I.B.M. British Ring 74th Convention 2010

The 74th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25, held 22nd-26th September 2010 at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, with further events at the Congress Suite, the Floral Hall, the Gold Room, the Tennis Centre and the Devonshire Halls. Featuring international performers, Star Lectures, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, the Stage Competition for the British Ring Shield, Special Venue Shows, the Ali Bongo Micro Marathon, the Convention Gala Dinner, the International Close Up Gala, the Late Gala, More History of Mystery, and the Ali Bongo International Gala of Magic and Variety.

President Shirley Ray welcomed conventioneers to Eastbourne for the 74th Annual Convention, in the presence of the Worshipful The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Carolyn Heaps, and I.B.M. International President Rolando H. Santos. The programme opened with the Official Opening Ceremony and Welcome to Overseas Visitors at the Congress Theatre, followed by the Opening Show, introduced by Peter Scarlett and featuring Paul Dabek, Stephen Williams and Andrew Green, with music by Dave Cass and stage direction by Neil Roberts. Star Lectures ran throughout the week, opening with Eddie Dawes introducing Flip's 'Flixing', and continuing with Andy Stone's Star Workshop featuring Bob Yelland on strategic marketing for magicians. The Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, arranged by Jim Boyd in the Devonshire Halls, ran from Wednesday afternoon through to Saturday, with a Dealers' Showcase on Thursday morning. The Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy was held in the Tennis Centre on Thursday afternoon, followed that evening by the Stage Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards, compered by Michael Jordan. Special Venue Shows, arranged by Peter Greenwood, took magic out to Lindfield School, Hazel Court School, South Downs School, the Chaseley Trust and Age Concern, with the President's car provided by Brian Miller and visits from the I.B.M. Clowns under Clivo (Clive Moore). Highlights included the Ladies' Afternoon with guest speaker Beryl Maile, the Eddie Dexter Welfare Stand run by Cynthia Neptune, further Star Lectures from Charlie Frye and Co, Matt Johnson and Manuel Muerte, the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers, the Jeffery Atkins Memorial Lecture from Derek Lever on 'The Jack Hughes World of Magic', Star Lectures from Rich Bloch and from Wayne Dobson with Michael Fitch, Eddie Dawes' More History of Mystery seminar with Peter Lane, Chris Brinson, Paul Freeman and Will Houstoun, the Balloon and Escapology Workshops, the Convention Gala Dinner organised by John Pye and the Fletcher family, Bob and Sue Hamilton's Nostalgia film footage of past conventions, and The Late Gala introduced by Danny Buckler with Ian Keable, Steve Hewlett, Yogane and The Great Nardini, following the Presentation of Awards and the Installation of incoming President Keith Cooper. Saturday brought further Star Lectures from Cyril Harvey, Jimmy Carlo, Ian Keable and Martin Eisele, the Giggle of I.B.M. Clowns, the International Close Up Gala produced by Steve Evans, the Grand Auction with Derek Lever and Mike Shepherd, the Junior Workshop with Mandy Davis, and the Saturday night Ali Bongo International Gala of Magic and Variety, compered by Rich Bloch and featuring Richard Forget, Flip, Matt Johnson, Charlie Frye & Company, Cyril Harvey, Black Fingers, Manuele Muerte, Richard Cadell and Sooty, and Julius Frack. The convention closed on Sunday with the Convention Service conducted by the Rev. Alan J Clarke, and Cynthia Neptune's Stars of the Future, followed by the Official Presidential Handover and Close of Convention. Organising Secretary: John Pye.