THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2024

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YEARS IN THE MAKING

The Game Fair made a triumphant return to Blenheim Palace after 10 years and what a comeback it was!

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW

04 WELCOME

A taster of what is in store across The Game Fair Review 2024.

06 GAME FAIR VISITORS RAISE £12,000 FOR THE COUNTRY FOOD TRUST AND TACKLING MINDS

News of how visitors to The Game Fair have helped two worthy causes.

07 DEDICATED FOLLOWERS OF FASHION GATHER FOR LADIES DAY

A celeration of rural style on Welligogs Ladies Day - and news of one lucky winner!

09FRED TAYLOR HILL PONY MEMORIAL AWARDS

This staple of the GWCT Scottish Game Fair names another worthy winner.

10GWCT SCOTTISH GAME FAIR 2024: A CELEBRATION OF SCOTLAND’S LANDSCAPES AND CONSERVATION

The Scottish GWCT looks back on another fantastic event, specifically the thought-provoking events, talks and demonstrations on its various stands.

14 THEATRE BREAKS ALL RECORDS

Charlie Jacoby reflects on the discussions at the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre.

21 BEAUTIFUL BLENHEIM

In conversation with Roy Cox, the MD of Estates at Blenheim, about the challenges and joys of his job.

22 THE GAME FAIR THAT HAD IT ALL BASC’s central regional director Lewis Thornley reflects on an outstanding return to Blenheim Palace.

26 BREATHING FRESH LIFE INTO HISTORIC ESTATE BUILDINGS

The Carter Jonas team takes us on a tour of the restoration of Yorkshire’s Ledston Hall.

28 THE RESULTS ARE IN!

The Game Fair and the GWCT Scottish Game Fair hosted some major gundog, shooting and finishing competitions, so who won what across the events?

40 A LOOK AHEAD TO 2025

James Gower, the MD of Game Fair organisers Stable Events, previews the 2025 event at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire.

Welcome to The Game Fair Review 2024

The Game Fair and the GWCT Scottish Game Fair remain two of the countryside’s most anticipated annual events. These gatherings attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts each year, all eager to celebrate and immerse themselves in the very best of what the countryside has to offer.

Within these pages, you’ll find something to pique your interest, from fieldsports and fashion to thoughtprovoking debates and world-class competitions. We’ve recapped the renowned clay shooting and gundog competitions from The Game Fair and GWCT Scottish Game Fair, as well as the results of the fly

casting championship. Charlie Jacoby shares his insights from the engaging, informative and impactful debates that took place at The Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre. Roy Cox from Game Fair hosts Blenheim Palace offers a glimpse into the challenges facing the estate in the 21st century. Elsewhere, both BASC and the Scottish GWCT reflect on their respective Game Fair experiences.

Finally, James Gower, managing director of Stable Events, provides a sneak peek into what the 2025 Game Fair at Ragley Hall has in store for one and all.

Enjoy the review. Martin Puddifer, Review Editor

Game Fair visitors raise £12,000 for CFT and Tackling Minds

An impressive £12,034 was raised for The Country Food Trust (CFT) and Tackling Minds, picked as The Game Fair’s official charities this year. The donations were made by visitors who donated through the show’s box office and on the charities’ stands during the show. The money will be split evenly between the two charities to help towards their causes.

Tackling Minds is a pioneering nonprofit charity that uses fishing as therapy to support mental health. Founder David Lyons said: “We are incredibly grateful for the fantastic support Tackling Minds received at The Game Fair. Thank you to everyone who attended and generously

donated to both Tackling Minds and The Country Food Trust. Your contributions will greatly boost our ability to support more individuals struggling with mental health issues through the therapeutic benefits of fishing. Your support makes a real difference, and we look forward to continuing our vital work with your help.”

The CFT is dedicated to providing meals for people in need and is committed to addressing food poverty and promoting sustainable food practices, by local communities helping local communities through the field to foodbank initiative.

SJ Hunt, CEO at CFT said: “We are simply delighted with the amount raised at The Game Fair this year. We thought the

event was the best yet. We would like to thank the countryside community for its continued unwavering support so that we can carry out our work. All funds raised will go towards providing high-protein meals to people in need. An enormous thank you to everyone who donated. We couldn’t do this without you.”

James Gower, the managing director of The Game Fair added: “What an incredible amount – it just shows what a wonderful community we have here at The Game Fair. Congratulations to Tackling Minds and The Country Food Trust, we hope these funds will help with your individual charity missions and increase awareness of the fantastic work that you both do.”

The Friday of The Game Fair was the fabulous Welligogs Ladies Day and so many people came to support the event. Created to celebrate the sartorial style of the countryside, Game Fair goers have really taken it to heart and put a lot of serious work into their ‘looks’ which were all on display today.

Scouts were seen out and about in the morning looking for the most stylish, stand-out fashionistas and handing invitations to come along to the Welligogs stand. At 2pm the stand was surrounded by masses of seriously chic individuals all vying for some fantastic prizes courtesy of sponsors Welligogs.

The judges conferred after each entrant strutted their stuff and after a lot of earnest conversation between Ashley and Lee from The Game Fair, Brontë Mitchell, editor in chief from Femme Country Magazine, and Charlotte Hallett, the 2023 winner, the victor was announced.

Toni Tebbs wore a stunning outfit combining Holland Cooper, H&M, Grays, Clare Haggas, her dad’s tie and a corset from NYC Corsets. Toni combined traditional tweed with a unique twist and the judges loved the more edgy feel to an established look.

Toni was at first shaken then overjoyed at her selection. When we asked her about the inspiration for her ensemble she said: “I recently turned 40 and I have two children, it made me feel as if that was it for me now! Then I thought no – I don’t care what people think, wearing the corset is very empowering and I feel really good about myself in it.”

