The 20th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 12thâ16th September 1956 in Brighton, with Convention Headquarters at the Hotel Metropole and events at The Dome, the Bedford Hotel, the West Pier Pavilion and Peter Robinson Ltd. Under the presidency of Eddie Dexter, with His Worship the Mayor of Brighton, Councillor Lewis C. Cohen, J.P., extending his greetings and International President Chauncey M. Sheridan his best wishes, the week brings together overseas visitors from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Holland, Sweden and the U.S.A. for the Official Opening, North v. South, âThis Is Your Worldâ, the Grand Dealersâ Exhibition and Demonstration, U. F. Grantâs film lecture âGrantâs Magical Treasuresâ, the Civic Reception and Ball, International Magic, the Competition for the British Ring Shield, the Grand Convention Banquet, Childrenâs Playtime, Lewis Gansonâs âSee A Trick in Colourâ, the Grand Gala Show and The New Era Magic Co.âs midnight demonstration, closing on Sunday with the Convention Service, Stanley Thomasâs âRelics and Recollectionsâ and the Installation of Jeffery Atkins as the new President.
President Eddie Dexter offers a sincere welcome to the twentieth Annual Convention of the British Ring to members, their friends and all their many guests. He thanks the organising Honorary Secretary, Bill Stickland, and the Convention Committee for the programme they have prepared, notes that the Committee has faced the seemingly insuperable task of surpassing the superb Convention held in Brighton two years ago, and thanks the Mayor and Corporation of Brighton and the hotel management and staff, who â unlike with any other convention â are called upon for great tests of endurance. New members are asked to notice the âHands of Friendshipâ on the badge, a sign that fellow Brothers are always ready to welcome them, and to those absent through sickness the President says: âGod bless you. Get well soon!â His Worship the Mayor of Brighton, Councillor Lewis C. Cohen, J.P., writes that Brighton still has happy recollections of the 1954 meeting, is very pleased that the Ring has chosen the town again, and that he and the Mayoress look forward to meeting members personally at the civic reception on 13th September. International President Chauncey M. Sheridan sends a brief message from the officers and members of the I.B.M. who are unable to attend, wishing the most successful convention yet.
Overseas visitors are welcomed from Australia (Charles Wicks, International Vice-President for Australia and President of the Melbourne Ring, and Percy Boden), Belgium (Stewart Revers, Daurie, Max Henry, Pavano and W. G. Muller), Canada (John Giordmaine), Denmark (Haakon Edeling), Holland (Henk Vermeyden and Tonny Van Dommelen), Sweden (Nils Simonson, Helge Widstrom and El Wido) and the U.S.A. (Dr. Zina Bennett, Mystic Craig â I.B.M. Ambassador of Goodwill â Tom Hawbecker and Coke Cecil), with Les AndrĂ©or of France and The Amazing Chang appearing in the Gala. Dr. Zina Bennett writes that for two long years she has awaited the moment when she would again set foot on the British Isles, and hopes this time to meet everyone she failed to meet in 1954.
Wednesday 12th September opens with the Registration Desks at the Hotel Metropole and the first day of the Grand Dealersâ Exhibition (Pillar Hall and Octagon Room, Wednesday to Sunday), a publicity exercise in telepathy in the streets of Brighton between the Mayor and Fabulous June, and at 3pm in The Dome the Official Opening by the President, with the Mayor present and a benediction from the Rev. Canon Louis A. Ewart. At 3.45pm comes a five-a-side Magical Battle, North v. South, presented by George Blake and Jeff Atkins and judged by John Giordmaine, Percy Boden, Tom Hawbecker, Mystic Craig and Stewart Revers, and at 8.30pm Peter Warlock presents âThis Is Your Worldâ with dancing, the introduction of overseas visitors, âRound in Sixtyâ and magic by The Great Levante, with Voltaire as Master of Ceremonies and music by Ken Lyonâs Orchestra. Midnight Magic, arranged by Francis Haxton, follows in the Winter Garden.
Thursday brings judging of the Dealersâ Trophy at 9.45am and the Grand Dealersâ Demonstration in the Ballroom from 10.30am, U. F. Grantâs film lecture âGrantâs Magical Treasuresâ at the Bedford Hotel at 2.30pm, a Max Factor Cosmetic Demonstration for the ladies in the Winter Garden, Sessions of Close-Up Magic at 5.30pm and, at 8pm in The Dome, the Civic Reception and Ball given by the Mayor and Mayoress with cabaret by Jimmy Rogers and his Doves and Reg. Hyde and dancing until 1am. Friday begins with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers (members only), followed at 11.30am by International Magic in the Clarence Room, at 2pm prompt by Oscar Paulsonâs Competition for the British Ring Shield with twenty entrants, at 3pm by the ladiesâ fashion show and afternoon tea at Peter Robinson Ltd., and at 7.0 for 7.30pm by the Grand Convention Banquet, with Celluloid Sorcery, After Dinner Entertainment and Midnight Magic by the Zodiac Magical Society to follow.
Saturday offers Wilfred Tylerâs Childrenâs Playtime at the West Pier Pavilion, close-up sessions at 10.30am, noon and 5.30pm, Lewis Gansonâs âSee A Trick in Colourâ at 2.45pm and a third showing of the Grant film at 6pm, with the Grand Gala Show at The Dome at 2.30pm and 7.45pm, Mystic Craigâs film âHi-Lites of Miamiâ at 11.30pm and The New Era Magic Co.âs demonstration at midnight. On Sunday the Convention Service is conducted by Canon Ewart at 10am, Stanley Thomas gives âRelics and Recollectionsâ at 11am, and a Cocktail Party is followed at 12.45pm by the Installation of Jeffery Atkins as the new President â au revoir until Scarborough in 1957. Throughout the week the Harry Kaye Memorial Album is on view at the Registration Desk and the Giant Tombola, arranged by George Smallwood and Helene Strachan, raises funds for the Benevolent Fund; the Convention Badge admits delegates to all events excepting public shows and the banquet.
