I.B.M. British Ring 51st Annual Convention

The 51st Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 20th–25th September 1987 in Harrogate, with events at the Royal Hall, the Harrogate Centre, the Old Swan Hotel, the International Hotel, Crescent Gardens and the Harrogate Theatre. 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, Hospital and Special Venue Shows, the Ladies' Afternoon, More Pleasures of Yesteryear, the Convention Banquet, International Close-Up Magic, Children's Showtime, Further History of Mystery and the Magic From Around The World Gala.

President Clem Bailey looks forward to welcoming Conventioneers to Harrogate for the 51st Annual Convention, with a very special welcome to visitors from overseas, in the presence of His Worship the Mayor of Harrogate District, Councillor D.H. Muscroft, and the International President of the I.B.M., June Horowitz. The week opens on Sunday evening with the Night Before Party at the Royal Hall, featuring the Past Presidents' Show, presented by Derek Lever with Hamilton Kaye, Ted Whebell, Tony Shelley, Brian Miller, Peter Scarlett, Tommy Rowe, Harold Taylor, Eddie Dawes, Duncan Fletcher, Ali Bongo and Rovi. Monday brings the Dealers' Demonstration and the opening of the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair in the Harrogate Centre, arranged by Tony Shelley, with the Craig Trophy to be awarded to the dealer presenting the most attractive display; Howard Peters presents his outside stunt, 'The Devil's Challenge', at Crescent Gardens, introduced by Terry Herbert; the Official Opening of the Convention by the President; and 'Onward To The Century', an entertainment introduced by Peter Scarlett with Marcom (Texas), Vanni Pulé & Maryanne (Malta), Hank Moorehouse (Michigan), Ron Gilbert and Julie Lusion, music by Keith Hurford and Bernard McGovern. Overseas Visitors are welcomed by Mr Barry Laymond ahead of the President's Reception Ball & Cabaret at the Royal Hall, with dancing to the Jeff Barry Sound and cabaret from Don Robertson and Mark Raffles, flagbearers from the Katrina Hughes School of Dancing, and the Tombola Stand run by Helene Strachan and helpers for the Benevolent Fund. Tuesday afternoon brings Hospital and Special Venue Shows organised by Les Nottle, taking magic out to schools, hospitals and residential homes across Harrogate, with Smokey and his Clown Band in attendance; the Star Close-Up Lecture from John Kennedy (U.S.A.), repeated across the week by coloured Seal ticket; The Trevor Lewis Lecture, introduced by Peter Scarlett; Petrick presenting 'Magic From Hollywood' and Marcom with his 'Texas Magic'; the Ladies' Committee engagement of Maggie Tucker with 'Modern Hand Analysis' at the Old Swan Hotel, alongside the Eddie Dexter Welfare Stand; and, in the evening at the Royal Hall, the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, organised by John Palfreyman with Tommy Rowe chairing the judges. Wednesday continues with further Dealers' Demonstrations, repeat Star Close-Up and Star Lectures, Howard Hale's 'Jewels of Magic', and Eddie Dawes' 'More Pleasures of Yesteryear' — a glimpse of magic as it might have been viewed by Oswald Stoll, of Moss Empires, during 1900–1920 — before the Convention Banquet at the Old Swan Hotel, with Toastmaster Paul Ducaine, and, for those not attending, a Phase II Disco and cabaret from The Amazing Bavarian Stompers at the Royal Hall. Thursday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for 1987/8, a Star Lecture from Tom Ogden (Hollywood, U.S.A.), International Close-Up Magic presented by Mike Gancia, and the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, arranged by Mike Gancia with Tony Shelley chairing the judges, before the Presentation of the British Ring Shield and other awards and Grand Gala No.1, introduced by Terry Herbert, featuring Air Jazz (U.S.A.), Alan Shaxon, Otto Wessely (Austria, direct from the Crazy Horse, Paris), Tony Shelley & Elizabeth, Trevor Lewis and Maxim (Italy). The Convention closes on Friday with the Convention Service at the International Hotel, conducted by the Reverend Michael Seacome, the Installation of the new President arranged by Ted and Rene Whebell, Star Lectures from Patrick Page and a repeat of The Trevor Lewis Lecture, Harry Nicholls' 'Magical Films Taken Over The Years', Eddie Dawes' 'Further History of Mystery' — the Magic Collectors' Seminar, with Donald Bevan, Keith Kay and John Gaughan — Children's Showtime at the Harrogate Theatre, presented by Jack Mayes and Richard Stupple, and, to close the week, two houses of Magic From Around The World at the Harrogate Centre, arranged and presented by Jeffery Atkins and Ali Bongo, with Howard Hale, Howard Peters, Tom Ogden and, from their 'Magic Express' Revue, Michael Allport & Jennifer. Organising Secretary: Jeffery Atkins. Dealers' Exhibition: Tony Shelley. Hospital Shows: Les Nottle. Chief Steward: Barry Laymond.