The 29th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 15thβ19th September 1965 in Llandudno, with events at the Pier Pavilion Theatre, the Grand Hotel, the Winter Gardens, the Assembly Rooms and the Arcadia Theatre. Under the presidency of Paul Graham, and with the Chairman of Llandudno Urban District Council, Councillor W. F. Blackborow, sending his welcome, the programme features Maurice Fogel's Outside Event, "New Faces", the Reception, Dance and Cabaret, the Dealers' Demonstration, "The World of Walt Rollins", "Movie Magic" and "The Cardboard Court", the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, "The Seven Faces of Magic", the Convention Banquet, the Olde Tyme Magic Show, the Micro Magic Contest for the Zina Bennett Trophy, Children's Playtime, "Bongo's Bazaar" and the International Gala of Magic.
President Paul Graham welcomes members and visitors to the 29th Annual Convention, the first the British Ring has ever held in the Principality of Wales. He describes the programme arranged by Bill Stickland and his Convention Committee as a great "feast of magic", sends a special welcome to those attending their first Convention and to the overseas visitors, and asks members to remember those who are sick or ill and unable to be present by sending them a card from Llandudno. He reminds delegates that the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair offers the chance to visit perhaps the greatest magical mart in the world and to meet the dealers and the folk behind the scenes in magic. Councillor W. F. Blackborow, J.P., Chairman of Llandudno Urban District Council, welcomes everyone attending from 15th to 19th September and is delighted that the Convention is being held in Wales for the first time. The International President of the I.B.M., Dr. Richard O. Mossey, regrets that he cannot be present; the Brotherhood is represented by immediate Past International President Thornton Poole of Canada. Overseas visitors are welcomed from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, India, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and the U.S.A. Convention Headquarters is the Grand Hotel, where events are announced on the fixture boards at the Registration Office, two Registration Desks (one for delegates who have previously registered and one for those registering at the convention) remain open throughout, and the rule "Admission only by badge" will be strictly enforced. Official Convention Stewards, led by Chief Steward Dr. E. McF. McKee and distinguished by badges, are particularly anxious to assist newcomers, and Professor E. Duployen is Official Interpreter to the British Ring. A programme of selected Gala artistes β Billy McComb (compere), Les Andreals, Walt Rollins, Ritani, Sandy Powell, Al Preston and Valerie, Cornel and Monique, and Jeffery Atkins and Co. β is to be telerecorded by B.B.C. Television at Llandudno on 13th September, produced by Barney Colehan, for transmission at a later date on Channel 1.
The week opens on Wednesday 15th September with the Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, directed by Eddie Dexter, at two sites: the Amusement Park at the side of the Pier and the Dolphin Cafe on the Pier. The Fair runs on Wednesday 9.30 a.m.β7.30 p.m., Thursday 9.30 a.m.β8.30 p.m., Friday 11.30 a.m.β6.30 p.m. (the halls are shut to all delegates this year to allow dealers who wish to attend the A.G.M. to do so, and the 6.30 p.m. closing allows Banquet attendance), Saturday 9.30 a.m.β8 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.βmid-day. Thirteen dealers exhibit: at the Amusement Park, Murray, Davenport & Co., Marzinni Magic Co., Cliff Lount, International Magic Co., Chas. Fitness, George Jenness, Inzani-Henley, Oscar Oswald and Supreme Magic; and at the Dolphin Cafe, Henk Vermeyden, Silray Magic Co. and Unique Magic. The Dealers' Trophy, presented by Mystic Craig for the most attractive and commercial stand and held for one year, is currently held by Cliff Lount and is judged on Wednesday at 5.30 p.m. by C. D. Williams, Esq., Managing Director of Marie et Cie, Ladies Fashions, Llandudno. At 11.45 a.m. comes the Outside Event in the Happy Valley Amphitheatre (the Pier Pavilion if wet): Maurice Fogel presents the Chairman of the Llandudno Town Council, who will break open a loaf of bread baked on 6th September at Rhyl that contains the Amazing Fogel's prediction of all the headlines of the day's national newspapers. The President officially opens the Convention at 3 p.m. in the Pavilion Theatre, and at 3.15 p.m. "New Faces", compered by Terry Herbert, presents members who have not previously appeared in a British Ring show: Frank Ruffell, Ron Betteridge, Ricky, Duncan Fletcher and Olive, Terry Seabrooke assisted by Hilda, and the Pentacle Club of Cambridge with "Sleightly Blue Magic". At 8 p.m. Councillor and Mrs. Blackborow give the Reception, Dance and Cabaret at the Winter Garden, when the overseas visitors are introduced, with dancing to Rowland Mott and His Orchestra and a cabaret by the Llanddulas Male Voice Choir and Campbell McRae. Francis Haxton presents "Table Magic for your Entertainment", a new form of close-up magic that brings entertainment to your table on request, with Tom Harris, Jack Lowen, Walt Rollins, Walter Lees, Hubert Roberts, Gus Southall and Peter Warlock. Evening dress. Helene Strachan runs the Tombola Stand in aid of the Benevolent Fund.
