April Coate, Author at The Game Fair

The best of British businesses showcased at The Game Fair 2026

April Coate2026-07-27T12:42:31+00:00

Let’s be honest, one of our most favourite things about The Game Fair is the shopping. Exhibitors come from all walks of country life and range from global brands to kitchen table start-ups. We spent some time on Sunday morning with a few made in Britain retailers and we heard some truly interesting stories. Starting with Sporting Saint, the Official Supplier of Gundog Training Equipment to The Game Fair and had a chat with founder Pip Jones about the business and the exponential growth it has experienced recently. The company will be 20 years old in 2027, and Pip is making ...

The best of British businesses showcased at The Game Fair 2026April Coate2026-07-27T12:42:31+00:00

The Game Fair Challenge – winners round up

April Coate2026-07-26T17:28:31+00:00

The Game Fair Challenge is a 50-bird English Sporting clay competition developed by the E.J. Churchill team. Challenging and great fun both the Men’s and Ladies High Gun winner get a six month lease of an Isuzu D-Max Truck. Our winners for 2026 were James Hadley Day with a score of 49/50 and Ellie Jones, who only took up shooting three years ago, with a score of 46/50. Ellie and James are lucky winners of the trucks which will be parked side by side as they are also partners off the field!

The Game Fair Challenge – winners round upApril Coate2026-07-26T17:28:31+00:00

All the Fun from Saturday at The Game Fair

April Coate2026-07-25T18:29:46+00:00

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 ...

All the Fun from Saturday at The Game FairApril Coate2026-07-25T18:29:46+00:00

Gunmakers Row – The Heart of The Game Fair

April Coate2026-07-25T11:05:14+00:00

New to The Game Fair? Then Gunmakers Row is the place to be – a point proven this afternoon, as it was buzzing with visitors from far and wide. Before you head into Gunmakers Row though, it’s worth knowing that for many visitors, this is where the event truly comes alive. A destination in its own right, Gunmakers Row brings together the finest names in British and international gunmaking. From beautifully crafted heritage pieces to the latest innovations in sporting firearms, it is home to some of the most respected brands in the world, including Perazzi, Boss & Co and Holland ...

Gunmakers Row – The Heart of The Game FairApril Coate2026-07-25T11:05:14+00:00

Welligogs Ladies Day 2026 Champion Named

April Coate2026-07-24T17:45:22+00:00

Friday marked a fantastic Welligogs Ladies Day, a large crowd of supporters and Welligogs followers gathered at the stand for the Judging to commence. A fixture in The Game Fair calendar now the event celebrates country sartorial style, and the competitors relished showcasing their meticulously crafted outfits. The judges conferred after each entrant strutted their stuff. Ashley Cooper and Lee Hurst from The Game Fair, Brontë Mitchell, editor in chief from Femme Country Magazine, and Natasha Edwards our 2025 Welligogs Ladies Day winner all put their heads together to select the outfit of the show. Susanne Woods won with an inspired ...

Welligogs Ladies Day 2026 Champion NamedApril Coate2026-07-24T17:45:22+00:00

The Game Fair 2026 Starts with a Bang!

April Coate2026-07-24T17:00:49+00:00

From the moment the gates opened this morning, visitors have been pouring in, grabbing their maps, coffees and first purchases of the day before heading off to explore everything The Game Fair has to offer. The sun is shining, the atmosphere is buzzing and it's been fantastic to see so many familiar faces returning for another unforgettable weekend. The Game Fair officially opened this morning with a warm welcome from our Managing Director James Gower, setting the tone for what promises to be a brilliant weekend. Across the event, exhibitors have been welcoming eager shoppers, with Gunmakers' Row already drawing crowds ...

The Game Fair 2026 Starts with a Bang!April Coate2026-07-24T17:00:49+00:00

The Gates are opening…

April Coate2026-07-23T15:51:54+00:00

There’s just one more sleep until the gates open for The Game Fair 2026 and we can’t wait! As Thursday afternoon comes to a close the rumble of buggies is quieting and the many high viz jacketed exhibitors and organisers are making their finishing touches. This years’ event is a real mix of all the traditional and heritage rural activities we have come to expect but for this year we have some new developments to look forward to. The beating heart of The Game Fair has always been Gunmakers Row and new for this year is The Gunmakers Theatre which offers ...

