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All the fun of The CLA Game Fair Walking round The CLA Game Fair at Belvoir this year I was struck by the contentment of the people there - whether exhibitors or visitors. The general conversation was about the attractiveness and scale of the site rather than traffic hold ups or crowded loos. In fact, I had several comments about the cleanliness of the loos – which makes a change from discussing the weather although that too largely behaved itself.
So what were my abiding memories of this year’s show? The debates and seminars in the Strutt & Parker CLA Game Fair Theatre were exceptionally well attended; in part I am sure due to the quality of the speakers. The head of the army Sir Richard Dannatt spoke passionately about Britain and the importance of our armed forces as did the chairman of the National Trust, Simon Jenkins, about our beautiful country side and its magnificent houses.
During the political debate there was much unanimity amongst the panel about the future of our rural way of life. From the Prime Minister’s Rural Advocate Dr Stuart Burgess through Liberal Democrat rural campaigner Lembit Opik and Shadow Secretary of State Nick Herbert, all recognised the need to protect our land and farming systems for future food production whilst recognising the importance of looking after our fragile environment challenged by climate change.
The debates were broadcast live on Game Fair Radio 87.7 FM and can still be heard online http://www.877fm.co.uk/ The CLA Game Fair Theatre increasingly seems to provide the missing platform for serious debate about rural affairs.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Minister for the Environment, travelled up from his constituency in Wales on the final Sunday of the show and was delighted to see such a diversity of leisure and rural business activities being demonstrated. While enjoying the Pugs & Drummers he confessed in years gone by that he too had been out ferreting, useful training for a politician!
As always the long service award to Game Keepers was popular and moving – the countryside’s version of the BAFTAs. It was made even more poignant this year as the recession has led to above average redundancies amongst the people who do so much to manage our habitats and wildlife. The Game Keepers Welfare trust was set up in 1992 to support keepers and their families, you can find out more online http://thegamekeeperswelfaretrust.com.
I enjoyed the Rural Diversification area, especially some of the entrepreneurial ideas being demonstrated there. Climate change is tightening its grip so it is good to see people inventing everything from straw houses to portable windmills in an endeavour to face the future head on.
But really it is the staples of The CLA Game Fair that make it what it is; the families, dogs, falcons, ‘Bond Street’, Gunmaker’s Row, patient casters, competitive clay pigeon shooters, the exhibitor parties, endless variety of food and drink and the Sunday end of show discounts. Long may it continue to buck trends and fashions and be the largest and most popular event of its kind in Europe – dare I say - even the world.
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