Thursday 16th September opens at 9.45 a.m. with the Mammoth Dealers' Demonstration in the Pavilion Theatre, arranged by Eddie Dexter, in which eleven dealers each take a slot of eleven minutes, from Cliff Lount at 9.45 to Henk Vermeyden at 11.40, with a five-minute interval and Jack Potter as Timekeeper. At 1.45 and 3.45 p.m. "The World of Walt Rollins" is presented in the Winter Garden, chaired by Peter Warlock: some twenty items using commonplace objects, mostly table magic, praised by Dai Vernon, U.F. ("Gen") Grant and Gene Gordon. At 2.15 and 3.45 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms, Lewis Ganson and Will Ayling present "Movie Magic", with new colour items in magic and puppetry and historical scenes with Nelson Downs, Malini, Blackstone, Thurston, Abbott, Dorny, Chris Charlton and Will Goldston, followed by C. H. Talbot's "The Cardboard Court", a sound colour film on the history of playing cards from the President of the Empire Films Corporation of the U.S.A.; holders of tickets for either lecture session may attend the corresponding film presentation. At 2.30 p.m. the Ladies' Afternoon in the Ballroom of the Grand Hotel features a "Home Decoration" demonstration by Mr. H. Ratcliffe, an Apron Competition (judged at 2 p.m. by Mesdames Graham, Rowe and Anne Warlock), tea, a raffle and bingo. Also on Thursday afternoon the Homes/Hospital Shows take magic to six venues in and around Llandudno: the Llandudno & Anglesey Hospital (Children's Ward), Plas Mariandir Convalescent Home and Plas Gogarth Convalescent Home at 2.30 p.m., and Ysgol Gogarth School for Physically Handicapped Children, Dr. Barnardo's Homes at Arnhall and Dr. Garrett Convalescent Home for Children at Conway at 4.15 p.m., with the I.B.M. Clowns at the first, fourth and fifth. At 7.30 p.m. Alastair introduces the Competition for the British Ring Shield in the Pier Pavilion, judged by Geoffrey Buckingham (Chairman), Thornton Poole, Millicent Cooper, Walter Muller, Burtini, V. H. H. Moore and Professor E. A. Dawes, with Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director, Anthony List as Stage Manager and Jack Potter as Timekeeper. Seventeen acts compete, from Phil Haig of Huddersfield to Geoff Ray and Pat of Shrewsbury. The awards at stake are the New Silver British Ring Shield and Β£10, the Conventioneers Trophy for originality, the Craig Trophy (the Mystic Craig Ladies Trophy) for the best performance by a lady magician, the Theo Speaker Cup and Β£5 for the runner-up, third prize of Β£3, the Tom Harris Cup for comedy with Β£5 5s and the Dittia Shield for manipulation.
Friday 17th September begins at 10 a.m. prompt with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers in the Pier Pavilion (members only), under Chairman Paul Graham, with the Rev. Michael Seacome as Returning Officer; voting papers must be left at the reception desk not later than 4 p.m. on Thursday. At 3 p.m. Peter Warlock presents "The Seven Faces of Magic" in the Pier Pavilion, after a prologue by 'The Voice of Magic': June Merlin (the female face of magic), Anverdi (magical invention), Ron Bishop (children's magic), Maurice Fogel (mentalism), Eric (Nitwit) Williams (comedy in magic), Geoffrey Buckingham (manipulation) and Paul Denver (escapology). The Convention Banquet takes place at the Winter Gardens at 6.30 for 7 p.m., with Mr. J. Bailey as Toastmaster: Iced Melon Maraschino; Cream Asparagus; Fresh Conway Salmon with Cucumber; Fillet English Beef Garni, Sauce Chasseur, Garden Peas and Parmentier Potatoes; Charlotte Russe; Cheese and Biscuits; Coffee. The President proposes The Queen; Edward Love proposes the Llandudno Urban District Council, answered by Councillor W. F. Blackborow; Thornton Poole proposes the British Ring, answered by the President; and Billy McComb proposes The Ladies and Visitors, answered by Syd Brockman, Past President of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians. At 10.30 p.m. the Management presents an Olde Tyme Magic Show in the Pier Pavilion, introduced by Geoffrey Robinson, with David Budd assisted by Miss Rita Budd, Claude Manley, Frank Boynett, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Gabriel, Fred Lowe and Tony Lanman presenting The Great Davanti (with Anthony), Wilfred Tyler, Keith Cooper and Elinor Heslop singing with Mr. McKenzie's salon Orchestra; prizes will be awarded for costumes.
