Annual agriculture spectacular will offer a great day out for all the family at West Bay Show grounds, Bridport.
Ferret and terrier racing are amongst the attractions at this year’s Melpalsh Agricultural Show.
Billed as ‘a true celebration of rural life’ the popular one day event takes place on fields alongside West Bay Road, Bridport, Thursday, August 23, from 8am to 6pm
Once again there is free admission for children and teenagers, aged 16 and under.
A showcase for farming and countryside, Melplash brings together the very best of West Dorset with animals, food, fun and entertainment.
With agriculture still very much at the heart of the show, there is an extensive range of competitive events for local farmers to showcase what they do in the numerous cattle, sheep, pigs and farm produce classes.
For the equine lover there is an outstanding selection of horse and pony classes.
For the rest of the community there are a host of horticultural, home produce and handicraft classes for the whole family to enter including lots of children competitions which are free to enter.
For the aspiring chef there are numerous cookery competitions to enter including the new burger competition which is to be sponsored and judged by the team from Swim, Lyme Regis’s newest café bar..
In the Toolstation Main Ring this year the society welcomes The Cavalry of Heroes. Marking the 100-year anniversary of World War One, they will be performing a special show remembering the role that the horses and soldiers played in The Great War.
Other main ring attractions include heavy horses, horse jumping, parade of hounds and beagles and of course the highlight, the Grand Parade of winning animals and the presentations of the top prizes.
For the younger generation there is a packed programme. In the Discover Farming marquee children can milk a cow, hold baby chicks, grind wheat and make pancakes and in the new Explore Farming tent put on a virtual reality headset and find out what it is like to be a farmer, fly a drone or drive a tractor and build a mini steel framed barn. Tractor Ted is also visiting for the first time.
Many of the firm favourites are back, too. In the Kitson and Trotman countryside area - falconry, ferret and terrier racing, ducks and rural crafts.
The Porter Dodson Food Hall will be bursting with local foodie treats - in the cookery theatre, local chefs will be cooking up a storm including celebrity chef, Lesley Waters and Sally Allan from Sally’s Fish Camp who are joing forces to show how to prepare crab and lobster and the turn into a number of delicious dishes.
Alongside there will be over 350 exhibitors and trade stands offering a wide range of products and produce from locally produced food and crafts to tractors….and plenty in between.
With the gates opening at 8am and closing at 6pm visitors of all ages are guaranteed a full day’s entertainment.
All children 16 years and under can attend the show for free. Adult Tickets on the day are £16 and in advance £14. Advance tickets can be bought on-line or from local venues.
There is free parking off the A35 and free buses running throughout the day (timetables on-line), from Lyme Regis stopping at bus stops in Charmouth, Chideock and Bridport; from the Park and Rides operating off the Symondsbury to Bridport road (B3162) and off the Burton Bradstock to Bridport road (B3157).
To keep up-to-date visit www.melplashshow.co.uk or follow Melplash Show on Facebook, Twitter and instagram
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