I.B.M. British Ring Convention 1981

The 45th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 22nd–27th September 1981 at the Wellington Pier Pavilion and Wellington Pier Theatre, Great Yarmouth, with further events at The Carlton Hotel, Marina Centre and the Windmill Theatre. The week brings together international performers for the International 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, Children's Showtime, the Magic Collectors' Seminar, International Close-up Magic and the Gala Show, World of Magic.

President Tony Shelley looks forward to welcoming Conventioneers to Great Yarmouth for the 45th Annual Convention — the first occasion on which the British Ring has visited the town — in the presence of the Mayor of Great Yarmouth, Councillor F. Gordon Chapman, and the International President of the I.B.M., Roger L. Crabtree, attending with his wife Donna. Many old friends and new members are welcomed alike, following last year's Convention at Brighton.

The week opens on Tuesday afternoon with the first Hospital and Special Venue Show, organised by Les Nottle, at the John Grant School, Caister (Mentally Handicapped Children), with artistes Richard Stupple, George Hills and Les Nottle. Tuesday evening brings the Night Before Party at the Marina Centre, an informal gathering with dancing and the star cabaret of Sally Brown, Vocal/Multi Instrumentaliste, M.C. Barry Miller.

Wednesday morning, Nick Janson, The Man of 1000 Escapes, presents his £1,000 Challenge Fire Cage Escape on the beach near Wellington Pier, presented by Terry Herbert, before the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair opens for the week in The Biergarten, organised by Johnny Neptune and running daily from 9.30 to 18.00 (9.30 to 12.00 on Sunday), with over thirty magical dealers represented including Steve Ace, Martin Breese, Hamilton Kaye & Co., International Magic Studio, The Supreme Magic Co. Ltd. and British Ring Sales, and the Craig Trophy — present holders The Supreme Magic Co. Ltd. — to be awarded to the dealer presenting the most attractive display, adjudicated at approximately 17.00 on Wednesday. The President officially opens the 45th Convention at 14.30 at the Wellington Pier Pavilion, in the presence of the Mayor, followed at 14.50 by the International Contest for Overseas Visitors, compered by Peter Scarlett with judges Donald Crombie (Chairman), Ali Bongo, Duncan Fletcher, Ted Whebell and Peter Borsch (Denmark). Overseas Visitors are requested to meet Mr Barry Laymond at the Pavilion at 19.30 hours for official introduction, ahead of the Civic Reception, Ball & Cabaret at 20.00 at the Marina Centre, given by kind invitation of the Mayor and Mayoress, with dancing to Hazard and cabaret from Johnny Cleveland and Alan Shaxon & Anne; dress is Dinner Jacket or Dark Lounge Suit, with a Buffet, and the Tombola Stand run by Helene Strachan and helpers in aid of the Benevolent Fund.

Thursday opens with the Dealers' Demonstration at 9.30 at the Wellington Pier Theatre, arranged by Johnny Neptune with Doug Jones as timekeeper and Arthur Setterington, David Haggarty, Eric McDonald, Hugh Gillies and Don Beattie on dealer liaison and stage staff, each dealer allowed a maximum of six minutes. At 14.00 the Ladies' Afternoon at The Carlton Hotel features a film and talk on Ross Frozen Food Products, followed by raffle, tea and bingo, while the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for 1981/2 is held at the Pavilion, Members Only, with Rex Reader as Returning Officer, followed by a Meeting of the Convention Committee and Representatives of the Dealers. From 15.30 the second round of Hospital and Special Venue Shows, again organised by Les Nottle, takes magic out across Great Yarmouth — a combined Close-Up and Stage Cabaret Show at the Ocean Room Night Club, Pier Gardens, Gorleston, held in conjunction with Great Yarmouth Lions Club International, together with shows at Northgate Hospital, St Nicholas Hospital, Nelson Court, the East Anglian School and The Hollies, with Smokey and his Clown Band visiting some of the venues during the afternoon. 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, Mrs Olive Fletcher, Francis White (President of the Magic Circle), Cliff Townsend (Past President of the British Ring), Maurice Pierre and Tony King (Entertainments & Publicity Officer, Great Yarmouth) completing the panel, Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director and Doug Jones and Sam Mallinson as Timekeepers, with nineteen competitors entered. Following the competition, the Da Silva Puppet Theatre presents 'Peter and the Wolf' by Sergei Prokofiev, after which the President presents the Shield Competition Awards.

