The relocation of the East Anglian Game and Country Fair has been hailed a success by organisers after thousands of visitors flocked to its new rural setting in Suffolk.
The fair took place across the weekend at the Euston Estate near Thetford, home of The Duke and Duchess of Grafton.
After 13 years at the Norfolk Showground, organisers said the move to the sweeping parkland on the Norfolk/Suffolk border offered a fitting location for a country show, opening up the access for visitors from across the region and creating space for new attractions.
Some fine spring weather enticed a bumper crowd to enjoy arena displays of horse-boarding, scurry-driving trials, gun dogs and falconry, with many visitors queuing to try their hand at archery or clay shooting, or browsing food stalls and watching cookery workshops.
At its previous venue in Norwich, the two-day event often attracted 20,000 visitors – and while the final gate figure for this year is yet to be confirmed, organiser Andy Grand said the weekend crowds suggested the move to Euston had paid off with a big attendance.
“This has got to be one of our biggest shows yet,” he said. “Everyone has had a good time and the stands have been very, very busy – beyond what we expected.
“All the big shooting and sporting people have come for the competitions, which has also been very important in terms of both the numbers and the atmosphere we are trying to create.
“I am sure there are a lot of new faces here, but also a lot of people who have been coming to the show for many years, so hopefully we have opened ourselves up to better attendances for years to come.
“The move has definitely been a success, without a doubt. It is a beautiful venue and it has got a fantastic backdrop with the hall and the river, and people looking down from the bank to the arena displays.
“There were huge queues at the clay lines and the ‘have-a-go’ stands to introduce people to the sport of shooting and general countryside activities which they may never have tried before. The game fair is a perfect place for that.”
The Duke of Grafton, added: “The parkland here is perfect for events like this, and it is a pleasure to share the estate with people so they can enjoy it.
“The history of the estate is based around game so everyone seems very happy. It is very nice to see the game fair is a success.”
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
The show re-opened for its second day on Sunday, with attractions including exhilarating displays of horsemanship from the Mounted Games Association of Great Britain.
Also in the Main Arena were the fast and skilful British Scurry and Trials Driving Championships, and the equine theme continued with horse-boarding races and the return of “horse whisperer” Gary Witheford.
Working dogs and birds of prey were on show from the Mid-Norfolk Gundog Club and Ye Olde Redtail Falconry Display.
There were also more than 350 shopping stands and the Game Fair Country Kitchen had a line-up of cookery workshops and demonstrations with local chefs including Chris Coubrough, Arthur Howell, James Conway, Andy Snowling, Justin Kett and Rachel Green.
Visitors were also invited to “have a go” at country activities including clay shooting, fly fishing and archery, while dog owners entered their pets in the dog agility competitions or the Pet Dog Show.
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