The Melplash Agricultural Society is very excited to announce that they have just been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. The Award recognises the work of voluntary groups that do things differently, consistently and outstandingly well. The Melplash Agricultural Society is one of only four organisations in Dorset to receive this award this year.
“This is such an amazing achievement. We, The Melplash Agricultural Society, are delighted that the dedication, hard work and enthusiasm of all our volunteers, committee members and stewards, who work tirelessly throughout the year, has been recognised. Thank you so much, this award belongs to you all. “ said Society Director and 2022 Chairman, James Vickery who was instrumental in attaining the award on behalf of the Society.
Established in 1847, The Melplash Agricultural Society (a charity) relies on hundreds of volunteers each year to help deliver the wide range of activities that the Society arrange in order to meet their charitable objectives which are to promote and support local agriculture and to inspire and educate young people to make it their career. As well as organising the annual show case event, the Melplash Show, it includes all the competitions held prior and after the event, including farms, crops and flocks, gardens and allotments, Young Farmers’ Stock Judging and the annual Hedgelaying and Ploughing match, as well as Discover Farming, their education programme.
Representatives of the Melplash Agricultural Society will receive the award crystal and certificate from Angus Campbell, Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset later in the year. In addition, two volunteers from the Melplash Agricultural Society will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2024, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.