The 2015 East Anglian Game & Country Fair will take place on Saturday the 25^th & Sunday the 26^th April, at The Norfolk Showground, Norwich.

There will be lots of new displays including The Essex Dog Display Team which is generally accepted as the premier and longest established dog display team in Great Britain and Europe. The team appeared at Crufts for a record breaking eleven years and they were also invited to display at the Five Nations Rugby Tournament at Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup, England – Scotland match. They are the only civilian dog display team ever to be selected to appear at The Royal Tournament in front of Her Majesty The Queen, Prince Phillip and the Royal Family. Working with many different breeds of dogs (the majority of which have been rescued); the team produce a professional highly entertaining, action packed and informative display. The central feature of the display is a 100ft long by 8ft high ramp, which the dogs negotiate at high speed through hoops of fire.

There are excellent equestrian displays and workshops at the East Anglian Game & Country Fair.

UK Horseboarding Arena Demos “somewhere between scurry racing and wake boarding” describes Arena Boarding. Teams take on the clock around a course of gates, set to challenge the best boarders and horse riders, from long straights into sweeping bends and ninety degree turns. In terms of motorsport it is more like rallying or Formula 1. Teams have to work together to achieve the right racing line to take the bends and complete the course.

New board technology has meant that board riders can get more grips in the corners, but as the track gets scrubbed out, you will still see them power sliding round the bends kicking up dust like a rally car. This part of the sport has become so technical that board set-up, and even tyre choice has become critical. The teams push their boards to the limit as they fight it out, trying to shave 100ths of a second off their times. As will always happen, when sportsmen push themselves and their equipment to the limit, sometimes they find the edge. Crashes are frequent, – with the teams’ motto seeming to be “we will not win by going slower.”

An absolute must-see spectacle – you will not be able to take your eyes off it, as teams achieving already unbelievable speeds, get faster with each race.

Richard Maxwell, our Horse behaviourist, was in the Household cavalry with “Monty Roberts” and he will be demonstrating twice daily in the round horse pen, where you will be able to see the special understanding and training techniques that Richard uses to help horses overcome some of their fears. This is a fantastic opportunity to see Richard using traditional and natural techniques on horses that have been brought to the game fair by their owners for Richard to work on and this will be the first time that Richard will have seen the horse he is going to be helping.

N & J Heavy Horses is a family run business which has been running for around 10 years, performing horse drawn carriage work up and down the country, such as weddings, proms, fetes and carriage rides in the town of Southold. Their two Perchons aged 7, three Shires aged 9 to 11 and one Clydesdale aged 6 will be performing musical demonstrations which are fun for all ages with all different types of music; modern and oldies and is set to be enjoyed by all in both the Main and Countryside Arenas

Pine Lodge School of Classical Equitation (Sat) present an invitation to see working equitation ridden by the riders who have represented Great Britain in the European and World Working Equitation Teams. These fine horses will demonstrate the grace needed to be at the top of their sport. The quest of lightness on their hooves, no involuntary movement, any direction easily and the art of doing nothing will all be demonstrated during their arena time.

We have a fantastic line up of more free events to watch in the Main and Countryside Arenas. Ring displays also include 6 times FITASC Sporting World Champion, European Champion and English Open Champion John Bidwell performing his world famous off the hip trick shooting with an automatic and pump action shotgun shooting from the hip over his shoulders and from between his legs, this is a rare opportunity to see John’s display.

West Norfolk Hunt will be taking the hounds for a parade of the ring, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Flight of the Falcons, Ferret Racing, Fly Fishing, Berkley Owls, Sheep Dog and Duck Display, Lurcher Displays, Gun Dog demonstrations and much more.

The Mid-Norfolk Gundog Club has been providing its members with training and competitions for 30 years and this year the Club celebrates its 25^th anniversary as a Kennel Club Registered Society. The Countryside Arena demonstrations illustrate the stages of training for spaniels and retrievers as they are prepared to become working gundogs. Trained gundogs have a vital role in any form of responsibly conducted game shooting. In the Main Ring, the roles and work of spaniels and retrievers are demonstrated in the context of the shooting field. Mid Norfolk Gun Dog Club will be running the Gun Dog Scurry competitions and a Team Gundog Working Test – a competition for trained gundogs that simulates the problems the dogs will encounter when working. The competition, introduced to the East Anglian Game and Country Fair last year, is an ‘Open’ standard competition for teams of three experienced dogs and handlers representing clubs and societies from across East Anglia and takes place over both days of the fair. Expect and enjoy first class work and a keen but friendly competition from some of the best gundogs and handlers in the region.

Whether you are a practicing falconer, nature enthusiast or not the falconry village is sure to keep you entertained. There will be mini events going on all day in the arena, lure swinging competitions, talks on hunting and a chance to practice you skills at catching a ‘wild injured owl’ plus several stands to browse along with expert advice from falconers.

The Forestry Villages hosts The East of England Cutters & Climbers Competition and Pole Climbing Competitions. The forestry arena will be a buzz of activity with chainsaw carvings, felling demonstrations, tree climbing and pole climbing competitions. Tree workers from around the UK will be competing at this rare opportunity to see a working forestry village.

