Here is all you need to know about The GWCT Welsh Game Fair, the family-friendly two-day event which takes place Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September at Vaynol Park in Gwynedd.
A is for airguns shooting – presented by The British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC) and sponsored by BSA Guns, this attraction will give visitors the chance to enjoy a 10-shot airgun experience under the watchful eye of qualified coaches. The safe and encouraging environment will encourage more people to try airgun shooting and share information about the competitions, clubs and tuition available. BSA Guns will have a range of their market-leading airguns there for both newcomers to shooting and experienced shots to try, including the BSA R10 and the BSA JSR Ultra. A is also for archery which is being presented by Gwynedd Bowmen. Visitors will have the opportunity to use a recurve bow to fire arrows into a traditional straw target under the watchful eye of an instructor.
B is for Bwyellwyr Clwyd Axemen who will be showcasing axe racing in a thrilling 45-minute demo in the main arena where they showcase expert wood chopping and cross cut sawing against the clock.
C is for charity – the GWCT Welsh Game Fair is an important fundraiser for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – a 92-year-old charity that conducts vital research into Wales’ most vulnerable species such as woodcock and sea trout. C is also for Flyball Cwn Conwy who will be giving fast-paced demos in the main arena whereby teams of dogs race against each other over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring-loaded pad, then back to their handlers while carrying the ball.
D is for driving – young visitors can have-a-go at driving battery-powered mini Land Rover Defenders. Available in green and pink, these open-top 4x4s are always hugely popular.
E is for eating and drinking your way along the food stalls where dozens of small-scale artisan producers will be selling home-produced delights.
F is for fishing – as well as casting demos by world record holder Hywel Morgan, visitors can paddle across the lake in a traditional Welsh coracle thanks to The Coracle Society and browse the numerous Welsh fishing associations that will be present. The fly tying tent will see top names such as Trevor Jones, Melvin Wood, Tim Wood, Stephen Smalley and Mathew Pate giving demos and answering questions all weekend. The event is also playing host to the final heat of the Game Fair Casting Championships, where anglers from all over Britain that have qualified in dry fly accuracy, trout distance and salmon distance at the Scottish, English and Welsh Game Fairs compete. Last year’s champion, 19-year-old Scottish plumber Robert Reid will be back to defend his title.
G is for gundogs which are a focal point of this event. On the Saturday there will be an open retriever test with a top prize of £100 up for grabs, and on the Saturday and Sunday the exciting Four Nations International returns for a third round, after rounds one and two were contested at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair and The Game Fair respectively. The Four Nations International sees spaniel and retriever teams from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales compete head-to-head, with prizes on offer for top retriever, top spaniel and top dog as well as for the winning team. G is also for Gunmakers’ Row, which is sponsored by optics brand Pulsar, and showcases brands like Valley Arms, Vaynol Guns and Lone & Grey.
H is for the Hywel Morgan – the legendary fly fisherman will be giving 30-minute demonstrations to talk about the history of angling where he shows equipment used over 200 years ago before casting with seven rods simultaneously to show how easy it is to cast distance with basic and specialist tackle. H is also for hounds – both the Flint & Denbigh and Eryri hunt will be parading in the main arena before inviting visitors to mingle with the hounds.
I is for invasive non-native species like grey squirrels – Brendan Anderson will be on hand all weekend to show visitors how they can help save our native red squirrels from being taken over by dominant greys.
J is for Gareth Wyn Jones – the TV farmer is hosting a pop-up restaurant called Cwtch Kitchen which will serve local, seasonal lamb, beef and game. Diners will also be treated to traditional Welsh music and the walls will be decorated with Welsh artwork and crafts. Also catch him in the GWCT Countryside Conversations Theatre.
K is for kids – The GWCT Welsh Game Fair is the ideal event for families wanting to get kids off screens and doing something wholesome outdoors. Children can have-a-go at numerous activities including archery, fishing, airgun shooting, clay shooting and gundog handling. Plus those aged under eight get free entry.
L is for Ladds Guns, one of Britain’s largest gun dealers, is exhibiting on Gunmakers’ Row. Established in 1958 they stock hundreds of shotguns and rifles ranging from starter guns to best English sidelocks and custom-made guns.
M is for Main Arena where there’s a jam-packed itinerary to ensure there’s always something to keep visitors entertained. The action will include educational demonstrations and thrilling displays, with confirmed headliners for 2023 including wildfowler Chris Green, Bwyellwyr Clwyd Axemen and Welsh springer spaniels.
N is for Nant Gwrtheyrn Feral Goat Monitoring Project – one of the many vital conservation projects led by the GWCT. Learn more on their stand.
O is for Owen Williams, who is both chairman of GWCT Cymru and a wildlife artist with Redspot. As well as displaying his artwork, Owen will be speaking in the GWCT Countryside Conversations Theatre about The Woodcock Network, which he set up in 2008 to monitor the migratory wader.
P is for Plas Glyn y Weddw Gallery from Gwynedd which will be displaying art from local artists. P is also for parking, which is free thanks to sponsorship from gunmaker Browning.
Q is for queue – save time when you arrive at Vaynol Park by buying tickets online and taking advantage of the early bird discount which ends at midnight on Friday 8 September. On the gate prices will be 20% more expensive at £25 for an adult, one-day ticket.
R is for retail – over the two days of The GWCT Welsh Game Fair the site becomes one of the biggest shopping areas in the country with around 150 stands. Numerous country clothing brands will be in residence, with exciting new product launches and unbeatable show-only deals, alongside a number of small independent retailers and artisans.
S is for shooting – E.J. Churchill will be running the clay line, which will feature an exciting blend of have-a-go stands, sporting challenges, flurries and competitions.
T is for Ynys Twca bushcraft – the two-and-a-half hour sessions are open to adults and children aged over eight years old. Huw will be teaching visitors how to make whistles out of elder, cherry and sycamore, as well as rope out of natural plant fibres such as nettles, brambles and bark plus spatulas using 100-year-old vintage tools and a shave horse from sycamore and ash.
U is for utilities – the event organisers are proud that all the contractors providing toilets, generators, cables, plumbing, health and safety are Welsh and local.
V is for Vaynol estate – the venue for The GWCT Welsh Game Fair. Lying on the mainland side of the Menai Strait and comprising of more than 1,000 acres of parkland enclosed within a seven-mile stone wall, the historic estate is the ideal location for the two-day event.
W is for wildfowling with Chris Green. His dynamic, engaging 30-minute demos in the main arena will talk visitors through decoying, building a hide and using calls. W is also for Welsh springer spaniel – on the Saturday visitors will be treated to mass gathering in the main arena to help raise awareness of this vulnerable native breed. W is also for the Wild Food Theatre where Welsh chefs will be demonstrating some of their favourite game-inspired dishes using nature’s larder.
X is for eXit – organisers have a robust traffic management plan in place as always. So rest assured, entry and exit will be smooth running.
Y is for Rob Yorke who compères two days of lively discussions and TV-style chat shows in the GWCT Countryside Conversations Theatre, which will include some meaty political debate plus a smattering of talks and book signings.
Z is for Plugzz who are exhibiting and selling their cutting-edge hearing protection to shotgun and rifle shooters on Gunmakers’ Row.
