BASC hailed The Game Fair 2017 as ‘fantastic’ after organisers announced attendance at the three-day event was up eight per cent on last year.
BASC members received complimentary entry to the 59th Game Fair, which was held this year on the outskirts of London at Hatfield House.
Organisers billed it as the world’s largest outdoor fieldsports-themed event, with an official attendance figure of 116,326. Saturday was the busiest day for visitors.
BASC chairman Peter Glenser said: “BASC is thrilled with the feedback from its members about the complimentary entry to The Game Fair.
“It was fantastic to see the shooting community come together for the weekend. Old friendships were cemented, new friendships were made and our sport celebrated. It was a fine example of why BASC is proud to be at the very heart of the UK shooting community.”
BASC’s shotgun coaching line formed part of Europe’s longest ever shooting line. BASC food ambassadors Mike Robinson and Jose Souto entertained visitors with their butchery and cooking skills on the Taste of Game stand. MasterChef finalist Lorna Robertson also drew the crowds into the BASC stand with an hour-long grouse-cooking demonstration.
BASC’s acting chief executive Christopher Graffius joined Jeff Knott, RSPB Head of Nature Policy, and other guests at The Game Fair Theatre to debate the future of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Bill Harriman, BASC’s director of firearms and resident antiques expert, entertained crowds at the theatre during the ‘Guntiques Roadshow’.
The Wildlife Habitat Trust’s (WHT) 2017 Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp was launched at the fair by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP.
James Gower, managing director of The Game Fair, said: “This is a precious event, a British institution that is loved by many thousands of people and vitally important for the industries it represents.
“We feel honoured to be the organisers, but it is the efforts of an incredible team and an entire community that makes it happen.”
