Buckham Fair is anything but a 1-day event. In fact, it is a year-round reason to raise funds for worthy causes! Whether you’re buying merchandise from our online shop, or attending a qualifier event for the Best Rescue dog championships - we absolutely love how so many people keep the Buckham Flag flying high!
And here’s another event not to be missed - for all our equestrian friends.
If you’re looking to get your hands on some great horse tack, or whether you’re looking to sell some of your own unwanted equine items - then make sure you attend this Indoor Tack Sale being held in Beaminster on Sunday, 4th June.
Stephen Harrison and his Gundogs is a firm favourite with many people who visit Buckham Fair - and we’re thrilled that they have chosen to return this year to join the spectacles in our main display ring!
“Stephen’s story is a simple one: ex-Army, now a Magistrate and an intelligence and security consultant who has a passion for training and demonstrating gundogs. Stephen works as Head Trainer at Mullenscote Gundogs at weekends helping his mentor, Howard Kirby, run 6 courses every weekend for all abilities of Gundog and handler, ranging from puppy courses to Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate. He also offers private, home-based training for dog owners living near his home.
His Shows
A typical show lasts 30-40 minutes and has 3 elements: first, a demonstration and explanation of basic reward-based dog training techniques, including how to address common problem areas such as: pulling on the lead; jumping up; running away; barking etc. This is followed by a demonstration of gundog skills, including: retrieving; hunting; steadiness to shot and flush; distance control using whistle & hand signals; and steadiness to distractions – all accompanied by an amusing and informative commentary.
The final part is the real crowd pleaser: a humorous and comprehensive display of tricks, including balancing a sausage on the dog’s nose, reverse parking, walking on toes, jumping through hoops, dancing, meerkat impressions, saluting, playing dead, marching, and many, many more. The highlight and final trick steals the show: Daisy is placed in a suspended collar while Stephen explains something to the audience. Whilst Stephen’s back is turned, Daisy slips out the collar, steals some food and puts her head back in the collar, leaving Stephen perplexed as to what has happened to the missing food!
Stephen involves members of the audience and invites everyone to come and meet the dogs afterwards and ask questions on any aspect of dog training.
Ideally, the demonstrations will take place in an enclosed grassy arena the size of about 4 tennis courts, a cordless PA system will be available and parking will be possible adjacent to the arena. But Stephen is able to adapt to whatever facilities are available.”
We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Stephen and his team back to Buckham Fair this year! Make sure you don’t miss this one.
Who doesn’t feel happy when they see a Golden Retriever? And it’s for that very reason, and due to incredibly popular demand, that we are so excited to have the Southern Golden Retriever Display Team back at Buckham Fair 2017.
And if you haven’t yet been able to see these beauties in action, this is what they did at Crufts 2016.
“The Southern Golden Retriever Society was founded in 1977 and covers the areas of Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and London, south of the River Thames. It is one of 13 breed clubs dedicated to the safeguard and perpetuation of the Breed. The Society strives always to achieve the ideal of a true dual purpose dog.
The Society exists for the benefit of its Members and the Committee provides a full range of regular functions and other activities to promote the training, showing, breeding and other activities pertaining to the Golden Retriever as well as encouraging good health management for the breed.
The natural instinct of our lovely breed is to retrieve game in the shooting field and this instinct is encouraged by participation in the society’s working tests and field trials.
The Society also encourages members to participate in other disciplines by providing ring craft, obedience and agility training, shows and educational events.” - for more information about them, visit their website.
Giving you even more reason to visit, this year we welcome back the beautiful Camargue Horse and the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre riding team.
“Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre was started in 1989 on a waste piece of land. For over 25 years, it has developed into a renowned riding school that improves the lives of young people by providing a safe, caring environment where they can have fun and learn to ride. Sister Mary Joy and her team work tirelessly to raise funds and to give disabled children not only riding lessons, but independence, self-confidence and responsibility.
The sensory garden, a classroom with a mechanical horse and two donkeys, a beautiful, relaxed yard and well-schooled horses comes not only from Mary Joy’s hard work and dedication but also her endearing ways that encourages so many people to support her. This is a centre in West London where calm and relaxation is hard to find. Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre is an exceptional place and needs the recognition it deserves” - The British Horse Society.
With Martin Clunes being the patron of the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, it was only fitting that they join us to celebrate a wonderful family day out.
And accompanying the riding team will be the stars of the show - the beautiful Camargues.
“The Camargue horse is an ancient breed of horse indigenous to the Camargue area in southern France. Its origins remain relatively unknown, although it is generally considered one of the oldest breeds of horses in the world. For centuries, possibly thousands of years, these small horses have lived wild in the harsh environment of the Camargue marshes and wetlands of the Rhône delta. There they developed the stamina, hardiness and agility for which they are known today. Traditionally, they live in semi-feral conditions in the marshy land of the region. The Camargue horse is the traditional mount of the gardians, the Camargue “cowboys” who herd the black Camargue bulls used in bullfighting in southern France.” - Wikipedia
In this wonderful 91st year of Her Majesty’s life, what better way to celebrate her (and our) wonderful love of the Corgi, by welcoming our first ever Corgi Parade to Buckham Fair.
