Fun and fiery debate in store for CLA Game Fair

For the second time in its 55-year history, the three-day CLA Game Fair is returning to Ragley Hall. Director Andrew Crawford (pictured below) explains what visitors to the Warwickshire venue can expect from 19-21 July

What’s new for this year?

The Renewables Zone is brand new and includes the Renewables Theatre, and an area for one-to-one meetings with a panel of renewables experts. The zone will provide a platform for companies to showcase new products, techniques, developments and trends within one of the fastest developing areas of agriculture and forestry.

The zone will host a wide variety of companies offering products and services, and distributing information about energy efficiency, energy management, carbon reduction and more. It will showcase the wide range of different technologies available together with their different characteristics, outputs and applications.

In addition to the seminars and debates, visitors will have the opportunity to book one-to-one 20-minute meetings with the experts to hear their opinion and advice on renewable energy.

Also new for 2013 is the Rolls-Royce Enclosure, which is designed to give Game Fair visitors an unrivalled experience. Located in a grand two-storey structure with its own private lawn overlooking the main arena, the admission price includes a full English breakfast, champagne reception, three-course lunch and afternoon tea, as well as a private shopper service and exclusive parking. Full details can be obtained by emailing emily.challis@cla.org.uk.

What’s happening on Gunmakers’ Row?

Gunmakers’ Row is set to be bigger than ever before, with 1.75km of frontage. Nestled between the Clay Line and the Members’ Enclosure, the area also features the airgun range, have-a-go clay pigeon shooting and the ever-popular Gunmakers’ Pub. In fact, the 171 exhibitors on Gunmakers’ Row are set to cover around 26,000sq m.

Of particular note is Cornish distributor Ruag Ammotec UK, which will be displaying hugely popular American optics brand Nightforce and unveiling the highly anticipated Nightforce Competition 15-55×52 riflescope. Ruag will also be showcasing a range of top products from Australian optics brand Lightforce.

Visitors to the Edgar Brothers stand will be able to view exciting new products including Remington’s 597 VTR package, Aimpoint’s revolutionary Micro H-1, Bushnell Optics and Leica’s innovative Geovid rangefinder binoculars.

There will be reloading demonstrations by Steve Hornady and Jens Tigges from Hornady, and a brand new custom gun section hosted by Paolo Zoli – showcasing the Zoli range and also Dakota, Nosler and Remington Custom guns.

The Edgar Brothers’ armourers will be holding a gun clinic throughout the three-day show to answer visitors’ questions about their own firearms.

Among the many other exhibitors will be Wentworth Sporting Supplies, A1 Decoy, NiteSite, Albion Sporting and Arrow Laser Shot.

Will there be any famous faces there?

Plenty, including Countryfile‘s Adam Henson, Michelin-starred chef Mike Robinson from ITV’s Countrywise Kitchen, coarse angling world champion Bob Nudd, DEFRA secretary Owen Paterson plus popular Olympian, double trap gold medallist Peter Wilson.

Which topics will be debated in the Game Fair Theatre?

This year’s focus will particularly be on farming, land management and the countryside. The first topic will be “Is the countryside marginalised in party politics?”, which Charlotte Smith from the BBC’s Farming Today will chair along with Owen Paterson, shadow farm minister Huw Irranca-Davies and CLA president Harry Cotterell. Later that day, there will be a debate entitled “Nature: Should we interfere?”

The Fair is one of the few venues that provides a platform for farmers and landowners to quiz top-level politicians face-to-face. It’s a strong line-up and there’ll be lots of controversial discussion points – so make sure you arrive early to guarantee getting a seat!

What measures are you taking this year to ensure the weather conditions don’t derail the show?

We aim to be proactive when it comes to the weather. Our independent geologist survey company has taken soil samples to identify weak drainage points. They help us use the right mixture of potassium/nitrate fertilisers to encourage root growth in the grass. What’s going on under the ground is more important than what’s happening on the surface. Footfall can quickly destroy grass on the top, but its root system should stop it becoming a quagmire.

We have also been ensuring irrigation channels are clear and drainage points are cleaned and ready to function at full capacity. We will adjust the amount of tracking if it looks like we are set for another soggy summer. We are constantly tweaking the layout right up until the final allocation of trade stands.

What might our readers not know about the CLA Game Fair?

The Game Fair is the world’s largest such event.

For your tickets, visit the Game Fair website or call the ticket hotline, open until 13 July, on 0844 776 7777