Our craft competition, now in its 13th year, was established by Mrs Elizabeth Gale, past Society Secretary and Society Chairman. The award was established in memory of her late husband, Master Thatcher, Guy Gale and the competition is open to crafts people living within a twenty mile radius of Melplash Village Church who derive their livelihood or a greater part of it from their craft.
Our judges this year were Emily Gainsford (2025 competition winner) and Angie Samways. Stuart Gay stewarded the competition.
The competition welcomes local crafts people within a twenty-mile radius of Melplash Church to take part. Entrants must obtain their living or the greater part of it from their craft, not to be a hobby. We welcome all types of crafts including thatching, wood turning, blacksmithing, hurdle making to name just a few.
The judges visit the craftsperson either at a site where they have worked or at their workshop / business address. The competition is judged on presentation, skill and perfection of work. The entrants can employ others but the work must not have been completed before 1st September 2025.
2026 Results
1st – Ben Russell Sculpture – Stone carver, Broadoak
2nd – Alex Pole Ironwork – Blacksmith, Broadoak
3rd – Stephen Bartlett – Drystone Waller, Chickerell
4th – Chris Randall – Wheelwright , Litton Cheney
Joint 5th – Jemma Thompson – Signwriter, Bridport
Joint 5th – Nick Jackson – Potter/Ceramics, Upwey
The presentation to Ben Russell of the Guy Gale Perpetual Trophy by Abigail Knight, Elizabeth Gale’s Granddaughter will take place at the Melplash Show on 27 August. You can visit Ben on his trade stand in our Jack Norman field, near to our Craft marquees.
The Winner – Ben Russell, stone carver
Ben is an award-winning, classically trained stone carver and sculptor who creates hand-carved, nature-inspired pieces using British stone as well as marble, alabaster and onyx sourced from further afield. After restoring London’s architectural heritage, he now divides his time between exhibiting his own work across the UK, undertaking traditional commissions and teaching introductory stone-carving courses at his yard on a sustainable farm in Marshwood Vale. To see some of Ben’s work and read more please visit his websites:
After being informed of his win, Ben commented ‘winning the Melplash Craft Award was a lovely surprise, especially knowing of the diverse range of rural crafts alive within this extremely creative area! It is great to be recognised locally and I look forward to the connections this award will bring about going forward.”
