The Melplash Agricultural Society is pleased to announce that their 2024 President will be Martin Cox.  Martin is the Managing Director, with his wife Vanessa, of West Dorset Leisure Holidays.  He was born and bred in Bridport and has lived here all his life.  His father, with his brother, ran the local coal business in the centre of the town and he attended St Mary’s Primary and Colfox Secondary Schools.  Martin started his career in Local Government before joining his wife, Vanessa, in her family’s holiday park business at Highlands End Farm, Eype in 1984, a business her father and mother had started in 1971.  Together they have grown the business and now as West Dorset Leisure Holidays have award-winning parks in Eype, Seatown, Burton Bradstock and Owermoigne.  Both their two sons, James and Robert, are now working in the business.  Highlands End Holiday Park, with its panoramic views over the West Dorset coastline and countryside, including the Melplash Showground, continues to be their base and is their flagship park.

 

Martin is well-known in both the local and national tourism industry having held several prominent positions including national chairman of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association and President of the European Federation of Camping Site Organisations and Holiday Park Associations.

Martin and his family have had a long association with the Society.  West Dorset Leisure Holidays and Highlands End Holiday Park have been long term sponsors of the Melplash Show, and they have in recent years put in place a permanent agreement that enables visitors to the Show to park on their land on the west side of the river.

Martin commented, “I feel very honoured that the Society has chosen me as their President for 2024.  It is a role that I intend to take on with enthusiasm and dedication.  Although I am in the tourism industry, the farming community and the work of the Society is important to our success.  Visitors are attracted to this part of Dorset for the beautiful coastline and the stunning countryside which would not exist if we didn’t have our farmers caring for it.  The Melplash Show is a major summer attraction and many of our regular holiday park visitors book their holidays especially to take in the show.  I am a keen supporter of the Society’s Discover Farming and Scholarship scheme – we have been a sponsor for a number of years.  It is vital that the next generation understand the role and importance of farming and are encouraged to take up careers within agriculture.

We now have our own small holding at Highlands End.  We have gradually purchased adjacent farmland and now have a flock of 280 Suffolk ewes, 8 rare breed Blue Texels, 8 alpacas and some chickens!  We are developing nature walks and are about to embark on a forestry planting scheme and wetland area.

I am looking forward to working with the Society chairman, Philip Hardwill, and the Directors, getting to know more about the overall work of the Society, in particular the areas that are less well-known, and having the opportunity to share with the wider community”.