East Anglian Game & Country Fair Sat 28th & Sun 29th April 2018 Euston Estate, Thetford

>April Events / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Food and Drink / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk / Wildlife April 18, 2018

The East Anglian Game & Country Fair will take place on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th April, at the Euston Estate, Just off the A11 at Thetford, by kind permission of The Duke and Duchess of Grafton.

My family and I are delighted that Euston Estate is once again hosting the East Anglian Game and Country Fair. It was an unqualified success in 2017 and proved a popular day out for the whole family.

As the Fair returns for its second year at Euston in 2018, I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone involved in creating this exciting event and of course, to all the members of the public who will be attending.

The park and grounds offer a particularly attractive setting for events of this kind and all the diverse activities on offer from clay shooting to dog shows, and archery to forestry displays, make it a calendar-worthy event. The East Anglian Game and County Fair showcases the best in country pursuits in the region and we hope that it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Henry Fitzroy, 12th Duke of Grafton

Euston Hall is steeped in history and provides a beautiful backdrop to the already established events on the Estate. Euston Estate provides a central location for The East Anglian Game & Country Fair, only 30 minutes from Norwich on the newly dualled A11 near Elveden, with excellent access to Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

This beautiful venue lends itself to a game and country fair setting, along with offering the opportunity to further evolve and develop the show, with the space and freedom to invite new attractions and events, whilst ensuring that the popular events that we have always enjoyed remain.

Headlining the Main Arena this year are – The World Famous JCB DANCING DIGGERS.

They have been described as a down to earth version of the Red Arrows; they have curtsied for the Queen; pirouetted for TV and thrilled thousands all over the world. They are the world famous JCB Dancing Diggers. Although in great demand, the Diggers limit their appearances to three to four shows per year and have appeared on TV all over the world.

Spectators are stunned to see a team of mechanical monsters weighing over 80 tonnes appear so elegant and light – even dainty. But that’s exactly what they become when they perform intricate and spectacular routines to music like The Phantom of the Opera, the Wedding March and Firebird. The “choreography” sees the diggers circle and weave past each other with split second precision, and only inches to spare.

But the moves that really draw gasps see the drivers form up and use their hydraulics to turn their machines into sculptures. Buckets and shovels become acrobatic arms, lifting the machines clear of the ground and performing hand-stands.

One of the big favourites is when machines lever their own back wheels off the ground to create a perfect wedding arch for other machines to drive through.

To many in the crowd, the JCB Dancing Diggers are a spectacular and unusual entertainment. But others who watch also rely on JCB machines for their living and for them the performance is a graphic demonstration of the machines’ remarkable manoeuvrability, precision and power.

Don’t miss this spectacular show in the Main Arena!

We have a number of equestrian attractions confirmed for the 2018 Game & Country Fair. Returning by popular demand, The Mounted Games Association of Great Britain will be holding the most exciting and exhilarating display competitions in the Main Arena. Riders in teams, complete short relay style races against each other demonstrating speed, accuracy and horsemanship. Races are a mix of turns, intricate hand overs, equipment collections and placements, vaulting on and off the horse and of course – all at gallop! Members of the audience are invited to support their local team as points are awarded for each game, giving a competitive edge to the entertainment.

See the exciting, fast and skillful British Scurry & Trials Driving Championships in the Main Arena at this year’s East Anglian Game & Country Fair. Watch ponies of all shapes and sizes take on a timed obstacle course made from cones, temporary barriers, flags arches and ramps all against the clock. Speed, agility and bravery are all required! Audience participation is encouraged to spur on the competitors and provides great entertainment for all the family.

We are delighted to welcome Harvey’s Shires to the show this April. Step back to a time when horse power was relied upon for food and transport. Harvey’s Shires will show you just how these powerful and majestic animals performed in years gone by; see their extensive collection of vehicles and implements used in all areas of work and pleasure.

These fantastic animals (weighting the best part of a tonne in weight) work alongside their handlers to make what can only be described as perfect companionship. The trust between one another is exceptional. See brewery drays, stallion carts, wagons and farming implements all in show condition. We guarantee you will see some brilliantly bright brass! A not-to-be missed attraction.

The Sheep Show

Norfolk based New Zealander Richard Savory’s first mobile sheep show was at Hyde Park in 1992 in front of an estimated 75,000 people over 4 days for the ASDA festival of food and farming. An entertainment agent also saw the show and from then on the business grew. If you haven’t seen the show yet it is both entertaining and educational looking at sheep breeds and shearing. The sheep are the stars and its finale are the dancing sheep. Mentioned on Chris Evans Radio 2, it had one of the biggest responses they have ever had and Richard was asked back the following day to be Chris’s mystery guest.

Dog & Duck show

Stuart Barnes, also living in Norfolk, has travelled to over 100 countries working with wildlife, and his passion for the canine species has enabled him to gain an incredible understanding of everything about dogs. In his Main Arena show, Stuart and his team use trained and untrained sheep dogs to herd ducks, amusing and educating the audience about common dog behaviour issues and about how these can be resolved. The show demonstrates how untrained and poorly behaved dogs still have a programmed natural instinct, giving the audience a new understanding of the ‘Way of the Dog’.

Sion Davies Farrier Services will once again be bringing their forge to the Game & Country Fair showing the art of making shoes from scratch. Sion passed his diploma in 1994 and covers all types of Farriery. His expert skills are sought after in many countries which takes him around the world. He is a member of Worshipful Company of Farriers and his craft has also gained him the prestigious award, Freedom of The City of London.

Sion specialises in working with foals, limbs and hoof deformities whilst continuing to work with them throughout their years. Sion also enjoys competitions and has successfully competed worldwide including the world championships in Canada. Sion shares his passion and skills with his two other Farriers and his three apprentices.

