New for 2002 will be a Game Fair style section, and the Society is enlisting the support of both local groups and national organisations including the Countryside Alliance, the Country Land and Business Association and the Countryside Foundation for Education.

The emphasis in this area will be on hands-on activities, demonstrations and competitions including game rearing, fly tying, weaving, smithing, thatching, hedge laying and water dowsing. Show organisers also plan to hold a Gun Dog Scurry.

The Society is tempting devotees of both laser and 12 bore clay pigeon shooting to the Show with the promise of a testing woodland layout, expert advice and plenty of fun. Practised shots are invited to tackle a new 50-bird sporting layout - designed by John Clements of the South Worcester Shooting Ground and sited in the TCAS owned, 100-year-old award-winning Langdale Wood. There will be prizes every day.

have--a-go section

Enthusiastic amateurs are also welcome in the 'have-a-go' section, and can take advantage of some friendly expert coaching and comfortable guns with low recoil cartridges. There's also a Rifle Range supervised by the National Small Bore Rifle Association (NSRA).

Shooting is just one of a whole host of country sports featuring at Malvern this year, and country sport enthusiasts can take their pick from fishing, hunting, coursing, ferrets and falconry. Visitors can also enjoy field and target archery and a catapult range.

The countryside section is dedicated to the management of Britain's greatest natural asset, and each day there will be two seminars, entitled The Countryside Jigsaw, where top experts will attempt to unravel the complexities of the modern countryside, and lead discussions on the future of rural life.

Countryside Arena entertainment features gun dogs, heavy horses and terrier racing together with Horse Whisperer, Gary Witheford and Tellington Touch - horse and dog healer, Sarah Fisher.