The Gates are opening…April Coate2026-07-23T15:51:54+00:00

High Gun Champions

April Coate2026-07-27T09:36:29+00:00

The Game Fair Challenge, in partnership with Isuzu, is a 50-bird English Sporting clay competition featuring a course designed by the E.J. Churchill team. Combining technical targets with plenty of sporting fun, the competition attracts shooters of all abilities, with daily cash prizes awarded across a range of categories. The 2026 competition concluded with two outstanding performances. James Bradley-Day claimed the title of E.J. Churchill Male High Gun, finishing with an exceptional 49 out of 50, while Ellie Jones was crowned E.J. Churchill Female High Gun after an impressive 46 out of 50. Congratulations to both champions, and our thanks ...

High Gun ChampionsApril Coate2026-07-27T09:36:29+00:00

England Win Home International Team Competition 2025

April Coate2026-07-14T13:33:25+00:00

Known as one of the most hotly contested gundog competitions at The Game Fair, today marked the final day of the Home International team event. The challenge features dogs and handlers from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales going head-to-head in a series of trials replicating scenarios expected at a shoot. Divided into three categories, awards were presented for the Best Overall Team, Top Overall Dog, Best Spaniel and Best Retriever, with Team Ireland also providing additional prizes for their participants. Although – like all national tournaments – the atmosphere was competitive, the rivalry between nations did not diminish the brilliant ...

England Win Home International Team Competition 2025April Coate2026-07-14T13:33:25+00:00

Daily Fly Casting Winners | The Game Fair Final Day

April Coate2026-07-14T13:56:46+00:00

The Fishing Village was set in a prime position on the lake at Ragley Hall beckoning to all visitors as they came in through the entry gates. Sunday marked the end of The British Fly Casting Club (BFCC) three-day competitions, and competitors gathered for the Ragley Game Fair Championship and overall, Champion of the casting challenges. The Ladies Accuracy daily competition saw a consistent winner with Paula Zimmeman once again taking first place. In the Trout and Salmon Distance challenge Jo Stephens took the top place with a first win of the weekend for her. The Men’s daily results had quite ...

Daily Fly Casting Winners | The Game Fair Final DayApril Coate2026-07-14T13:56:46+00:00

Female business owners thrive at The Game Fair

April Coate2025-07-27T17:52:24+00:00

The Game Fair gives an opportunity for literally hundreds of businesses to share their brands, products and services with a near perfect target audience. Many of these businesses are headed up by women who see shooting, field sports, gun dogs and all things country as an integral part of their businesses and lives as a whole. We took some time out to have a chat with some of the businesses run by female entrepreneurs to get the low down on how important The Game Fair is to them and some of their plans for the future. Daisy Torun-Shaw of Laird Hatters ...

Female business owners thrive at The Game FairApril Coate2025-07-27T17:52:24+00:00

Machinery Nation at The Game Fair | Timber Demonstrations

April Coate2026-07-14T13:42:10+00:00

Machinery Nation were always going to draw a crowd at The Game Fair, owing to their mass following online supporting their in-depth reviews of all tool and machinery brands for ground care, forestry, landscaping, agriculture and construction. They entered the last day of The Game Fair at full throttle, kicking off the morning session on Sunday the same way they have for the whole weekend, with their Chainsaw Challenge. The demo saw Lars, James and Josh compete in a series of chainsaw related contests, working with a selection of brands – including Milwaukee, DeWalt, STIHL, Iseki, and Can-Am – to ...

Machinery Nation at The Game Fair | Timber DemonstrationsApril Coate2026-07-14T13:42:10+00:00

Pulsar presents Gunmakers’ Row

April Coate2025-11-10T14:43:51+00:00

After a sprinkle of rain this morning the grounds of Ragley Hall were just perfect for the second day of The Game Fair – as the sun came out on our annual celebration of the great British countryside. The early birds were out on famous Gunmakers’ Row, presented by Pulsar, as the shooting community gathered to enjoy the most complete shooting exhibition anywhere in the UK. Aisles and aisles of amazing products from literally hundreds of brands from around the globe including a glorious range of new and used shotguns, rifles and airguns, accessories and clothing. Join us as we take ...

Pulsar presents Gunmakers’ RowApril Coate2025-11-10T14:43:51+00:00

Team Italy Win The Game Fair Euro Challenge 2025

April Coate2026-07-14T13:28:00+00:00

The Euro Challenge competition at The Game Fair this year proved to be a tightly contested event, as always. The challenge is made up of both a team and an individual competition, with additional awards for Best Golden Retriever, Best Flatcoat Retriever, Best Labrador, Best Other and Commentator’s Choice – the latter being awarded the Martin Deeley Memorial Trophy. All entered teams are made up of a Labrador, a Golden Retriever and one other recognised gundog breed. Split over two days, the dogs are put through a series of tests in a simulated shooting environment, with handlers and dogs demonstrating just ...