Charlotte Hallett, also a mother of two, was on hand to give Toni some advice and tell us about what happened after she won last year. “I was also overwhelmed when I won – it was my first ever Game

“ I recently turned 40 and I have two children, it made me feel as if that was it for me now! Then I thought no – I don’t care what people think, wearing the corset is very empowering and I feel really good about myself in it”
Toni Tebbs

Fair, so it was a bit of a shock! So much has happened since then – I am now signed to a modelling agency, have masses of followers on Instagram and TikTok and have a new career. It all just snowballed from my win.”

When asked what advice Charlotte would give to Toni she added, “Don’t spend all your prize – £1,000 voucher for Welligogs – at once, spread it across the seasons and don’t go mad!”

The advice we are sure Toni will heed.

Dedicated Followers of Fashion Gather for Ladies Day

Photograph: Matt Kidd

Fred Taylor Hill Pony Memorial Awards

The area around the Main Arena at The Scottish Game Fair was packed with spectators as the winner of the Fred Taylor Hill Pony Memorial Awards was announced.

Kevin Wilson and Dawnie from the Duke of Westminster’s Reay Forest Estate won, and Kevin received an Isuzu D-Max truck to use for six months. The awards were judged by Sylvia Ormiston from the Gaick Highland Pony Stud

THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2024

GWCT Scottish Game Fair 2024: A Celebration of Scotland’s Landscapes and Conservation

The GWCT Scottish Game Fair was a stand-out event, bringing together nature enthusiasts, conservationists, land managers and the public for a weekend of learning, discussion and celebration. This year, the GWCT took its central exhibit to a whole new level with an ambitious and interactive multimedia presentation, Our Landscapes, which explored the diverse environments of Scotland, and the pressing conservation challenges they face.

The Our Landscapes exhibit showcased the interconnectedness of Scotland’s various landscapes and highlighted the important work the GWCT is doing to tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. The exhibit's immersive design, featuring breathtaking photography, short films, infographics, and interactive activities, captivated visitors of all ages and provided an engaging, educational experience.

Exploring Scotland’s Key Landscapes

The Our Landscapes exhibit guided visitors on a journey through five key Scottish landscapes, each station offering insight into the specific conservation challenges and opportunities in that individual biome.

Watershed and Uplands

The journey began at the watershed, a vital area where water sources emerge and flow through different habitats. From there, visitors explored Scotland’s uplands, marked by heather moors and

craggy terrain. Topics such as moorland management, its benefits for nature, and the relationship between mountain hare populations and grouse moor management were key areas of focus. One of the most popular questions answered in this station was: Why do land managers burn heather? The explanation, supported by detailed infographics and films, delved into how controlled heather burning benefits biodiversity and greatly reduces wildfire risks.

Hill Edge Farming

Moving downhill, the exhibit turned to the challenges faced by hill edge farming communities. This station addressed how farming enterprises can enhance biodiversity while maintaining productivity. A central feature here was Auchnerran, the GWCT’s demonstration farm, where visitors learned how innovative farming practices can address biodiversity loss and climate change simultaneously. Practical solutions, such as rotational grazing and habitat restoration, were highlighted via interactive displays.

Woodlands

The woodlands station was a powerful reminder of forests' critical role in supporting Scotland’s wildlife. Here, the plight of the capercaillie, one of Scotland’s most endangered bird species, was examined. Through video presentations, visitors learned about efforts to save this species, including strategies for predator control and habitat enhancement. Deer management was another hot topic,

with ongoing debates about the best approaches to balancing deer populations with forest regeneration presented in a balanced and informative way.

Lowland Arable Farming

Lowland farming landscapes presented their own set of challenges, primarily the need to balance food production with environmental sustainability. This station emphasised how productive land use can work in harmony with nature. GWCT’s role in promoting environmentally sensitive farming and game management practices was highlighted, showing how tailored agricultural techniques, such as cover crops and buffer strips, can benefit both farmers and wildlife.

River Catchments and Foreshore

The final station focused on river catchments, stretching from source to sea. The GWCT’s work in river catchment management was prominently featured, showcasing efforts to restore riparian habitats, improve water quality, and support species like water voles. One of the most eye-catching elements of this station was the display on the GWCT’s coastal conservation projects, which aim to protect vital nesting sites from rising sea levels and climate change.

The ‘Listen to the Land’ Programme

Beyond the central exhibit, the GWCT featured a full schedule of talks and discussions under the Listen to the Land

programme. Hosted in the Talk Tent and Advisory Tent, these sessions brought together experts from various fields to delve deeper into topics related to land management, conservation, and biodiversity. Special guests, including Instagram influencer Lusia Hendry, captivated audiences with talks about Scotland’s rocks and geology, offering a fresh perspective on the natural world. The talks provided an invaluable opportunity for attendees to engage with experts, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of the issues facing Scotland’s landscapes. From managing deer populations in woodlands to balancing agriculture with wildlife conservation in the lowlands, the discussions were both informative and thought-provoking.

Fundraising, Networking, and Policy Discussions

It was also an important occasion for

fundraising and policy discussions. Throughout the weekend, the central area of the GWCT hosted fundraising lunches, allowing GWCT to engage directly with members and supporters. These events not only helped raise much-needed funds for ongoing conservation work but also provided a platform for policy discussions and networking with key stakeholders in land management and wildlife conservation across Scotland.

Lasting Reflections

The GWCT Scottish Game Fair was a resounding success, with the Our Landscapes exhibit serving as a central feature that captured the imagination of all who attended. Through this ambitious and innovative exhibit, the GWCT was able to effectively communicate the importance of its work in addressing the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change currently being faced.

As Scotland’s landscapes continue to face mounting pressure from environmental changes, events like the Scottish Game Fair play a vital role in raising awareness and promoting action. The GWCT remains committed to ensuring that Scotland’s landscapes are managed sustainably, for the benefit of both people and wildlife. Whether through innovative farming practices, woodland restoration or river catchment management, The GWCT’s work is making a real difference, and the Scottish Game Fair is a testament to that ongoing effort.