Friday opens with the International Star Lectures at 10.00 at the Pavilion, chaired by Peter Scarlett: 'The Magic of John Cornelius' (U.S.A.), winner of the F.I.S.M. Close-Up Competition at Brussels in 1979, followed by 'Pongolian Allsorts' from Ali Bongo. At 14.45, Peter Warlock presents 'Action Replay' at the Wellington Pier Theatre, featuring Clem Bailey, Ali Bongo, Bob Driebeek, Geraldini, Peter Greenwood, Francis Haxton, Bernard Juby, Trevor Lewis, The Mallinsons, Michael Seacome, Brian Sefton and Henk Vermeyden, with music from Keith Hurford and Horace Jeffery and stage direction by Barry Miller, Ron Langhorn and Mark Sanders. The Convention Banquet at the Marina Centre, with Toastmaster Paul Ducaine, brings toasts to The Queen (proposed by the President), The Borough of Great Yarmouth (proposed by Donald Crombie, Past President of the British Ring, response by the Mayor) and The British Ring (proposed by Roger L. Crabtree, International President I.B.M., response by the President, who also proposes the toast to The Ladies & Visitors, answered by Peter Borsch of Denmark), the menu comprising Cream of Asparagus Soup, Fillet of Sole Bonne Femme, Boeuf Bourguignonne, Baby Carrots, Petits Pois, Chateau Potatoes, Parfait Grand Marnier, Coffee and Petits Fours. The evening closes at 22.30 with the After Banquet Show at the Wellington Pier Theatre, in which, on behalf of Bill Stickland and himself, Geoffrey Robinson introduces The Bardinis, Geraldine & Company, Henrique, Ronnie Rex, and Peter Scarlett & Ilona, Barry Miller stage managing with music from Keith Hurford.

Saturday morning brings Children's Showtime at 10.30 at the Windmill Theatre, arranged and presented by Jack Mayes, featuring Peter Presti (Magic from Holland), Smartie Artie (Your favourite clown), Kassim (Turkey's Man of Magic), Brian Miller & Audrey (Television Magic), The Da Silva Puppets (Circus Caprice) and The I.B.M. Clowns and Hairy Harry, with music by Stuart Lee and David Burton. At 11.00 the Mayor and Mayoress of Great Yarmouth receive Overseas Visitors at the Town Hall. At 13.30 the panel show 'Any Questions', chaired by Terry Herbert with Fred Castle, Roy Johnson, Trevor Lewis, Peter Warlock and Henk Vermeyden, answers questions on magic handed in beforehand. The Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy is held at The Carlton Hotel at 14.00, arranged by Mike Gancia and assisted by Walt Lees, with Rex Reader as Chairman of the Judges, Roger Crabtree, Peter Scarlett, Peter Kane and A. N. Other completing the panel. At 15.30, Eddie Dawes organises and chairs 'Some History of Mystery', the Magic Collectors' Seminar, at the Windmill Theatre, with John Palfreyman on 'Mainly Magical Mechanics', Peter Lane on 'Magicians and Moving Pictures' and John Salisse on 'The Maskelyne Family'. Saturday's Gala Show, World of Magic, plays two houses at 17.00 and 20.30 at the Wellington Pier Theatre, 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; Mike Gancia compères, with Chun-Chin-Fu (Colourful Chinese Chicanery, Italy), Josephine (Britain's Miss of Mystery, 1980 Winner of British Ring Shield), Joe Nex (The Modern Cavalier of Roses, Germany), Jan Madd & Chantal (A Magic Symphony in Black & White, France), Jeffery Atkins and Company (Britain's Premier Illusionist, 'Illusions of the Masters'), Peter Kersten (East Germany), Joe Marvel ('The Hands That Speak', Portugal), Pierre Brahma ('Les Bijoux Magiques', France) and Jacqueline, Eddy and Company (Holland's Most Famous Family Show, direct from Berlin's Hansa Theatre). In the early hours of Sunday, Mike Gancia and Walt Lees present International Close-up Magic at The Carlton Hotel, including John Cornelius (U.S.A.), Harry Nicholls (England), Bob Little (U.S.A.), Frans Biemens (Holland), Tommy Wonder (Holland) and Hans van Senus (Holland).

The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service at 10.00, 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 11.00 by the Sunday Star Lecture, chaired by Peter Scarlett — 'Hokus Pokus Fidibus' or 'How to do Magic for Children', presented by Peter Kersten. At 12.30, Ted and Rene Whebell welcome Conventioneers to the Cocktail Party at The Carlton Hotel and the Installation of the New President, who will close the Convention. Throughout the week, Cynthia Neptune and helpers offer gifts and novelties for sale at the Eddie Dexter Welfare Stand in the foyer of The Biergarten, with unsold items to be auctioned at approximately mid-day on Sunday. Organising Secretary: William G. Stickland, M.B.E. Dealers' Exhibition & Demonstration: Johnny Neptune. Hospital Shows: Les Nottle. Chief Steward: Barry Laymond. Souvenir Programme: Peter Scarlett. Welfare Stand: Cynthia Neptune.