A spectacular new venue will bring an annual rural showcase closer to the heart of East Anglia as it demonstrates the best of countryside sports, pastimes and entertainment.
The East Anglian Game and Country Fair will take place on the weekend of April 22 and 23, at the Euston Estate, off the A11 at Thetford, home of The Duke and Duchess of Grafton.
After 13 years at the Norfolk Showground, organisers said the move to Euston on the Norfolk/Suffolk border offered a more central location for the event, improving the access to visitors from across the region.
Event organiser Andy Grand said the show's new home also offered the opportunity for it to evolve and develop, with space to invite new attractions and events, while retaining the favourite attractions which have given the show its long-standing family appeal.
'This is a beautiful country setting, which goes hand-in-hand with game and country fairs, so moving to Euston Park works really well for us,' he said.
'The Duke and Duchess of Grafton, by kind permission, have allowed us to use the estate so we will be making use of that with the fishing competitions and the natural land there allows us to have a much better layout which is more in keeping with what we are trying to achieve. The clay shooting, for instance, used to be quite hidden away at the showground, but now it will be an integral part of the show.
'With the dualling of the A11, the accessibility to the show has been improved for most people. In particular, we have got gun dealers coming from London that would never have come before. Our visitors have said they love the show, but one thing they want to see more of is the gun trade. Being at a country estate with a big shooting background, we can now do that.
'It just gives it more of a 'game and country' feel to have a lot of shooting stands and shooting products. We have got a bigger main arena, which means we can put on events like the mounted games and the fast and furious scurry driving championships, which previously were prevented from entering because of the size of the arena.'
Mr Grand said although the show celebrates the best of rural life, it is not just aimed at people from the countryside.
'There is something for everyone,' he said. 'You might never have been on a shoot or gone fishing, but this gives you the opportunity to try things you have never done before, or never got around to. You might find you love it or are really good at it.'
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
New attractions for 2017 include exhilarating displays of horsemanship from the Mounted Games Association of Great Britain.
Also in the Main Arena will be the fast and skilful British Scurry and Trials Driving Championships, and the equine theme continues with horse-boarding races and the return of 'horse whisperer' Gary Witheford.
Working dogs and birds of prey will be on show from the Mid-Norfolk Gundog Club and Ye Olde Redtail Falconry Display.
There will be more than 350 shopping stands and the Game Fair Country Kitchen has a line-up of cookery workshops and demonstrations with local chefs including Chris Coubrough, Arthur Howell, James Conway, Andy Snowling, Justin Kett and Rachel Green.
Visitors can have a go at country activities including clay shooting, fly fishing and archery, while dog owners can enter their pets in the dog agility competitions or the Pet Dog Show.
Advance discounted e-tickets are now available online or by calling 01263 735 828. Under fives are admitted free, and car parking is free.
For more show details and ticket bookings, see the East Anglian Game and Country Fair website.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here