Stand: Cynthia Neptune. Stewards: Barry Laymond (Chief Steward).