For those who couldn’t attend, the Our Landscapes exhibit is just the beginning of a journey toward greater understanding and appreciation of the GWCT’s conservation efforts. Stay tuned for more events, research and initiatives from the GWCT as we continue to lead the way in conservation and wildlife management.

It’s the countryside’s top chatshow. Fieldsports Channel presenter Charlie Jacoby celebrates the extraordinary range of guests who joined him on stage at the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre in 2024 – and the wonderful numbers of people who came to enjoy those chats.

Theatre Breaks

From the stage of the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre where I sat, I could see the 136,000 visitors walk past. Never have I seen such numbers, and all of them proud to be at ‘their’ fair. They wore the clothes of the countryside and walked their dogs… not all of which I would call working, but all there to display that they are true country people. It was a magnificent display of solidarity with a countryside they love, and I was delighted that so many came to listen to my weekend full of fabulous guests.

I run the theatre as a three-day chatshow, with guests (victims) from across the worlds of farming and fieldsports. This year, the programme ricocheted from politics to personality as it reflected the issues engaging and, occasionally, troubling the Game Fair’s

visitors. The visitors sat in comfort and, for some of the chats, were crowded out to stand at the back. My guests sat in what are probably the most uncomfortable chairs on the Game Fair site and answered my questions.

New government, new countryside? We had DEFRA minister Daniel Zeichner on stage. He is a regular at the Game Fair and we are delighted to welcome him, now that he is in office. Daniel did his best to allay fears that the Labour government will make laws against shooting. Speaking to me on stage in the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre, he indicated that he planned to call on the shooting community for help with deer control and not go down the Scottish route of using taxpayers’ money to pay contractors.

“I’m particularly struck, I have to say, by the need for a proper deer management

strategy in this country because some of the visits I did during the general election campaign, the amount of damage that’s being done is very striking,” he said. “And, I think, there is this slight sense that if you keep planting more trees you’ll be fine –but if you are planting trees that are eaten by the deer, I’m not sure you are making much progress.”

As for Labour’s commitment to ban trail hunting, he had this to offer, his message is ‘I can’t protect you from the antis’ – though he clearly valued the conversations he had with Game Fair visitors. “The manifesto is there and that’s the manifesto the party was elected on,” he said. ”So, clearly that is what will happen at some point. But there are a number of ways in which these things can happen, and

ALL RECORDS

it is sensible to have a proper discussion so that those who are making the law understand the consequences, and all the things we can do to mitigate those things. Now, I feel I am much better informed about some of these issues, having gone to see people, having listened to people –people who know about things – and what I can’t guarantee you is that I will persuade all of my colleagues. What I can guarantee you is that I will take away what I’ve learned and actually say to people ‘Look – maybe a bit more complicated than we thought’. In which case, let’s have a look and see how we can do this in a sensible way. Because conservation and protecting the environment – that’s what people here want to do.”

Shadow DEFRA secretary Steve Barclay MP also came to the theatre to explain how the opposition will face Labour's

plans for the countryside. Until the July 2024 election, he had been a DEFRA minister. Now he called for Daniel to ‘get off the fence’ in his new role Steve’s old ministry. He believes Labour is taking too long to announce its plans relating to the countryside. He is also concerned that Zeichner has told observers that, even as a minister, he ‘can’t do much’ to stop the Parliamentary party bringing in legislation which is anti-hunting and shooting.

Daniel and Steve arrived with their entourages throughout the Friday and Saturday. To set the scene, former MP Neil Parish, Tim Bonner from the Countryside Alliance and Christopher Graffius from BASC opened the theatre on the Friday with a one-hour discussion about how the Labour government will treat hunting, shooting and farming. Christopher welcomed the new Labour government

in Westminster, saying that their lobbying has worked, and that they have good dialogue with DEFRA. He warned, however, that shooting should not be complacent. Tim said he expected war with Labour over trail hunting.

We also had tireless countryside campaigner Greg Smith MP on stage, plus a look behind the scenes at Westminster lobbying with Ian Gregory of lobbying

“A Suffolk horse came along, with vice chairman of the Suffolk Horse Society Gail Sprake to talk about the breed, as well as the wider issue of rare breeds and how we preserve them.”

firm Abzed and Neil Parish to explain his own political campaigning now that he is out of parliament. And FACE policy advisor Tristan Breijer and outgoing Safari Club International UK chapter president Steve Jones talked about the Labour government's threat to impose a trophy import ban, why it would be bad for wildlife and why it won't work.

HUNTING KIND

The political debate which came to dominate the headlines for the rest of the summer started at the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre and came from the relatively unknown Hunting Kind. A new organisation that promotes 'natural hunting' with lurchers, hounds, terriers, ferrets and gundogs, Hunting Kind’s founder Ed Swales, plus Ronan Brown, explained why lobbying for hunting is as important as lobbying for trail hunting. Following their appearance at the Game Fair, social media-loving celebrity Chris Packham (who of course did not come to the theatre) scored a legal own goal with a tweet. Ed announced a plan to establish a legal precedent for hunting folk as an identifiable cultural minority, which prompted the BBC TV presenter to tweet that he would call that group ‘barbaric savages’. Unfortunately for Packham, by doing that, he may have set the legal precedent that hunting needs, according to a top barrister. Hunting Kind obtained a legal opinion which says that people who hunt could have “protected characteristics” under the 2010 Equality Act and that they must establish cases of discrimination against them, which Packham provided.

The Countryside Alliance tried to establish this under European law but before the 2010 laws, which now makes it possible. Hunting Kind’s opinion backs up the words of Daniel Greenberg, the lawyer who drafted Tony Blair’s hunting ban, who revealed in a speech to the Surtees Society that he regrets, ‘legislating against a minority on a moral issue’.

The theatre was not short of celebrity. Sporting superstar Vinnie Jones introduced an auction of a beautifully carved stick by stickmaker Simon Heath. In aid of Gamekeepers' Welfare Trust, Ted Beale of Carter Jonas auctioned it and made £1,000.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

Another popular performer and one of the nation’s favourite chefs, James Martin came to talk about his love of game. James has presented some of the most popular cooking shows on TV including James Martin's Saturday Morning, Saturday Kitchen, Home Comforts and James Martin's Great British Adventure. Joining him on stage was celebrity mixologist Merlin Griffiths has a passion for a pint in the countryside – and a plan to save the rural pub.