If Bear Grills is your thing then Woodland Ways Bushcraft & Survival will be demonstrating their vast knowledge of bushcraft & survival techniques. There will be opportunities throughout the day to get ‘hands on’ and learn some skills for yourself. They will also be running ‘Pigeon Plucking’ competitions on their stand over the weekend. Find out how quickly you can prepare a pigeon for the table without using a knife.

Norwich Vikings Trials Motorcycle Display will have a range of riders from those on modern bikes to those who prefer the classic bike and classes for all abilities. Riders will be taking their bikes around a purpose built obstacle course from old oil drums to large tree trunks. This will all take place within the forestry arena.

Our game fair country kitchen has a great new line up with a variety of cookery workshops and demonstrations taking place over the weekend from a selection of local chefs, including Celebrity Chef Chris Coubrough, Roger Hickman, Andy Snowling, Eric Snaith and Na Hansell plus many more. The Cookery Theatre is housed in the centre of the busy food hall where you will find a wide variety of exhibitors from Norfolk and across the UK bringing unusual and mouth watering food and drink to the show for our visitors to sample, enjoy and purchase.

Fine & Country Educational Zone: – A wide variety of some of the best Independent schools from across the region will be on view in the New Fine & Country educational zone. This large marquee gives all the visitors the opportunity to meet some of the staff and pupils from these schools and see some of the teaching and learning environments in a friendly environment. Come & join the Fine & Country team in the marquee for a complimentary hot drink.

There are over 300 shopping stands with a wide variety of products from fashion and footwear to gun makers, eco products, fishing products and home improvements. Plus craft halls and gift marquees. The main bar will be serving a great selection of local beers and drinks over the weekend and the Sheringham shanty men will be performing during the day.

We are delighted to announce that Norwich Antiques Market has again been added to the line up for this year’s show. Visit their stand on Avenue E for a great selection of stands selling antiques, collectables, vintage and retro goods. They are the oldest, biggest and best monthly antiques fair in Norwich.

Children of all ages will be able to take part in countryside activities and meet several animals. Stands at the event for little ones include Red Barn Farm, Woodbine Alpacas, Scratby Donkey Rides and of course Heart Radio.

Join in and ‘have a go’ at a range of country activities from clay shooting with John Bidwell’s High Lodge instructors or enter the 40-bird re-entry shooting competition for men, women and juniors. Fly fishing with the Salmon and Trout Association, ferret racing and archery to paintballing and crossbows. Take a helicopter pleasure flight over the showground, try the air rifle range, hold a bird of prey or take a ride in a Landrover on the off road 4×4 course.

K9 Aqua Sports© will be holding its ‘K9 Jump Jet©’ Competition, which is the Long Jump for dogs into water, with Heats at 12.00pm (Midday) & 2:30pm on both days (Saturday & Sunday) of the show and the K9 Jump Jet© Finals will be held at 3.30pm on the last day (Sunday) of the show with the top Teams Dogs that have jumped the furthest distance within the 4 Heats Dogs, Fly ball Dogs, Gundogs, Obedience Dogs or even the Families Pet Dog are welcome, as long as they are over 6 months old and healthy. All K9 Jump Jet© Heat Participants will receive a Participant Rosette with Placement Rosettes for Top 6 Teams in each Heat.

Enter your dog into the Dog Agility and Jumping competitions and ‘have a go’ arenas, the Pet Dog Show or even the popular Terrier & Lurcher Show which takes place on Sunday at 11am. This will be a qualifier for all major championships as well as the East Anglian Championship.

Whether you want information about the Game Fair prior to buying tickets or want to know what is happening next in the Main Arena during the weekend or to save your car park location, the Game Fair app is your essential guide to a great day out for all the family, available to download FREE from ‘The App Store’.

Ticket Information:

Advance discounted admission tickets are available now online at www.ukgamefair.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline number 0871 230 1102 Calls cost 10p per minute from a BT landline plus standard network charges. Adult £13.00, Children (5-16 Yrs) £5.00 and Family (2 Adults & 3 Children) £36, (offer valid until midday 20/04/14 and a small booking fee applies). Under 5’s are Free and Car Parking is Free for all.

On the gate prices: Adult £17.00, Children (5-16 Yrs) £6.00, Family (2 Adults & 3 Children) £46, under 5’s are Free and Free Car Parking for all.

Become a member of the show. Priced at a very attractive £26 per adult, £11 per child (5-16 yrs) or £76 for a family (2 adults & 3 children) its great value! Beat the queues with prioritised car parking & admission to the show plus entry into the ringside Members’ enclosure with luxury loos! Membership tickets, gift packages, experience days and lunches are also available to book online at www.ukgamefair.co.uk or call 01263 735 828 for more information.

Camping Weekend Tickets – Set in glorious parkland, The Norfolk Showground is a fantastic place to visit and camp for the weekend, conveniently situated just 5 miles from Norwich city centre. Just bring your Caravan, Camper or Tent and enjoy a fun filled short break in Norfolk with your friends and family! The Norfolk Showground provides excellent camping facilities plus you can enjoy two whole days at one of Norfolk’s most talked about family days out. Well behaved pets are most welcome too. Book early and save money on Camping weekend tickets visit www.ukgamefair.co.uk for prices and full details.

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