I.B.M. British Ring Convention 1982

The 46th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 14th–19th September 1982 at the White Rock Pavilion, Hastings, with further events at the Queens Hotel, the Pier, Falaise Hall and the Town Hall. The week brings together international performers for 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, Hoffmann's Haven, Music Hall, Children's Showtime, More History of Mystery, International Close-Up Magic and the Gala Show, World of Magic.

President Will Ayling and his wife Win look forward to welcoming Conventioneers to Hastings for the 46th Annual Convention, in the presence of the Right Worshipful the Mayor and Mayoress of Hastings, Councillor and Mrs Alan M. Stace, and the International President of the I.B.M., John Makar, attending with his wife Ruth for this Diamond Jubilee Year of the I.B.M. — the third occasion on which Hastings has hosted the Convention, following visits in 1974 and 1978. This Convention is also dedicated to Hon. Secretary William G. Stickland, M.B.E., who this year completes fifty years' service to the British Ring, a record the Society is proud to celebrate.

The week opens on Tuesday evening with the Night Before Party at the White Rock Pavilion, an informal gathering at which Derek Lever presents Dealers Close-Up in the Lower Hall at 19.45, 20.45 and 23.00 hours, while the Theatre offers a Cabaret with Terry Burgess and The Midlands Vocal Multi Instrumentalist, together with Jim Blaisdon, incidental music from Keith Hurford (Organ) and Horace Jeffery (Drums), and Barry Miller as M.C. Tuesday afternoon also brings the first of the Hospital and Special Venue Shows, organised by Les Nottle, with Richard Stupple and Brian Nye visiting the Conquest Centre for mentally handicapped adults and Doug Brearly and Company with Les Nottle visiting Glyne Gap School for handicapped children in Bexhill-on-Sea.

Wednesday brings Howard Peters' outside stunt on the Pier, 'Escape From Neptune's Revenge', with Howard battling chain and shackles beneath the shadow of the gallows, before the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair opens for the week in the Pier Ballroom, organised by Johnny Neptune, running daily from 9.30 to 18.00 (12.00 on Sunday) and bringing together over thirty magical dealers including The Ace Place Magic, Martin Breese Ltd, Hamilton Kaye & Co, International Magic Studio, The Supreme Magic Company and British Ring Sales, with the Craig Trophy — held by Paul Scott Magic — to be awarded to the dealer presenting the most attractive display, the adjudication taking place at approximately 17.00 on Wednesday. The President officially opens the 46th Convention at 14.15, in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress, followed at 14.30 by 'The Many Faces of Magic', in which Ali Bongo compères Brian Miller & Audrey (Dove Magic), Rousseau (Manipulative Magic, 'Magic of Hands'), Herr. van Hooper & Michael (Character Magic, 'Magic from Yesteryear'), Leeroy (Comedy Magic, 'With a touch of Comedy'), Janet Clare (Feminine Magic) and David Budd & Rita (Colourful Magic, 'Magic in Lavender'). Overseas Visitors are requested to meet Mr Barry Laymond in the Lower Hall at 19.30 hours, ahead of the Civic Reception, Ball & Cabaret at 20.00, given by kind invitation of the Mayor and Mayoress, with dancing to Ted Crouch & His Band and cabaret from Anita Wagner (Norway's Magic Lady), Walter Landauer (The Supreme Magician of the Piano) and Pavel (from Switzerland); 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, arranged by Johnny Neptune with Doug Jones as timekeeper and Arthur Setterington, David Haggarty, Eric McDonald and Hugh Gillies on dealer liaison and stage staff, each dealer allowed a maximum of six minutes. At 14.00 the Star Lecture Forum, chaired by Peter Scarlett, brings the well-known children's entertainer Richard Stupple with 'Winning Ways with Children' at 15.15, alongside the celebrated Swiss magician Pavel with 'Colourful Magic'. The Ladies' Afternoon at the Queens Hotel features Barry Porter's Hand Made Creative Glassware, followed by raffle, afternoon tea and bingo, while the second round of Hospital and Special Venue Shows takes magic out across Hastings and St Leonards from 16.30 — to the London Transport Friendly Society Convalescent Home, the George Rainer Home, Pine Hill, Dr Barnardo's Home, New Morton and Buckets and Spades — 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, Elizabeth Shelley, Colin Hughes, Mac Wilson, R. E. Dennett and Peter Heinz Kersten completing the panel, Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director, Doug Jones and Sam Mallinson as Timekeepers and John Palfreyman as Stage Manager.

Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for 1982/3 at 10.00, Members Only, with Rex Reader as Returning Officer, followed by a meeting of the Convention Committee and Representatives of the Dealers in the Lower Hall. At 14.15 the President presents the British Ring Shield and Other Trophies, before Peter Warlock's 'Hoffmann's Haven' at 14.30, aided by Clem Bailey, Ali Bongo, Fred Buttress, Roger Crosthwaite, Eddie Dawes, Alfred Gabriel, Mike Gancia, Peter Lane, Billy McComb, Shaun McCree, Alan Shaxon, Michael Symes, Harold Taylor, Elizabeth Warlock and John Young, with music from Keith Hurford and Horace Jeffery and stage direction by Barry Miller, Ron Langhorn, Mark Sanders and Peter Laing. In the Lower Hall at 19.30, Philippe Fialho presents 'A Tribute to Kaps', a video presentation of interviews with and performance by the late Dutch magician Fred Kaps, repeated at the Queens Hotel at Midnight on Saturday. The Convention Banquet at the Queens Hotel, with Toastmaster Paul Ducaine, brings toasts to The Queen (proposed by the President), The Borough of Hastings (proposed by Alan Kennaugh, Vice-President British Ring 25, response by the Mayor) and The British Ring (proposed by John Makar, International President I.B.M., response by the President, who also proposes the toast to The Ladies and Visitors, answered by Hank Moorehouse, Immediate Past National President of the Society of American Magicians), the menu comprising Prawn Cocktail, Creme Mushroom, Escalope of Veal Princesse, Saute Potatoes, Buttered Garden Peas, Brussel Sprouts, Fresh Strawberry Romanoff, Petits Fours and Coffee. The evening closes at 22.30 with William G. Stickland and Geoffrey Robinson's tastefully produced Music Hall, with Mr Robinson as Chairman, Miss Elinor Heslop, Mr Lynn Thomas (Juggler Extraordinaire), Mr Alaxander Sturgis, Miss Christina Matthews and Mr Robert Lister, music by Keith Hurford and Horace Jeffery.

Saturday brings Children's Showtime at 10.30 in the Lower Hall, arranged and presented by Jack Mayes, with Dennis Patten and Percy Penguin as Compere introducing Uncle Ken & Auntie Val, Danny Jones with his Balloons, Les Nottle ('Punch and Personality'), Hoponn & Popoff!, Richard Stupple ('Winning Ways with Children') and The I.B.M. Clowns and Hairy Harry, with music by the Ted Crouch Duo. At the same time, over at Falaise Hall, Peter Scarlett introduces the well-known American magician Hank Moorehouse for a Star Lecture on 'The Adult Banquet Show & Walkaround Close Up'. At 13.30 the Kiddies' Forum, chaired by Terry Herbert with a panel of Smartie Artie (Arthur Adolph), Jack Mayes, Eric Sharpe and Richard Stupple, answers questions on children's entertainment. The Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy is held at the Queens Hotel at 14.00, arranged by Mike Gancia, with Rex Reader as Chairman of the Judges, Al Smith, Rovi, Donald Crombie and A. N. Other completing the panel and Maurice Murray as Room Co-ordinator. At 15.45, Eddie Dawes organises and chairs 'More History of Mystery', the Magic Collectors' Seminar, with John Young on 'Illusions of the Maskelynes', Richard Stupple on 'Deltiology in its Relation to Magic and the Allied Arts' and John Davenport on 'The Davenport Story'. Saturday's Gala Show, World of Magic, plays two houses at 17.00 and 20.30, arranged and presented by Wm. G. Stickland, M.B.E., with Barry Miller as Stage Director, Ron Langhorn as Stage Manager and Mark Sanders and Peter Laing as Assistant Stage Managers; Terry Seabrooke and Hank Moorehouse (U.S.A.) compère, with Victor Burnett & June (Top London Cabaret Stars), Terry Seabrooke, Crisco (1981 Winner of the British Ring Shield, International Comedy Conjurer), Socrate ('Only a Rose', from Paris) and Jeffery Atkins & Company (Britain's T.V. Illusionist, 'Illusions of the Masters') in the first half, and Duraty & Partner (France, 'Magic Parade'), Sooty presented by Harry Corbett, Arsene Lupin (Poland's Star Magician) and Garray & Tomio (from Las Vegas) after the interval, closing with the National Anthem; the taking of photographs during the performance is strictly forbidden. In the early hours of Sunday, Mike Gancia presents International Close-Up Magic at the Queens Hotel, featuring Hank Moorehouse, John Aukes (Holland), Mark Leveridge (England) and Rovi (Wales), with Maurice Murray again as Room Co-ordinator, alongside a repeat of 'A Tribute to Kaps'. Throughout the week, Cynthia Neptune and helpers offer gifts and novelties for sale at the Eddie Dexter Welfare Stand, with unsold items to be auctioned on Saturday at approximately mid-day.

The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service at 10.30, 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 12.30 by Ted and Rene Whebell's Cocktail Party in the Lower Hall and the Installation of the New President, who will close the Convention. 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.