A celebration of country life

THE region's annual showcase of countryside sports is coming to the Royal Bath and West Showground this weekend.

The Westcountry Game Fair takes place this Saturday and Sunday, and organisers promise something for all the family.

There will also be lots of canine competitions, covering everything from pampered pets to hard working dogs. For the first time at the fair, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) will be running a Hurry. The Hurry is similar to a gundog scurry which tests speed, control and obedience but the heats are open to any non-working gundog. They are ideal for people who have never tried scurries before and want to see what their dog can do. BASC South West will also be running five gundog scurries and two gundog tests - one for spaniels and one for retrievers.

Gamegoer Country Displays will be providing a fascinating insight into the training of working dogs, covering basic obedience training for your puppy right through to working in the field. Advice and practical help will be available at the Gundog Clinic, with professional gundog trainer Graham Watkins and respected field trial Judge Dave Rayner.

After the success of the 2009 terrier and lurcher shows, they will back for 2010 on both days of the event. Terrier and lurcher racing and lure coursing will also be available.

The show also includes a clay shoot with Purbeck Shooting, falconry, BASC Shooting School, BASC air rifle coaching, archery, ferret racing, vintage tractors and machinery, and the Game Cookery Theatre, hosting expert chefs who will demonstrate how to prepare delicious meals from traditional game meats. World-class angler Charles Jardine will be giving fly-fishing demonstrations, and will also be putting in an appearance at the cookery theatre - demonstrating how to transform freshly caught trout into a delicious feast.

There will be an a huge indoor shopping area with more than 200 trade stands providing an opportunity to grab great show offers on guns, fishing equipment, gifts, clothing, paintings, prints, food and much more.

The fair runs from 9am to 5pm each day. For more information, visit www.contour.uk.net

Ticket winners

Winners of the Blackmore Vale Media / Westcountry Game Fair ticket draw are: Nigel Pitman from Butleigh, James Price from Corfe Mullen, Simon Baird from Child Okeford, Sara Walters from Bristol, Grenville Legg from Yeovil and Jeremy Godbolt from Wincanton.

Glaston Manor Angling Association fished its latest and final match of the season match on the River Brue from Scotch Banks to the top of Flight's Weir last Sunday. A string of hard frosts took their toll but anglers who drew on the tightly shoaled fish in moving water did well. Jonathan Aldham won with 23lb 13oz, Colin Lambert finished second with 11lb 10oz and Dave Allen was third with 6lb 10oz. Brendan Curry managed fourth with 4lb 3oz and Rob Dowden's 2lb 5oz was enough for fifth. The club's annual presentation takes place in the Royal Oak in Street on Friday 28th May. All members are welcome - contact John Ogden for details.

Despite the very cold, hard fishing conditions Blandford and District Angling's season ended on a high note. The Tony Moody Memorial Open at Nutford last Sunday was won by John Moody with 6lb 3oz - which included a 5lb 6oz chub. Brian Hunt was second with 3lb 5oz of roach, dace and chub, and Pete Brundish finished third with 1lb 1oz. Everyone caught, with maggot, caster and bread punch the baits, and pole and stick float the methods. John's big chub took 15 minutes to land, causing him a degree of consternation as he was on a very light no.3 elastic and a 1lb hook length. Jimbob says thanks to all who turned up on the last match of the season. The club is looking forward to early next season and the commencement of the Evening Match Series. Although conditions have been tough this year on the river due to the weather, there have been some outstanding catches with club records broken yet again (including Judith Potts 6lb 12oz chub). Following last year's success there will be another trophy presentation evening in May.

Sturminster and Hinton AA had their final roving pike match on Sunday. Ashley Burt won with one fish of 10lb from Durrant. Martin Heys had to settle for second from Bere Marsh - he had five runs but only managed one fish of 9lb 11oz. Martin Colohan was third with 5lb 7oz from Fiddleford and in fourth place was Steve Reeves with one fish for 3lb 2oz from Durrant. First in the series was Kevin Baker with 54lb 11oz, closely followed by Ashley Burt and Martin Heys.

Stalbridge Angling Society fished the final round of their winter league last Sunday at Kingsmill. Bernie Ackland won with a 10lb 9oz of roach. Trev Crocker included two bream, biggest 5lb 3oz, in his second place catch of 9lb 6oz. Tony Cairns was third with 5lb 12oz of roach. This meant that winter champion was Trev Crocker on 245 points with Rich Fripp second on 243.

Flowers Farm Trout Lakes fished well last week but the cold, bright conditions kept the fish deep. Danny Newns from Barwick landed a nice 5lb 4oz fish on a Damsel - part of a bag of 14lb bag of four fish. Plenty of fish were landed to 3lb 8oz - mostly on Bloodworm, Appetiser and weighted lures fished quite slow.