CLA Game Fair Director Andrew Crawford has called on rural Britain to turn out in force to support this year’s country show season.
Speaking recently at the London launch of the CLA Game Fair 2013, which takes place at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire from 19-21 July, Mr Crawford said that outdoor events, attended by millions of people each year, are the lifeblood of the rural economy and a shop window for thousands of small businesses who desperately need help.
He said: “Last year’s wet weather cost the rural economy more than £240million after a string of countryside events were cancelled. We are calling for a massive show of support for the organisers, exhibitors and traders at all of this year’s outdoor shows to help give the countryside a significant boost. As the largest event of its kind in the world, we hope the CLA Game Fair serves as a platform for a united front to show the rural economy has a strong and successful future.
“We predict very healthy visitor numbers this year. Spending with our exhibitors is vital to help these businesses and other organisations survive. We are in the unique position of being able to draw visitors from all sectors and we always look to target new audiences with initiatives such as our support for The Schools Challenge.
“The 2013 CLA Game Fair venue at Ragley Hall is centrally placed and within easy reach of major cities and towns, so we will be increasing our emphasis on encouraging a new and younger audience to experience country sports. The CLA Game Fair offers a unique opportunity to try everything from clay shooting and fishing to off-roading.”
CLA Director General Helen Woolley added: “The CLA Game Fair is the world’s biggest game fair and is the CLA’s flagship event. It is an opportunity for so many diverse rural trades to combine in one venue and provides an excellent platform to educate a wider audience on the crucial role the countryside plays in all our lives.
“As well as sporting action, main arena attractions, a sumptuous food festival, shopping from around 1,000 exhibitors and a renewable energy zone, the CLA Game Fair provides an important forum for debate on key issues affecting the countryside, and is regularly attended by government ministers and other politicians.”
Around £80million is generated in the regional and wider rural economy during the CLA Game Fair with upwards of 144,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors.
The Game Fair will take place at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire on 19-21 July. Tickets will go on sale in March. See www.gamefair.co.uk for details. You can follow the CLA Game Fair on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheGameFair and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CLAGameFair