I can’t stand these things anymore, even the local east Anglia game fair is a pikey convention with dozens of gypos openly stealing knives and baiting the coppers who just laugh. NationaL shows are always in the north, Expensive to get in (for what?) overpriced **** food, miles of ‘artisan’ booze, carpets, hot tubs, rubbish ‘art ‘ and all the crap guns that they can’t shift in the shop.. and worst of all begging stands from ‘organisations’ actively out to destroy shooting .. a far cry from the Midland game fair in the late 1980’s.. mind you everything was better then!
Not what it was.
- Thread starter Hawshill
- Start date
Bavarianbrit
Well-Known Member
You could fly to Dortmund for Jagd und Hund on dumping price airlines. In 2025 it only cost 20€ entry. The 2026 price is not yet announced it runs from 27. January to 1. February.
Yes! I had arranged to meet friends and clients but it seemed the majority of people struggled to make calls or text despite having 4G/5G and signal. I overheard a number of people talking about it. I failed to meet a couple of clients as we couldn’t get hold of each other. I noticed there was wifi for BASC members though…
First game fair in a while and most definitely the last sadly.
TringSaint
Well-Known Member
sikamalc
Administrator
I decided not to attend. Too far from me, plus as many have said, price to get in, on top of the fact that none of these fairs are a touch on the ones of the past. It is a sad state of affairs that all of these events cost a fortune to organise and run. The cost of hiring the marquees alone is staggering, and the pitch fees will be mega too.
I ticked a bucket list event this year with my grandson, who is mad over formula 1. Goodwood speed festival was well organised, and although we went on the first day, by 10am it was heaving and very hot. Done it now, but that's me finished with it. And the ticket price was expensive, even for the first day.
I ticked a bucket list event this year with my grandson, who is mad over formula 1. Goodwood speed festival was well organised, and although we went on the first day, by 10am it was heaving and very hot. Done it now, but that's me finished with it. And the ticket price was expensive, even for the first day.
You would think that the organisers of such events would realise that the costs are becoming to much for a lot of people, what with travel,not just fuel but time away and more importantly the cost of food which can be stupidly expensive, especially if you make it a day out for the family, if they keep going the way they are then I think the writing is on the wall,unfortunately.
There don't seem to be any direct or reasonable flights from the UK, although £300 flights a couple of nights in a hotel plus 20$ might still be cheaper than free entry and a burger at the gamefair
Moaning about shooting shows /game fairs on here has become a fine art! We really should have prizes. A trophy... maybe shaped like those reactive targets with the *rsehole and b*llocks, but looking back over its shoulder with a pair of rose-tinted specs.
Even I had a bit of a moan about this one - though nothing worthy of a nomination: just a grumble about not being able to meet up with my godson because his dad couldn't receive my texts/calls/WhatsApps, etc. (and I couldn't receive his).
Looking on the bright side, perhaps the lack of signal meant more people went ahead and just bought the stuff they'd tried out/on on the exhibitors' stands, instead of popping out to check prices and order online instead.
As for the way people choose to dress, the place is a unique human zoo, so why not just enjoy the weirdness and hope to be no less a source of entertainment for others?
It's no surprise that we all preferred the way things were 30 or 40 years ago. We were 30 or 40 years younger, the sun shone more brightly, the world was going to Hell in a handcart in someone else's direction, and talking to people was still considered normal.
But we're here now, we've got 30 or 40 fewer years in hand, and we might as well make the most of them.
There's no doubt that shows/fairs vary in quality. Nevertheless, if making the most of your day means leaving after an hour, it's probably just worth admitting you're not good at going to shows and, well, not going to more shows... unless of course you're gathering material for one of these threads...
Even I had a bit of a moan about this one - though nothing worthy of a nomination: just a grumble about not being able to meet up with my godson because his dad couldn't receive my texts/calls/WhatsApps, etc. (and I couldn't receive his).
Looking on the bright side, perhaps the lack of signal meant more people went ahead and just bought the stuff they'd tried out/on on the exhibitors' stands, instead of popping out to check prices and order online instead.
As for the way people choose to dress, the place is a unique human zoo, so why not just enjoy the weirdness and hope to be no less a source of entertainment for others?
It's no surprise that we all preferred the way things were 30 or 40 years ago. We were 30 or 40 years younger, the sun shone more brightly, the world was going to Hell in a handcart in someone else's direction, and talking to people was still considered normal.
But we're here now, we've got 30 or 40 fewer years in hand, and we might as well make the most of them.
There's no doubt that shows/fairs vary in quality. Nevertheless, if making the most of your day means leaving after an hour, it's probably just worth admitting you're not good at going to shows and, well, not going to more shows... unless of course you're gathering material for one of these threads...
In the late seventies and eighties, one and sometimes two coaches would be laid on by our local working mans club.
Today it would be difficult to fill a car with locals interested in country pursuits.
The coaches would be filled with a real social mix of those interested in country sports, from ferreting to driven pheasant shooters.
Gamekeepers and poachers alike, a truce for the day.
Pick up a few bargains, enjoy some good food and have a few beers with like minded country folk.
A proper day out.
Today it would be difficult to fill a car with locals interested in country pursuits.
The coaches would be filled with a real social mix of those interested in country sports, from ferreting to driven pheasant shooters.
Gamekeepers and poachers alike, a truce for the day.
Pick up a few bargains, enjoy some good food and have a few beers with like minded country folk.
A proper day out.
