The team behind the Rutland Bird Fair have announced that it is to return in a slightly different form.
The newly christened Global Bird Fair will now take place at Rutland Showground on the 15th, 16th and 17th July 2022.
Some users on social media responded to Tim Appleton's tweet announcing the dates of the new fair with questions about the carbon footprint and environmental concerns, pointing out that these were the reasons cited when the bird fair was cancelled late last year.
Author Kate Bradbury tweeted, "Weren't environmental concerns, both locally, and internationally, significant in the decision to cancel the original Birdfair? How will this new version be different in terms of carbon footprints of exhibitors and trampling of the nature reserve itself?"
One birder responded by saying that it would be bigger and generate even more carbon.
The Global Bird Fair website is addressing some of these concerns. On their home page they state that they aim to help worldwide nature conservation, adding that they are working closely with a carbon offsetting company in order to make "significant contributions to the scheme", and "we aim to make Global Bird Fair as carbon neutral as possible."
The Bird Fair will be open to the public from 9am to 5.30pm on Friday 15th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July, with last admission at 4pm.
Tickets and programmes will be available to book online from 14th February 2022 and visitors are requested to purchase online if at all possible. Exhibitors may book from the same date using a form on the website.
On foot:
Rutland Showgroud is a 25 minute walk from the centre of Oakham.
By Shuttle Bus:
There will be a shuttle bus available for routes between Oakham Railway Station & Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre at Egleton and the Global Birdfair site at Rutland Showground. Timetable to be confirmed.
By Bicycle:
Bicycles can be ridden to an allocated area near the Showground entrance where they can be left during your visit to Global Birdfair. Bicycles are not permitted on the event site.
By Car:
There is ample free car parking at Rutland Showground including forward parking for those with Disabled badges and those who require mobility assistance during the event. A BP petrol station is situated opposite the site.
By Train:
Oakham Railway Station is 1 mile from the Global Birdfair event site.
They hope to run a shuttle service between the station and the event.
By Bus:
There are several bus services running through Oakham. Please see the Rutland Council website and search for Oakham for details of services.
By Taxi:
There will be a taxi drop off and collection point near the main entrance to the Showground - a short walk to the Global Birdfair site.
By Plane:
Nearest Airport East Midlands - around a 1 hour drive from the site..
There are trains direct to Oakham from Stansted Airport and train transfers available from Birmingham Airport. London Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport are accessible by train via Peterborough and Leicester.
Visitors can book a camping spot on site, where showers and toilets are available. Oakham and Uppingham Schools have offered to provide some accommodation, which will be available to book soon.
