The Melplash Agricultural Society Board of Directors have made the tough decision to cancel this year’s Melplash Show due to take place on Thursday August 27th.

As Coronavirus grips the country, the Show office team has been working closely with the Directors to assess, as best they can, the impact it will  have on our traders, exhibitors, members, sponsors and visitors, should the situation not have completely eased by Show Day.

“It goes without saying that whilst everyone’s personal safety is the primary consideration, we have also considered the pressure that this situation is putting on both business and personal finances, together with concerns over the likely recovery of local tourism, the latter of which is of course vital to our visitor numbers.  The financial and safety implications of organising a Show and then cancelling at the last minute compared with cancelling much earlier were also a serious consideration. Following a detailed review of all these issues, we all agreed that cancelling the 2020 Melplash Show was the correct and most responsible decision.” said President, Nigel Jones.

The Society is totally focused on supporting the local farming and rural community.  Although not running the Show this year, the Directors are extremely keen to ensure that other Society activities go ahead.  They plan to reschedule the gardens and allotments competition, the farms and flocks’ competitions and the Young Farmers stock judging which were due to take place during June and July.   The annual Hedgelaying and Ploughing match is still scheduled to run on Sunday 27th September.

The Society’s Bursary Scheme that offers grants to local students aged 17 years and over who are planning to pursue courses in subjects connected to agriculture, will continue.  The closing date for applicants is 1st July 2020, please visit the Bursary section of our website for more details and an application form.    It is also hoped we can continue the Discover Farming classroom for schools on-line.

The Society is now looking towards planning next year’s Melplash Show taking place on Thursday 26th August 2021, and vow to make it even more special  – a true celebration of farming and rural life by the sea!

Our show office in Bridport is currently closed and we are working remotely from our homes.  Please do contact us via the contact form on our website if you need to get in touch.