The History of the Fair and who we are
The origins of the country fair go back nearly 30 years, the very first being held on the banks of the Wye, at Aramstone, Kings Caple, courtesy of Mr John Williams. John was chairman of the British Field Sports Society, which benefited from any profits generated in those early years. The event became larger and the local branch of the Game Conservancy joined the fray and for many years they ran the event together. New venues were found and the fair was held at various places throughout Herefordshire including; Whitfield Estate, Stretton Grandison Park, The Hommend Much Marcle , Hampton Court Castle, Eastnor Castle, Caradoc Estate and Allensmore
The late 80’s and early 90’s were tremendously successful with gates of around 20,000. In common with other country and rural events, however, numbers started to drop off in the 90’s and there was a mini crisis in the foot and mouth years resulting in a restructuring of the organisation.
The Fair is now a company limited by guarantee and the ethos of the fair, although still deeply rooted in field sports, has grown to include many other facets of country life, becoming a show case for locally produced foods, crafts and business.
The committee
Julian Gallimore JP, Chairman
Patrick Darling, Site Director
Andrew Davies, Deputy Site Director
David Snow, Finance Director
June Savidge, Show Jumping
Jean Tidmarsh, Gundogs
Richard Thomas, Marquees and Terriers and Lurchers
Phillip Blackman Howard, Gate Control
Tom Grant, Countryside Information Area
John Baly, Whitfield Ring
Alice Hayter, Whitfield Ring
Doug Barrett, Presidents Tent
Seth Johnson Marshall, Fishing
Secretary David Probert
Sponsors Party
The Country Fair's Sponsors Party was held at Dewsall Court on a fine sunny evening in July.
The Guest of Honour, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Sir John Foley presented cheques for £6,000 to local charities including Noah's Ark who provide support for bereaved children, Acorns Children's Hospice, the Martha Trust in Hereford provide lifelong and respite care for young people with profound intellectual and physical disabilities and the Haven Breast Cancer Support Centres.
Sir John congratulated the Fair on their fundraising efforts and thanked the local businesses who have supported the Fair with their sponsorship.
Doug Barrat, Tom Grant, Gillie Bulmer and Lesley Barrat
David Probert Secretary of the Country Fair.
To contact us please email: secretary@herefordshirecountryfair.co.uk or call: 01432 851705
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