The countdown is underway for the 2026 Melplash Agricultural Show, taking place on Thursday, August 27 at the West Bay Showground near Bridport.

The Show has been bringing together the farming community and the wider public for generations and remains one of Dorset’s most anticipated summer events.

Organised by the Melplash Agricultural Society, the annual show continues to showcase the very best of farming, food production, livestock, rural crafts and countryside traditions, attracting thousands of visitors.

With agriculture firmly at its heart, the show will feature livestock and equine classes, horticulture, floral and homecraft competitions, and more than 400 trade stands offering everything from local produce and artisan crafts to the latest agricultural equipment.

Families can enjoy a full programme of entertainment and hands-on activities. Across the showground, visitors can enjoy countryside sports in the Kitson & Trotman Arena, rural displays, country crafts, food and drink in the Symondsbury Estate Food Hall, live cooking demonstrations in the Moores Biscuits Cookery Theatre, and free family entertainment in the Cornish Mutual Main Ring, including the Broke FMX Motorcycle Display Team and the popular Shetland Pony Grand National.

Melplash Agricultural Society celebrates young farmers

Meanwhile, the annual Melplash Agricultural Society ‘s Young Farmers Stock Judging Competition took place at Childhay Organic Dairy.

Eight teams competed, representing Beaminster, Crewkerne, Ilminster, Marshwood Vale, Polden Hills, Puddletown and Wedmore Young Farmers Clubs.

“Learning to judge dairy cows by visually assessing and describing their traits is a valuable skill,” said society president Peter Hardwill.

RESULTS:

Juniors

1st and Winners of the Melplash Agricultural Society Junior Shield – Emily Tucker, Wedmore YFC and Ella Crossman, Polden Hills YFC

2nd: Jacob Tucker and George Tucker – Wedmore YFC

3rd: Amy Groves and Grace House – Beaminster YFC

Intermediates

1st and Winners of the Melplash Agricultural Society Shield – Tia Groves and Sophie Raymond – Beaminster YFC

Seniors

1st and Winners of the Francis W Hunt Trophy – Zoe Stanbury, Ilminster YFC and Grace Willcox, Wedmore YFC.

2nd: Amy Wonnacott and Sophie Kerley – Puddletown YFC

3rd: Joanna House and Sam Bugler – Marshwood Vale YFC

Best Newcomer – Amy Groves, Beaminster YFC

Highest Placed Individual – Zoe Stanbury, Ilminster YFC

More stories about Melplash Show

• Family-friendly Melplash Show offers free entry for under-16s on August 27
• The magic of Melplash Agricultural Show will be returning to West Bay in August
• Melplash Agricultural Society celebrates 175 years with a hedgelaying and ploughing match
• Coming up roses: Melplash Agricultural Society’s Annual Gardens and Allotments Competition