Every August, local farmers, gardeners, cooks and craftspeople get together to celebrate all the best of country life in the West Country. On the Thursday before the bank holiday, fields south of Bridport are host to the Melplash Show, a tradition since 1847. Competitions for prizes are the main attraction, and people come from quite a distance to take part.
Here are just a few impressions of all the fascinating sights to see. Vegetables (giant, misshapen, or immaculately matched and presented); beautiful flowers and plants; primped livestock; bees and honey; fleece and butchers’ lamb; maize, corn, hay and straw; arts and crafts; tractors and machinery, cookery and preserves; showjumping; country demonstrations; and of course, lots of happy people enjoying the sunshine! Not forgetting lots to buy, eat and drink from the 100s of trade stalls.
Congratulations to the organisers for a great day out, very well-run – even the car parking ran like clockwork. The only request I’d make is, “please, please, please discourage all the wasteful single-use plastics, especially the ridiculously ornate children’s drinks containers”.