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Sandringham Game Fair


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I know that this has been discussed previously but I’m thinking of going for the first time this year.

We used to go every year to the Fenland Fair before it was discontinued and enjoyed the originality and country feel of it.

I understand the Sandringham is around the same scale of the Fenland so may well suit as the larger ones have in my opinion become too varied in terms of the type of stands. I’m not really interested in garden furniture, oversees holidays etc. etc.

Anyone else having been or likely to be going?

Come on John (marsh man) what’s your opinion?

Thanks in advance for any feed back.

OB
 


 

 

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Sandringham is run by Living Heritage Events. It is a good day out at a lovely venue. The organisers do invite a fair number of non-profit groups such as gundog clubs, wildfowling clubs etc. which give it a "roots" flavour. If you plan to stay over it is just a stone's throw from the coast of course.

That said, the Fenland Fair was a bit special. Malcolm Hall (plus John and and Joan Plant back in the day) wanted a sort of affirmation of rural life which reminded one of the early Game Fairs. Then of course you had the inimitable John Humphreys doing the commentary and walking around the show like the squire of Bottisham. I have spent quite a few weekends working at shows, but waking up on a Sunday morning at Quy to hear the cocks crowing in the poultry lines was different.

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I go along with pushandpull , a lovely venue and the Sandringham would be in my opinion as near as you would get to the Fenland , maybe the one main difference it is more spaced out than the Fenland , this was the last fair we went together before my wife passed away , just after dinner we would come out , get our hands stamped and then I would go and get my motor which would be parked a fair way back as we are not amongst the early arrivals and find a place close to where you pay to get in , have a bite to eat and then go around once more before we head off back to Cromer to get our tea , all in all a very good day out in perfect surroundings . I don't think Chris you will be disappointed ,  By the way , there is a slight reduction for o a ps which I have been well before it started :lol:   MM

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I went some time ago and I very much enjoyed it. There was a clay layout (I didn't take an gun nor shoot it) and a pay and play have a go airgun and clay stand where you could turn up and gun, ammunition were available. I have to say that I did enjoy it and if it were not so far away would go again. There was also flycasting tuition (on grass). I thought it good value and worthwhile.

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5 hours ago, Old Boggy said:

Does he get out much though.

He’s too busy cooking these days:yahoo:

Perhaps he'll do B&B if you ask nicely 

Or have the good year 2 star dersingham diner (with gravy ) on site. 

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  • 1 month later...

We usually go to Sandringham and having attended the Fenland for many years before it ceased to be a country show I would say it is just slightly bigger but that may just be an impression as, has been said, it is a bit more spread out. 
SWMBO wants to go Sandringham next week but we are both still recovering from a recent double dose of Covid then gastroenteritis straight after we are both feeling our age and generally a bit washed out at present. 

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5 hours ago, Old Boggy said:

So, did anyone make it to the fair?
 


Yes, we went on Saturday as the weather forecast was for rain Sunday. We arrived about 11am with and although the traffic and carparks were busy we got parked straight away. Walked through the entry point easily enough as She Who Must Be Obeyed had bought advance tickets en route so just had to have the codes on her phone scanned.

Crowds of people and as usual these days some quite unpleasant kids. I witnessed one lad of maybe eight delighting in repeatedly making other people's dogs jump by roaring at them from close quarters, the parent remained totally oblivious and chatted to someone. I bet she would have something to day if a dog had turned and had a go at the brat. There were the usual arena displays, a large food and drink area, loads of stalls selling the usual tat stuff with the occasional small 'country clothing' type place. There were several vehicle stands, one or two ag machinery dealerships, the usual chap selling his own make traps, a couple of long 'craft' marquees. BASC were in attendance as were the Fenland Wildfowlers and Gamekeepers Welfare Trust but try as I might I couldn't find the National Gamekeepers Organisation stand.  The have a go gundog and clay area was busy enough as we walked past. 

The crowds started to thin a bit around lunchtime, when we went back to the vehicle for a sit down and bite to eat there were quite a few empty parking spaces that had been previously occupied and a few more left as we sat there. We went back into the show, had another look around [for the NGO stand], I bought a shirt, daughter a hat and shirt, SWMBO kept her purse in her bag.  

IMG_3883.jpg.f00ef3c81b908e3cc2ed19673a8a57a4.jpg

We sat and watched the gundog scurry which had a steady queue of people waiting their turn to have a go. We watched and also listened to the seemingly constant yelled commands, hand waving and whistle peeping with one woman in particular who I think would clear every drive of birds with the commands fruity insults she bellowed at her animal while it turned a deaf ear and carried on doing its own thing. My dogs stayed home, daughter took her spaniel but both just sat and watched... and listened. 

The show seemed bigger this year, but was even less 'country and game' and more 'public show'. This show has been a regular for us but after attending last year I said I may not go again but after a bit of a recent rough patch health wise SWMBO was keen to have a day out this year. However my views from last year remain unchanged. 

IMG_3879.jpg.b6e6bcfc9998dbb38c8a223b8ccd9692.jpg



https://www.livingheritagecountryshows.com/arena-entertainment-at-sandringham/

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2 hours ago, Old Boggy said:

Many thanks for your very detailed report of the show.

Lovely photo of the spaniel, which I assume is your daughter`s.

Thanks,

OB


My pleasure. Yes that is my daughter's spaniel, photographed on the tailgate while we sat and had lunch. She one of the litter I bred four years ago. 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Just interested. did the Muzzle Loaders attend this year Sandringham Game Fair the same company Living Heritage  did organise a Country Fair at Raby Castle Co Durham in  2009 , 10,and  11 .Here the muzzle loaders stand was well supported  both shooting plus  a static display of weapons . This show improved each year then it suddenly stopped  after just  three years sadly not another game fair has started in the  North  East  to my knowledge

Feltwad

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