In the wake of the CLA Game Fair cancellation, are you confused about which event to attend 2016?
For those that have attended the CLA Game Fair for many years as I have done, the news of the cancellation last in 2015 was very sad news indeed. I've had a personal attachment to the event, prioritising my calendar around it and looked forward to meeting up with old friends, business associates and clients - all dressed up but most importantly wearing broad smiles and enjoying the spectacle (and my first opportunity of the summer to get out the sunshine more often than not!).
The event began in 1958, and became THE meeting place for the green wellie brigade, attracting thousands of people year on year including members of the Royal Family on occasions. However Shane Brennan, Director of External Affairs, said back in September: 'Declining attendance can be blamed on strong competition from other events taking place at the same time and also a change in people's shopping behaviour 'with many goods now being bought online.'
Just before the CLA Game Fair cancellation the BBC had already announced the CountryFile Live event for 2016 which some believed would add further pressure on the CLA Game Fair, competing for visitors and exhibitors alike. I was therefore somewhat surprised, considering the CLA hadn't managed to make any money out of the event according to them, that other organisations quickly began to unveil their plans for running similar events.
These organisations included Blaze Publishing, Time Inc, and Countryman Fairs - all claiming to be providing an alternative. The show must go on! Then even more surprisingly perhaps, the original CLA Game Fair Team members rose from the ashes and announced 'The Game Fair' was going ahead after all, whilst not under the CLA banner.
This begs the question 'surely they can't all survive' Especially when the dates are all around the same time. Well, they haven't. Shortly after the announcement from Countryman Fairs for 'The Great British game Fair' in July 2016 it was cancelled. One down, but currently the rest are set to go ahead.
The line up for the big alternatives around the same dates is as follows (in date order):
Organisation: TIME INC
- Event: The Field & Country Fair
- Location: Cornbury Park Estate, Oxfordshire
- Date: 10-12 June, 2016
In their own words: 'This will be a celebration of British countryside and field sports'
Time Inc. UK is home to a stable of iconic country and sporting titles: The Field, Shooting Gazette, Shooting Times, Sporting Gun, Country Life and Horse & Hound. The Field & Country Fair is an exciting expansion to its portfolio of events.
- New event for people who live and breathe rural life
- Expert combination of Time Inc. UK's country and sporting portfolio, Oxfordshire's Cornbury Park Estate and Fiona Eastman Consulting
- An unmissable addition to the summer season calendar
Read more at: http://www.thefield.co.uk
Organisation: Countryman Fairs
- Event: The Great British Game Fair
- Location: Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire
- Date: 22-24 July, 2016 - CANCELLED
In their own words: 'The new national celebration of the countryside!'
A brand new fieldsports-themed countryside showcase, The Great British Game Fair, is set to take centre stage in the countryside calendar next year and replace the now-defunct CLA Game Fair. Organised by game fair experts, Countryman Fairs, the three-day event will be held in the magnificent grounds of Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, hosted by Their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Rutland.
Read more at: http://www.greatbritishgamefair.co.uk
Organisation: Blaze Publishing
- Event: The UK Game Fair
- Location: NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire
- Date: 22-24 July, 2016
In their own words: The UK Game Fair is designed to attract the core Game Fair following ' both in terms of exhibitors and visitors ' and put fieldsports back at the heart of rural events, with a clear focus on shooting, fishing, working dogs and rural estate management.
Billed as the UK Game Fair, this new event is designed to attract the core game fair following 'in terms of exhibitors and visitors' and put fieldsports back at the heart of rural events, with a clear focus on shooting, fishing, working dogs and rural estate management. We're proud to host a show that promotes all relevant aspects of country life, which will be reflected in the calibre of exhibitors at the show.
Read more at: www.ukgamefair.co.uk
Organisation: The Game Fair
- Event: The Game Fair
- Location: Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire
- Date: 29-31 July, 2016
In their own words: 'The Festival of the Great British Countryside'
Celebrating British field sports and country life, The Game Fair boasts a comprehensive itinerary for the whole family, including gundog handling, clay shooting, archery, fishing, falconry and ferreting. Visitors can also enjoy a host of food, drink and shopping stalls as well as outdoor activities including off-road driving and kayaking. Ensuring there is something for everyone!
Read more at: http://www.thegamefair.org
Organisation: BBC
- Event: CountryFile Live
- Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
- Date: 4-7 Aug, 2016
In their own words: Hosted within the spectacular grounds of Oxfordshire's historic World Heritage site Blenheim Palace, BBC Countryfile Live will showcase the very best of our countryside.
This exciting new event will combine the tradition of the UK's best county fairs with the quality editorial and presentation of one of the BBC's flagship programmes. Explore every aspect of the British countryside through exciting live arena shows, talks, hands-on activities, animal displays, farming in action and shopping with more than 600 food and craft producers and even a great British pub garden. It all adds up to a fun, inspiring and informative day out in the countryside.
Read more at: https://www.countryfilelive.com
Organisation: Others
There are a number of other Country shows/fairs throughout the year, the above being highlighted only with regards to the timing/alternative to the CLA Game Fair. ?Here is a small selection of other events which, while far from being exhaustive, offers some additional insight: