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The Game Fair


steve_b_wales
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12 hours ago, Svenandolaf said:

It turns out the parking is off site and at least a 20 min walk. Sounds like chaos there this evening, fingers crossed it calms down for the morning! 

Hello, It was like that the last time i went there, Do not forget the Exit routes although you would find the Witney one suitable, Have a good day

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Just got back - parking was no issue at all. 10 min walk through the woods to the entrance from where we parked then another 10 mins past the clay shooting etc up to gunmakers row. Quite well spaced out, didn’t bother with the retail part but had a good nose round everywhere else. 

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Hi parking wasn’t a problem also 10min walk but we came in retail end. Had a good day didn’t buy much just a new 6ft fishing rod and reel for my young son. Oh and an over priced bbq pulled pork bap £12😂. My boy wanted this dragon think it was his favourite thing there he loved it. Bloody clever but bit pricey for me.

 

Edited by B686
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Went yesterday, picked up a new knife from one of the lads who makes them, rather than the mainstream or random knife stands. Thought there were some interesting stuff there but it's still going down the route of Instagram lovers and hellish priced clothing ( not the kind you'd shoot or stalk on )

 

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We went as a family today and I have to say it was a really good day out. Parking was easy with only a 15-minute walk from the car to the show. 

I thought it was a good idea that they had moved the shotgun shooting away from the rest of the stands so that you weren't bothered when you were trying to browse the retail with shots going off very close to you as I think occurred last year. 

Perhaps it was the weather but it felt a lot more spaced out this year. The aisles seemed a lot wider. There seemed to be more toilets, more seating, etc. 

Prices were not great but then again they never are at these events ! One thing I did notice is that whilst as basc members myself and my wife got in for free we had to pay for the children.... Slightly annoying as the vast majority of the money we spent was on them !

Overall a great day out and I could have spent a huge amount more. I was looking for an FX DRS but I could only find one in .22 but at least I got to hold one and realise that this will be my next rifle 

 

Q

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Had a good two days, walked in through the woods and past the clay stands.  I will say I thought the punters (us) were too close to some of the clay stands as we walked past, certainly too close for children’s ears. 
 

another criticism, and one I was surprised by, after two days it appears as if the waste bins, of which there were many, had not been emptied and a lot were over spilling onto the surrounding ground. Those with dog waste in were starting to absolutely stink. I was surprised as from what I recall bin emptying/ waste disposal was well managed in the past. I wonder if it was a perceived cost saving. 

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Went yesterday.  Didn't arrive till midday due to family commitments, which means I managed to miss the traffic and queues to get in.

Managed to talk to a couple of the Fieldsports team (David, James, and Nicole) who are as genuine and passionate about all things countryside as you'd expect.  Also bumped into (literally) Lord Muck, who is also a top bloke.

Didn't buy much, but did manage to pick up a decent gunslip.

 

On 27/07/2024 at 16:13, ShootingEgg said:

. Thought there were some interesting stuff there but it's still going down the route of Instagram lovers and hellish priced clothing ( not the kind you'd shoot or stalk on )

On 27/07/2024 at 17:03, B686 said:

Get what you mean about instagram , some real posers and a lot of trout pouts strutting about 🤣.

Maybe it was because I'd arrived on Sunday, but genuinely didn't see much in the way of posing.

But I've been thinking about this, the younger people who turned up represent the future of shooting.  So if they want to turn into a  'day at the races' and get dressed up a bit, I say let them.  I briefly sat down in the shade of a tree to have a drink and rearrange my back pack.  There was a 19/20 yr old couple next to me, who wanted to make a fuss of my dog and I got talking to them.  Both keen on shooting, the chap being introduced by his dad to it, and his girlfriend getting into working her dogs.  Whether or not their attire was slightly out-of-sync with the prevailing weather is not important, and I wasn't going to judge them for it.  I highly doubt they'll be unsuitably clothed come the season.

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On 27/07/2024 at 17:03, B686 said:

some real posers and a lot of trout pouts strutting about 🤣.

You raise an interesting point.  I have been going to game fairs (probably roughly every other year) for around 45 years now and it has always been the case that some 'dress up for the occasion' whereas others (including me) wear whatever will be most comfortable.  I don't see it as a 'new thing' or confined to the 'young'.  Just like most big 'events' some people have always liked to show off their 'finery', whereas other (the majority) go to see the stands, the exhibits, the demonstrations etc.

Was there much fishing this year?  The last few times I have been - fishing has been much reduced.  I always enjoyed a sit down in the shade watching the immense skills shown in the casting demonstrations and tried to learn from the tips given.

One of the reasons I haven't been now for around 3 years is that with increasing years I find a day out walking around in very hot sunny conditions not very pleasant.  For me, the fair at a cooler time of year would be more attractive.

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9 hours ago, JohnfromUK said:

You raise an interesting point.  I have been going to game fairs (probably roughly every other year) for around 45 years now and it has always been the case that some 'dress up for the occasion' whereas others (including me) wear whatever will be most comfortable.  I don't see it as a 'new thing' or confined to the 'young'.  Just like most big 'events' some people have always liked to show off their 'finery', whereas other (the majority) go to see the stands, the exhibits, the demonstrations etc.

Was there much fishing this year?  The last few times I have been - fishing has been much reduced.  I always enjoyed a sit down in the shade watching the immense skills shown in the casting demonstrations and tried to learn from the tips given.

One of the reasons I haven't been now for around 3 years is that with increasing years I find a day out walking around in very hot sunny conditions not very pleasant.  For me, the fair at a cooler time of year would be more attractive.

As for dressing for the event , I well remember some of the early C L A game fairs we went to , if you went to the W A G B I stand you would find virtually everyone dressed in Barbour jackets , it didn't matter how hot it was they would still had the wax coats on , then if you were a member the drinks were free and you left a donation in a big barrel in the middle of tent , you can imagine what they found inside when they tipped it out , :drinks: 

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I didn’t go but my daughter who lives locally did. Said she had a great time as did her partner. Parking wasn’t an issue. Yes you had to walk but she was fine with that and she is pregnant. Queues for food were a little long but that was the only adverse comment she made. Perhaps when it’s next at Blenheim I will go again!

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On 29/07/2024 at 11:36, JohnfromUK said:

I have been going to game fairs (probably roughly every other year) for around 45 years now and it has always been the case that some 'dress up for the occasion' whereas others (including me) wear whatever will be most comfortable.  I don't see it as a 'new thing' or confined to the 'young'. 

Interesting; I did see a few more older people over dressed dressed in their finery, but the under 30s were definitely in the majority in that group.  As said, by the time I arrived it was Sunday lunchtime, so I suspect those who wanted to be suited and booted had adjusted for the weekend weather somewhat.

On 29/07/2024 at 11:36, JohnfromUK said:

One of the reasons I haven't been now for around 3 years is that with increasing years I find a day out walking around in very hot sunny conditions not very pleasant.  For me, the fair at a cooler time of year would be more attractive.

Doubt that'll happen, the English weather is unpredictable enough as it is.  An outdoor show in autumn would be an even greater risk.  There's always the shooting show at the NEC....no included entry though.

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