I.B.M. British Ring 70th Annual Convention

The 70th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 19th–24th September 2006 at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, with further events at the Floral Hall, the Gold Room, the Congress Suite, the Tennis Centre, the Devonshire Park Theatre and the Lansdowne Hotel. The week brings together international performers for Star Lectures, the Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, Hospital and Special Venue Shows, the Ladies’ Afternoon, the Convention Banquet, the International Close-Up Gala and the International Stars of Magic Gala Show.

President Mark Raffles and his wife Joan look forward to welcoming conventioneers back to Eastbourne, ‘this jewel of the south coast’, for the 70th Annual Convention, in the presence of the Worshipful The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Colin Belsey, and the International President of the I.B.M., Fred Casto, attending with his wife Mánya. Registration opens on Tuesday evening in the Floral Hall, followed by the Dealers’ Exhibition and a meeting of Hospital performers with Derek McFaull. The programme proper opens on Wednesday with the Official Opening Ceremony and Welcome to Overseas Visitors, followed immediately by The Opening Show, in which Nick Mohammed introduces Colin Rose, Peter Wardell and Roy Davenport, with music by Dave Cass. The Dealers’ Magical Trade Fair, arranged by Jim Boyd in the Exhibition Hall adjacent to the Winter Garden, runs from Tuesday evening through to Saturday. Star Lectures follow through the week from Ali Bongo introducing John Carney, Mike Gancia introducing Vanni Bossi, Tradeshow Live with Seth Kramer and Tim Conover, Tom Owen introducing Shep Hyken, and Terry Herbert introducing Silly Billy, before Wednesday evening’s Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards. Thursday brings a Balloon Workshop with Playtime Balloons, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy in the Tennis Centre, and Hospital and Special Venue Shows arranged by Derek McFaull, taking magic out to local schools, care homes and the Royal Alfred Seafarers Home, supported by the Giggle of I.B.M. Clowns under S-T-R-E-A-K-Y (Reg Allen), with the Presidential car provided by Brian Miller. The Ladies’ Afternoon, with a Sussex cream tea and guest speaker Beryl Maile, and The Thursday Night Show, introduced by John Lenahan with Charlie Frye, Graham P Jolley, Noel Britten and John Carney, round out the day. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers, followed by the Jeffery Atkins Memorial Lecture, in which President Mark Raffles introduces John Calvert, further Star Lectures from Charlie Frye and Jeff Hobson, Eddie Dawes’ ‘A Century of Classics’ featuring Moira Fletcher, Peter Greenwood, Vanni Pulé, Brian Sefton and Martyn James, and the Convention Banquet in the Gold Room, organised by Olive and Moira Fletcher. The evening continues with the Presentation of Awards and the Installation of incoming President John Styles MBE, followed by The Late, Late Gala, introduced by Terry Seabrooke with Reuben, Black Fingers and Craig Christian. Saturday brings a Star Lecture from Peter Reveen introducing Mac King, Children’s Showtime at the Devonshire Park Theatre produced by Terry Herbert, the International Close-Up Gala with John Carney, Tim Conover, Vanni Bossi, Mark Mason, Charlie Frye and Seth Kramer, the Grand Auction with Jimmy Craig in aid of the Welfare and Benevolent Fund, the Junior Workshop with Mandy Davis, Eddie Dawes’ ‘More History of Mystery’ seminar, and John Lenahan’s workshop on the MacDonald Aces. Saturday night’s International Stars of Magic Gala Show, with an overture from the Ian Mac Big Band, is compered by Jeff Hobson and features Paolo Giua, Soul Mystique, Paul Zerdin, Dimmare, Mikael Szanyiel, Pilou, Wally Eastwood and Mac King. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service, conducted by Padre Derek McFaull, and Cynthia Neptune’s Stars of the Future, followed by the Official Presidential Handover and Close of Convention. Organising Secretary: John Pye. Talent Co-ordinator: Paul Stone.