The 7th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 4th–6th June 1937 in Buxton, Derbyshire, with Convention Headquarters at the Spa Hotel and the Saturday evening Grand Magical Entertainment at the Opera House. Under the presidency of the Ring’s Founder, Oswald Rae, the weekend opens on Friday with a Reception and the Opening Dinner, attended by the Mayor of Buxton; continues on Saturday with the Official Group Photograph, a Blindfold Walk along the Parapet of The Crescent, a lecture by Ling Foo, the afternoon Magical Entertainment and, at 8.0pm, the Grand Magical Entertainment at the Opera House, compèred by Oswald Rae; and closes on Sunday with the General Meeting, an entertainment by the Leicester Magic Circle and the Farewell Luncheon.
The British Ring welcomes members and visitors to its Seventh Annual Convention, held at Buxton, Derbyshire, from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th June 1937. The Official Souvenir Programme lists the Ring’s officers: Oswald Rae (President); Herbert J. Collings, David Devant, Gus Fowler, Les. Levante and Jasper Maskelyne (Vice-Presidents); a Committee of Stanley Cable, Archie Tear, Harry Kaye, Walter Kemp and J. Milton Woodward; and Wm. G. Stickland, “The Wand”, Dudsbury Crescent, Ferndown, Dorset, as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. Portraits introduce Oswald Rae, Founder and President of the British Ring; Wm. G. Stickland, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer; Harry Kaye, Member of Committee and Hon. Stage Director of all programmes; and The Great Levante, Vice-President and Star Performer at Saturday Evening’s Magical Entertainment.
Convention Headquarters is the Spa Hotel, Buxton, where special terms for delegates are 32/- inclusive from Dinner on Friday to Lunch on Sunday, with Bed and Breakfast at 8/6. All members and visitors are requested to register at the Spa Hotel on arrival, when they will receive a Convention Badge and Official Programme, and Messrs. Ralph Chart and J. Milton Woodward will be there to welcome delegates. The registration fee for non-members is 2/6, to include Badge and Programme, and Convention announcements will be posted on a Notice Board at Headquarters. Non-members are invited to join the British Ring, with membership forms available during the Convention and particulars from the Secretary.
The Convention opens on Friday 4th June at 6.30pm with a Reception at Headquarters by the President and Mrs. Rae. At 7.0pm the Opening Dinner takes place at the Spa Hotel, to be attended by His Worship the Mayor of Buxton (Councillor Wm. Shipton), with Oswald Rae, Esq., in the Chair; tickets are 4/6 to non-residents at the Hotel. The toasts are The King, proposed by the Chairman; The Borough of Buxton, proposed by Oswald Rae with the response by the Mayor; and The British Ring, proposed by Councillor A. J. Potter with the response by Les. Levante. At 8.30pm a Magical Entertainment follows in the Hotel Ballroom, with John Ramsay (“Ayrial Magic”), M. Wingate Kirk (Magic and Ventriloquism), Djinn in “Magic of To-morrow”, J. Milton Woodward (“The Leamington Magician”), Donald G. Crombie (“The Magical Connoisseur”) and Oswald Rae (“The Bewildering Humourist”).
Saturday 5th June begins at 11.0am with the Official Group Photograph, taken outside the Hotel, and at 11.45am Paul Graham will walk blindfolded along the Parapet of The Crescent. At 12.15pm Ling Foo gives a Lecture with Demonstrations on “Hypnotism” in the Ballroom (engagements permitting). Artistes appearing in the Opera House programme are asked to note that the Conductor of the Orchestra will be in attendance at the Opera House at 12 noon to meet performers. At 3.0pm a Magical Entertainment in the Ballroom brings Douglas Swanson (“Magic from Scotland”), Eric Williams (“Magic & Laughs”), Wilfred Hubbard (“The Man with the Card Index Mind”), Robert Caudwell (The Young Ayr Wizard), J. E. Stone (Tricky Tricks) and others. At 4.0pm the Spa Manager, J. E. Boddington, Esq., invites the ladies to meet him at the Natural Baths to inspect the Sea Bathing Establishments.
At 8.0pm the Opera House, Buxton, hosts the Grand Magical Entertainment, in aid of Buxton Hospital Funds, compèred by Oswald Rae, “The Bewildering Humourist”. After a Selection by the Orchestra, the first half presents Raoul (“Le Magicien Français”, “Wonders without Words”); Paul Graham (“The Man with Double Vision”); Wm. G. Stickland, The Wessex Wizard, assisted by Poppy Gwynne, in “Amusement and Amazement”; The Robinson Twins, Speciality Dancers; Leslie Wilson (“The Polite Deceiver”); and Yung Len Tu, The Royal Master Chinese Illusionist, presenting a Feast of Oriental Splendour. After the Interval come Archie Tear (The Ace of Card Manipulators); J. Milton Woodward (“The Leamington Magician”); Culley & Gofton (Broadcasters of Broadgrins); H. Park Shackleton (The Bradford Magician); and, as the finale, The Great Levante, The World-Famous Australian Illusionist, closing with The King. The Buxton Amateur Orchestra plays under the direction of Mr. C. J. Lockett, and Harry Kaye directs the stage. Capt. F. S. Holmes, Opera House, Buxton, is Booking Agent for the public show; admission is Reserved: Orchestra Stalls 5/-, Stalls 3/6, Pit Stalls 2/6, Dress Circle 4/- and 3/6; Unreserved: Pit 1/6, Upper Circle 1/-, Gallery 6d.
The Convention closes on Sunday 6th June at the Spa Hotel with the General Meeting for members only at 10.30am. At noon a Magical Entertainment is kindly arranged and presented by the Leicester Magic Circle, with Cyraldo (Magic that is Different), Wilfred Hubbard (The Man with the Card Index Mind), Eddie Ward (“The Official Deceiver of Leicester”), Wm. Francis (“Speaks for Himself and Fumbles wif Fimbles”), Cecil Tebbitt (The Loughborough Legerdemaniac), Charles Harrison (The Mystifying Magician from Long Eaton) and Betty Taylor in Syncopated Pianism. The Farewell Luncheon follows at 1.15pm.
The Souvenir Programme also carries practical information for visitors. Its Railway Facilities page lists services to Buxton from St. Pancras (departures at 8.25am, 10.25am, 12.25pm, 2.25pm and 4.25pm), Liverpool and Manchester. Other hotels are the Old Hall Hotel at 15/- per day, the Pavilion Private Hotel at 20/- for the period and the Argyle Private Hotel at 25/- for the period. The programme closes with a message from the President, Officers and Members of the British Ring, expressing to the Mayor and Corporation of Buxton, J. E. Boddington, Esq. (Spa Manager), Councillor Potter (Chairman of the Hospital Committee) and the Press their sincere appreciation of their great hospitality, valuable co-operation and generous assistance in connection with the Convention, and thanking also the Artistes, the Leicester Magic Circle and others who have given valuable assistance.
