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UNIQUELY AWAY SUMMER 2013
pectacle, pageantry and family fun – the gates swing open at Holkham on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July as the country fair arrives at the estate.
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The clay pigeon shoot at Holkham Country Fair is also not to be missed and there will be classic cars, a display of vintage military vehicles and more than 200 trade, food and craft stands.
The two-day event at Holkham marries the finest traditions of the countryside with a spectacular line up of entertainment and attractions for the whole family.
Historically, Holkham Country Fair has been held every other year, but it is now set to become an annual event, making it a permanent fixture in Norfolk’s summer calendar. It is held at Holkham by kind permission of Viscount and Viscountess Coke.
This year, explains new director of the show, Dominic Reid OBE, it features the likes of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, a freefall parachute display, falconry demonstrations and the JCB Dancing Diggers. “The Holkham Country Fair originated to teach children about the countryside and its importance and traditions, which is why we let them in for free. Today, more than 30 years on, the show is true to those educational roots and continues to celebrate everything rural,” he says. The Grand Ring will play host to a spectacular programme, which will also include a championship youth band, a hound parade and terrier racing. Visitors will also be able to enjoy lurcher racing, fly-casting demonstrations, wildfowling, gundog scurry and team test, and the ever-popular sheep show.
Dominic, who lives in Norfolk, has organised events professionally for the past 20 years, notably the Lord Mayor’s Show in London, the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. “The Holkham Country Fair has a wonderful combination of spectacle, pageantry and great fun, which makes it a fantastic family day out,” he says. “It is one of the best-loved country fairs in England and we are building it to provide something for everyone.” Tickets cost £15 per person. Children aged 14 and under are free (save 10 per cent on entry
irds of prey will soar above the Grand Ring at the Holkham Country Fair, under the watchful eye of falconer Charlotte Hill. Charlotte, who runs CJ’s Birds of Prey, has worked with the magnificent creatures for the past 19 years.
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“They are beautiful birds and I just love their free spirits. Working with them really gives me an adrenaline boost and I like to share that with other people,” she says. Charlotte has 37 birds in total, including eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and buzzards. At the fair she will give a flying demonstration, the highlight of which will be a display by a peregrine falcon, the fastest creature of earth.
prices when booking online). The fair is open from 9am to 7pm on both days and car parking is free. For more information call 01328 821821 or visit www.holkhamcountryfair.com
“George is now four years old – this will be his second time at Holkham. Depending on the climatic conditions, he will either give a very dramatic display, where he flies close to the audience, or will get up to a great height and then come down very, very fast. “This is what he would do naturally – my job is just to encourage him to do what he would do in the wild.” For more information visit www.cjsbirdsofprey.com
Photography courtesy CJ’s Birds of Prey
Photography courtesy of Holkham Country Fair