British Ring's 72nd Convention.  And what a Convention it is going to be! If it were possible to solicit an opinion of this years Convention from those 92 pioneering magicians who gathered at Charlton Kings Cheltenham in 1931 inaugurating the very first British Ring Convention we would predict it to be one word...... unbelievable. (read more )

Due to the untimely death of President Derek McFaull, Past President John Styles MBE has graciously agreed to take over the Presidential duties at the Convention.  He will preside over all events until the installation of Trevor Lewis as Ring President for 2008-2009 after the presentation of awards on the Friday evening.

The line-up of talent is simply amazing and so is the registration list of attendees. We are delighted to confirm that the International President of the IBM Joan Caesar and her husband George (Canada) will be joining us in Eastbourne. We now learn that the President of FISM, Eric Eswin, will also be attending.  Eric's presence gives a great boost to the prestige of the British Ring and in particular it's Convention and indicates the esteem it is held in the world.  In addition the Organizing Committee of next years FISM in Beijing are sending two representatives, Ms Zou Yuhua and Ms Ma Jie.  We suspect they are coming to hear the vocal talents of John Styles leading the singing in the musical interlude at the Banquet.  We are always pleased to welcome back the large contingent of Dutch magicians who regularly join us in Eastbourne.  Many ex-pat magicians from other European counties are returning for this year's Convention and bringing fellow magicians from their adopted country with them.  From down under, Allan Sullivan, Steve Walker and Co make the journey from Australia and it will be good to have The Great Notso (Bill Seagraves) and Marie from New Zealand back to these shores for a visit.  

When you study the convention program you will notice that none of the lectures are being repeated but in certain instances the timing of lectures coincide.  It is the view of Paul Stone, Executive Convention Director that it is better to have more lectures and offer a choice than have fewer lectures and hope everyone will like them.

So who will be appearing in Eastbourne? Gene Anderson • John Archer • Jon Armstrong • Mike Bent • Jason Byrne • Tony Chapek • Raymond Crowe • Eddie Dawes • Derek DelGaudio • Geoffrey Durham • Nick Einhorn • Jason England • Glenn Farrington • Roy Field • Michael Finney • Paul Freeman • Denny Haney • Terry Herbert • Bill Herz • Jeff Hobson • Guy Hollingworth • Mark Kalin & Jinger • Bob Kohler • Levent • Richard McDougall • Mel Mellers • Mark Mitton • Oscar Munoz • Norm Nielson • John Palfreyman • Mark Raffles • Safire • Jonathan Shotton • Claudius Specht • Michael Symes • Juan Tamariz • Michael Webber • Paul Wilson

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For magicians whatever their status whether it be professional, semi-professional, amateur or hobbyist, the Convention should be more than just watching, listening and learning. Writing in the Ring's magazine The Budget, Ali  Bongo asks if magicians have forgotten what Conventions are all about. By definition he goes on to say "it is a  coming together, in our case a gathering of like minded souls who perform, watch, buy, sell, discuss and love magic.  An assembly of enthusiasts who want to meet friends they may not have  seen for years, to chat, to reminisce, to swap ideas, to grumble about the way things are in the world" in other words to socialize and be together for the common good.

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