A society in west Dorset has awarded a share of £36,000 for students to study agriculture.

The Melplash Agricultural Society looks to assist and encourage further education in agriculture.

In doing so, it offers an annual scholarship to students over the age of 16, so long as they live within a 12-mile radius of Melplash village church.

This year a total of £36,000 has been awarded to students at the popular Melplash Show. The society will be supporting 11 students:

  • Tia Groves studying either a Diploma in Agriculture or T-Level Livestock at Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester
  • Will Fooks studying T-Level in Crop Production at Hartpury College in Gloucester
  • Sophie Raymond studying T-Level in Livestock Management at Hartpury College
  • Jack Bacon studying an extended Diploma in Agriculture at Hartpury College
  • George Goringe studying T-Level in Livestock Management at Hartpury College
  • Amy Messer studying Level 2 Agriculture at Kingston Maurward College
  • Ryan Powell studying Level 3 Agriculture at Kingston Maurward College
  • Marly Winters O’Brien studying Level 3 Agriculture at Kingston Maurward College
  • Will Symes working at GCS Agricentre on an apprenticeship linked with Writtle College
  • Thomas Horsington studying foundation degree in Agriculture and Business Management at the Royal Agriculture University in Cirencester
  • George Found studying Agriculture in Farm Business Management at Newcastle University

The society will continue to support nine students:

  • William Baker
  • William Banham
  • Isabel Cooper
  • Erin Hayball
  • Beka Hughes
  • Harry Hughes
  • Bobby Hutchings
  • Harry Papworth
  • Leo Rich

The scholarship offers financial assistance through apprenticeships, diplomas or degree courses - and will be extended throughout the successful student’s course on the stipulation that they receive a satisfactory annual report from their college or university.

The level of funding given to each student is variable; each application is assessed on its merits.  In total since the scheme started in 2006 the society has awarded 98 scholarships to the value of £262,000.

George Rendall, Melplash Agricultural Society Director, said: “We are delighted to award the 2024 scholarship to twenty local students. A total of £36,000 has been awarded,  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.”

The closing date for application in 2025 is Tuesday, July 1 and the application form is available to download from www.melplashshow.co.uk. 

For more details visit the website or contact the Society Secretary, Lucy Hart email  lucy@melplashshow.co.uk or phone 01308 423337.