FEB 13, 2012: Members of the 250-strong Somerset Smallholders Association will again be at the South Westcountry Game Fair at the Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, on Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11.

This is the first major Game Fair of 2012, and the 35-year-old association will be building on the success of last year’s show to include another static livestock show as well as a series of demonstrations and talks. For those interested in rural activities, they will be exhibiting a range of livestock such as goats, sheep, pigs, poultry and alpacas. There will be a series of talks on topics such as Looking after Poultry, Equine and Canine Touch Therapy and Beekeeping. As well as the chance to join the association or simply to ask questions, you will be able to buy homemade jams, cakes, alpaca knitwear and a variety of other examples of rural crafts produced by smallholders. Other attractions at the Game Fair will be clay shooting, a BASC shooting school, air rifles – ‘have-a-go’ and coaching, BASC gundog scurries and tests, gundog demonstrations, the gundog parade, fly casting demonstrations and coaching and vintage tractors and machinery displays. Whether you have a flowerpot or a farm, anyone is welcome to join The Somerset Smallholders Association. Benefits of membership (�12.50 and �17.50 for a couple) include a bimonthly newsletter, use of the helpline, tool and machinery loans, regular social gatherings, free use of online barter board, practical training courses and access to agricultural shows. MORE:?See the websites www.somerset smallholders.co.uk and www.contour.uk. net/westcountrygamefair/

Image(s) provided by: