Forensic scientist Martin Parker has been appointed as the new head of firearms at the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). Martin, whose most recent post was as chief scientist at the National Ballistics Intelligence Service is a biochemist by training and has been involved in forensic science as a practitioner, instructor and senior manager. Part of his career has been devoted to forensic firearms examination at every level. BASC’s director of firearms, Bill Harriman, said Martin was well-known and respected within law enforcement and government agencies and highly regarded by those shooting organisations he ...

Global auctioneer and Game Fair regular Bonhams announces has been entrusted with the sale of one of the most important and well-documented collection of firearms belonging to Western lawmen and outlaw legends. Among the highlights of The Early West: The Collection of Jim and Theresa Earle, is arguably the most iconic treasure of early western history – the gun Pat Garrett used to kill Billy The Kid (estimate: $2-3 million). Jim Earle, a beloved engineering professor at Texas A&M, and his wife Theresa assembled this incredible collection over the course of more than 40 ...

The Government has signalled the next step in its roadmap out of lockdown, with further restrictions being eased from Monday and more venues opening up for us to enjoy. It’s one step closer to the return of normality as we head towards a fantastic summer, culminating in The Game Fair’s celebration of the great British countryside. The event, which has already been given “Good To Go” industry standard backing from VisitBritain to reassure visitors this July, ticks all the boxes for a safe and fun gathering for all countryside lovers. Announcing the “considerable step on ...

Premium egg producer Clarence Court has been revealed as the Main Arena sponsor of The Game Fair 2021, which is set to take place Friday 23 to Sunday 25 July at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. Known for producing ‘fabulous eggs by fabulous birds’, the Clarence Court family extends all the way from the familiar golden yolks of the Burford Browns to the light and buttery Ostrich egg.  Stocked by leading supermarkets and stamped with a blue crown emblem, the Clarence Court range includes the familiar Burford Browns and Old Cotswold Legbar eggs, as well as ...

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation’s B head of game and gundogs, Glynn Evans, has stepped down as chair of the England and Wales Poaching Priority Delivery Group (PPDG) after 10 years at the helm. The PPDG works with the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) to build a greater level of public awareness of poaching, enhancing relationships between law enforcement and local communities and increasing prevention and enforcement. Glynn said: “Thanks to the efforts of members of the PPDG and wider partners over the past 10 years, we have seen a number of significant ...

Some of the industry’s best-loved brands have got behind this year’s Gundog Area at The Game Fair as it continues to grow. With a range of experts on hand to offer all manner of advice, a long list of breeds on show in the Sporting Dog Pavilion plus competitions and demonstrations in the Working Dog Ring, it is always an exciting place to be. This year gundogs at The Game Fair a further boost from three major brands – 4x4 expert Isuzu is sponsoring the area, Gundog Journal has become the official media partner while ...

The Gun Trade Association has reminded shooting retailers that firearms licensing departments will be issuing new-style certificates from May 7th, with additional requirements. The main change is that the certificates now require the ‘unique identifying mark’ to be recorded, rather than just the serial number. At the same time, where one of the relevant component parts has a non-matching mark, that too should be recorded. For example, where a bolt has been replaced on a rifle, the unique identifying mark of that bolt should also be listed on the certificate. In the case of modular rifles ...

Our series highlighting key players in the trade continues with Rob Fenwick, the managing director of top shooting ground E J Churchill, which is once again running the Shoot Line this year at The Game Fair. Rob Fenwick celebrates 20 years at EJ Churchill this year, having started out at the bottom as an events organiser before working his way through the ranks to become managing director. He said: “I love my job and this industry, mainly because of the people and the sport. It is ‘full on’ here and there isn’t much time for hobbies ...

Buried in the BBC and British Film Institute archives is a little known film John Macnab, a dramatisation of John Buchan’s masterpiece which follows three men who set themselves a challenges “devilish difficult, devilish unpleasant, and calculated to make a man long for a dull life”.  Set in our open air cinema on Saturday night, expect relaxed seating, whisky and wine. Bringing the whole thing to life, we meet Buchan’s granddaughter Ursula who well tell us about John’s extraordinary life which lead to her own novel – Beyond The Thirty-Nine Steps.  Seats are very limited ...

Organisers have already signed up more than 700 exhibitors including household names in the land and estate sections such as John Deere, Mitsubishi Tractors, Kubota and Suzuki. Forestry Journal will also be hosting the Forestry Journal Pavilion which will provide a turnkey showcase for exhibitors looking for a simple exhibiting solution this year.   Companies looking to test the event for the first time or those that want a simple solution can opt to exhibit in the Pavilion whilst those looking for larger stands will be offered location near by. Former exhibitors of APF may find ...

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