I.B.M. British Ring 23rd Annual Convention 1959

The 23rd Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 16th–20th September 1959 in Buxton, with Convention Headquarters at the Winter Gardens, the Palace as Headquarters Hotel, and events at the Playhouse Theatre, the Pavilion, the Opera House and the Royal Devonshire Hospital. Under the presidency of Archie Tear, with the Mayor of Buxton, Councillor J. E. Hawley, J.P., sending his welcome and International President Reeder C. Hutchinson sending his greetings, the week brings together overseas visitors from Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, India, Nigeria, Sweden, the U.S.A., the West Indies and Yugoslavia for the Grand Dealers’ Exhibition and Trade Fair, ‘Youth Takes a Bow’, the Civic Reception, Ball & Cabaret, Close-Up Magic Sessions, the Magicians’ TV Workshop, the Mammoth Dealers’ Demonstration, the Ladies’ Tea Party and Hospital Show, the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, the Micro Magic Contest for the Zina Bennett Trophy, the Annual General Meeting, the Convention Banquet, Children’s Playtime, Peter Warlock’s lecture-demonstration ‘Take Your Pick’, the Grand International Gala of Magic at the Opera House and the midnight New Era Magic Co., closing on Sunday with the Convention Service, Percy Abbott’s talk ‘Down Memory Lane’ and the Installation of Wilfred Tyler as the new President.

President Archie Tear welcomes all members and visitors to the 23rd Annual Convention — the third to be held in Buxton, following those of 1937 and 1947, both of which he attended — and expects the splendid programme of International Magic, lectures and other events to give everyone a most enjoyable and memorable time. Recalling the very first Convention, held in Prof. Bofey’s garden at Cheltenham in 1931 when the Ring was a handful of keen and enthusiastic members, he has seen the British Ring grow from strength to strength, with the Annual Conventions breaking records year after year. On behalf of all members he thanks the tireless and efficient Hon. Secretary, Wm. G. Stickland, the members of the Convention Committee and everyone whose efforts have been directed for so long to make the Convention possible, and extends warmest thanks to the Mayor and Council of Buxton and the Publicity Manager for the facilities placed at the Convention’s disposal. The Mayor of Buxton, J. E. Hawley, writing from the Mayor’s Parlour in June 1959, is delighted that the British Ring has chosen his health-giving town for its 23rd Annual Convention, hopes delegates will find time to explore the town and the charm and natural beauty of the Peak countryside, and trusts they will return to Buxton in the not too distant future. The International President of the I.B.M., Reeder C. Hutchinson, sends greetings to the British Ring, reminding members that the I.B.M. is an international, world-wide organisation of magicians with 161 Rings and over 5,000 members on every continent and in more than 40 countries; a brotherhood whose members come from widely diversified walks of life and whose highest aims are to promote better understanding between individuals and nations; and a company of devotees of an ancient art and craft.

Overseas visitors are welcomed from Australia (Charles Wicks, International Vice-President, I.B.M. Australia), Belgium (Stewart Revers, Max Henry, President of the Magic Circle of Belgium (Ghent), Claude Isbeque (Klingsor), Secretary of the Cercle Belge d’Illusionisme, Claude Rix, Dubois d’Enghien, Marcel Macha, Secretary of the Magic Circle of Belgium (Ghent), and Monarque), Czechoslovakia (Mazakian and Partner), Cyprus (Dr. Peri G. Theodorides), Denmark (Haakon Edeling), France (Georges Farhat and Partner and Jean Poisson), Germany (O. Mence and H. R. V. Heldt), Holland (Henk Vermeyden, President of F.I.S.M.), Hungary (G. Kovari), India (M. H. Gareh), Nigeria (George Fowler), Sweden (Bengt Bergoo and Thure Scholin — Mr. O’Kay), the U.S.A. (Percy Abbott, Dr. and Mrs. Zina Bennett, and Nardini and Nadyne), the West Indies (George Day) and Yugoslavia (Repovitch Dezider). Convention Headquarters is the Winter Gardens and the Headquarters Hotel is the Palace. Events are announced on the fixture boards at the Registration Office and Convention H.Q., with a blackboard for any alterations or special announcements; official Convention hosts (distinguished by ‘Ask Me’ rosettes) are on duty and are particularly anxious to help newcomers, and the Stewards will gladly give information on any event. Two Registration Desks are open throughout the Convention at advertised hours — one for delegates who have previously registered and the other for those registering at the Convention — and delegates are asked to wear their Convention badge, as the rule ‘Admission only by badge’ will be strictly enforced. The badge admits the wearer to all events except the public shows and the Banquet.

