Tweedl continues to offer a winning experience Since its launch late last year, competition platform Tweedl has become hugely popular, thanks to its compelling prizes covering amazing experiences in the field and at some of the most prestigious events. As The Game Fair prepares to launch a major competition with the platform, TGF Trade News caught up with co-founder Sam Hargeaves to find out more… TGF: Since your launch, Tweedl appears to have taken the industry by storm, what are you aiming to achieve? Sam Hargreaves: My co-founder Dan Collinson and I actually came up ...

In this new series, we will highlight key players in the trade why they are so influential. We start with Liam Stokes, CEO of the British Game Alliance. Liam has dedicated his career to the idea that game shooting and proper countryside management are a force for good. He has worked for many of the excellent institutions and organisations that make our community so vibrant, starting out at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (while it was still the GCT) before teaching, managing curriculum, running the shoot and helping manage the estate at Lackham College. ...

UK industry body the Angling Trades Association is promoting sponsorship opportunities to support the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme, which works to reduce the amount of tackle and packaging plastic waste going to landfill or simply being discarded. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is new UK legislation set for 2023, which will see the full cost of collecting plastic and household waste shift from the taxpayer to producers. Airflo lines recently started working with the ANLRS to provide customers with real options to recycle old fly lines rather than add them to the increasing problem of ...

Three quarters of dog owners have taken additional steps to safeguard their animals from thefts in recent months and a staggering 96 per cent are more aware than ever of the threat since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Lockdown seems to have precipitated a rise in the theft of both pets and working dogs over the last year and this was clear from the results of the survey conducted in early April by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), with almost 3,500 responses. Among the additional action owners admitted to were variations ...

Game Fair exhibitor Harvey and Hamilton makes some of the finest British kit for sundowners, picnics and outdoor living, that is built to last. Its range of leather and canvas coolbags, insulated totes, wine coolers, ice buckets and rugs are practical, durable and timeless. Launching its initial range in November 2020, Harvey and Hamilton was born on the plains of the Masai Mara enjoying very civilised sundowners under the setting African sun, having come off a successful ascent of Mount Kenya. And out there they really know how to do sundowners well. Founder Nick Hamilton ...

The Cub is a fully neoprene-lined mini version of the adult welly from British brand Gumleaf. Handmade in natural rubber, they are available in olive green, with or without the eye-catching Gumleaf strap. The boots are lined throughout with 4mm neoprene, with a stitched neoprene sole, providing all day comfort and perfect for keeping kid's feet snug in all weathers. The WK2 without strap is available in sizes 24-35 while the WK3 (with strap) is offered in sizes 29-35. www.gumleaf.com

Food specialist Wild and Game has launched a deli selection just in time for picnic and events season, with an extended range that encompasses game patés and charcuterie, artisan chutneys and British cheeses. Wild and Game has grown dramatically since it launched in 2017, riding (and helping to create) a wave of growing interest in eating game. Couple this with a trend for buying food online that’s been accelerated by Covid-19 and Wild and Game has been able to introduce thousands of people to the pleasures of eating this lean, nutritious and sustainable source of ...

Top instructor Paolo Ercoli from the Italian School of Fly Fishing (SIM) will be a special guest on the Fishing Village’s casting pool this summer. Paolo will be on hand to demonstrate the ISM technique – a specialist Italian fly casting style using lightweight fly lines These casts have their origins in tackling pocket waters and streams native to Italy but, over the years, they have been expanded and adapted to be used to tackle almost all circumstances that an avid fly angler may find him or herself in. Paolo will introduce the public to ...

The Angling Trades Association represents manufacturers, retailers, fisheries, charter boats and, in fact, the entire British tackle industry, working on behalf of members to boost their business. We caught up with ATA chairman Andrew Race to find out more.   TGF: What is the Angling Trades Association and what does it do? Andrew Race: Our role is to promote, represent and protect all aspects of the angling trade. We work to affect growth in the industry and promote growth in angling participation through support of angling initiatives. TGF: There have been some changes to it ...

