The division between, on the one hand, what might be called lovers of the countryside and on the other country pursuits enthusiasts was arguably never more clearly defined than by two recent shows. Countryfile Live unashamedly set out to appeal to the former group, whilst The Game Fair has always been the annual gathering of the hunting, shooting and fishing clan.
When Countryfile Live was first announced, there was much speculation about whether or not it would present the rather sanitised view of matters rural, which has become the hallmark of the BBC TV programme, a view best typified by its rather ambivalent and occasionally hostile treatment of fieldsports. In fairness to the organisers they did not shy away from offering a platform to these activities, but it was fairly evident from those spoken to by that Countryfile Live’s audience (and there were 125000 of them) were rather more likely to embrace a rabbit than shoot it.
None of this prevented the event from being a huge success and as far as most of the outdoor sector was concerned, an opportunity missed, given how many of the big names were absent. The Game Fair was a similar winner, pulling in more than 100,000 visitors.