The annual Melplash Agricultural Society’s flock competition rewards farmers in the area for their shepherding and flock management skills.   It is open to sheep farmers with large, medium and small flocks who keep sheep for breeding whether commercial, pedigree or rare breed, and live within 12 miles of Melplash village church.    The results this year are as follows:

 

Small Flocks (15-30 ewes)

Judged by Mr Michael Flatt, Crewkerne

1st – Mr Darren Rashley, East Coker

2nd – Mr Bill Dupont, Beaminster

3rd – Mrs Jo Stover, Stoke Abbott

Medium Flocks     (51-300 ewes)

Judged by Mrs Mary Andrews, Bude, Cornwall

1st – Fooks Brothers, South Poorton

2nd – Mr  David & Mrs Ruth Wilkins, Hooke, Beaminster

3rd – Mr Matt Bagwell, Powerstock

Large Flocks (301 ewes and over)

Judged by Mr Clive Sage, Monkton Wyld & Mr Julian Cranton, Wareham

1st – Mr Adam Fooks, Portesham

2nd – Mr Martin Yeates, Manor Farm, Swyre

3rd – Ms Chloe Snuggs, Abbotsbury Estate

The winners will be awarded their cups by the Society President, Mr Ralph Newman, at the Melplash Show on Thursday 24th August 2017.

Francis Fooks was very pleased to have been announced the winner of the medium flock class, a competition he had not entered for several years.  He shared some information about the flock: “The flock is 111 years old, having been first started by our Great Grandfather, the bloodline has been continued through the generations. Our Dorset Horns are most probably the oldest flock in the world – they are certainly the oldest in the country.  The Poll Dorset is a cross between the Dorset Horn and the Poll from Australia; rams were imported into the country around the 1950s to breed a true Dorset type without horns.  They are wonderful versatile sheep, and are the only breed that can lamb all year round.  We lamb out of season in September and October.  The meat is then sold to Waitrose who sell as ‘New Season Dorset Breed Lamb’ early in January”.