|
Midland
Game & Country Fair comes of age
A
staggering near 55,000 visitors confirmed the 20th Midland Game
& Country Sports Fair held at Weston Park, Shropshire over
the weekend of September 15th & 16th, as record best-ever
and can claim ‘they were there’ the year the event
really came of age.
Last year’s attendance of 45,000 was itself a record and
means the event has almost doubled in size in just three years.
Delighted organisers commented: “Over the last few year’s
we have had a lot to contend with one way or another: deluge
of rain, drought of petrol, pestilence with foot and mouth and
even the terrible after affects of 9/11 last year.
“We always knew that with a fair wind we could really do
something special and I guess someone just decided this was
our year. The weather was perfect, our new traffic management
plan meant people were getting on and off site quicker than
ever before...although with 55,000 visitors there were still
some queues at peak times.
On site the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic: we increased
the physical area of the show by around 30%, so with a number
of new arenas and events, such as the very successful Plymouth
Gin sponsored Gundogs, so although we were very busy it never
seemed overcrowded.”
Better
After such a performance Tony Scutt also promised that the drive
for the Midland’s 21st birthday party in 2003 would be
to seek to make the show even better - rather bigger.
Spell-bound
The Fair even had its very own world record when the vicar of
West Park, the Rev Graeme Sims - who opened both days with a
short service - succeeded in simultaneously working eight different
sheepdogs in the Main Arena in front of a large and spell-bound
audience.
Dogs, dogs, dogs, never have there been so many dogs at a Country
Fair as there were at the Midland Game and Country Sports Fair
at Weston Park, Shropshire.
Long-jump
There were loads of Terrier Classes, Lurcher racing, Show and
Obedience Competitions with even a Lurcher long-jump with the
official record standing at an amazing 27 feet! A huge Gundog
presence with the Game Conservancy Finals from eight Regional
Tests covering Open, Puppy, Novice, Novice dog/novice handler.
The Open winner was Mrs Jenny Walton with Labrador Greenvale
Jig, the Puppy winner Philip Bruton and Olivertash Bailey:
Ludorum
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation held Scurry,
Pick Up, Obstacle Course and Dog and Gun events, with a Victor
Ludorum for the overall winner.
An Interteam Gundog Challenge for teams of four handlers and
dogs, the Plymouth Gin Dummy Launcher Long Retrieve and Partridge
Pen competition, a Gundog Tent and Parade covering 31 breeds.
For the first time you could have your dogs eye tested, as Janice
Pritchard had organised an Eye Clinic with Mr Goodyear BV&S
Cert V Ophthal MRCVS examining. Microchipping was available
and there was even a Dog Creche where you could leave your animal
for the odd hour to wander round and relax!
Highlight
The Kennel Club had a stand, and were also holding a Good Citizen
Dog Scheme Demonstration. The Mid Wales Working Gundog Society
held a simulated Driven Shoot in the Gundog Arena, John Halstead
was presenting his Gundog Demonstrations in the Main Arena,
Kelly Kelly showed the practical approach of training Hunt Point
and Retrieve with a Behavioural Clinic at the ringside.
John Cavana and Will Clulee held Gundog Displays and, of course,
the highlight of the day for me was the huge parade of the Albrighton
Foxhounds and the Derbyshire, Notts and Staffs Beagles in the
Main Arena, where dozens of children were invited to come into
the ring to make a fuss of the hounds. This was a full meet
rather than just a parade, as the Foxhounds were going on to
cubbing locally. Everyone cheered and clapped as Hounds, Master,
Huntsman and Whipper In galloped round the Arena for a farewell,
what a sight, hopefully never to be lost.
Biscuit
The spectators pets were not neglected either as the Handy Dog
Competition (all dogs to be kept on leads), gained a biscuit
for each dog who took part, there was also a Dog Pet Show.
A colourful collection of carting canines and their owners displaying
craft work, consisting mainly of Bernese Mountain Dogs, with
occasionally Newfoundland’s and Bullmastiffs were organised
by the Carters’ Fund for Health and Rescue.
Remarkable
In the main arena a popular return of the Reverend Graeme Sims
with his remarkable team of sheepdogs was a great attraction,
with enormous crowds as he worked up to nine dogs simultaneously,
directing them in a variety of languages, from Welsh to Arabic,
a unique set of commands for each dog, using a range of different
whistles.
Anniversary
An outstanding Country Fair and, if you were a dog lover, as
most of the crowd seemed to be, then you were certainly in your
element. I can’t wait for the next years event to come
round, their 21st Anniversary, going from strength to strength.
Tony Scutt the organiser must be congratulated.
Gaynor Bailey
|