Jeremy Wade has spent nearly 40 years travelling to the world’s remoter rivers. He talked through his career, from first setting out in 1982 (on an Ariana Afghan DC-10 bound for India). Since then, he has been arrested for spying in southeast Asia, caught cerebral malaria in the Congo, and survived a plane crash in the Amazon. But mostly he has been tracking down and documenting elusive underwater

creatures — several of which had never been seen on television before.

To round off the weekend, the stars of TV's Return to the Château, Dick and Angel Strawbridge, talked about their love of the countryside, and how they find it down in France.

The theatre hosted the quirky. A Suffolk horse came along, with vice chairman of the Suffolk Horse Society Gail Sprake to talk about the breed, as well as the wider issue of rare breeds and how we preserve them. Gail is a former chairman of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. The horse behaved until it saw other horses on the big screen behind me and Gail, then it turned a bit sprightly. Its handler walked it away.

DRONES, GROUSE AND WOODCOCK

That wasn’t all. Rob Pearson from Auto Spray Systems brought a giant drone to the stage. He supplies electric, multifunction autonomous drones for use on farms, forestry and horticulture – and he refused to fly it around the heads of the theatre audience. And Richard Negus is a celebrity hedgelayer. His writing champions the people, the wildlife and the landscape of his native Suffolk. He talked about conservation – and hedges.

Next, we dealt with the audience’s passions: hunting, shooting and fishing. Writer and shooting expert Simon Reinhold came along to talk about the great rabbit shoots. Did you know that a team of nine guns led by RJ LloydPrice shot 5,086 at Rhiwlas in 1889, with the Marquis of Ripon accounting for 920? Then, in 1898, right where we were sitting at Blenheim Palace, the Duke of Marlborough's guns shot 6,943. Large numbers were shot in Windsor Great Park after King Edward VII stumbled on a rabbit hole. Times change. Today, rabbit numbers have dwindled and you can even get a grant to protect them in some areas.

From rabbits to the king of game birds and the Game Fair takes place at a good time of year – just after the counts – to discuss whether or not it will be a good grouse shooting season. Digby Taylor from GunsOnPegs gave us that, plus his forecast for pheasant, partridge

“Sporting superstar Vinnie Jones introduced an auction of a beautifully carved stick by stickmaker Simon Heath. In aid of the GWT, Ted Beale auctioned it and it made £1,000.”

and grouse prices and demand for the forthcoming season.

The news for grouse was not good. Early rain across both England and Scotland meant chicks and their food was washed out. It’s not just grouse. He expected other ground-nesting birds including curlew and the plover species to do badly, too. The UK’s managed grouse moors are home to a large proportion of Europe’s breeding wader population, which organisations such as Wild Justice are campaigning to bring to an end. Digby said he knew one sporting agent who had been planning

to offer 52 days’ grouse shooting and had cancelled 50 of them.

Should we shoot woodcock or not?

Andrew Hoodless from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust discussed his recent woodcock survey and its implications for shooting and habitat management. He stressed that he has never said, ‘Don’t shoot woodcock’, which came as a relief to me.

POLICING, FISHING AND DIVERSITY

Another matter troubling shooters is UK police constabularies’ increasingly hardline approach to gun certificates. I had Chris Sharp on stage, who scored a remarkable victory this year. Kent Police took his guns using Priti Patel's draconian 2021 firearms licensing guidance. But the police got it wrong, and not only did Chris get his guns back but police had to pay his court costs, too. Chris's barrister Peter Glenser KC was on hand to talk about the wider police gun grab and what it means for shooters.

Another fieldsports winner is David Lyons. A former alcoholic, he got fishing prescribed on the NHS. The Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust teamed up with fishing social group Tackling Minds, which David runs, to introduce the scheme. He told his story on stage.

There was unfairness for fishers from Marina Gibson. She is appalled. The Flyfishers' Club in London doesn't accept women. Can you believe that? She argued that it is time for it to change. I tried to argue back – but the audience told me that I lost that one.

One a more upbeat note, do you fancy steelhead fishing in Canada? Kara Knight, a casting champion who manages Suskeena Lodge, was our expert.

Nicole Moore is a great ambassador for hunting and shooting. She described her love of the countryside. And Simon Whitehead, the doyen of British ferreters, talked about the joys of owning ferrets and why everyone should do it.

It wasn’t all hunting, shooting and fishing. We looked at farm incomes with Max Richardson from Rathbones Incorporating Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) and Mark Charter from Carter Jonas who discussed how to diversify farming. Meanwhile, Roy Cox from Blenheim Palace plus Mark Granger from Carter Jonas, who led the consultancy on Ledston Hall in Yorkshire, talked about how to modernise the English country house estate. The audience found out how to get a large estate to produce revenue.

Simulated days, whisky and antiques? There was more on that from Sophie Davidson and Ted Beale from Carter Jonas. They compared the value and make-up of an estate 100 years ago with today. Chris Turner from Carter Jonas and Garry Doolan from BASC together came to talk about sporting estates and the rise of the simulated game day. We even got into chattels, and how to diversify your portfolio into sports cars, whisky, art and

other chattels, with Andrew Chandler from Carter Jonas, Freya Simms from LAPADA and Aaron Sparkes from Whisky 1901.

Finally, the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre aimed to set the tone for debate, both among the Game Fair audience and nationally, for the months ahead. Sarah Lee from Future Countryside, the annual conference supported by both HM The King and Peter Mandelson, explained her role. GWCT chairman Sir Jim Paice and director of advisory Roger Draycott talked about the benefits to the countryside/ biodiversity of gamebird releasing.