The Cambridge Quarter Zip is a new addition to Whale of a Time’s most loved quarter zips range. Designed for an effortless, relaxed unisex fit and sustainably made in Britain from super soft organic cotton, the colour block Cambridge features iconic colour contrasting details throughout the sleeves, collar and body. It’s available in a choice of grey, blue or red colour options. www.whaleofatimeclothing.com

There’s more to being a member of the British Game Alliance than simply supporting the work of bringing sustainable and versatile game meat to the market. Through BGA’s brand partners, who all support the vision of a fully assured shooting sector and a thriving demand for game meat, there are also exclusive discounts and member benefits. There are discounts on everything from insurance brokering from Lycetts to Wild & Game products, shooting at Royal Berkshire, gin from FoxDenton, spirits from Raisthorpe Distillery, wine from Danebury Schönberger, Ardmoor and Laksen clothing, Purdey items, netting from Collins ...

We all know The Game Fair is THE place to meet old friends, make new ones and celebrate the great British countryside but this summer there will be even more of a party atmosphere. Thanks to the generosity of Lord Hertford, Thursday evening will see The Game Fair Awards and Gala Dinner in the stunning setting of Ragley’s Great Hall. The great and good of the industry will celebrate excellence, long service and lifetime achievers. For ghillies and feepers reaching their milestones of 30 years and 50 years, The Game Fair Long Service awards will ...

Many retailers set to exhibit at The Game Fair this summer got their tills ringing early as non-essential shops in England and Wales opened their doors for the first time in months on Monday. Hopefully, those in Scotland and Northern Ireland won’t be too far behind but all the signs are that the ‘Glorious 12th’ of April was a fantastic start to spring (despite snow in a number of places). Mark Osborne, managing director of top sporting retailer William Powell in Banbury, told us: “William Powell opened on Tuesday rather than the Monday when most ...

The Game Fair are delighted to announce our new media partnership with Future Fieldsports for this year’s three-day outdoor celebration of the British Countryside, taking place in the historic grounds of Ragley Hall in Warwickshire from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July 2021. Patrick Galbraith Editor of Shooting Times commented “It's a terrific partnership between the countryside's premier event and the world's oldest and best-loved sporting titles all bound together with the innovative energy of Future Publishing. See you at The Game Fair Gunmakers Pub for a cold one.” Future’s influential sites, events and magazines make it ...

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has launched its Scottish and Welsh ‘Manifesto for Sustainable Shooting’ prior to the elections on May 6th. The manifestos seek to ensure all politicians recognise the value of shooting and its importance to rural economies and livelihoods. The manifestos set out BASC’s position on key issues and highlight our direction of travel following next month's elections. Steve Griffiths, BASC Wales director, said: “BASC’s ask is simply to work with stakeholders on developing policies to manage the countryside. We make these recommendations in good faith and with an ...

Stand and ticket sales continue to soar as The Game Fair has been given official certification that it complies with industry standards for public health and is ‘Good To Go’ once the lockdown roadmap reaches its conclusion. The official consumer mark from VisitBritain, which is recognised by the National Tourist Board of England (VisitEngland), means exhibitors and visitors can be assured that this summer’s event from July 23rd to 245th meets Government and public health guidance, post-Covid. It provides a ‘ring of confidence’ for businesses, attractions and destinations not only for those attending The Game ...

Hat expert Hicks & Brown has welcomed a new colourway to its wide-brimmed collection, in the shape of the Oxley Fedora, now available in in olive green. Finished with its distinctive gold crest branding set on a ribbon band which features a contrasting brown edge, this wide-brimmed fedora is an incredibly versatile hat that can be worn throughout the seasons, come rain or shine. www.hicksandbrown.com

The hugely popular learn to fish campaign, Let’s Fish, will begin again from Monday, April 12th on venues across England – and it’s free to take part. The Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT), which will be running coaching sessions for all on the lake at Ragley Hall during The Game Fair this July, will be offering tuition from its experienced coaches throughout the spring and summer months. Not only is fishing fun but it is also great for both your mind and body and is something the whole family can enjoy. The CRT will be ...

As lockdown restrictions start lifting, the countryside is bracing itself for an influx of visitors, keen to enjoy the great British countryside. While many will welcome the economic benefits of having tourists back to boost rural businesses, there are also concerns that farmers and land managers may face additional challenges. Continued restrictions on international travel may mean summer holidays are focused on the British countryside once more and some fear similar unacceptable behaviour to that which they witnessed last summer. The uplands are a particular draw for visitors and it is here that access issues ...