15th February 2012

BEAMINSTER: New president for Melplash Show

By Stuart Broom

CAROLINE Sandwich from Mapperton has been named the new president of the Melplash Agricultural Society.

She takes over from George Streatfeild while Dan Newman from Chantmarle succeeds Nigel Jones as chairman for 2012/13 having supported Nigel as vice chairman for the last two years.

Commenting on her appointment as the new president, Caroline Sandwich said: “I am so honoured to be this year’s president of the Melplash Agricultural Society and am enjoying every minute of it already.

“I have lived at Mapperton in West Dorset for 30 years looking after the house, gardens and estate. John and I now have four children and eight grandchildren with a ninth, a little boy, about to arrive, and they love coming to Dorset.

“I have learned from, and respect so much West Dorset’s agricultural community. I must have been to the Melplash Show 30 times - particularly looking at sheep.

“The show is a great highlight of the year and such fun to go to, full of things to do, animals and stock to see, food to sample, vegetables to admire, children’s entertainment, and all the fun of the main ring.”

The new chairman, Dan Newman lives in Chantmarle and is a beef and sheep farmer, farming 1,500 acres. He comes from an agricultural family who have lived in the area of Cattistock since 1700. His family have been involved in the society for more years than anyone can remember.

By becoming chairman the family take a new position in the society’s history as Dan becomes the third member of the same family to take up the post.

His father, Ralph Newman, was chairman in the 1980s and his uncle Bernard Newman, in the 1990s.

The The society is now very much part of Dan’s and his family’s life. Married to Helen, they have two children, Bertie who is 17-years-old and studying at Sparsholt Agricultural College, Winchester, and Tillie who will be 14-years-old in March.

For the last two years he has been vice-chairman of the society learning the ropes and is now looking forward to taking up the post and cannot wait to get started.

He said: “It is the wonderful charm and tradition of the show that makes it so special and I am determined that this never changes.

“One of my priorities over the next two years will be to get more young people actively involved in the society.

“It is the continued support of the members and the dedication and loyalty of the many volunteers who give up their time that keeps the society’s traditions alive and developing for the future.”

BEAMINSTER: New president for Melplash Show

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