Saturday 18th September starts at 10.30 a.m. with the Micro Magic Contest for the Zina Bennett Trophy in the Ballroom of the Grand Hotel, organised by Fred Lowe, in which table magic without card tricks is judged by Gus Southall, Tom Harris, Sam Hughes, Louis Leslie and De Vega. At the same hour Wilfred Tyler presents Children's Playtime at the Arcadia Theatre, hosted by Roy Hobbs, with the Mackenzie Trio, Drew Masters and Tess, Les Peters, Eddie Dawes and Amy, Hamilton Kaye and Mystere and Jean, and the I.B.M. Clowns and Funny Men led this year by Michael Scott. At mid-day Percy Press auctions all unsold goods on the Welfare Stand, and at 2.30 p.m. Ali Bongo presents "Bongo's Bazaar... An Afternoon of Pongolian Rubbish" in the Assembly Rooms, chaired by Peter Warlock. The International Gala of Magic, arranged by Wm. G. Stickland with stage management by David Scott and Howard Peters and T. Turner Pilling as General Manager, is presented twice in the Pier Pavilion, at 5 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., compered by Billy McComb: Cornel and Monique (Holland) with "Silks Galore", Finn Hauger (Norway) with "The Man with the Floating Ball", the Da Silva Marionettes, Ali Bongo as The Shriek of Araby, and Jeffery Atkins and Company in "Seeing Through a Girl"; then, after the interval, Al Preston and Valerie (Holland) as The Mysterious Fisherman, Ritani (Germany), Vercoe the Tramp on Wheels with Pat Carter at the piano, Edernac (France) with "Symphony on a Single Rope" and Les Andreals (Switzerland), the international illusionists. At midnight in the Ballroom of the Grand Hotel, organised by Ken Green in aid of the British Ring Welfare Fund, The Late Late Comedy Show plays two houses (the first at midnight, the second later), with Ron Betteridge, Ken Brook, Ken de Courcy, Tom Harris, Mo Howarth, Roy Johnson, Ken Kirk, Billy McComb, Oscar Paulson, Budleigh Pepperton, Rex Reader, Geoffrey Robinson, Eric Williams, Ali Bongo and Chris Woodward; admission is free but a collection will be taken.
The Convention closes on Sunday 19th September with the undenominational Convention Service at 10.15 a.m. in the Pier Pavilion, conducted by Ringer the Rev. Michael Seacome, M.A., A.R.C.M., Vicar of Barnwood, Gloucester and Official Chaplain to the British Ring, with a silver collection for the Welfare Fund. At 12.15 p.m. Tommy Rowe is installed as the new President in the Grand Casino Club at the Grand Hotel, followed at 12.30 p.m. by a Cocktail Party under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Dexter, and the close of the Convention. Throughout the week the Welfare Stand in the foyer of the Pavilion Theatre offers dozens of novelties at very reasonable prices, including one penny tickets for bottles of whisky, and members are asked to tell Welfare Officer Eddie Dexter of any sick Ringers.
Event Organisers: Gala Show β Wm. G. Stickland and Jeffery Atkins. Registration β Jeffery Atkins. Souvenir Programme, "The Seven Faces of Magic" and Lectures β Peter Warlock. Publicity β Tommy Rowe. Tombola β Helen Strachan. Olde Tyme Magic Hall β Geoffrey Robinson. Ladies' Afternoon β Mesdames Dexter, Gabriel, Rowe and Warlock. Banquet and Close-Up β Francis Haxton. Shield Competition β Alastair. Films β Will Ayling and Lew Ganson. Children's Playtime and Hospital Shows β Wilfred Tyler. Micro Magic β Fred Lowe. Dealers' Exhibition, Demonstration and Welfare Stand β Eddie Dexter. The Convention Committee comprises Jeffery Atkins, Eddie Dexter, Paul Graham, Francis Haxton, Geoffrey Robinson, Tommy Rowe, Wilfred Tyler and Peter Warlock, with Wm. G. Stickland as Organising Convention Secretary. The Stewards are Dr. E. McF. McKee (Chief Steward), Jock Armitage, Harry H. Benson, Oscar Paulson, J. G. Tattersall, Jack Griggs, Gilbert K. Barker, Cecil V. Tebbet, Trixie Queen, J. Leckie, Robert E. Scott and G. R. Wright. The Officers of the British Ring are President Paul Graham, President-elect Tommy Rowe, Hon. Secretary Wm. G. Stickland, Hon. Treasurer H. J. (Jeffery) Atkins, Hon. Solicitor Donald Crombie, Hon. Librarian Bill West and Hon. Editor of "The Budget" Ken de Courcy. Greetings printed in the programme look forward to the 1966 Convention at Hastings.