9 things to look out for at the Game Fair 2018
The world’s largest countryside show, the Game Fair, takes place at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire on 27-29 July.
Here are nine suggestions for your to-do list if you’re attending the 60th anniversary event.
1. Shoot a four-bore
You might be a dab-hand with a 12-bore, but if you’ve never fired one of these antique guns before, here’s your chance.
You will find the Bath Muzzle and Historic Breech Loaders Association on the Shooting Line which, stretching 585m, is Europe’s longest and includes competitions, have-a-go booths and demonstrations.
© Tim Scrivener
2. Get culinary
Farmer’s daughter Rachel Green will be among the chefs who will be sharing ideas, recipes and advice in the cookery theatre.
Rachel’s family have been farming in Lincolnshire for 14 generations and she reckons she picked up her first kitchen utensils when she was little more than a toddler.
It wasn’t long after this that you would find her “either experimenting in the kitchen or out lambing the ewes, shooting game or skinning a deer”.
© Tim Scrivener
3. Wear your brightest trousers
In response to the news that a new members’ club in London banned the wearing of red trousers, the Game Fair is encouraging its visitors to don their brightest-coloured trousers.
Organisers are arranging a fun photo call on the first day that will bring together a kaleidoscope of 60 male and female visitors sporting the most eccentric-hued chinos.
© Tim Scrivener
4. Spread your wings
Falconry is a field sport dating back 2,000 years and the Falconry Village will be three times the size of recent years.
It will host the largest selection of birds of prey ever seen at a UK event and a variety will be flown during the three days. A great chance to see – and handle – these majestic birds.
© Tim Scrivener
5. Teach old dogs new tricks
Whether you have hard-working hounds or pampered pets, you’ll find a wide range of information and products on offer on Gundog Row – alongside the competition pens and demo arenas.
Head to the Working Dog Ring to see your favourite breeds put through their paces by the experts. You (and your four-legged friends) might learn a thing or two…
© Tim Scrivener
6. Go fishing
Keen angler and TV presenter Nick Hancock, best-known for hosting BBC’s They Think It’s All Over and Room 101, will be compering the new-look Fishing Theatre, which is part of the Fishing Village.
Enthusiasts can pick up tips from experts, watch the sport’s big names demonstrate their skills, cast a line, study fly-tying demonstrations or even take part in one of the competitions.
© Tim Scrivener
7. Pugs and drummers
Game Fair organisers say ferreting epitomises the hunter-gatherer ethos and lifestyle – “through recessions, strikes and wars, our nation survived not only on eating wild rabbit, but though the knowledge of how to harvest it”.
Simon Whitehead has assembled a team of rabbiting devotees from all over the UK for the pugs (ferrets) and drummers (rabbits) stand, where a ferreting kit worth more than £700 will be up for grabs in a new competition.
© Christopher Jones/REX/Shutterstock
8. Have your say
Alongside the fun, there’ll be some serious debate in the Theatre, so go along to hear exchanges, ask questions and make your views known on subjects as varied as how to get more game meat into the food chain and the potential effect of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s policies on the countryside.
© Tim Scrivener
9. Hoof it
Almost 50 farriers from around the world will be battling it out in front of judges from the UK, US, Spain and Italy for a £5,000 cash prize.
After four eliminating heats, the eight finalists will meet on the Sunday to compete against the clock.
© Tim Scrivener