I.B.M. British Ring 69th Annual Convention

The 69th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 27th September – 2nd October 2005 at the Southport Theatre, with further events at the Floral Hall, the Lakeside Suite, the Scarisbrick Hotel, the Promenade Suites, the Garden Suite and the Southport Arts Centre. The week brings together international performers for Star Lectures, the Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, Hospital and Special Venue Shows, the Ladies’ Afternoon, the Convention Banquet, the International Close-Up Gala and the International Gala Show.

President Don Beattie and his wife Pam look forward to welcoming conventioneers to Southport for the eleventh time the British Ring has met in this compact and popular venue, in the presence of the Worshipful The Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Councillor John F Walker, and the International President of the I.B.M., Roger Miller, attending with his wife Sheila for his first Ring 25 Convention. The week begins on Tuesday evening with a free Welcome buffet at the China City Restaurant, courtesy of Sefton Council, followed by registration in the Floral Hall, the Dealers’ Exhibition and a meeting of Hospital performers with Derek McFaull. The programme proper opens on Wednesday with the Official Opening of the 69th Annual Convention, followed immediately by ‘Just a Little Touch of Magic’, in which Ali Bongo introduces Steve Dela, Mark Shortland and Amethyst, at the keyboard Dave Cass. The Dealers’ Magical Trade Fair, arranged by Richard Stupple in the Floral Hall, runs from Tuesday evening through to Sunday lunchtime. Star Lectures follow through the week from Terry Herbert introducing Simon Lovell, Richard Stupple’s Dealers’ Demonstration, and Mike Gancia introducing Joshua Jay, before the evening’s Welcome to the Overseas Visitors, the Flag Ceremony and The Magic Circle Centenary Show, in which Peter Scarlett introduces Mike O’Brien, Scott Penrose and Alan Shaxon (‘The Great Fiasco’). Thursday brings further Star Lectures from Richard Stupple introducing Tim Hannig and Peter Scarlett introducing Reed McClintock, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy in the Lakeside Suite, the Ladies’ Afternoon with guest speaker Marie Dixon, and Hospital and Special Venue Shows arranged by Derek McFaull, taking magic out to Queenscourt Hospice, local schools and care homes, supported by the Giggle of I.B.M. Clowns under S.T.R.E.A.K.Y. (Reg Allen), with the Presidential car provided by Brian Miller. Trevor Lewis introduces Michael Close’s Star Lecture before Thursday evening’s Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards and the Tombola. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers, followed by the Jeffrey Atkins Memorial Lecture, in which President Don Beattie introduces Alan Shaxon, President of The Magic Circle, Tom Owen introducing Wayne Dobson for a Questions and Answers session, Eddie Dawes’ ‘The Generation Game’ featuring Walt Lees, Alan Hudson, Jonathan Shotton, Guy Barrett and Company, the Children’s Forum chaired by Terry Herbert, and the Convention Banquet at the Scarisbrick Hotel. The evening continues with the Presentation of Awards and the Installation of incoming President Mark Raffles, followed by The Late, Late Gala, introduced by Tony Stevens with Duane Laflin, John Archer, Brinum X and Safire. Saturday brings the International Close-Up Gala in the Promenade Suites, with Michael Close, Simon Lovell, Reed McClintock, Joshua Jay, Marc Oberon and Sean Carpenter, a Star Lecture from Bob Hayden introducing Rafael, Children’s Magic Showtime at the Southport Arts Centre, devised and produced by John ‘Sly’ Smith, the Grand Auction with Alan Driffield in aid of the Welfare and Benevolent Fund, John Palfreyman’s Star Mini Lecture introducing Scott Penrose, Eddie Dawes’ ‘More History of Mystery’ seminar, and the Junior Workshop with Mandy Davis. Saturday night’s International Gala Show, with an overture from Dave Cass, is compered by Michael Close and features Rafael, Laurent Beretta, Simon Lovell, Alexander Koplin and The Deans of Magic, followed after the interval by Leroyer, Kamelyon and Marcel, Prince of Illusions. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service, conducted by Padre Derek McFaull, and Cynthia Neptune’s Stars of the Future, followed by the Official Presidential Handover and Close of Convention. Organising Secretary: John Pye.