Press Releases

2013 Press Release below:

NEW DATE for 2013 National Falconry Fair...
with Althorp House- (near Northampton) as the Venue...

By kind permission of The Earl Spencer, the 2013 British Falconry & Raptor Fair - that organisers call the UK' Premier Falconry and Hawking  Event - is being held at a new venue this year- within the grounds of Althorp House, Northampton on Sunday 5th May and Monday 6th May 2013. Due to inclement weather the event was cancelled last year, but organisers are hoping for better weather by hosting the event in May. Althorp House enjoys a splendid setting, and the Althorp Estate covers 14,000 acres of beautiful countryside. With its beautiful parkland, and magnificent house the popular event promises to be a really fantastic two-day family-fun weekend which will showcase some great entertainment.

This year’s Falconry Fair celebrates its’ 24th anniversary, and will be host to an eagle display titled ‘The World of Eagles’ co-ordinated by the British Falconers Club This will give visitors the opportunity to experience the majesty of the eagle close-up. There will also be an extensive programme of stunning flying demonstrations and displays by the best falconers, including the internationally-renowned Jemima Parry Jones, MBE, renowned falconer Bob Dalton, the South East Falconry Group, (under the chairmanship of Gary Biddis) and major exhibitions by the Hawk Board, Raptor Rescue and the Campaign for Falconry, plus national countryside organisations and you have all the ingredients for a fantastic weekend... all part of the world’s premier falconry event for 2013. In addition to a superb static display of trained hawks and falcons there will also be several trained hunting eagles on static display.

Game Goer Country Displays. Graham Watkins of the Oxfordshire-based Game Goer Country Displays organisation will be presenting a number of exciting and stimulating displays using a combination of dogs and ferrets to provide an impressive and thrilling arena entertainment event. The event is  primarily about working dog training, and in particular the training of Cockers, Springers and Pointers. The display focuses on how to train dogs and ferrets to work with a Harris Hawk, and will show how the animals work in unison.

The ‘First Lady of British Falconry’ …
The First Lady of British Falconry, Jemima Parry-Jones, MBE will be providing flying displays in the main arena. Jemima is a stalwart of raptor conservation and friend to falconers far and wide, and gives an informative and highly-entertaining presentation in the main arena. She will also give demonstrations on the care and health requirements for practising falconry.

Parade of Hounds..

Michael Sagar of Hounds Magazine will present local packs and an update on their status. He is co-ordinating the Beagle Show.

Free Fly-Casting Tuition by Derek Turner, (AAAPGAI).

Birds of prey demonstrations…

A spokesman for the organisers said: - “The Falconry and Raptor Fair will premier ultimate aspects of the falconry world.  A variety of birds of prey demonstrations in the main arena, including eagles, hawks, falcons and owls will delight visitors.  The birds may also be viewed at close range to appreciate their magnificence on special static displays. The weekend is a special occasion in the falconry calendar. The link between mankind and birds of prey has, for centuries, held a romantic association. This will be something that visitors will find fascinating when they experience the close encounter of seeing the grace, beauty and power of the most spectacular birds in the world.

The International Falconry Event it is the ultimate example of its kind in the falconry world and will feature a marquee containing artists’ wildlife paintings. Visitors will also be able to take part in some hands-on falconry workshops. Sponsored by Kiezebrink UK Ltd it features all aspect of falconry, including exhibitions by the British Falconers Club, the Hawk Board, and the Campaign for Falconry Exhibition.

The two-day family-fun weekend is also host to a popular Country Fair which highlights a highly-entertaining range of country leisure pursuits including: Stickdressing and Ferret display (on Monday); the Plummer Terrier Association Championship Stock Show (registered dogs only) and an Invitation Beagle Show (on Sunday). ‘Have a Go’ activities!: BASC Gundog events; Terrier & Lurcher Shows (Monday); archery, Shooting School; Sporting Clay Shoot, Dog Agility, Novelty Dog Show, Airgunning, Black Powder Shooting, Children’s Quad Bikes, Bouncy Castle, Children's Pony Rides, and amusements. There will also be lots of quality Trade Stands!

Trade Stands: The two-day event has a variety of Trade Stands attracting a variety of traders with products and services ranging from greeting cards, ceramics, woodwork, and glassware, to leather good (handbags, belts and purses), paperweights, textile crafts, clothing and leisure-wear, of all types including footwear. There are around 70 specialist falconry stands featuring falconry-related items such as art, sculpture, books, and falconry equipment, (clothes boots gloves). Artists specialising in falconry and raptor-related topics will include top-quality artists such as Martyn Brook and Carl Bass.

Ticket/admission information: Additional information on tickets, (free admission for children under 5) the ample parking and show day facilities are available from the event website: www.countryfairs.info Enquiries: (01588) 672708. Admission: Adults £13.00; Children £5 (under 5’s free). Show starts 10am Closes 6pm. Arena events start 11am. Dogs on leads welcome. Free Car Parking. Satnav Postcode: NN7 4HQ

Event organiser concluded: “A professional sound system ensures that even the largest crowds enjoy the display. Described as “The Sport of Kings” our show is particularly aimed at enabling everyone to have a chance of seeing these magnificent creatures, many once endangered species.Birds are in prime flying condition, ensuring what we consider to be the best falconry demonstration in the UK. Highly skilled people are on hand to give advice and share their extensive knowledge of falconry. We like to get the public as involved as we can during demonstrations and displays. We are proud to demonstrate the ancient art of falconry and the conservation of birds of prey. Organisers uphold the finest traditions of this, the noblest of all field sports and provide demonstrations within a strict Code of Conduct.”

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For more information on Althorp, please visit their website.

For press information call the Show Office on 01588 672708.
Images available on request from 01743 359312