Countryside support never stronger

Over 26,000 visitors congregated in the grounds of Parham Park on the 14th and 15th of June to celebrate country life in Sussex. Gundog activities, a clay shooting line, fly fishing lessons, an airgun range, an archery range, falconry lessons, craft demonstrations and 11 arenas entertained thousands of spectators throughout each day.

Countryman Fairs Chief Executive, Ian Harford, comments “It is very encouraging to see that, despite the current economic climate, support for rural life and country living is increasing at such a substantial rate. This year our visitor attendance has received a 30% increase on 2007, which in itself was a record year. Sussex Country Fair has now established itself as one of the finest showcases of rural life, not just in the South of England but nationwide.”

The Countrywide Kennels Main Arena welcomed some of the finest arena acts from across the country and throughout each day thousands of people crowded around the arena. The Richa Working Dog Arena, Honeybrook Falconry Arena and Green Machines Vintage Vehicle Arena were equally popular with crowds staying to watch the range of acts on offer throughout the day.

New feature areas and entertainment included the Countryman Fairs Food Festival and 8ft tall Titan the Robot. Titan proved fantastically popular with thousands of visitors staying all day to see the performances and returning on Sunday for more. The Countryman Fairs Food Festival proved a great success with people throughout the day. Many stands completely sold out of the local produce they had to offer.

The field sports tuition facilities were inundated with children and adults alike participating in field sports for first time. Across the profile of field sports competitions record numbers of entries were received. 1,500 more clays were shot this year than last and over 743 gundog entries were received, an increase of over 20%.

In the Mitsubishi Motors World Series Maggie Hellyer of Rustington, West Sussex qualified with a score of 41. Maggie was not going to shoot the World Series due to her daughter being pregnant. Half way through the day Maggie got the call to say her Granddaughter was being born. After visiting 8lb Olivia in Worthing Hospital Maggie came back to Sussex Country Fair to complete the course. On qualifying for the Grand Final at the Midland Game Fair, Maggie was drawn out at random by Countryman Fairs Chief Executive Ian Harford to win the brand new Mitsubishi Colt CZ1 worth £7,499.00LP.

Next year’s Sussex Country Fair is on the 20th and 21st of June. For full details on all the developments for next year’s Sussex Country Fair and for full details on Countryman Fairs remaining events visit www.countrymanfairs.co.uk.