I.B.M. British Ring 47th Annual Convention 1983

The 47th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 20th–25th September 1983 at Canolfan Aberconwy and the Arcadia Theatre, Llandudno, with further events at the Astra Theatre and the New Imperial Hotel. 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, the Kiddies' Forum, '25 Years of Close-Up', 'I Remember Them Well', More History of Mystery, International Close-Up Magic and the Gala Show, World of Magic.

President Hamilton Kaye and his wife Marion look forward to welcoming Conventioneers to Llandudno for the 47th Annual Convention, in the presence of The Right Worshipful The Mayor and Mayoress of Aberconwy, Councillor and Mrs Algwyn J. Hopkins, and the International President of the I.B.M., Dr William A. Wells, who confesses to being an anglophile of long standing and extends a special invitation to Norfolk, Virginia for the 1984 Convention. Following a difficult year for Hon. Secretary Bill Stickland, the President pays tribute to his continuing dedication in ensuring a wonderful Convention for everyone. The week opens on Tuesday evening with David De Val presenting the Sensational Milk-Churn Escape on the Promenade, followed at the Canolfan Aberconwy Centre by Will Ayling's Night Before Party, incorporating Dealers' Close-Up organised by Derek Lever and the Harlequin Puppets. Wednesday brings the Official Opening of the Convention by the President, followed immediately by Rovi, The Wizard of Wales, introducing the Welsh Show with Terry Jones, Kordan & Pat, Bill Shewan, Trevor Lewis, Leeroy, Mark & Jane and Mari, plus a special surprise item, with Keith Hurford at the organ and Horace Jefferey at the drums. Overseas Visitors are requested to meet Mr Barry Laymond in the entrance to the Arcadia Theatre ahead of the Civic Reception, Ball & Cabaret, given by kind invitation of the Mayor and Mayoress, with cabaret from the Llanddulas Choir, Roy Johnson and Petrick & Mia, compere Mike Gancia, flag bearers from the Pearl Shaw School of Dancing, and the Tombola Stand run by Helene Strachan and helpers in aid of the Benevolent Fund. The Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, organised by Johnny Neptune and assisted by Bill Scott, opens in the Exhibition Hall (First Floor), Canolfan Aberconwy Complex, and runs throughout the week, with the Craig Trophy to be awarded to the Dealer presenting the most attractive display. Thursday brings the Dealers' Demonstration, timed by Doug Jones with Bill Scott, Arthur Setterington, David Haggarty, Eric McDonald and Paul Johnson on dealer liaison and stage staff; the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers for 1983/4, Members Only; the Ladies' Afternoon at the Imperial Hotel, with Prue Inglesfield from Clinique presenting a demonstration in the Art of Make-Up, followed by raffle, afternoon tea and bingo; and Hospital and Special Venue Shows, organised by Les Nottle, taking magic out to the West Shore Hotel, Ysgol Gogarth School, Plas Mariander, the Senior Citizens Club, Llandudno Hospital and several other venues on Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd September, 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, organised by Alastair, with Tommy Rowe as Chairman of the Judges, Syd Brockman (U.S.A.), Amy Dawes, Tony Shelley, Robert Sinclair and Clive Stock (General Manager, Canolfan Aberconwy Centre) completing the panel, Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director, Doug Jones and Sam Mallinson as Timekeepers and John Palfreyman as Stage Manager. Friday opens with a Star Lecture Forum in which Peter Scarlett introduces Petrick, making his first appearance in Britain direct from Hollywood's Magic Castle, demonstrating a number of his subtle originalities, followed by Smartie Artie, the well-known children's entertainer; Mike Gancia's '25 Years of Close-Up', celebrating a quarter century of the Close-Up Competition (first won by Fred Lowe in 1958) with past winners including Geoff Ray, Trevor Lewis, Janet Clare, Mark Leveridge, Peter Duffie, Rex