With the magic of Melplash fresh on everyone's minds, it's worth knowing there is help on hand for the next generation interested in agriculture.

Each year, the Melplash Agricultural Society offers grants to local students aged 16 years and over who are planning to pursue courses in subjects connected to agriculture.

This year, a whopping £34,000 was handed out at the show to a number of passionate students. 

To assist and encourage further education in agriculture and closely allied topics, the society offers the annual scholarship to those who live within a 12-mile radius of Melplash village church. 

The scholarship offers financial assistance with their apprenticeship, diploma or degree course.  

Melplash Agricultural Society director, George Rendall, said: “The level of funding is variable; each application is assessed on its merits. 

"In total, since the scheme started in 2007, the society has awarded 86 scholarships to the value of £226,000. 

"Many are now working in the community, helping to fill our food baskets, ensuring the excellent health of our farm animals, maintaining farm machinery and contributing to many of the diversification schemes that are operating on our larger farms and estates."

The financial support will be extended throughout the successful student’s course provided they receive a satisfactory annual report from their college or university.

This year's grants go to: 

Harry Hughes studying Land Based Technology at Hartbury University

Leo Rich studying Agriculture and Farm Mechanics at Cannington College

Bekah Hughes studying Agriculture at Kingston Maurward College

Erin Hayball studying Agriculture at Hartbury University

Adam Attwell studying Agriculture at Harper Adams University

William Banham studying Agriculture at Bicton College

Isabel Cooper studying Agriculture at Kingston Maurward

Jack Bartlett studying Countryside and Wildlife Management at Kingston Maurward College

Bobby Hutchings studying Agriculture at Bicton College

Anna Mears studying Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at Nottingham University

A travel bursary went to Matthew House, who is travelling to New Zealand and has a placement through Bleekkers Agricultural Services, south of Christchurch, to go contracting

The society continues to support the following students:

  • Ceri Edwards
  • Darcy Shaw
  • Isobel Minshall
  • Cerne Iveson
  • Ellie Hughes
  • Harry Papworth
  • Kirron Wheeler

The application form is available to download from melplashshow.co.uk.

For more information contact society secretary Lucy Hart  lucy@melplashshow.co.uk or ring 01308 423337.