The latest Value of Shooting report sets out in detail how environmentally, socially and economically, the value of shooting adds up to more for the UK. BASC chief executive Ian Bell explained how the report will help BASC make the case for shooting and conservation with the new Labour government.

The government spends huge sums of money via conservation industry bodies to support nature recovery. Yet, those

same bodies claim nature recovery is not good enough. Is there another way?

Teresa Dent, CEO of the GWCT, said there is potential for the private land management sector to deliver against national government targets by working collaboratively at scale. Land managers know what they are doing, should be able to tap into those funding sources and show they can achieve value for money results. The GWCT is already successfully supporting Environmental Farmer Groups/ Farmer Clusters and keen to help Shoot Groups set up in the same way.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST…

Editor of The Field, Alexandra Henton, talked about encouraging young people into hunting, shooting and fishing, and her new Junior issue. Another force of nature, SJ Hunt, told how – thanks to the Country Food Trust, which she runs – every shot pheasant and partridge is (or should be) eaten. Since it was founded in 2014, the CFT has delivered 5.5 million meals to the UK’s hungry and homeless. And Eat Wild CEO Louisa Clutterbuck explained how the British Game Assurance campaign has evolved now it is run at BASC.

Ian Grindy from the Gamekeepers' Welfare Trust said what his organisation does and the pressures on gamekeepers. And we heard about the work of the game shooting umbrella body Aim to Sustain.

It was a magnificent year, with a superb group of guests and enthusiastic audiences throughout the show. It didn’t stop when the curtain came down on the 2024 Game Fair.

You can watch some of the chats from the theatre here https://bit.ly/cjgft2024

Beautiful Blenheim

Charlotte Peters meets Roy Cox, the MD of Estates at Blenheim, to find out what it takes to manage such a large site across the year.

All is peaceful and tranquil when you gaze around the beautiful landscape of Blenheim Palace. It takes a lot of effort to create such serenity. In addition, the land has to ‘work’ in many different ways. Making the very best of land is the role of a land manager and the 12,500-acre Blenheim Palace Estate is managed by Roy Cox, who has been managing director of Estates at Blenheim for the past 11 years.

LAND IS THE CANVAS

I asked Roy about his role and his responsibilities. He said: “It covers so much. You might expect things like bottled water, farming and forestry and managing World Heritage Site parkland, through to things you might not expect like our outdoor events and our goal of becoming a carbon neutral estate by 2027.”

“I mention outdoor events because very few activities in the UK economy can have such a positive impact on a local area as The Game Fair does. Because of this, all the nearby pubs, hotels and restaurants are booked out months in advance. Local businesses can thrive from the new footfall and some estimates are putting its economic impact at nearly £40m.”

“Land management is so important at Blenheim Palace. Land is the canvas that touches so many people in the local area who view it as a shared back garden.”

WARMING CLIMATE

What worries Roy? “Our warming climate is a very real concern today,” he replies. “It is changing the land and how we do such simple things like growing food or establishing new woodlands. We are learning fast but more needs to be done on changing weather patterns and how we can change the way we care for land to reduce our impact on this climate and give greater focus to biodiversity.”

Roy studied at Reading University. I wondered how degree courses have

changed in the last few decades. He replied: “Today we are increasingly learning about how to place a value on nature and how that in turn affects our economy. Learning more about how nature directly affects our soil, air, water and green spaces shapes the way we care for land. That’s something that wasn’t being taught 30 years ago when the land was focussed on how we provide cheap food in a subsidised world.

“This remains a key part of land management but increasingly we are seeing new businesses grow from caring for nature, generating renewable energy or increasing biodiversity. There’s more attention paid to how this can all link together to create the healthy countryside we know and love. As a result of this, the area where your business operates becomes more prosperous and vibrant.”

WHAT ABOUT WATER HEALTH?

Water quality is an increasingly big concern. I asked Roy what steps were being taken at Blenheim to protect rivers and lakes.

“We try and take any land with a slope of 3-5 degrees (which creates a high risk of soil erosion) out of any form of crop production and instead turn it into woodland to stop loose soil and run off going into rivers.

“Where we have rivers running through our water meadows we deliberately try to reconnect them back to the old flood meadows so that silt disperses at high flow rates. By changing land use, we do our utmost to store more water in land, stop any nutrients flowing through the ground and soil eroding from the surface getting into our rivers.”

Roy’s top five pieces of equipment

01. Our sheep at Blenheim. I’m not a fan of sheep really, but they care for our Heritage Site in a way no strimmer can

02. The people I work with. We couldn’t care for a place like this today without them

03. My laptop as it follows me everywhere

04. My phone, with Google Earth!

05. My notepad

What would Roy like to see happen in an ideal world?

“We would have a patchwork quilt of land use,” he replied. ”Not necessarily the one which immediately springs to mind from storybooks. Rather a quilt that through every inch is relevant to the needs of today’s society. This includes areas sequestering and locking up carbon, fruit production providing labour for rural communities, livestock grazing biodiverse habitats, food production where it grows best and healthy woodlands in areas where we need them.

“Combining this for a healthy landscape makes good business sense and begins to provide a future where land will become more important to the needs of our world.”

ESSENTIAL KIT

There’s some compelling new kit for land managers out there, much of which was on display at The Game Fair. I asked Roy what equipment he was finding particularly interesting.

“We’ve just had a drone survey completed of our deer populations for the first time. We’ve used night vision with thermals before but it’s the first time we’ve used a drone. Some of the imagery I’ve seen has been quite enlightening and I’m looking forward to reading the survey results.”

BASC’s central regional director Lewis Thornley reflects on an outstanding return to Blenheim Palace for the 2024 Game Fair.

The

Game

Game Fair

that had it all The
Fair that had it all

With perfect weather conditions and a stunning venue in Blenheim Palace, The Game Fair welcomed more than 136,000 visitors who were treated to a fantastic renewal of this festival of the countryside.

BASC’s presence at the show this year was bigger and better than ever. Our main stand was a hive of information for BASC members and non-members alike, incorporating informative displays from our core departments such as gamekeeping, deer management, conservation and firearms.