The Convention opens on Wednesday 16th September. The Grand Dealers’ Exhibition and Trade Fair, held in the Restaurant of the Pavilion Gardens with eighteen dealers exhibiting, runs from Wednesday to Sunday: 9am–8.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 11.30am–6.30pm on Friday (the later opening allows members to attend the Annual General Meeting, and the 6.30pm closing allows dealers to attend the Banquet) and 9am until mid-day on Sunday. The Dealers’ Trophy, presented by Mystic Craig for the most attractive stand and currently held by Chavel’s Magic, is judged on Thursday 17th at 9am by Ernest Hill of Ernest Hill, Gentlemen’s Outfitters, Buxton. From Wednesday to Friday Robert Johnson presents the Magicians’ TV Workshop in the Chatsworth Room of the Palace Hotel, where Ringers can rehearse their new season’s acts in front of the latest closed-circuit television equipment on the 625-line standard, supplied by E.M.I. Electronics Ltd. At 3.15pm in the Playhouse Theatre ‘Youth Takes a Bow’ presents a programme by some of the Ring’s promising young members — Kovari from Hungary, Elizabeth Warlock, Hedley Fawcett & Vilma, Brenda and David Budd & Rita — compèred by John Salisse with the Tommy Whitefoot Trio. At 5.15pm the first Close-Up Magic Session, organised by Francis Haxton and Fred Lowe, takes place at the Pavilion with Jack Avis, Bengt Bergoo, George Blake, Tom Harris, Francis Haxton, Fred Lowe, Bill Patrick, John Ramsay, Claude Rix, Gus Southall, Peter Warlock and His Honour Ernest Wethered (repeated on Friday and Saturday at 11.30am). From 8.30pm to 12.30am at the Palace Hotel the Mayor and Mayoress of Buxton, Councillor J. E. Hawley, J.P. and Mrs. Hawley, give the Civic Reception, Ball & Cabaret (reception 8.30pm–9pm, when the overseas visitors are introduced; evening dress), with dancing to Tommy Whitefoot and his Orchestra and a cabaret of Nadyne (‘A Fantasy in Smoke’), The Gaunt Brothers (‘Radio and TV’s Topical Twosome’) and Haakon Edeling, Magician to the Royal Danish Court. A Tombola in aid of the Benevolent Fund is arranged by George Smallwood and Margaret Wilson, and the Welfare Stand offers dozens of novelties at very reasonable prices.

