50th Game Fair - a clear success

Records smashed all round at The CLA Game Fair 2008

The 50th Anniversary CLA Game Fair returned to Blenheim Palace with a bang this weekend where a record151, 000 visitors attended over the 3 days an increase of 13,000 over the previous of 138,000.  The sun shone, business was buoyant and the atmosphere convivial and happy.

Organisers believe that following last year’s cancellation, it being the show’s 50th Anniversary and the extremely popular venue, Blenheim Palace, all contributed to the record smashing audience figure.

The traffic problems on Friday were triggered by a road accident on the major route which in turn caused congestion.  With almost 100,000 more visitors on Saturday than Friday, traffic flowed well, “proving” said Game Fair’s Director David Hough, “that the sophisticated £10,000 traffic management system put in place for the event really does work effectively”. 

On the Barbour stand Claire Saunders and her team sold out the entire stock of their newly lightest ever shooting coat on the first day and had to send out for emergency back up stock.

“It’s a bit of a challenge to sell heavy duty coats in such hot weather buy this has been a great show for us, we have really enjoyed it” she said.

Across other parts of the 500 acre site the credit crunch seemed a distant memory as retailers sold out of goods and others reported record sales.  Dylan Williams of the Really Wild Clothing Company said sales on the first day equated to a whole year’s trade at some of his retail outlets.

All the Championships, displays and events went really well.  Gordon Armstrong won the Salt Water Spey Casting with a cast of 52.50m, and for 16 year-old Glasgow schoolboy, Ryan Brady, it really was Christmas come early as he gained second place in his first ever entry in the event.  Whilst over in the gundog area the Euro Challenge was won by England and the prestigious Gundog International was narrowly won by Ireland.  Up on the busy Clay line The CLA Game Fair 50th anniversary Clay Shooting Championship was won on Friday by Martin Myers.

Spirits were high right across the 500 acre site with the crowds enjoying every aspect of the rural tapestry on show.  The serious side of rural affairs was brought into focus in The Game Fair Theatre with debates on the future of land management, politics and controlling poaching – sponsors Strutt and Parker said they had enjoyed their most successful Game Fair ever.

Game Fair Director, David Hough, expressed his enormous appreciation of the support by exhibitors and sponsors and that to stage the most successful Game Fair ever was a huge compliment to organisers, exhibitors, visitors and many local businesses who had all contributed to the final outcome.

“This is a huge event bringing tens of thousands of extra people into the area every day and generating a multi million pound boost for the local economy. It has been an absolutely brilliant event, the atmosphere all around the show ground has been fantastic, there has been a real buzz around the place for all three days” said Mr Hough
The CLA Game Fair 2009 will be held at Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Lincolnshire on Friday 24th – Sunday 26th July