A well shod horse is the result of co-operation between the horse owner the farrier… and the horse. The farrier brings to the job the skill and knowledge acquired through a lengthy apprenticeship, intensive college and training and a continuing accumulation of experience.

The horse will be better able to co-operate if used to handling, so that it will stand quietly whilst the feet are picked up, trimmed and/or shod. Proper feeding and continuing foot care picking out the feet helps build strong horn which makes good farriery easier.

We have lots of dog activities lined up for the show in April too. The Mid-Norfolk Gundog Club has been providing its members with training and competitions for 30 years. The 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 also 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 5 years ago, 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.

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 or in The Pet Dog Show (1pm Sat & Sun) 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. A best turned out dog & owner competition will take place during the first terrier and lurcher class on the Sunday of the show.

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 and talks on hunting plus several stands to browse along with expert advice from falconers. Fens Falconry will also be performing a Main Arena display with a comprehensive and thrilling display including Falcons, Kestrels, Buzzards, Eagles, Owls and even Vultures. The display is guaranteed to thrill audiences of all ages. Watch it, be amazed, and join in.

The Forestry Village 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.

Our Game Fair Country Kitchen has a great 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, Arthur Howell, James Conway, Justin Kett, Michael Chamberlain, Daniel Freear plus many more. The Game Fair Kitchen 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.

Once again the Education Zone will be showcasing some of the best Independent schools from across the region. Visitors have a unique opportunity to meet some of the staff and pupils from these schools and discuss their child’s education in a friendly and informal environment. Visitors are able to meet representatives from the schools themselves and explore all that these schools have to offer in a relaxed setting giving a valuable insight into the vast range of experiences that children will be able to expect if they were to join these schools in the future.

There are over 350 shopping stands with a wide variety of products from fashion and footwear to gun makers, eco products, fishing tackle and home designer wares. Plus, craft halls and gift marquees. The Dog & Duck onsite pub will be serving a great selection of local beers and drinks throughout the weekend, and will be hosting live music both during the day and on the Saturday evening.

Children of all ages will be able to take part in countryside activities and meet several animals, including alpacas and enjoy donkey rides. This year we are pleased to welcome back ‘Little Rovers’. Under supervision, adventurous youngsters candrive scaled Land Rovers around a mini ‘off-road’ course.

We are also delighted to welcome the Exotic Animal Encounter to this year’s Game & Country Fair. The Exotic animal encounter offer the chance to meet and interact with animals you would usually only see in the zoo, from Meerkats to skunks from snakes to prairie dogs (even a talking raven) the animals are so friendly and impeccably trained and can make the hardest hearts melt. Handling sessions and talks happening throughout both show days.

There will also be a number of traditional craft demonstrations and activities taking place across the weekend to entertain all ages.

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 competition clay shoot for men, women and juniors. Fly fishing and Coarse fishing on the Black Bourne River with Norfolk & Suffolk Fly Fishers, ferret racing and archery to paintballing and crossbows. Try the air rifle range, hold a bird of prey or take a ride in a Landrover on the off road 4×4 course. You can also learn much more about the countryside by visiting some of our countryside organisation stands including BASC, CLA, British Deer Society, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, National Organisation of Beaters, National Gamekeepers Organisation and many more.

Ticket Information:

Save up to 25% off when booking in advance.

Advance discounted admission e-tickets are available now online at www.ukgamefair.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline number 01263 735 828 Adult £15.00 Children (5-16yrs) £6.00 and Family (2 Adults & 2Children) £40, (offer valid until midday 23/04/18 No booking fee for online orders. Under 5’s are Free and Car Parking is Free for all.

On the gate prices: Adult £18.00, Children (5-16 Yrs) £7.00, Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) £50, under 5’s are Free andFree Car Parking for all.

Become a member of the show. Priced at a very attractive £30 per adult, £14 per child (5-16 yrs) or £86 for a family (2 adults & 2 children) its great value! Beat the queues with prioritised car parking & admission to the show, plus access into the ringside Members’ Enclosure with Licensed Restaurant in front of Euston Hall. Seating is available inside the marquee and bar area or outside overlooking all the main arena displays and Euston Hall. Luxury toilets at the Member’s Enclosure with disabled access and disabled toilets also provided!

Membership tickets, gift packages, experience days and lunches are also available to book online at www.ukgamefair.co.uk or call 01263 735828 for more information.

Camping Weekend Tickets – Set in the beautiful Walled Garden of Euston Hall, the campsite at Euston Estate is a fantastic place to have as your base whilst you enjoy the show weekend. Just bring your Caravan, Camper or Tent and enjoy a fun filled short break (3 nights) with your friends and family! We provide excellent camping facilities, as well as storytelling around the fire pit as you toast marshmallows, not forgetting the BBQ, bar and free live music on Saturday evening, and enjoying two full days at one of East Anglia’s most talked about family days out. Well behaved pets are most welcome too.

For a real outdoor experience with added luxury why not book our ‘Glamping’ package. The piece de resistance of any glamping trip is the tent itself, so you’ll enjoy a beautifully furnished 4 metre bell tent, covered with soft colourful rugs, wooden tables, 4 single air beds with fitted sheets, a charged air bed pump, 2 lanterns, 1 torch oh and some pretty bunting to further brighten up you new temporary home in the country. You can even hire sleeping bag sets.

Book early and save money on Camping weekend tickets visit www.ukgamefair.co.uk for prices and full details.

Keep up to date with all the latest game fair news and offers at www.ukgamefair.co.uk Subscribe to our e-newsletter and join us on our social networking sites, or call 01263 735828 for more information.