This year, you’re in for a treat as we welcome the Welsh Corgi League to be guests of Buckham Fair. With a team of over 20 Corgis, members of the league will be bringing their dogs along to take part in events at Buckham, as well as grace us with a wonderful Corgi Parade in the main display ring over lunchtime.
Here’s more about the Welsh Corgi League and what they’re up to
(Taken from their website)
“The WELSH CORGI LEAGUE was established in 1938 to promote the interests of and safeguard the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Today, through the annually elected Executive Committee, it caters for the breeder, exhibitor and all who appreciate the qualities of the breed both in the UK and throughout the World. Local organisation is vested in Section and Sub-Section Committees.
Home members, now nearing 500, are automatically members of the Section covering the area in which they live; Scotland, Northern or Southern England. Members living in East Anglia form a Sub-Section which is part of the Southern Section.
Overseas membership is in excess of 250.
Our objectives are:
To create and maintain worldwide interest in and to encourage the breeding, exhibiting and training of Welsh Corgis (Pembroke), in accordance with the standards adopted by the Kennel Club.
To assist Members to co-operate in the best interests of the Breed.
To form Sections and Subsections in suitable areas for the furthering of the interests of the Breed and the League.
The PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI is the more popular of the two breeds of Welsh Corgi.
After its introduction into Wales around the Twelfth Century from the Continent, possible via Ireland, it was bred as a cattle dog.
Today, although some can still be seen showing their natural herding instincts, the majority are found in family homes, including that of our own Royal Family.
The stamina of such a small dog makes it an ideal walking companion; its intelligence and alertness makes it very amenable to obedience training.”
Buckham Fair is all about dogs, horses, fun, food and families - but most of all it’s all about coming together to raise funds for an incredible charity. That’s why we need to keep giving you a reason to come back and visit, year after year!
So this year, we have something extra special for you in our main display ring.
You may have seen them on BBC Spring Watch, or at the Cheltenham Races, you may have seen them at the Bath & West show, or even at the CLA Game Fair - but this year, you’ll see them at Buckham.
The Quack Pack is Meirion Owen’s brain child that provides hilariously entertaining duck herding demonstrations for the general public and corporate clients. Their Quack Pack team of border collies and comical Indian Runner ducks provide entertaining, educational and interactive displays at local, regional and national shows, as well as private events and this year, they’ll be demonstrating their incredible abilities at Buckham Fair.
Meirion is a very accomplished and well-respected sheepdog handler, judge and event organiser. He started sheepdog trialling at the age of nine and has since gone on to win many trials including the Welsh National Sheepdog Championship. He also captained the Welsh team at the International Sheep Dog Trials.
So make sure you don’t miss out on this one! It’s guaranteed to drive you quackers with happiness!
For more information about the Quack Pack, visit their website.
Every year, we try to bring you something new, something fresh and something greater to wow you! And this year, we are over the moon to be able to have the HMS Heron Royal Navy Volunteer Band take part in Buckham Fair 2017 to add some extra flair and grandeur to the day.
Here’s more about the band (Taken from their website)
“Our band is a friendly, enthusiastic and progressive wind ensemble which performs as a concert band and marching band. Its members are drawn from serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces and civilians from the unit and local area.
The repertoire is common to most concert bands and includes popular classics, overtures, film music, selections from West End shows, military marches and contemporary works. It is constantly refreshed with new and challenging pieces.
The band meets on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at RNAS Yeovilton, near Ilchester. It prides itself in participating in a wide variety of engagements not only to support the establishment and the local area but also around the UK and abroad.
Although a busy and hard-working band, time is always found to socialise together in addition to music-making.
The band has a full-time Bandmaster from the Royal Marines Band Service and its current incumbent, Band Sergeant Tom Griffin, has been with us since September 2016. Click the link on the left to find out more about our Bandmaster.”
We are thrilled to announce that once again, all possible trade stand and food stand spaces for Buckham Fair 2017 have sold out! And this year, we have such a huge abundance of new and exciting exhibitors and food producers attending the event that as we sit here, we’re already creating our Christmas Lists while our tummies rumble in anticipation.
From the seafood to the Thai, from the Med to the BBQ, from the Vegan to the Sweet-tooth - we have something for everyone and are so excited to be able to offer all of our visitors a proper selection of some of the best that the South West has to offer.
Our Artisan, Craft and Trade stands are all booked up too - and we look forward to welcoming back some familiar faces, and waving a wonderfully welcoming hello to the new ones.
