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

Battens Solicitors Limited Unaffiliated Show Jumping

We are delighted to announce that Battens Solicitors will once again be sponsoring our junior show jumping at the Melplash Show again in 2026, qualifying riders not to have reached their 17th birthday by the date of the final.  In order to compete at Melplash Show riders need to qualify at one of the regional shows throughout the year.  Not […] Continue Reading

Welcome to our 2026 Society President

The Melplash Agricultural Society is pleased to announce that our President for 2026 is Peter Hardwill.  Peter has lived in the village of Blackdown, in the Parish of Broadwindsor, all his life.  He has lived in three different houses, from the one he lives in now he can see the farm and the other two houses! Peter is the founder […] Continue Reading

Melplash Agricultural Society presentation to Joanna House

The Melplash Agricultura Society’s Edgar Bishop Memorial Salver is presented annually to an individual aged 45 or younger who has made a significant contribution towards furthering the aims of the Society. “The main purpose of this award is to recognise someone who promotes agriculture and encourages the younger generations involvement.   Joanna demonstrates these values so well through her active participation […] Continue Reading

2025 Hedging & Ploughing Results

The annual Melplash Agricultural Society Hedgelaying and Ploughing Match was held on Sunday 28th September 2025, on a beautiful site located at Toller Fratrum, just outside Maiden Newton, by kind permission of JH Yeates & Son and Mr Colin Hawkins.  The Ploughing and Hedging competitions were widely spread across the land, but spectators were able to take advantage of a trailer […] Continue Reading

2025 Flock Competition results

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 who live within twelve miles of Melplash village church who keep sheep for breeding whether commercial, pedigree or rare breeds.  There are classes for small, medium and large flocks. The judge for the small and […] Continue Reading

2025 Garden & Allotment competition results

Eighteen Gardens and allotments entered this year’s Melplash Agricultural Society’s Gardens & Allotment Competition. The competition was judged over two days by Julie Lamb and Ronald Gow (small garden and allotment winners 2024) and Rev Carole & Dr Barry Peters King (the overall and medium garden winners 2024), they were accompanied by the Society’s 2025 President John Bugler and his […] Continue Reading

Celebrating Farming and the Countryside at LEAF Open Farm Sunday

On Sunday 8th June, the Gregory family supported by the Marshwood Vale Farmers Cluster and the Melplash Agricultural Society’s Discover Farming team, opened their farm gates free to the public for Open Farm Sunday.  The event attracted over 1400 visitors to their organic dairy farm at Home Farm, Sadborow near Thorncombe, where 360+ cows are raised across 1000 acres using […] Continue Reading

An interview with local farmer, Tim Frampton

How long has  Burstock Grange Farm been the home of the Frampton family? The farm has been in the family since 1912.  It was initially rented by my great grandfather, and the family bought it in 1958. Where is the farm and what is it like? The farm is situated on the outskirts of Broadwindsor between Pilsdon and Lewesdon Hill.   […] Continue Reading