What to shop: CLA Game Fair

A celebration of the Great British Countryside could not be a more fitting tagline for this year’s CLA Game Fair. Hosted at the stunning Blenheim Palace, this countryside event is wonderful for families, exhibitors, enthusiasts and overseas visitors alike. Hailed as the world’s largest outdoor countryside event, it celebrates a unique programme, giving visitors a chance to fish, shoot, drive off-road and even put their hand to falconry. Taking place at its spectacular Oxfordshire home for the 5th time, from 18th – 20th July, it is a true reflection of all that rural Britain has to offer. But perhaps its greatest offering this year is their market, The Gentleman’s Journal has picked out our favourites stalls.

FAIRFAX AND FAVOR

Childhood friends Marcus Fairfax Fountaine and Felix Favor Parker founded the business in 2013 with the aim of bridging the gap between smart and casual. Whether you are required to dress up for the occasion, or keep it casual, Fairfax & Favor can provide you with the perfect blend of traditional British style and modern contemporary elegance. With headquarters in the scenic surroundings of old Norfolk, but with strong links to the city, Fairfax & Favor’s guiding principle is to create footwear and clothing that can be effortlessly worn at all social occasions no matter where you are. Whether you have just finished a day’s shooting in the country or you are about to leave for an evening at the smartest place in town, you can be confident that your Fairfax & Favors will never let you down!

www.fairfaxandfavor.com, 01760 338 199, info@fairfaxandfavor.com

ROUNTREE TYRON GALLERIES

Established in 1959, Rountree Tyron Galleries specialise in Sporting, Wildlife and Marine paintings from 18th Century to present day. This year at the game fair they will be exhibiting a variety of paintings and sculpture, including work by Rodger McPhail, Emily Lamb, David Ord Kerr, Domenica de Ferranti, David Shepherd, Imogen Mann, Vincent Balfour-Browne, Ian MacGillivray, H. Frank Wallace, George Bingham, J.C. Harrison, G.E. Lodge and Archibald Thorburn. (Image featured: Emily Lamb (b. 1985), Zebra)

www.rountreetryon.com, 0207 839 8083, info@rountreetyron.com

BEAUFORT & BLAKE

Beaufort & Blake is set to take the black tie scene by storm this spring with its new collection of distinctive and colourful dress shirts. Combining the formal, elegance of black tie, with flair and colour, offers the chance of expressing individuality and eccentricity for all Ball and Black tie partygoers. With only 100 shirts made in each colour way, the 2014 Beaufort & Blake collection offers illustrious printed patterns and bold, vibrant colours. Beaufort & Blake also showcase their playful prints in a range of vibrant boxer shorts. This years Game Fair sees the exclusive launch of the brand’s sterling silver dress studs available in fox heads and skull & cross bones.

www.beaufortandblake.com, 0844 884 4868, info@beaufortandblake.com

LONGTHORNE GUNS

Longthorne Gunmakers will be unveiling their latest Celtic model and their new 20 bore at this years CLA. The company offer a range of 100% English made shotguns with innovative barrel technology, they currently have patents pending in the USA and UK on this technology which not only significantly reduces recoil and muzzle flip but also ensures consistent point of aim and point of impact. Why not pop along and see them if you are looking for a new English sporting gun with classic looks which meets todays shooting demands, for more information see their web site.

www.longthorneguns.com, 01772 811215, admin@longthorneguns.com

E J CHURCHILL

More than a century has passed since Edwin John Churchill set up his unmaking workshop in London in 1891, laying the foundations of a name that now sees E.J.Churchill as one of the world’s finest gunmakers. Led by passionate sportsmen, it remains the largest gunmaker in British hands. The style, elegance, reliability & technical innovation of Churchill guns make them the natural choice for the keen shot. E.J.Churchill is the only shooting business in the UK that has its own gunmaking facility, shooting ground, corporate entertainment business & sporting agency.

www.ejchurchill.com, 01494 883227, reception@ejchurchill.com

JAMES LOCK & CO

James Lock & Co was founded in 1676 and 335 years later it is still London’s seminal hatter, providing everything from a handmade flat cap to elegant trilbies and fedoras. 6 St.James’s Street presents one of the broadest ranges of hats to be found anywhere to provide gentlemen with headwear from the practical and utilitarian to the elegant and sartorial. Today they are proud to hold the royal warrants for His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Locks continues to innovate always using the authentic and functional with the essential English principals of clothing that is made well and gets better with age still being central to our philosophy.

www.lockhatters.co.uk, 0207 930 8874, sales@lockhatters.co.uk

TANNER & OAK

Tanner & Oak is new to the CLA game fair this year, showcasing their exquisite range of high-end leather accessories, from satchels and bags to smaller accessories such as hip flasks and wallets. Tanner & Oak have scoured the country to find the very best that Britain has to offer, so that every element of the product, including Somerset leather and Yorkshire fabric, is from the UK. When they say ‘Made in England’ they really mean it. The products have a classic feel about them with a quirky twist – a true English product for any true gentleman!

www.tannerandoak.com, 01993 812466, info@tannerandoak.com

NORTON & TOWNSEND

Norton & Townsend offer a full range of tailored garments with particular expertise in country attire. They are as comfortable working with individuals looking for fashion items as they are with large country estates requiring practical attire. Having recently designed and woven Cheltenham racecourse’s official tweed as well as being their official tailor, Norton & Townsend are well placed to offer a full vertical service from cloth to garment. With suits starting from £495 and a free nationwide visiting service please visit them at the CLA Game Fair or call 0845 200 2510 to arrange a consultation.

www.nortonandtownsend.co.uk, 0845 200 2510, bespoke@nortonandtownsend.co.uk

SOUTHAMS GUNS

Established in 1900, Southams have for some time specialised in the sale by auction of modern sporting guns and antique arms. Although still based in Oundle, Northamptonshire, they have used the Bedford Auction Centre as their Saleroom since 2005 and their regular four sales a year continue to attract a substantial company on sale days, boosted by the live online bidding hosted by the-saleroom.com, reaching buyers throughout the world. Visit their stand in Gunmakers Row at the CLA Game Fair this July and meet the Auctioneers, who will be pleased to advise you on any aspects of selling by auction.

www.guns.southams.com, 01832 273565, guns@southams.com

The CLA Game Fair is at Blenheim Palace, Oxon, July 18-20. Adult admission costs £21-£26 in advance, £24-£30 on the door. Under-16s free; 0845 612 2052