Saturday began in sunshine, bringing another day for thousands of visitors to celebrate and enjoy all things countryside at The Game Fair. Sausages sizzled across the campsites, while glamping guests enjoyed breakfast al fresco. Car parks filled with excited families and their dogs as another day at the show was underway. Let’s take a wander round some of today’s highlights.
The Modern Ruralist Traditional Craft Yard was a hot attraction today with award winner and Thor lookalike Barney Murray demonstrating the unique art of dry stone walling. With wooden wheels on fire courtesy of Wheelwright Greg Rowland and the Axe makers from Thorn Wood Forge shaping hot metal, the temperature was certainly holding up throughout the day.
The Beretta family arrived for the 500th anniversary celebrations with Carlo Beretta taking on BASC Vice Chair, Claire Sadler, in a Rally Clays shoot out. Good shot though Claire is, she was beaten by Carlo who took the win in this very speedy shooting challenge. The Beretta family were spending the rest of the day soaking up the unique atmosphere of The Game Fair before a Gala Dinner celebration in Ragley Hall this evening.
Down the hill over at the Working Dog Ring, the breeze kept temperatures a little more comfortable and the crowds were treated to 14 demonstrations over the course of the day. One of our favourites was Sam Thatcher and her Spaniels, her skills with the dogs were breathtaking and it left lots of the audience wishing their pets were as tuned in and obedient.
Congratulations are also in order for the Belgian team who won the Euro Challenge competition this year. With Top Labrador and first overall Dog was GB Steve Prosser with Nobsquinton Teasel of Croftferry, while Top Golden went to GB Andy Fisher with Yesrieves Wake Me Up and Top Minority (flatcoat) being awarded to Switzerland, Ursula von Felton. Thanks go to Sporting Saint, the Official Gundog Equipment Supplier.
Popping along to a very busy Gunmaker’s Row we came across Master Gunmaker Bill Blacker. Showing his impressive team of skilled craftsmen working on restoring and building bespoke guns for customers, some of whom wait three years to get the finished article, was a really special insight from one of the best gun makers in the world.
Speaking at the BASC Women in Shooting reception BASC Vice Chair, Claire Sadler emphasised how the organisation plays a vital role in growing and strengthening the shooting community by empowering women to become competitors, conservationists, mentors and leaders. She highlighted that women are one of the fastest-growing groups in shooting and that, by supporting newcomers and acting as ambassadors for the sport, they are helping to shape and protect its future for generations to come.
Looking forward to tomorrow we will be spending time in the Fishing Village, do make time to experience some fascinating subjects being discussed in the Fishing Theatre, including ways to recycle fishing lines and hear Jeremy Wade showcase his experiences with some very strange fish all over the world. Watch the demos and get some tuition in fly casting or further round the lake have a go at fishing from the Canals and River Trust.
Another highlight will be Dick and Angel Strawbridge from Escape to the Chateau cooking in the BASC Wild Food Theatre, sponsored by Global Knives, and at the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre. The rest of the time the family will be hosting Sunday Lunch in the VIP Enclosure, sponsored by JM Finn.
One day is never enough to see everything at The Game Fair so come tomorrow and enjoy even more fun at the fair!
See the full timetable of the weekend’s events here. Tickets for the rest of the weekend are available here or can be purchased on the gate.
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