If you’re going to this years IBM British Ring Convention then don’t forget your passport!

Registration Officer John Palfreyman has arranged for all conventioneers to receive the Southport Passport.

This handy little booklet contains an assortment of vouchers. Some restaurants are offering a free glass of wine whilst others offer a free bottle! There also dining vouchers for up to 25% off meals at some local establishments.

A handy town centre street map is also included in this worthwhile publication. The convention is a very packed programme but if you have time for a short diversion from magic you can have a buy one get one free game at Premier Bowl and Laser.

The International Brotherhood Of Magicians, British Ring No. 25, 75th Convention takes place 22nd – 25th September 2011 in Southport.

Further details can be found at www.magicconvention.co.uk or by telephoning the Registration Officer, John Palfreyman on 01743 792090

Steve Evans has released the names of the competitors for the IBM British Ring Convention Close Up Competition as follows:

Rob James (Bristol), Marcus Taylor (Shrewsbury), Russell Levinson (London), Michael Neto (Glasgow), Mel Harvey (Wellesbourne), Stephen Ablett (Stockport) Mark Shortland (Northampton), Matthew Wright (Burnley), Alex Hansford (Plymouth), Malcolm Bromwich (Hessle), Paul Ingram (Rhyl), Steve Dela (Chislehurst).

The first prize is the Zina Bennett Trophy and £1,000, second prize £500 and third prize £250. The Rovi Trophy may also be awarded.

The International Brotherhood Of Magicians, British Ring No. 25, 75th Convention takes place 22nd – 25th September 2011 in Southport. Further details can be found at www.magicconvention.co.uk or by telephoning the Registration Officer, John Palfreyman on 01743 792090

This annual event arranged by Shirley Ray sees Steve Evans return as compere where 10 performers will compete for the top prize of £1,000 and the British Ring Shield. (second prize, £500 third prize, £250 and other trophies may be won) The event will be held on Saturday night 24th September at 8.00pm in the Southport Theatre.

The order of appearance is: First half: Dave Andrews - London, Nick Barnes – Congleton, Tim Shoesmith – Welwyn Garden City, Peter Stewart Fitchett (Jock Mac’Jishun) – Grange over Sands and Mark Shortland – Northampton.

Second half: Jay Gatling (Elemental) – Gwynedd, Matthew Wright – Burnley, Ta na manga (Inspirato) –Portugal, Mandy Fletcher (Ianthe) Glasgow, Mel Harvey – Warwick.

The competition is organised by Shirley Ray assisted by Dave Cass and the stage manager is Neil Roberts.

The Judging panel chaired by John Palfreyman consists of Brian Lead, Anthony Darkstone Brook, Vanni Pulé (IBM President) Stuart Loughland (Safire), Jayne Loughland (Safire) Don Beattie (Chief Steward) Keith Cooper (IBM British Ring President)

The presentation of awards will take place directly after he competition followed by the installation of Brian Miller to serve as President of The IBM British Ring for 2011/2012.

The International Brotherhood Of Magicians, British Ring No. 25, 75th Convention takes place 22nd – 25th September 2011 in Southport.

Further details can be found at www.magicconvention.co.uk or by telephoning the Registration Officer, John Palfreyman on 01743 792090

For this year’s More History of Mystery at the IBM British Ring convention in Southport, on Saturday afternoon (24th September) Eddie Dawes will present a programme of speakers who will cover three interesting and very contrasting topics.  One of the important magical centenaries of 2011, and certainly the most tragic, is the death of The Great Lafayette in the fire that occurred on 9 May at the Edinburgh Empire Palace Theatre, and which also cost the lives of nine members of his company. Even in death, mystery abounded when the body initially sent to the crematorium turned out not to be that of Lafayette.

Over the years much has been written about this eccentric magician, including two new books in 2011, while Will Goldston described him in a phrase that our first speaker, Brian Lead, employs in the title of his talk.   Brian, who in the past has written articles on Lafayette, will relate his recent research under the title of ‘The Tragic Deaths of Lafayette, The Most Hated Magician Who Ever Lived’.

David Devant is widely acclaimed as England’s finest conjurer and his name is forever linked with that of J.N.Maskelyne, initially as a member of his Egyptian Hall Company and for ten years his partner at St George’s Hall.  Devant was the first President of The Magic Circle (1905-06) and donated his personal library and collection of posters, photographs, press albums and ephemera to the new Society, whose current Archivist, David Hibberd, has for some years been working assiduously to catalogue and organise this treasure trove of material. David will be presenting and commenting on a selection of photographs from the large Devant archive under the title of ‘A Glimpse of the David Devant Collection of Photographs from The Magic Circle Archive’.

Several years ago, in Eddie’s programme at a Southport Convention, Jon Marshall spoke on Sideshows having a magical theme. Since 2004 Jon and his Sideshow Illusions team have restored seven of showman Jon Gresham’s 1950s sideshows, including, the Girl in the Goldfishbowl, The Mummy, The Headless Lady and the Butterfly Girl. In this illustrated talk on ’Secrets of the Sideshows’. Jon will describe how this has been achieved and how many of the illusion principles used date back to the 1860s and still thrill and amaze audiences today.

The convention is from 22nd – 25th September 2011 and details are on magicconvention.co.uk

Linking Britain is a new book just completed by IBM British Ring member Roy Field documenting the history of the society. This A4 publication of about 30,000 words is double columned with approx 60 pages and 70 plus illustrations. It tells of the first edition of the Budget in 1929 and the 14 editors who have produced it through the years. Information is there from the first convention in Cheltenham in 1931 through to modern times. These are classified into gala shows, competitions, late night shows etc in over the 80 years of existence.

It goes on sale at the special price of £10 at the British Ring convention in Southport (22nd – 25th September). It is sure to be a welcome addition to the library of any magician. Roy is a retired chartered librarian who has researched the material well and brought Linking Britain out to celebrate the 75th convention of the British Ring. If any family or friends approach you with “What is this British Ring we hear about?” then let them read (or buy a copy of) Linking Britain.

Convention details are on www.magicconvention.co.uk

Anthony Darkstone Brook (also known as Tony Brook) will appear at the British Ring convention this year in the role of a talk show host with guests Jason Andrews, Shawn Farquahar, Joe M. Turner and Michael Finney. Tony is very experienced in this field having produced many similar activities in the United States for The Society of American Magicians and other overseas institutions.

This Portugal based American has many other talents including those of a performer, author, producer and broadcaster. The event has all the hallmarks of a very interesting part of the convention and Tony promises a special surprise finale.

The convention runs from 22nd – 25th September 2011 with other top names are yet to be announced so keep in touch with the British Ring on www.magicconvention.co.uk or www.britishring.org.uk