Budding Olympiad To Attend Autumn Show

ommonwealth Games double gold medallist Charlotte Kerwood will be among the big guns attending this year’s Autumn Show & Game Fair at Ardingly next month.

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the South of England Agricultural Society’s popular annual event - and those with an urge to have a go at clay pigeon shooting will find themselves in good company.

The Society has invited Fletching-based Northall Clay Pigeon Club and Charlotte’s father Dan Kerwood to run clay shooting events that will be open to serious shooters and beginners alike.  This year a Team Shoot Challenge is being introduced for a game keeper, picker-up and beater. And again the Society is sponsoring two £100 prizes for men’s High Gun and Ladies High Gun events.

Club owner Dan said 23-year-old Charlotte would be competing in a national shooting event on the first day of the show, Saturday 2 October, but hoped to attend on Sunday 3 October when the shoot-offs for the top prizes would be held.

A £100 prize for a women’s shooting event is still a rarity and the South of England Agricultural Society hopes its backing will help boost a sport in which Charlotte ended the 2009/10 season as British No. 1 in the Ladies’ Olympic Trap event.

Dan said: “If she is in the same position this time next year she should be shooting at the 2012 Olympics. A lot can happen in a year but we’re hopeful.”  He commented the 2010 Autumn Show & Game Fair at the South of England Centre was guaranteed to be a great day out, come rain or shine.

He said: “The clay shooting is not just for experts but anyone who wants to have a go but has been too shy to try before.  We will have two have-a-go stands for beginners from 10 years upwards to have 10 shots. Most people with a coach should be able to hit between three and six targets the first time. And some people who are naturals will hit a lot more.”

Dan recommended the Autumn Show & Game Fair to all with a genuine interest in the countryside and the great outdoors.  He said: “It is a lovely event. The organisation of it is brilliant.  One year it rained on the Saturday and the Sunday but, even so, the people you meet and the people who come and have a chat are wonderful.”

“A show like this helps keep the farming community together. Now that most of the cattle markets have closed down farmers don’t get together like they used to and the Autumn Show provides a meeting place for them; it’s a family event with a wonderful atmosphere and a great way to spend a weekend.”

The Country Sports line up will also include an Air Rifle Range, Archery Demonstration, Terrier Racing, Air Rifle Range, Gun Dog and Bloodhound displays and a Harvest Festival Service.

The Autumn Show & Game Fair is on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October 2010. Gates open from 9am to 5pm.
Admission prices: Adult £7; child £3; senior citizen/student £5; family ticket £17. Reduced price advanced tickets available on the Show website.

For more information and full details of the Autumn Show & Game Fair go to the South of England Society website at www.autumnshow.org.uk