Showpiece rural event coming to Stoneleigh this summer

Leading brands and personalities from the world of field sports, countryside pursuits and rural life will gather in Warwickshire this summer for the inaugural UK Game Fair at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre (NAEC), Stoneleigh.

Launched last October to fill the void left by the failed CLA Game Fair – a loss-making show since the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) brought the event’s management in-house in 2011 – the UK Game Fair will take place from 22-24 July on the same showground as the famous Royal Show, which attracted over 200,000 visitors during its peak years.

Over 100,000 visitors are expected at the new three-day event which will focus on shooting, fishing, hunting, gamekeeping, estate management, rural crafts, working dogs and food production.

It will feature celebrity chef demonstrations, tastings and competitions while gun trade grandees including Beretta, Sako, Tikka, Steiner, Eley Hawk, Viking Arms and EJ Churchill have lent their support to the show, as have motor vehicle manufacturers Great Wall and Yamaha.

The emphasis will be on providing a great variety of things to do and see to make it the showpiece event for the country pursuits community.

The event is organised by Blaze Publishing, which produces sports titles including Clay Shooting, Sporting Rifle, iShoot, Airgun Shooter and Bow International, and runs music shows including the London Acoustic Show, the London Bass Guitar Show and the London Drum Show.

Wes Stanton, owner of Blaze Publishing, said: “Our new event is designed to attract those who loved the CLA Game Fair as much as we did before its demise – and to introduce new people to rural pursuits too.

"Stoneleigh is a brilliant site on which to stage an outdoor show and we’re looking forward to welcoming game fair regulars and keen newcomers alike. We are proud to host a show that promotes all relevant aspects of rural life and the rural economy, which will be reflected in the calibre and breadth of exhibitors.”

Helen Woolley, CLA director general, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received following the difficult decision to end the CLA Game Fair. We are confident that former supporters and exhibitors will be well served by the existing and new events planned for summer 2016 and we wish all the events every success.”

To book tickets or become an exhibitor at The UK Game Fair 2016, go to www.ukgamefair.com