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 their allocated plots and hedge sections. Meanwhile, the judges assessed their work using a scoring system to determine the results.
At the main marquee, Beaminster Young Farmers served homemade cakes, hot drinks and a delicious barbecue of bacon rolls and burgers. The club raised an impressive £845, with all profits supporting its activities.
Thanks to our match sponsors, Kitson & Trotman, Woolley & Wallis, PH Hardwill, Dorset CPRE and SC Marsh Limited, and to Roy Vickery and For Farmers who donated prizes, their support is greatly appreciated.
Society President Peter Hardwill said: “It was a wonderful day that brought the Melplash Show’s original purpose—the contest between two men to find the best ploughman—right up to date. Ploughs and equipment ranged from historic examples to the finest modern machinery, while the keenly contested hedgelaying brought together young people learning the skill and experienced competitors demonstrating the craft at its best. All this took place in beautiful weather at an excellent site, thanks to the Will Woodlands Trust. On behalf of the Society, I thank our sponsors, judges, helpers and friends for their tremendous support.”
Many thanks to the volunteers who make this event possible. Marking plots, arranging signage, putting up the marquee and preparing competitors’ lunches are all part of a team effort that brings together people of all ages. Scroll to the end of the article to view Tim Russ’s event photographs.
2026 Results
Ploughing
Judges: Mr Robert Dimond, Wincanton, Mr Ashley Gale, Tiverton, Mr Raymond Bailey, Stoke sub Hamden, Mr Andrew Kempster, Crewkerne.
Flail Hedge Cutting judged by Mr Kevin Groves
Best Turned-Out Tractor & Plough judged by Mr Tim Keeping
Class 8 – Vintage Trailed
1st – Andy Stacey
2nd – David Cobb
3rd – Vince Legg
Class 9 – Vintage Hydraulic
1st – Michael Symonds
2nd – Geoff Fry
3rd – Peter Symonds
Trophies & Special Prizes
Champion Vintage Ploughman and winner of The Jack Dare Memorial Trophy – Andy Stacey
Best Strike Out in Vintage classes – Andy Stacey
Best Finish in Vintage classes – David Cobb
Champion Ploughman in Vintage and match ploughing classes & winner of the Blandford & Webb Perpetual Challenge cup – Andy Stacey
Best In’s and Outs in Vintage classes – Andy Stacey
Class 10 – Classic Tractor & Plough (without Q cab)
1st – Malcolm Selby and winner of the Tony Ascott Perpetual Challenge Cup
2nd – David Rae
3rd – Tom Baker
Class 11 – Tractor & hydraulically operated 2 or 3 furrow plough
1st – Mike Tizzard
2nd – Chris Shearing
3rd – Pat Dennis
Class 12 – Tractor & hydraulically operated 4 or more plough
1st – Mark Shutler
2nd – Barry Dennett
3rd – John Shute
Class 13 – Contractor Challenge – reversible ploughs to use both left and right hand board
1st – James Wallbridge winner of Creed Brother’s Seaborough Salver
2nd – Alex Norman
3rd – Bernard Hayball
Class 14 – Mechanical Flail Hedge Cutting
1st – Craig Pitman
2nd – Tom Ridout
3rd – Matthew Keeping
Trophies & Special Prizes
Winner of The Streatfeild Perpetual Cup to Best YFC Ploughman – Tom Baker, Crewkerne YFC
Champion Ploughman (Open) and winner of Col. Sir Stuart Mallinson cup – Malcolm Selby
Champion Ploughman (Local) and winner of silver perpetual Challenge Cup – David Rae
Best Ins & Outs – Colin Dyer
Best Strike out – Mike Tizzard
Best Finish – Malcolm Selby
Best Ploughing with Ford New Holland presented with a special prize donated by For Farmers UK – Malcolm Selby
Best Ploughing with a John Deere Tractor presented with a special prize donated by For Farmers UK – Bernard Hayball
Sam Dennett Perpetual Memorial Trophy presented by the family for the best finish with a four or five furrow plough – Mark Shutler
Novice Ploughman – 1st – Tom Baker 2nd – Louie Coram
Best Turned-out Tractor & Plough presented with a bottle of whisky donated by Mr Roy Vickery – David Cobb.
Hedgelaying
Judges: Mrs Tina Bath, Wells, Mr Ian Connabeer, Totnes, Mr Chris Stanton, Ashburton,
Mr Mark Tilley, Crewkerne, Mr Peter Yeates, Bridport.
Chief Steward: Mrs Mandy Woodham Chainsaw Steward: Mr Mark Tilley
Class 1 – Novice Pairs
1st – Ben and Max Cantrell and winners of The Shedbush Trophy
2nd – Claire Kingston and Jodie Stroud
3rd – Albert Huxter and Matthew Dry
Class 2 – Novice Hedgelayer
1st – Hannah Carding and winner of Marcus Beresford Trophy
2nd – Henry Jones
3rd – David Clark
Class 3 – Intermediate Hedgelayer
1st – Alex Clayson and winner of Bodger John Trophy
2nd – Catherine Carter
3rd – Anthony Brown
Class 4 – Open Pairs
1st – Mike and Gemma Baker and winners of The Bartletts (Dorset) Ltd Cup
Class 5 – Open Hedgelayer
1st – Tim Frampton and winner of the Lady Elizabeth Perpetual Challenge Cup
2nd – Russell Woodham
3rd – Andy Burrough
Trophies & Special Prizes
Champion Hedgelayer and winner of the Silver Perpetual Challenge Cup presented by Cleeves & Edwina Palmer – Tim Frampton
The Cecil A Marsh Challenge Cup presented to the Best Local competitor – Tim Frampton
The Philip Hardwill Trophy for highest placed Young Farmers – Albert Huxter and Matthew Dry, Beaminster YFC
The Russell Woodham Bill Hook Trophy for best hand tool competitor – Henry Jones
The Bill Hook Trophy for the best Lady competitor – Hannah Carding
Overall Best Veteran competitor aged 65 years and over – Terry Coombe
Thank you to our photographer Tim Russ Event Photography, please click below to visit albums:
Hedgelaying & Ploughing match prize presentation
