The Game Fair: A New Approach To The Fieldsports Festival

Location, location, location

“One of the biggest decisions we made when we took on The Game Fair was the locations that we’d be using. Ragley was a natural choice: it’s in the centre of the country and was always a popular location for The Game Fair. Having changed the site layout to previous years, the 2016 event received overwhelmingly positive feedback. The other place we chose was Hatfield House, where we’ll be this year. One of our main aims is to bridge the ever-widening gap between the urban and rural populations, and with Hatfield House being just 20 minutes by train from central London, it’s the perfect place to do that,” Gemma explains, continuing, “The advantage of having already announced locations for The Game Fair for the next five years is that it allows the industry to plan. We can also invest heavily in infrastructure, such as fibre optic cables, and plumbing, all of which will remain in situ at each venue.” 

More media than ever

The Game Fair recently announced that it has formed a partnership with The Times – not only will this give the organisation fantastic national media coverage but, for the first time, the main media partner will be taking an active role in the decision-making process, according to Gemma: “We’re putting together the most amazing prize with The Times: a fishing lake and lodge in France. This is in tandem with revitalising the fishing section of The Game Fair.

We’ve got more media partners than ever before, and I think this will give the fieldsports community a huge boost, as well as seeing the countryside being better represented in mainstream media.” This closer working relationship between The Game Fair and its media partners has also been extended to the sporting associations as well, and BASC members will be getting complimentary entry to The Game Fair. “We’re also delighted that the National Gamekeepers Organisation has made a return, as have all the specialist shooting titles on the media front, so we really do have the endorsement and support of the fieldsports world.” It’s not only media and organisations that have made a welcome return, says Gemma: “Land Agents are also going to be back in force, with some of the large companies such as Carter Jonas & Savills being part of the event.” 

New things to do and see

Last year’s Shot to Pot restaurant, under the watchful eye of Gregg Wallace, was incredibly popular and will be making a welcome return this year, and the hospitality will be second to none. A new innovation is the Safari Tents, on the Subaru Shooting Line, which can be booked in advance and can accommodate groups of up to 25 people, either as a private party or for hosting a mini-event. The Subaru Shooting Line will also have an exciting new competition: the George Digweed Pigeon Challenge, organised by Fieldsports Magazine, which will involve trying to beat the legendary Shot’s score over the weekend! 

For more information on The Game Fair, or to book a Safari Tent click here