CROWD PLEASER

THE sound of shotguns rang out across Ragley Hall in Warwickshire on the Friday morning for the opening ceremony of the 65th anniversary of The Game Fair.

The annual gun salute, elevated to a spectacular 65-shot salute in 2023 to mark this milestone anniversary, was led by the 9th Marquess of Hertford, whose Ragley Hall estate has hosted the annual three-day celebration of the Great British countryside seven times. Other notable figures in attendance over the weekend included TV comic and passionate angler Paul Whitehouse, actor and fishing campaigner Jim Murray, film star Vinnie Jones and Countryfile star and farmer Adam Henson.

James Gower, managing director for The Game Fair commented: “The show has exceeded our expectations completely. Attendance increased by nearly 5,000 people beyond last year’s figure of 120,000, which is a fitting way to end our anniversary celebrations and three years back-to-back here at Ragley Hall, as we announce our move to Blenheim Palace for the 2024 show. This year’s show has been tremendous for the industry and for many of the exhibitors here who have reported record sales.

“We were delighted to welcome back chef James Martin and to have Paul Whitehouse here for the first time, who entertained visitors here at the Carter

Jonas Theatre, the Kitchen Theatre and the Investec Enclosure Restaurant, where he had influenced the menu this year. Returning to The Game Fair was the LAPADA Pavilion with some 30 exhibitors displaying the best of art and antiques. The LAPADA Fair returns to its dazzling location in Berkeley Square, London, from 27 September to 1 October.

New exhibitors

“We were blessed to work with new exhibitors, including Investec and The Royal Mint, who were both here meeting new customers and entertaining old ones. Over £80 million is thought to have been spent with exhibitors at the show, with countless business deals and networking opportunities being finalised here for completion at later dates.”

The team from British gunmaker Holland & Holland, which was exhibiting on Gunmakers’ Row at the event, saw their stand busy on all three days, as Head of Marketing Mike Jones confirmed: “It’s been frantic here on the stand and we’ve been pleasantly surprised at the response to our new gun, the Noble. We’ve also relaunched our range of authentic fieldsports clothing and accessories this weekend, and it’s gone down a storm.”

Country clothing footwear and accessories retailer Bredon Hill Shooting needed all hands on deck to cope with the demand of such a busy show weekend. Sharon Bygate, the company’s marketing executive, commented as she prepared for the final day of the show: “This year has been extraordinary. We went much bigger this year, with a whole extra bay on the marquee, and hosted Le Chameau with their own shop on the side of the stand, and it’s certainly paid off. RM Williams, one of the biggest brands we stock, took over a large portion of the front of the stand and have been embossing belts and wellies for customers as they wait. The stand has been full of customers from morning to night with people snapping up their favourite brands, and the weather has helped too, as last year was rather too warm for buying wellies, gilets and jackets. What a weekend!”

British gundog training equipment and accessories brand Dog & Field had a busy weekend with staff welcoming a bumper number of visitors to the stand. The company also sponsored all the gundog classes in the International and Hertford Arena. Director Colin Chalkley commented: “My feet haven’t touched the ground all weekend. Huge thanks to the organisers for another superb event and for the opportunity to meet with so many passionate gundog breeders, handlers, owners and enthusiasts. Congratulations to everyone who won gundog classes. The standard was so high and it’s a real privilege to sponsor these events.”

Lewis Thornley, BASC Central Director commented: “The Game Fair is a celebration of the countryside, a place to engage, catch up and enjoy, and this year has been no different. It was the perfect place to unveil to the public the newly formed BASC Wildlife Fund, which provides grants for conservation projects and loans for land purchases linked to sustainable shooting. BASC’s involvement with the event continues to grow and we are already looking forward to returning next year.” GTN GTN

Your calves will thank you if you adorn them with a pair of shooting stockings and matching garters