I grew up in a small village in Lanarkshire. In the 80's all of my peers were into some sort of country pursuit. Fishing, ferreting, air rifles, snaring, etc. Now, that same village is full of city incomers, with housing estates built on the land I used to ferret, shoot, and snare over. And I can pretty much guarantee none of them are the least bit interested when it comes to country life.
I am actually a fan of the country shows and go for the day out. I will also wander my way through the tat stalls to amuse myself, have some unusual food on site. I didn’t try the buffalo burger as the wait was too long for me, so game pie it was.
I usually enjoy the day and this time I didn’t even need to buy anything. Although I did want to go talk to Danum Blades.
I have to say that this was the most disappointing show I have been to. There seemed to be far less stalls in general. The signal jamming for phones is disgusting. Charging £400 for internet is a complete rip off for exhibitors. I missed out on seeing a couple of traders as I couldn’t get online to see if they were there and I couldn’t find them.
Checked when out in the car part and suddenly signal had come back.
If they are not careful, the show will die a death, like many before.
I usually enjoy the day and this time I didn’t even need to buy anything. Although I did want to go talk to Danum Blades.
I have to say that this was the most disappointing show I have been to. There seemed to be far less stalls in general. The signal jamming for phones is disgusting. Charging £400 for internet is a complete rip off for exhibitors. I missed out on seeing a couple of traders as I couldn’t get online to see if they were there and I couldn’t find them.
Checked when out in the car part and suddenly signal had come back.
If they are not careful, the show will die a death, like many before.
Bavarianbrit
Well-Known Member
Jamming phone could rebound if a visitor/exhibitor at the show had a medical emergency and later sued the organisers, IMO.
bluesako
Well-Known Member
weston park late 80,s and 90,s, was a fantastic weekend, park where you wanted, £1 for hog barm with loads of onions and crackling, brilliant great stalls selling everything for us, at great prices, then taken over by the pikeys doing there early xmas shopping, then a fairground, it went downhill rapid, last time i went i was on my way home in less than an hour, i think organizers and a few traders got greedy, in the end nobody had anything for sale, its like going in your local gunshop and they charge you £30 to go in and shop?, nope i wont go another ill save my money its a shame, i looked forward to weston park sad.
I use to enjoy the South if England Show (Ardingly), and would sometimes attend all 3 days but always the Thursday and Friday.
I've not been to the show for some 10-years and have no intention of breaking my promise to myself to keep it that way. I understand the show now runs from Friday to Sunday which speaks volumes.
K
I've not been to the show for some 10-years and have no intention of breaking my promise to myself to keep it that way. I understand the show now runs from Friday to Sunday which speaks volumes.
K
Gave it a miss this year, too much like a fashion parade for me. It’s worth a trip every 3-5years just to remind you it’s not like the old ones, come home spent out and feeling disappointed, usually with added sun stroke.
I’ll be saving my pennies for the Stalking Show instead.
I’ll be saving my pennies for the Stalking Show instead.
I go to it most years... is it worse? well it is different and mostly that has been caused by you and me!
Back in the dim and distant past we went to the Game Fair, for me, mostly one local one and the Midland to pick up bargains.....
Nowadays.....
a) I buy my 'bargains' via the internet at any time I want it, during the year, negating the ability of the shops to have extra special deals to clear excess stock, as they have already sold it to me online.
b) I have more available cash these days than when I was paying for the house/kids/CSA/first divorce/not had promotions at work etc, so I buy better quality kit now and it lasts longer so I do not need to replace it every year, so less trade/profit.
c) the number of active shooters who shoot regularly throughout the year has dropped drastically. The only real growth area is small bore rifle and air rifle for which you need very little special clothing or kit, so less punters to sell kit to and they are probably not going to game fairs.
4 dealers selling guns! and that was gunmakers row!!! if it was not for the likes of hot tubs/Yeti/Machinery and Cars they show would have folded and stopped years ago.
If it was not for the free ticket from BASC, I would not pay out for entry to it. I do not pay for the shooting show, which I think is far less value! My oh shoots as well so with petrol and parking, there is 100 quid gone to go through the door! However we do usually do the stalking show.
Back in the dim and distant past we went to the Game Fair, for me, mostly one local one and the Midland to pick up bargains.....
Nowadays.....
a) I buy my 'bargains' via the internet at any time I want it, during the year, negating the ability of the shops to have extra special deals to clear excess stock, as they have already sold it to me online.
b) I have more available cash these days than when I was paying for the house/kids/CSA/first divorce/not had promotions at work etc, so I buy better quality kit now and it lasts longer so I do not need to replace it every year, so less trade/profit.
c) the number of active shooters who shoot regularly throughout the year has dropped drastically. The only real growth area is small bore rifle and air rifle for which you need very little special clothing or kit, so less punters to sell kit to and they are probably not going to game fairs.
How long since you have bought a burger out? Apart from the real basics, a 'reasonable' burger from McD's is the best part of 6 quid and as a meal with a drink its a tenner or more! and at a pub try 16 quid at least plus your drink.
4 dealers selling guns! and that was gunmakers row!!! if it was not for the likes of hot tubs/Yeti/Machinery and Cars they show would have folded and stopped years ago.
If it was not for the free ticket from BASC, I would not pay out for entry to it. I do not pay for the shooting show, which I think is far less value! My oh shoots as well so with petrol and parking, there is 100 quid gone to go through the door! However we do usually do the stalking show.
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