Cooper, Christopher Payne, Harry Nicholls, Ken Hawes and Bob Read, subject to commitments; and the Kiddies' Forum, chaired by Jack Mayes with a panel of Smartie Artie, Sly Smith, Clown Supertramp and Mel Harvey. Following the President's presentation of the British Ring Shield and Other Trophies, Peter Warlock presents 'I Remember Them Well', aided by Ali Bongo, Will Ayling, Jeffery Atkins, Clem Bailey, Geoffrey Buckingham, Janet Clare, Alfred Gabriel and Cecilia, Mike Gancia, Francis Haxton, Barry Laymond, Brian & Audrey Miller and Elizabeth Warlock, with music by Keith Hurford and Horace Jeffery and stage direction by Barry Miller, Ron Langhorn and Mark Sanders. The Convention Banquet, Gwledd Confensiwn, at the New Imperial Hotel brings toasts to The Queen (proposed by the President), The Borough of Aberconwy (proposed by Trevor Lewis, response by the Mayor of Aberconwy) and The British Ring (proposed by Dr W. A. Wells, International President I.B.M., response by the President, who also proposes the toast to The Ladies and Visitors, answered by Dr John Booth, U.S.A.), with Stan Anton as Toastmaster, followed by the After Banquet Show, presented by William G. Stickland and Geoffrey Robinson, with Ron Betteridge, Ali Bongo, Johnny Geddes, Einir Wyn (The Delightful Welsh Harpist), Geoff Ray & Pat and Vercoe (The Musical Clown), music by Keith Hurford and Horace Jefferey and stage direction by Barry Miller. Saturday brings Children's Showtime, arranged and presented by Jack Mayes, compered by Smartie Artie, introducing Clown Supertramp (The Clown of Magic), Kassim (Turkey's Man of Magic), Sly Smith (Magic for Every Occasion), The Living Marionettes of Jean & Dennis Collins and San Yen (Eastern Mysteries), with Robinson Cleaver at the organ, Morris Boyle at the drums and Richard Stupple as Stage Manager; a Star Lecture at the Imperial Hotel in which Peter Scarlett introduces Bob Little (U.S.A.) presenting 'Fun and Sex with a Pack of Cards'; the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy at the Imperial Hotel, arranged by Mike Gancia, with Rex Reader as Chairman of the Judges, Peter Warlock, Will Ayling, Francis Haxton, Donald Crombie and A. N. Other completing the panel, Doug Jones as Timekeeper and Maurice Murray as Room Co-ordinator; and 'The History of Mystery' Magic Collectors' Seminar, organised and chaired by Eddie Dawes, with Hugh Riley on Mentalists and Mentalism, David Price on Postal Ephemera and the Magician, and Derek Lever on The World's Most Ingenious Magical Apparatus. Saturday's Gala Show, World of Magic, plays two houses at the Astra 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 and Peter Laing as Assistant Stage Managers; Harold Taylor is Master of Ceremonies, with Roger John & Cynthia (Wales's Own Magic Stars, 'Subtle Sorcery'), Bertran' Lotth (France, The Brilliant Young French Manipulator), Gaston Dumont (France, 'Illusions of the Masters') and Jeffery Atkins & Company (England's Premier Illusionist) in the first half, and Keith Hurford & Horace Jeffery (The International Comedy Dancing Stars), Chantal et Dumont (France), Petrick & Mia (The Delightful Magic of Behind the Iron Curtain), Bob Little (America's Wild Man Wild), Arséne Lupin (Poland's Star Magician) and Orsani & Martina (Switzerland, 'Impressions of Dodge City') after the interval; the taking of photographs during the performance is strictly forbidden. International Close-Up Magic, presented by Mike Gancia at the Imperial Hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning, features Philippe Fialho, Bert Graham, Steve Walker, Algonquin McDuff and Scotty Thompson, together with special guests from the Anniversary Show. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service, conducted by Ringer The Reverend Michael Seacome M.A., A.R.C.M., Official Chaplain to the British Ring, undenominational, with a silver collection for the Welfare Fund, followed by Ted and Rene Whebell's Cocktail Party and the Installation of the New President, Brian Miller, 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.