Our team of specialists handled thousands of enquires over the three days, with consistent themes including using sustainable ammunition, firearms licensing, general licences and engaging with the new Labour government. Our membership services area saw hundreds of renewals and new members join, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their support and to welcome new members.

TALKING POLITICS

The Game Fair provides us with a unique platform to invite decision-makers and those who have influence within our sector. We hosted 29 MPs over the three days, many of whom were newly elected Labour MPs.

We took the opportunity to show them a snapshot of our industry, highlighting the benefits that shooting delivers economically, socially and environmentally. We were also able to engage in important discussions around the key issues which may impact the future of shooting. To bring the experience to life, we were in the unique position of being able to offer them a lesson with our expert BASC shotgun coaches for those who wished to experience the thrill of pulling the trigger and breaking some clays.

GLORIOUS GAME COOKERY

With an outstanding start list of chefs lined up for the BASC Wild Food Kitchen Theatre across the weekend, the area attracted big crowds each day for cookery and butchery demonstrations.

Each one showcased game meat at its very best and highlighted the benefits of cooking with topquality and sustainable produce. Interaction with the audience was fantastic throughout, with many people taking the opportunity to speak with the chefs afterwards.

Chefs who joined us this year included Escape to the Château’s Dick and Angel Strawbridge, JB Gill – farmer and former JLS band member, and First Dates’ Merlin Griffiths. In keeping with the wild food theme, our teams cooked and served game tasters to the passing public from a tee-pee next to our main stand over the three days. This was very well

received by those who stopped by for a tasty bite to eat.

GUNS AND GUNDOGS

A total of 488 people booked a lesson with one of BASC’s shotgun coaches at this year’s show, which included those who had never picked up a gun before, right through to experienced shots looking for technical pointers. The

BASC airgun range was equally popular, providing experiences to 551 visitors.

The BASC gundog scurries, supported by Skinner’s and Sporting Saint, are always high on the list for anyone interested in working dogs. We welcomed 450 entrants over the three days of The Game Fair and saw many different working dog breeds with their handlers of all ages taking part.

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY FOR BASC MEMBERS

The Game Fair remains the flagship countryside event of the year and long may it continue. All BASC members receive complimentary entry across all three days, and we are delighted to announce that BASC will remain as an official partner of The Game Fair for another three years, ensuring complimentary entry for all our members for that period.

I would encourage everyone to take advantage of this outstanding offer. Almost 29,000 people did exactly that this time around. BASC members can also get a discounted rate for guests and many other Game Fair packages.

For more information, visit thegamefair.org.uk

here’s great skill in being able to able to respect the old while embracing the new. Materials, technology, or simply ways of doing things evolve and can take over, leaving the past in the past.

The renovation of Grade 1-listed Ledston Hall in Yorkshire is perhaps the perfect example of striking the balance between protecting what’s important while laying the foundations for a new-look future.

Ledston has sat semi-derelict for more than 60 years, although the surrounding estate has continued to thrive with 2,500 acres of farmland, 50 houses, a pub and a wine shop.

However, a transformative restoration project has now been undertaken and, following £14.5m of investment, the 700-year-old property near Castleford has been taken off the Heritage at Risk

register. Today, the Hall contains four luxury houses and six state-of-the-art apartments.

THE HISTORY OF LEDSTON HALL

Social reformer Lady Betty Hastings lived at Ledston Hall in the 18th century, during which time she made many improvements to the house and grounds. She didn’t marry or have children, so the estate passed to the Wheler family in 1789.

However, as the Whelers preferred to spend most of their time at their other estate in Kent, Ledston Hall remained empty during the Second World War and, when Granville Wheler inherited in 1948, he leased the building to a school.

The south wing was converted into five flats in the 1960s, but the rest of the house slowly became more neglected, to the point that it became unsafe.

After Granville Wheler’s death in 2004, Ledston’s future was uncertain and, with no funds for maintenance, its condition deteriorated even further.

The fortunes of the building finally started reversing when the Wheler

Foundation, set up by Granville in 1992 with trustees he appointed himself, sold a parcel of land in Kent to developers in order to fund a huge renovation project.

Mark Granger, who is part of the Carter Jonas team in Yorkshire which manages the estate on behalf of the Wheler Foundation, is one of the trustees, although his involvement with the estate stems back much further.

“Mr Wheler knew me from when I was in short trousers, as my father’s involvement with Ledston Hall went back to the 1930s,” Mark recalls. “Mr Wheler always wanted to restore the hall but, although he was capital rich in terms of owning two estates, he didn’t have the cash necessary to embark upon such a project.

“I’m thrilled for him because we’ve managed to do something that he would’ve loved to have done but wasn’t able to in his lifetime.”

THE RENOVATION OF LEDSTON HALL

Although the Foundation considered other uses for the Hall, ranging from office

Breathing fresh life into historic estate buildings

The Carter Jonas team takes us on a tour of the restoration of Yorkshire’s Ledston Hall.

space to a hotel, they quickly realised they weren’t viable.

“We’d always been able to let the five existing flats, so we knew there was a demand,” Mark says.

“We did as many vertical conversions as we could so that some properties would have a ground, first and second floor.

“They all have lifts because we wanted to make sure it would be possible for older people to live there, who might need a bit of help getting upstairs and downstairs.”

The residences all have state-of the art facilities and boast access to the site’s extensive gardens.

In addition to the 10 residential properties, the Hall also has a meeting room, a dining room and some kitchen space, too.

TRADITIONAL MEETS MODERN

Energy efficiency was a key consideration when the initial plans were being drawn up – a considerable challenge for a Grade 1 listed building.

Securing planning permission to install double-glazed leaded light windows was a landmark moment and a major step forward towards making the building as energy efficient as possible, with all the residences achieving a B or C rating.

“Ledston Hall was the first Grade 1 listed building in the country to be granted planning permission to change the metal-framed, leaded original windows with a double-glazed equivalent,” says Hannah Burton, a partner at Carter Jonas’ Harrogate Office.