Team Italy Win The Game Fair Euro Challenge 2025April Coate2026-07-14T13:28:00+00:00

Gun Dogs in Training

April Coate2025-07-26T15:15:56+00:00

The Game Fair has long been synonymous with dog lovers, and none more so than those with their trusty gundog by their side. It’s not a long walk through the rows of trade stands before you come across a spaniel of sorts or loyal labrador on the end of a lead, making their way to the working dog ring to watch one of the many demonstrations on offer throughout the day. With an action-packed programme, there is something for everyone. From rare breed working displays to the Parade Of The Sporting Pavilion, highlighting the spectacular array of working dog breeds, there ...

Gun Dogs in TrainingApril Coate2025-07-26T15:15:56+00:00

Give it some welly – Wellington served with a side of conservation at the BASC Wild Food Kitchen Theatre, sponsored by Global Knives

April Coate2026-01-12T12:39:21+00:00

The late morning demo at the BASC Wild Food Kitchen Theatre, sponsored by Global Knives, saw third-generation professional deer manager Curtis Pitts and game-meat master Rachel Green truly ‘giving it some welly’ in their dual demonstration, breaking down a roe carcass with a step-by-step guide on how to make a venison Wellington. They served up a captivating demonstration that was both entertaining and educational, delving into the details of conservation alongside butchering tips and tricks to minimise food waste. Rachel Green, known for having a personality as bold as her flavours, truly lit up the demonstration stage with her signature wit ...

Give it some welly – Wellington served with a side of conservation at the BASC Wild Food Kitchen Theatre, sponsored by Global KnivesApril Coate2026-01-12T12:39:21+00:00

Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre Day One Highlights

April Coate2026-07-15T14:16:31+00:00

The Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre is well known for its full programme of celebrities and keynote speakers covering a huge number of topics throughout The Game Fair. Friday saw discussions range from inheritance tax and the future of farming to Hunting Ethics and - on a lighter note - also saw star barman and rural pub owner Merlin Griffiths and The Game Fair’s VIP Enclosure, sponsored by Rathbones, host Jimmy Doherty drop by to discuss all things countryside. Merlin charmed the audience with some behind the scenes tales from some of the TV programmes he is involved with before going ...

Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre Day One HighlightsApril Coate2026-07-15T14:16:31+00:00

The Game Fair Ladies Day | Country Fashion Highlights

April Coate2026-07-14T13:31:43+00:00

Friday marked a fantastic Welligogs Ladies Day, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd. Attendees truly embraced the event's celebration of countryside sartorial style, showcasing their meticulously crafted outfits. Scouts were seen out and about this morning looking for the coolest and most creative 2025 Game Fair looks inviting people to come along to the Welligogs stand. At 2pm the stand was enveloped by masses of seriously chic people all contending the fantastic prizes courtesy of Welligogs. The judges conferred after each entrant strutted their stuff. Ashley Cooper and Lee Hurst from The Game Fair, Brontë Mitchell, editor in chief from Femme ...

The Game Fair Ladies Day | Country Fashion HighlightsApril Coate2026-07-14T13:31:43+00:00

From Argentinean Rivers to Ragley Lake – Day one winners of the British Fly Casting Clubs daily competitions.

April Coate2025-11-10T14:47:17+00:00

The British Fly Casting Club (BFCC) returns to The Game Fair this year with its ever-popular casting competitions. Anglers of all ages will take part in trout accuracy, single handed trout distance, and double handed overhead salmon over the three days, designed to test their precision on the lake. Today marked the opening for the weekend of competition, as competitors gathered for the first round of casting challenges. The Trout Accuracy competition saw exceptional performances across all divisions. The Junior title went to budding fisherman Jack Gow, 17, with a stellar score of 49 – equalising the top score across the ...

From Argentinean Rivers to Ragley Lake – Day one winners of the British Fly Casting Clubs daily competitions.April Coate2025-11-10T14:47:17+00:00

Top 5 things to do this weekend at The Game Fair

April Coate2025-07-24T15:45:18+00:00

Known for its world-class field sports, across gundogs, shooting and fly fishing, Ragley Hall opens its gates to The Game Fair tomorrow, and it is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. The annual countryside celebration is held over 5,600 acres of historic British parkland, drawing in over 125,000 visitors each year. With a jam-packed lineup running all weekend, visitors can expect a dynamic blend of tradition, rural life, food, family fun and modern country culture. Although the heritage of shooting and fishing is the first thing most people associate with The Game Fair, if you step beyond the ...

Top 5 things to do this weekend at The Game FairApril Coate2025-07-24T15:45:18+00:00

About April Coate