If your application has been successful, then we will be in touch over the next few months with more information. We will be sending out your trade pack which include everything you need to know about the event, getting here and setting up.
WAITING LIST
As we know, sometimes things don’t always go according to plan - which means that there may be a situation where a Buckham Fair exhibitor is no longer able to attend the event. That’s when we revert back to our waiting list of exhibitors. If you have missed the chance to exhibit at 2017’s event, but you’d like to be entered onto our waiting list, be sure to get in touch with us, and if an opportunity does present itself, we’ll be in touch.
Huge thank you to all of those who applied to attend Buckham Fair 2017. If it wasn’t for limited space, we’d love to have you all!
Dorset solicitors Kitson & Trotman are main sponsor of Buckham Fair 2017
Press Release: 5 April 2017
Dorset solicitors Kitson and Trotman are this year’s main sponsor of the popular Buckham Fair, which takes place on Martin and Philippa Clunes’s land near Beaminster in August.
It’s the third year that the firm - which has offices in Bridport, Beaminster, Lyme Regis and Weymouth - has supported the event.
Kitson and Trotman Partner Richard King said: “We’re delighted to be Buckham Fair’s main sponsor again this year. It’s a fantastic event enjoyed by so many people and it raises such a huge amount of money for vital local charities.”
This year’s fair, on Saturday 20 August, is in aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The charity receives no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery and relies entirely on the generosity of the public for support.
Since its launch in March 2000 it has flown more than 11,000 missions. It is tasked by the Ambulance Service through the normal ‘999’ emergency process and can attend up to eight or nine incidents in a single day during the summer months.
In 2016, Buckham Fair raised a record £90,000 for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.
Martin Clunes said: “Last year, Buckham Fair saw more than 15,000 visitors walk through the gates. We had 121 traders exhibit and over 100 individuals and businesses who sponsored, volunteered, supplied and supported the event – all for the sole purpose of raising as much money as we could.
“And this year, we intend to grow on that and continue on with our goal to benefit the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – a cause so incredibly valuable to so many of us and a team of people who are working so hard, every day, to save lives.
“And we could not do this without the generous support of our sponsors, which is why we are incredibly pleased that Kitson & Trotman have agreed to be Buckham Fair’s main sponsor again this year. We have some very exciting things planned for this year’s event – including new display acts, new traders and a host of new ways to get involved.”
Richard King said: “We have been involved in Buckham Fair for several years. We are joint sponsors of the Rescue Dog Championship, which involves a number of contests around the area, culminating in the championship at Buckham Fair.
“Every year, Kitson and Trotman supports various local events, including The Melplash Show, Beaminster Festival, Bridport Literary Festival and The Henry Smith Ball, Cattistock Countryside Show, Bricky Horse Trials and Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week.
“Kitson & Trotman have been at the heart West Dorset’s local communities for more than 250 years. The firm has been helping people with legal services since 1756, at all stages of their lives, and we are committed to supporting good causes and events in the area.”
Photo credit Faye Neal Photography Pam Bowdtich, Ashley Rawlings, Elspeth Jackson, Richard King from Kitson and Trotman, and Martin Clunes
Pictured at last year’s Buckham Fair are, from left, Pam Bowdtich, Ashley Rawlings, Elspeth Jackson, Richard King from Kitson and Trotman, and Martin Clunes, judges of the rescue dog championship class. Photo by Faye Neal Photograpy
Buckham Fair has been running for a number of years, and every year, we get bigger and better - and it’s all in aid of the incredible charities that we support.
In 2016, Buckham Fair saw more than 15,000 walk through the gates, we had 121 traders exhibit, we had over 100 individuals and businesses who sponsored, volunteered, supplied and supported the event - all for the sole purpose of raising as much money as we could for our 2016 charity, Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. And that we did. We broke a record and raised £90,000.
Being part of this huge achievement, and being involved in a cause of so much importance, is probably one of the biggest sentiments shared by Buckham Fair sponsors - both corporate and personal.
Personal Sponsorships:
We recognise that as individuals, many people both near and far (some, as far as the US and Australia) realise the importance of supporting a greater cause, and we are honoured to be their event of choice when it comes to giving back to the community. That is why we have put personal sponsorship packages together that honours your commitment and investment and provides you with exclusive access to a number of behind-the-scenes activities in and around Buckham Fair.
This year, we’ve added an opportunity to our £150 (or £200 for 2 people) personal sponsorship package - and that is an invitation for 1 (2) to attend the VIP Buckham Fair Sponsors Reception on the Saturday evening before the event. This year, the reception will be held on 19 August 2017.
If you’re a business looking to support a worthy cause, and join the ranks of other businesses already leading the path in growing and developing the community, then a corporate sponsorship package is the one for you. We are ever-thankful for businesses who believe in supporting local community events like Buckham Fair who help us to achieve our goal in raising as much as possible for the charities that we support.