“We couldn’t have residents living in accommodation with single-glazed windows – it’s luxury accommodation and people just wouldn’t have entertained the idea of living with old windows and such poor energy performance, particularly at a time when energy bills have increased by so much.”

Beginning such a big project at the very start of the Covid lockdowns presented several challenges.

“We had some issues with labour, but the real impact was felt in securing the relevant planning permissions,” Hannah adds. “There were delays because all the planning officers were working from their individual homes.

“Because the Hall was in such a state inside and had become very damp, we had to do poulticing to suck up all the moisture. That put us back by a few months, too.”

However, Mark says they were pleased with how pragmatic Historic England

were when more modern updates proved absolutely necessary.

“We could have been severely restricted in what we could do, but their primary interest was in getting the Hall restored and for a use to be found for it that could generate income in order for future maintenance to be carried out,” he says.

A FRESH START FOR LEDSTON HALL

The legacy of Mr Wheler and Lady Betty Hastings will not be forgotten, even as new residents moved in to enjoy the modernised facilities at the Hall.

“All the residential units have been named after one-time owners of Ledston Hall (other than one – Bridgeman –which is named after the garden architect of the Hall),” reveals Mark.

The Wheler Foundation has two main objectives, the first being the restoration and repair of its historic buildings.

“The other principal objective is education,” Mark explains. “We have a classroom on the estate and that’s used at least three to four days every week by visiting schools.

“IN THE FUTURE, WE’RE ALSO GOING TO WELCOME SCHOOLS TO THE HALL, SO THAT CHILDREN CAN LEARN ABOUT ITS HISTORY.”

The Game Fair and the GWCT Scottish Game Fair hosted some major gundog, shooting and finishing competitions, and...

The results The results

results are in! results are in!

The Game Fair Challenge 2024

The Game Fair Challenge, a 50-bird Sporting clay competition with a layout developed by E.J. Churchill, is challenging and great fun. This year the standard was as high as ever and the competition was fierce on the Subaru Shooting Line.

High Gun winner was Billy Bourne. Billy won an Isuzu D-Max Truck on a sixmonth lease plus the Callaghans Fine

Art Perpetual Trophy. Ladies High Gun winner was Toni Dixon. Toni received a gift certificate for a custom-made shooting vest from Upland Bespoke.

The Junior High Gun was Aiden Scott. Aiden won a Switch 4 Interchangeable 4 Lens Set from Evolution Sunglasses. The winner of the Veteran Class was Richard Withey. Richard won a gilet from Fortis Clothing.

Some of the winners and key figures from the shooting events at The Game Fair, from left: Ladies’ High Gun winner Toni Dixon, Katrina Midgley from organisers Stable Events, the representative from Isuzu and Billy Baughan, the High Gun winner.

Debbie Warne, the Isuzu representative, is third from the left.

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THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2024

Euro Challenge

WHERE: THE MALBOROUGH ARENA

WHEN: SATURDAY, 27 JULY

Results Nation Captain Score

1st Italy

2nd Germany

3rd Belgium

4th Eire

5th Switzerland

6th Netherlands

7th Great Britain

Allessandra Franchi 544

Jennifer Hirschfeld 534

Jelle Juysmans 504

Jim Collins 501

Steve Grutter 485

Benno Wendt 482

Liz Barnes 465

Home International

WHERE: HOME INTERNATIONAL ARENA WHEN: 27 - 28 JULY

Results Nation Captain Score

1st Ireland Declan Boyle 1024

2nd Scotland Donnie Leitch 1003

3rd England David Latham 989

4th Wales Alan Rees 901

HIGHEST SCORING LABRADOR

Antonio de Somma with Groowebooster (Italy) 189

HIGHEST SCORING GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Martina Francescon with The Perfect Storm (Italy) 182

HIGHEST SCORING OTHER BREED

Kathrin Golze with Chesapeake Bay Retriever Penrose Peatbog Fairy (Germany) 184

HIGHEST SCORING FLATCOATED RETRIEVER

Ursula von Felten with Ayokas Elani Calista (Switzerland) 184

COMMENTATOR’S CHOICE

Poker D’Assi Di Casa (a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever), pet name “Scotch”

JUDGES

Keith Bedford and Paula Cullis

SPANIELS

Best Spaniel Team: England

Best Individual Spaniel: Simon Dixon (England) with Dawsonlee Pepsi

Best Hunting Spaniel: Mick Walsh (Ireland) with Int.FtCh Rytex Reo of Hollydrive

RETRIEVERS

Best Retriever Team: Scotland

Best Individual Retriever: Roddy Forbes (Scotland) with Millbuies Gilbert of Carnochway

Best Marking Retriever: Roddy Forbes with Millbuies Gilbert of Carnochway

HIGHEST AND BEST

Highest Scoring Dog Overall: Roddy Forbes with Millbuies Gilbert of Carnochway

Best Irish Dog: Declan Boyle with Int FtCh

Knockyclovaun Ralph

Best Irish Spaniel: Mick Walsh with Int FtCh Rytex Reo of Hollydrive

Best Irish Retriever: Declan Boyle with Int FtCh Knockyclovaun Ralph

JUDGES

Spaniels: Mark Colclough and Stuart Morgan

Retrievers: Phillip Turner and Greig Paterson

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Minority Gundog Breed Challenge THE GAME FAIR REVIEW 2024

WHERE: MARLBOROUGH ARENA

WHEN: 28 JULY (RETRIEVERS IN THE MORNING, SPANIELS IN THE AFTERNOON)