Thursday 17th September begins with the judging of the Dealers’ Trophy at 9am. At 10am the Mammoth Dealers’ Demonstration, arranged and announced by Eddie Dexter, takes place in the Playhouse Theatre (adjoining the Winter Gardens), with thirteen dealers each given a ten-minute slot, from Lewis Ganson at 10.00am to Dick Chavel at 12.24pm; a bell is sounded at nine minutes and the curtains close at ten. The programme notes that there are no events of any kind on the Thursday afternoon, allowing more time for delegates to visit the exhibition. At 2.15pm the Committee invites the ladies to a Ladies’ Tea Party in the Ballroom of the Palace Hotel, with a Grand Bingo Drive of eight games, Elizabeth describing her visit to the I.B.M./S.A.M. Convention at Chicago, a programme of magic by Magiciennes, competitions and afternoon tea; the stewards for the afternoon are Poppy Stickland, Mollie Dexter and Elizabeth Warlock. At 3pm a Hospital Show presented by Wilfred Tyler and compèred by Paul Graham is held at the Royal Devonshire Hospital, Buxton, with Ralph Hall and Molly, Tom Harris, Ken De Courcy, Geoffrey Robinson, Eddie Dawes and Amy and Stuart Good, with Cyril Brighton (Cyro) as Stage Manager and Close-Up Magic arranged by Francis Haxton. At 8pm in the Pavilion Oscar Paulson introduces the Competition for the New Silver British Ring Shield, with twenty-seven entrants judged by Claude Chandler, De Vega, Graham Adams, Geoffrey Buckingham, W. Brook Auty (Buxton Publicity Officer), Miss Jean Rook (Woman Editor, Sheffield Telegraph) and Oscar Paulson (Chairman of Judges), with Mo Howarth as Stage Manager assisted by Colin Cook and Ken Green, Alfred Gabriel as Musical Director and Jack Potter as Timekeeper. After the competition comes Midnight Magic — informal magic at the Palace Hotel.

Friday 18th September opens at 10am prompt with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers at the Palace Hotel (members only), with Archie Tear in the Chair; printed agendas are handed to each member and voting papers must be left at the Reception Desk not later than 4pm on Thursday 17th September. The Harry Kaye Memorial Album will be on view at the Registration Desk, and all members and visitors are invited to record their names in it as a token of respect and remembrance of the late brother Ringer. A Close-Up Session follows at 11.30am in the Pavilion, and at 2.15pm in the Pavilion the Micro Magic Contest for the Zina Bennett Trophy is judged by Henk Vermeyden, Charles Wicks, Ian McGregor Muir and His Honour Ernest Wethered (the Convention Announcements page lists the contest at 2.30pm in the Foyer). The Convention Banquet takes place at the Palace Hotel at 6.30pm for 7pm, with Paul Graham as Toastmaster and incidental music by Tommy Whitefoot and his Orchestra; the menu is Chilled Melon, Asparagus Soup, Sole Veronique, Roast Norfolk Turkey with Chipolata, Game Chips, Garden Peas and Roast and Parsley Potatoes, Magicians’ Surprise and Coffee. The toasts are The Queen (proposed by the President), The Borough of Buxton (proposed by F. A. Carter, Esq., with the response by the Mayor of Buxton, Councillor J. E. Hawley), The British Ring, I.B.M. (proposed by Robert Nardini, Esq. (U.S.A.), with the response by the President) and The Ladies and Visitors (proposed by Frank Boynett, Esq., with the response by M. Max Henry of Belgium). At 9pm those not attending the Banquet are invited to dancing in the Hotel Ballroom to the music of Tommy Whitefoot and his Orchestra; at 11pm the President presents the British Ring Shield and Trophies, followed by dancing until midnight; and at 12.15am the Back-Room Boys present ‘Meet the Committee’ — Wilfred Tyler, Lewis Ganson, Tom Harris, Peter Warlock, Francis Haxton and George Blake — compèred by Geoffrey Robinson.

Saturday 19th September starts at 10.30am with Children’s Playtime at the Playhouse Theatre, presented by Wilfred Tyler, with games, magic, competitions, ventriloquism, prizes and juggling: the Billy Butler Trio provide the overture, and Jack Ambrose, Uncle Percy Press (who will be interrupted by Joey), Sam Patience, La Ray, Idris and Belle and Harold Beaumont appear, with Uncle Tom Harris, Fred Wiles, Will Norman, Masko and E. Jackson Laurie as the Clowns and Funny Men, Cyril Brighton (Cyro) as Stage Manager and Roy Harrison as Business Manager. A Close-Up Session follows at 11.30am in the Pavilion. At 2.30pm prompt in the Playhouse Theatre Peter Warlock gives a lecture-demonstration entitled ‘Take Your Pick, or Tricks for Everyman’, with William G. Stickland in the Chair. The Grand International Gala of Magic takes place at the Opera House, Buxton, at 5pm and 8.30pm: the programme, arranged by Wm. G. Stickland and Jeffery Atkins and compèred by Les Henning with Paul Graham as Stage Manager, features Tommy Whitefoot and his Orchestra, The Skating Royals, Bengt Bergoo, Bernard Hughes & Sheila, Marjorie Waddell, Nardini & Nadyne, Alfred Gabriel & Cecilia, Strevello, Eduard Mazakian & Partner, Percy Abbott and Georges Farhat et Partenaire (the programme is subject to alteration). At midnight at the Headquarters Hotel the ‘British Ring’ Underground Movement presents the annual demonstration of the New Era Magic Co., with Geoffrey Robinson as Managing Director and a colour film with sound commentary on the New Era Organisation (admission free, with a silver collection for the Welfare Fund), and magical film entertainment by Will Norman before or after.

The Convention closes on Sunday 20th September. The Dealers’ Exhibition is open from 9am until mid-day; at 10.30am a special undenominational Convention Service is held at the Pavilion, conducted by Ringer the Revd. Michael Seacome, M.A., A.R.C.M., Vicar of Barnwood, Gloucester, with service sheets provided and a silver collection for the Welfare Fund; at 11am in the Playhouse Theatre the celebrated American dealer Percy Abbott gives a talk, ‘Down Memory Lane’, with Peter Warlock in the Chair; and at 12.15pm in the Palace Hotel a Cocktail Party under the direction of Eddie and Mollie Dexter is followed at 12.45pm by the Installation of Wilfred Tyler as the new President. Au revoir until we meet in 1960.

Greetings to the Convention are sent by the International Brotherhood of Magicians (International President Reeder C. Hutchinson, 1st Vice President Harris A. Solomon, 2nd Vice President C. L. Schmitt, International Secretary A. L. Baldwin, M.D., International Treasurer Thomas A. Dowd and Linking Ring Editor Alvin R. Plough, with Wm. G. Stickland as International Vice President for Britain and Jeffery Atkins as Territorial Vice President for England), by Charles Wicks of Melbourne, by Dr. and Mrs. Zina Bennett of Detroit, and by many Ringers and friends; and The Magic Circle invites everyone to continue the magical ‘Merry-Go-Round’ at its Festival of Magic at the Scala Theatre, London, 12th–17th October. The British Ring’s officers for the year are President Archie Tear and President-Elect Wilfred Tyler, with Wm. G. Stickland as Hon. Secretary and Hon. Organising Secretary, Jeffery Atkins as Hon. Treasurer, Bill West as Hon. Librarian, Ken De Courcy as Hon. Editor, Donald Crombie as Hon. Solicitor and Eddie Dexter as Welfare Officer; the Convention Committee comprises Jeffery Atkins, Eddie Dexter, Paul Graham, Francis Haxton, Robert Johnson, Geoffrey Robinson, Wilfred Tyler and Peter Warlock. Event stewards include Jeffery Atkins (Registration), Francis Haxton (Banquet and Close-Up Magic, with Fred Lowe), Peter Warlock (Souvenir Programme and Lectures), Eddie Dexter (Dealers’ Exhibition and Cocktail Party, with Mollie Dexter), George Smallwood and Margaret Wilson (Tombola), Wilfred Tyler (Children’s Playtime and Hospital Shows), Captain J. Turner (General Meeting and Chief Steward), Poppy Stickland, Mollie Dexter and Elizabeth Warlock (Ladies’ Afternoon), Wm. G. Stickland and Jeffery Atkins (Gala Show), Robert Johnson and Clare Field (Publicity and T.V. Workshop), Oscar Paulson (Shield Competition), Rev. Michael Seacome (Returning Officer) and Will Norman (Magic Films), with Joe Turner as Head Steward.