Cerne – Royal Veterinary College

We met Cerne in 2020 and supported him, through his degree in Biochemistry, through Royal Veterinary College. He was introduced to the scholarship whilst on a lambing placement locally where he had also impressed the resident farmers. Cerne is currently a locum vet full time in Buckinghamshire but wants to move back to a mixed practice in West Dorset.  He […] Continue Reading

A snapshot of my day at The Melplash Show by Shirley Booth

One of the special joys of life here in West Dorset is the annual Melplash Show, held on the Thursday before the August bank holiday.  I’ve always loved flower shows, ever since my father took me to them when I was a little girl. He always won prizes for his gorgeous blooms, and encouraged me to enter the children’s classes. […] Continue Reading

2026 Hedgelaying & Ploughing match results

Our annual match took place on Saturday 12 September 2026 on land beside the Roman Road near Compton Valence, Dorchester. We thank Will Woodlands Trust and Mr Lewis Webster for allowing us to use this spectacular site near Eggardon Hill, a 2,500-year-old Iron Age hillfort. A strong turnout of ploughmen and hedgelayers arrived that morning and quickly began work on […] Continue Reading

2026 Photos

Follow the links below to view albums from 2026 Andy Potter Photography Tim Russ Event Photography Melplash Show Day Ploughing match Hedgelaying match Hedgelaying & Ploughing match prize presentation Lady A Photography – Equine photographs  

2026 Farm & Crop competition results

The Melplash Agricultural Society’s Farms and Crops competition recognises and celebrates good practice among West Dorset farmers, assessing their husbandry, financial and business skills, as well as their commitment to caring for the countryside. Each farm is visited by a team of judges who walk the farm to look at the husbandry of crops and livestock, how well the environment […] Continue Reading

2026 Garden & Allotment competition results

The Melplash Agricultural Society is delighted to announce the winners of its annual Garden and Allotment Competition, celebrating the creativity, care and dedication of local gardeners of all experience levels. Open to anyone who loves their garden, whatever its size and whatever their level of expertise, the competition recognises the joy, effort and community spirit that go into creating beautiful, […] Continue Reading

Cornish Mutual named main sponsor of Melplash Show 2026

Cornish Mutual has been named main sponsor of the 2026 Melplash Show, one of Dorset’s best-known agricultural events. It underlines the farming insurance expert’s long-standing support for farmers and rural communities across the county. A highlight of the county’s agricultural calendar, the Melplash Show brings together farmers, rural businesses and the wider community to celebrate the very best of local […] Continue Reading

Chef on the Farm 2026 at the Discover Farming Classroom

Twenty-four  year 5/6 pupils from Beaminster St Mary’s Academy attended our ‘Chef on the Farm’ event in the classroom at Washingpool Farm, under the guidance of  Andy Tyrell the Chef Patron from Soulshine restaurant in Bridport. Throughout the day, the children made flatbreads, picked stinging nettles for nettle and potato soup, harvested salad ingredients from the Washingpool Farm polytunnels, prepared […] Continue Reading

Over 1,100 Visitors attend successful LEAF Open Farm Sunday at Coppet Hill

More than 1,100 visitors attended the LEAF Open Farm Sunday held at Coppet Hill, Broadoak, Dorset.  Organised by the Melplash Agricultural Society and the Marshwood Vale Cluster, a group of farmers working together across the Marshwood Vale, the event welcomed the public for a day of farming, food and learning. Visitors had the chance to see first-hand how food is […] Continue Reading