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Home / Community home / News / West of England Game Fair 2019

West of England Game Fair 2019

Flagship field sports event for the Westcountry

The West of England Game Fair takes place on 16/17 March at the Bath & West Showground, Somerset. This flagship event for the Westcountry creates a platform for countryside traditions and issues to be promoted and supported. Many high profile companies have been confirmed, together with top experts in field sports providing the displays in the indoor and outdoor arenas and advice areas. There are lots of new activities, display and music this year, making the event a fantastic countryside experience.

 

Gundogs

New for 2019 - the Mullenscote Gundogs team lead by Howard & Linsey Kirby will feature at this years’ event. Both have represented Great Britain at The World Championships for Hunting and Pointing breeds. The Mullenscote team will demonstrate how they use reward-based training methods to teach young HPR’s, Spaniels, Retrievers and Setters to become first class gundogs.

 

The British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC) will have four Gundog Scurries - Obstacle; Multi pick-up; Pick & mix; Long Retrieve, all part of the BASC Scurry League. The scurries have slight twists to better simulate shooting scenarios and test dog and handler to the full. M & M Gundogs will have a test for both Spaniels and retrievers on each day. This can be run as part of a competition or a training exercise. There will also be a Gundog Clinic with M&M Gundogs and one on the BASC stand in the Showering Pavilion. This one is run by North Devon & Duchy Gundog Clubs.

 

If you have Terriers and Lurchers, join the coursing crew and take part in the racing and the shows. There will also be the family dog show, with a selection of new categories to enter. The schedules for all the shows can be found on www.westofenglandgamefair.co.uk

 

The Gundog Parade will take place on Sunday 17th March, with great selection of some of these amazing breeds - Labradors, Spaniels, Pointers, Italian Spinone and Retrievers to name a few.

 

Fishing

World and European casting champion Hywel Morgan will impart his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of fishing and fly casting. The demonstrations will show that fly fishing is for all and is very easy to pick up. Hywel will put you on the fast track of becoming a good angler. He will show you the do's and don’ts of fly casting and demonstrate some of the common faults.

In the outdoor arena, Hywel will take you on a journey from beginner to advanced casting showing you step by step how to improve your casting and ultimately your fishing. He will demonstrate both single and double handed rods as well as show tricky casts that will enable you to catch those tricky trout.

The fishing area in the Sedgemoor will feature a variety of companies selling fishing flies, rods, clothing and accessories, plus demonstrations and competitions in the fishing arena and have a go fly tying. There will be the opportunity to ask Hywel some advice!


Good Shot…

Bristol Clay Shooting will be providing 50 bird sporting competition on both days with categories for ladies, open and novice – either a trophy or cash prize competition, (fibre wads to be used) plus a have-a-go stand with instruction and equipment.

High quality tuition and advice from BASC is offered on the shot gun coaching line

Have-a-go air rifles will be supplied by ATEO. New for 2019 will be a junior competition for those 13 years and under.

A selection of guns and associated equipment will be available to purchase at the show. Gun companies include: Rifleman Firearms; Bullets & Guns; Anvil Arms & Angling and more

Ferrets

New for 2019 is expert Simon Whitehead of Pakefield Ferrets. Rabbit controller, author and sporting writer Simon brings his wealth of knowledge to the show to highlight the relationship between man, the wild rabbit and the countryside. Simon, a unique character it must be said, displays and demonstrates in a manner that has to be seen to be believed. Educational, amusing and entertaining are just a few words to describe how Simon poetically sells the virtues of ferrets and ferreting. Simon has now incorporated his Lurchers into the act taking the already popular demonstration to a new level.

In addition, Avon Valley Ferrets, based near Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, will have a static display area with advice and have-a-go net making plus the exciting ferret racing area – come and watch and cheer them on!

Taste of Game Cookery Theatre

The Taste of Game Cookery Theatre has a tantalising selection of demonstrations showing how easy it is to cook with Game and how to prepare the meat. Richard Hunt and Rachel Green will be providing some easy to follow and delicious recipes. The Westcountry Food hall has an amazing selection of food and drinks to try and buy.

Something for Everyone

Great shopping at this year’s West of England Game Fair - from country homewares to clothing, Westcountry food to decoys, gundog equipment, smallholder equipment; fishing accessories, guns - Over 300 companies all indoors in five halls. There are many interesting stands including Geoff Dann who is an expert on fungi, a wild food expert and foraging teacher. He will have his amazing books for sale; The Dorset Coppice will have displays on woodturning; wood carving etc. There will be stick makers and spinning demonstrations.

 

Music at the show will be performed by FB Pocket Orchestra and The Leylines


Have-a-go activities including archery, bush craft, air rifles, clay shooting, target sports, net making. Do have a go at the popular skittles challenge in the Sedgemoo Hall and more; Go back in time to see the fabulously restored vintage tractors and engines – a real snapshot of farming history. Visit the Smallholders hall – celebrate country living and see the livestock, including miniature donkeys, alpacas, sheep, pigs, poultry and more. Check out the hand-crafted products and smallholder equipment. There is so much to see and do for all the family


The hunt parade will take place on Sunday, 17th March. The hunts include Ilminster Beagles; Purbeck & Bovington Beagles and Courtenay Tracy Mink Hounds. This is a real spectacle and will be enhanced this year with a horn blowing competition, sponsored by Countryman’s Weekly. This will be open to all with prizes for adults and children. This will take place in the indoor arena.


The ultimate countryside experience - A must see event for all field sports enthusiasts


You can keep up to date with everything happening at the show by visiting our website www.westofenglandgamefair.co.uk or joining our Facebook group and following us on Twitter and Instagram. The show is on 9am until 5pm on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th March 2019.


To book your tickets in advance and save money visit www.westofenglandgamefair.co.uk or call the ticket office (Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm on 01392 421500)