Participants in a rural competition got crafty ahead of a popular country show.

The Melplash Agricultural Society judges have been visiting craftsmen and women living within a 12-mile radius of Melplash Village Church for the Melplash Agricultural Show's Rural Craft Competition which focuses on those whose livelihood or a great part of it is focused on their craft.

The competition is now in its sixth year, and was established and sponsored by Elizabeth Gale in memory of her last husband, 'Master Thatcher' Guy Gale.

This year, the results are:

  • Winner: Richard Wilson, of Richard Wilson Ceramics, West Bay
  • Second place: Russell Randall, joiner and wheelwright from Litton Cheney
  • Third place: Peter Thomas, Living Wood, wood turner and stick dresser from Rampisham

Winner Richard Wilson moved to West Dorset in 1990 from Norwich, where he first set up in Abbotsbury before moving to West Bay six years ago.

He has been a potter since the 1970s, working with different potters and craftsmen to learn and hone his skills.

It was during his time in Germany and Eastern Europe in the 1980s that he learnt the techniques of ceramic decoration, and started to create his own contemporary art decoration.

Richard said: "Decorating pottery is one of the most rewarding aspects of working in clay, it is the time you can add colour, be creative and really bring life and a personality to a bare clay surface, the decorations on my pots often echo the shape of the piece."

Richard uses terracotta clay from Stoke-on-Trent, with which he makes a range of domestic ware and sculptural pieces.

His recent work explored colour and abstract patterns that capture the ebb and flow of the sea and landscape of west Dorset.

Richard said: "The Rural Craft competition is wonderful recognition of the hard work and dedication that local craftsmen put into what they do.

"We are not doing it as a hobby, it is our livelihood and being recognised for our work is very rewarding.

"I feel very privileged to have been awarded first prize in this annual competition and look forward to attending Melplash Show this year and displaying my work."

Richard will be receiving the Guy Gale Perpetual Trophy at the Melplash Show on Thursday, August 23.

For the full list of results, visit melplashshow.co.uk/latest-news