THE Melplash Agricultural Society, the organisation behind the Melplash Show, voted in their new President for 2017.

Ralph Newman, who was chairman in the 1980s, takes over from Rebecca Knox.

At the agm Rebecca Knox welcomed Mr Newman.

She said: "I’m delighted to be handing over to Ralph.

"I know he is going to be an enormous asset to the society and is going to have a wonderful time.

"I hugely enjoyed my time as President - I was made to feel so welcome and have learned so much”.

Mr Newman is a farmer from Holywell, near Dorchester. He and his wife Gill have been farming since 1965. He comes from an agricultural family who has lived in the Cattistock area since 1700.

The 1,500 acre family farm at Chantmarle is now farmed by his son Dan and his grandson Bertie. Dan himself has followed in the family footsteps being chairman in 2012 and 2013, as was his uncle Bernard in the 1990s.

Ralph still has a keen interest in farming, particularly in the dairy business.

Ralph is very well known to the society, being actively involved in the mid 70s with the livestock committee and was chairman of the society in 1989.

He said he was looking forward to being actively involved again and praised the way the society had developed in the past few years.

He was also very pleased to see that the three Es, education, entertainment and enjoyment - a term given to him to describe the aims of the society back when he was chairman - were still very much in evidence.

Will Frost continues as chairman and Jo Sage as vice chairman. James Vickery was appointed as a new director on the board.

To recognise people who have given exceptional service over the years the society has introduced a Melplash Agricultural Society lapel pin.

These were awarded by the president to Philip Symes, Elizabeth Gale, Anne Vincent, Pat Fowler, Philip Baker, John Samways, Cliff Pitcher. Not present to collect were Pauline Walbridge, Diana Crumpler and Archie Cowley.

.dan Mr Newman is a beef and sheep farmer, farming 1,500 acres. He comes from an agricultural family who has lived in the Cattistock area since 1700.

Like Mr Palmer, Mr Newman was the third member of the same family to take up the post.

His father, Ralph Newman, was chairman in the 80s and his uncle Bernard Newman, in the 90s. He was vice chairman for two years before becoming chairman, when he pledged to keep the charm and tradition of the show.