RETRIEVERS

Results

1st Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

2nd Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

3rd Irish Water Spaniels

4th Curly Coated Retrievers

SPANIELS

Results

1st Spanish Water Dogs

2nd Lagotto Romagnolos

3rd Clumber Spaniels

4th Welsh Springer Spaniels

5th Sussex Spaniels

HIGHEST SCORING SPANIEL

Andrew Capille with Spanish Water Dog, Chanderhill Giant Gamble at Lendever

CAPTAINS

Clumber Spaniel Club: Heather Mayes

Lagotto Ronagnolo Club of GF: Jude Bullen

HIGHEST SCORING RETRIEVER

Judy Hempstead with Irish Water Spaniel, ShCh River Forest Irish Eider at Cuvana

CAPTAINS

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers: Lisa Murch

Curly Coated Retrievers: Sue Margerison

Irish Water Spaniels: Judy Hempstead

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers: Sarah Akehurst

JUDGE

Roger Wade

Spanish Water Dog Working Gundog Club: Rachel Capille

Sussex Spaniels: Sophie Rule

Welsh Springer Spaniel Club: Tina Smith

JUDGE

Gerry Meehan

GWCT Scottish Game Fair Gundog Competition RESULTS

ANY VARIETY ALL AGE SPANIEL TEST

WHEN: 5 JULY RESULTS

1ST GRAHAM CLARK (HANDLER EDDIE SCOTT)

2ND JOHN PATERSON

3RD LIAM MULHOLLAND

ANY VARIETY ALL AGE RETRIEVER TEST

WHEN: 5 JULY

RESULTS

1ST TOM GOLD

2ND DAVID MCBURNEY

3RD JAMES GRANT

FOUR NATIONS INTERNATIONAL GUNDOG COMPETITION (SPONSORED BY KRONCH UK)

WHEN: 6 JULY

RESULTS

1ST SCOTLAND 2ND IRELAND

3RD ENGLAND 4TH WALES

TOP SPANIEL TEAM SCOTLAND TOP RETRIEVER TEAM SCOTLAND

TOP SPANIEL DARREN ALLISON (SCOTLAND)

TOP HUNTING SPANIEL IEVA GRIGAITE (IRELAND)

TOP RETRIEVER JOHN DAWSON (IRELAND) TOP DOG JOHN DAWSON (IRELAND)

JUDGES SPANIELS M WALSH & I CLARKE

RETRIEVERS M ROLLAND & C PERRY

ANY VARIETY OPEN SPANIEL TEST

WHEN: 7 JULY

RESULTS

1ST EDDIE SCOTT

2ND JIM WARDROPE

3RD EDDIE SCOTT

ANY VARIETY OPEN SPANIEL TEST

WHEN: 7 JULY

RESULTS

1ST JOHN CULLEN

2ND RODDY FORBES

3RD IAN LOHOAR

JUNIOR HANDLER COMPETITION

WHEN: 7 JULY

RESULTS

1ST LILLY WEBSTER

2ND POPPY STEWART

3RD CONAN BELL

British Fly Casting Championship

WHEN: 26-28 JULY, 2024

WHERE: FISHING VILLAGE

Casters had to compete in all three events and could qualify on any of the three days of The Game Fair

THE CLASSES WERE:

• Trout accuracy (#5 weight line) single-handed event against four targets (using the World Championship rules)

• Trout distance (#5 weight line) single-handed event

• Salmon Overhead distance (S55g shooting head line) double-handed event

OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

The winner and top runners-up are shown below, and the percentage scoring system was applied to determine the overall best caster across the three events and in each category: Male, Female, and Junior (Under 18). The distance results are in metres, and accuracy is measured in points scored.

Four men contested the Sunday final including the winner and top two runners-up from the Blenheim Game Fair Championship, plus one of the runners-up from the Scottish Game Fair (unfortunately the Scottish winner could not be present). The final was conducted in difficult casting conditions: glassy flat calms, headwinds or slight side winds blowing into the caster’s rod arm. As such, the random draw for casting order was all-important in determining how lucky individuals were with the conditions.

Despite the conditions, the final was hard fought with three different casters winning the three disciplines.

Nick Moore won the Trout distance, James Evans won the Trout accuracy and Steve Parkes won the Salmon distance with his last cast. Once all the results were converted into percentages Nick Moore emerged as the overall winner with a 5% margin over Steve in the runners-up position.

Note: This was the first BFCC-run fly casting competition at The Game Fair.

Right: Tracy Thomas of the BFCC with Nick Moore

A LOOK AHEAD TO 2025

The 2025 Game Fair at Ragley Hall is gearing up to be a fantastic celebration of the British countryside, bringing together outdoor enthusiasts, families and lifestyle lovers alike. This beloved event will offer an impressive array of activities: attendees can enjoy have-a-go events, explore Gunmakers’ Row, pull the trigger at the Shooting Line, cast a fly at the fishing village, watch the world’s best handlers in the Gundog Arena and much, much more.

With over 800 exhibitors, the Game Fair is a shopping paradise filled with unique finds ranging from outdoor sporting goods to handmade artisan products. There’s something for everyone here, from

kids’ activities to expert talks on conservation and land management, making it the perfect setting for families and individuals looking to experience country life up close. Ragley Hall’s picturesque setting provides the perfect backdrop, blending historic charm with the fun and energy of live demonstrations, craft displays, and countryside knowledge

The event promises a memorable social experience, too, with VIP packages featuring exclusive lounges, unique views, and a chance to meet others who share a passion for the countryside. Set to draw thousands, the 2025 Game Fair is a perfect opportunity to connect with

nature, try new outdoor activities, and enjoy the best of British rural traditions in a family-friendly, vibrant atmosphere.

We look forward to seeing you there.

James Gower, managing director, Stable

Events

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Only the finest farmers make it into our beauty parade

Shortly after harvest each year the best hop farmers in the UK journey to our brewery in Yorkshire. They bring with them carefully packed parcels of their finest crops. In what has become known as the hop beauty parade our expert brewers meticulously assess each batch, judging not just looks

but also personality. The brewers rub each hop in their warm hands to feel the quality of the resins and release the delicate aromas that are vital to the signature flavour and balance of our beer. Only then are the choicest whole leaf hops selected to brew your beautiful pint of Landlord.

All for that taste of Taylor’s

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