The Game Fair Blenheim Palace

[Cranborne]

The first game fair that I remember attending was just north of the M4 somewhere near Malmsbury back around 1978. I think it was called something like the WAGBI Safari back then. There was a very attractive long haired girl in her twenties shooting and she was also working two black Labradors. She was a pretty fair shot and had very good control of her dogs too. I fell in love with country sports that day.

It sounds like it might have been at Bowood although that was 1979. If so, it was my first (10 years old).

 

[8x57]

You're probably spot on Cranborne, so south of the M4 not north of it.

 

[JTO]

It sounds like it might have been at Bowood although that was 1979. If so, it was my first (10 years old).

Hot day wasn't it!
Or was that a few years earlier?

 

[terrier1]

£38 on the day I don’t think so.

And some people were moaning about the price of the stalkers show at Stafford.

 

[8x57]

Hot day wasn't it!
Or was that a few years earlier?

I remember it as being a nice day but not as a particularly hot day. You're probably thinking of a few years earlier, 1976 perhaps?
The game fair that I remember as being particularly hot was in Margam Park, (1990 or 1991 ?).

 

[JTO]

I remember it as being a nice day but not as a particularly hot day. You're probably thinking of a few years earlier, 1976 perhaps?
The game fair that I remember as being particularly hot was in Margam Park, (1990 or 1991 ?).

Definitely Bowood! I remember the queues for drinks.

 

[8x57]

Perhaps my tolerance of heat from living in Australia as a kid didn't make me notice the heat at Bowood.
I certainly remember the great heat at Margam Park though. It was that hot that we resorted to soaking a nappie under the tap and covering our baby daughter who was in a pram with it. We even cut the day short. That evening we went to the river with the dogs to cool off, we swam until about 9 p.m.

 

[Basil H]

We had our caravan at Margam park for the duration. Each afternoon we left early and went to the nearby beach until the crowds had dispersed. There was also good basic food at the camp site so no cooking needed. One of the best family trips we had. The good thing I remember about Floors Castle was the atmosphere in the racecourse bar in the evenings with everybody socialising and shovelling down chili con carne etc.

 

[8x57]

There was a good atmosphere at many of the game fairs in the past something that seems to be missing in recent times. We camped at the Beaulieu fair and the memories I have of that was of a group of Irish guys turning up in pick up trucks and vans just like they had come straight from a building site and setting up camp using scaffolding and tarpaulins. They then look a couple of armchairs and a settee off the back of a truck. They enjoyed themselves and while not exactly quiet they didn't seem to upset anyone.
I also saw a guy with his family on the clay line sitting on his guncase which was standing on end. I recognised him as James Cosmo the Scottish actor. I should have asked him for his autograph.

​

 

[baguio]

It looks like I game fair may have lost out. I have just agreed to purchase one today. Best get my variation in today. Hoping to be somewhat luckier with this than the last 2 rifles I have bought. Cough. lol.
But I am going to go to the game fair for a nice day out. I do need some waterproof boots as I found out tonight.

How have they missed out? You have just proved them right! If you want a rifle, the Stalking Show is the place to go. You may even be able to get a variation for the rifle you fancy if your Police Force is there?

 

[The Singing Stalker]

How have they missed out? You have just proved them right! If you want a rifle, the Stalking Show is the place to go. You may even be able to get a variation for the rifle you fancy if your Police Force is there?

I was being humorous. I bought one off someone on here.

 

[baguio]

I was being humorous. I bought one off someone on here.

Humorous? Really? Don’t give up the day job!

 

[JTO]

We camped at the Beaulieu fair and the memories I have of that was of a group of Irish guys turning up in pick up trucks and vans just like they had come straight from a building site and setting up camp using scaffolding and tarpaulins.

​

At the Belvoir GF, I was parked behind a car that belonged to a couple of Irish chaps. No sign of them all night, they had bought a tent at the show on condition that they could sleep in it. Just got a pass out each day, after paying the entry fee on day one.

 

[Danhfromwales]

Entry is free for BASC members

Didn't even realise, thank you for letting people know!

 

[Liveonce]

Didn't even realise, thank you for letting people know!

You have to pre-register see

BASC members go free to The Game Fair

BASC members can claim free tickets to The Game Fair using this link and enjoy all that this country event has to offer.

thegamefair.org

 

[Jagare]

Back in the 70s when I worked in agriculture I hired a mini bus, 12 seater if I recall correctly. With all the seats filled off to the game fair we went. A great day out that we repeated a couple more times over the coming years.

 

[nic531]

Didn't even realise, thank you for letting people know!

its been free for BASC for a number of years now

 

[.243ackley]

its a weekend away for me and a crew of degenerates,

 

[Klenchblaize]

Purchased my most expensive fishing rod at a 90's Game Fair:

a. Rod - £35
b. Diesel - £45
c. Entry Ticket - c£20
d. Overnight Accommodation - £300

Happy days!

K

 

[JTO]

Purchased my most expensive fishing rod at a 90's Game Fair:

a. Rod - £35
b. Diesel - £45
c. Entry Ticket - c£20
d. Overnight Accommodation - £300

Happy days!

K

The last time I wemt to the CLA, Fishermen's Row was almost non-existant.