Each year the Melplash Agricultural Society offers scholarships to local students aged 16 years and over who are planning to pursue courses in subjects connected to agriculture. Students of farming, horticulture, forestry or agricultural-related subjects, who live within a 12 mile radius of Melplash village church could be eligible for a scholarship up to £3,000 per annum.
In 2023, we introduced a Travel Bursary and welcome applications from those who wish to broaden their farming experience with a planned overseas trip.
Interviews are carried out in July and awards made in August each year and presented at our annual show. The Scholarship Scheme was established nineteen years ago to benefit West Dorset based students who wish to further their education in the field of agriculture, horticultural and related subject areas.
We were delighted to award the 2026 scholarship fund of £36,750 to twenty-two local students. This is thanks to the very generous continued support of our sponsors and donors, without their financial assistance we would not have been able to support so many students. Since the scheme started in 2006, we have awarded scholarships totalling £328, 412 to 122 students.
In 2026 we were pleased to support the following new students. A total fund of £36,750 was awarded.
- Meagan Lister studying T-Level in Livestock at Coastland College
- James Batchelor studying Agriculture at Harper Adams University
- Ed Stantiford studying T-Level in Livestock Production, Environmental and Animal Care at Lackham College
- Jack Ferrett studying Gamekeeping at Sparsholt College
- Junior Attinger studying Agriculture at Coastland College
- Bobby Ashton studying City & Guilds in Horticulture
- Alec Slade studying Land Based Engineering at Bicton College
- Eliza Curtis studying T-Level in Livestock Production at Coastland College
- Ivy Hopkins studying in Livestock Production at Coastland College
- Isabella Avery studying Level 2 in Agriculture at Bicton College
- Joseph Pullan studying Professional Forester Degree Apprenticeship at University of Cumbria
- Simon Sage studying Rural Estate and Land Management at Harper Adams University
- Felix Sowerbutts studying Rural Estate and Land Management at Harper Adams University
Travel Bursaries
Will Banham travelling to Australia to work on 12,000 sheep, 1,200 cattle farm near Melbourne.
Arthur Hazelhurst travelling to Australia to work on 12,000 sheep, 1,200 cattle farm near Melbourne.
The Society continues to support:
Charlie Attwell
Sophie Banham
Alfie Holland
Henry Vickery
Ed House
George Gorringe
Sophie Raymond
Scholarships amounting to £36,750 were awarded in 2026!
Society Director, George Rendell commented, ‘Since its launch in 2007, the Society’s Scholarship Scheme has provided financial support to students starting careers in agriculture, helping fund apprenticeships, diplomas and degree courses.. support may continue throughout a recipient’s course, subject to satisfactory reports from their college or university. We also offer a Travel Bursary to those planning to work overseas and broaden their agricultural experience. Funding varies because each application is assessed on its merits. To date, the Society has awarded £327,000 to 122 students’.
‘I would urge anyone who is looking to pursue a career in agricultural to apply for this Scholarship. It is allowing me to continue my degree in veterinary medicine, I would have been struggling to fund my dream career without it.” said Scholarship student, Cerne Iveson.
How to Apply
The closing dates for applying is 1st July 2027. Help with completing the application is available. Those candidates shortlisted will be required to provide references and will need to attend an interview in July.
Financial support will be extended throughout the successful student’s course, provided that he/she receives a satisfactory annual report from his/her college or university. Those eligible to apply must live within a 12 mile radius of Melplash. Please click here to download an application form. Completed forms should be returned to the Society Offices at 23 South Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3NT by 1st July.
Travel Bursary – please click here to download an application form.
Financial support is also available from Dorset Community Foundation. Dorset Community Foundation, through its Education Fund supports Dorset residents between the ages of 16-25 through bursaries of up to £1,000. The applicants must be in looking to start or continue their education, apprenticeship and/or training. They will also need to fulfil certain eligibility criteria. Students must apply directly to the student finance department at the college or through their apprenticeship provider. For more details please visit www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org
Thank you to all the companies and individuals who sponsor our Scholarship scheme.