Melpash Agricultural Society new president

The Melplash Agricultural Society [MAS]is pleased to announce that Mr George Streatfeild, of Denhay Farms Ltd, Broadoak, has been elected as their President for 2011. George needs very little introduction to the Members of the Society, regular attendees to Melplash Show or to cheese and food lovers.

Denhay Farms at Broadoak, has been involved with the Society for as long as George can remember. In the 1950s, Denhay milk churn lorry collected the main ring stakes from Sir John Colfox’s store opposite the Bridport Foundry, and the Farm’s shepherd, Len Chubb, and pig man, Reg Lathey built the ring by knocking the stakes in by hand!! As a child, it always signalled the end of summer for George, being the last ’event’ before returning to school.

George has been actively involved in the Society since 1978 when he joined the Showfield Committee. During this time he championed the arrival of a dedicated food hall to Melplash Show in 1987. Together with his wife, Amanda, George has been instrumental in making West Dorset a foodie destination, primarily as a result of the award-winning cheddar and hand cured bacon that they produce at Denhay Farm Ltd, and more recently for their unswerving passion in promoting farming and locally produced food. In 1986 they established Dorset Harvest, a fore-runner of the regional food group Taste of the West.

Said George "All over the UK there are small one day Agricultural Shows run by farmers, for farmers, to celebrate farming, food production and all the related activities – country pursuits, environmental activities and food manufacturing. Melplash Show is from the "top drawer". It is a brilliant shop window for farming and food production in the area, and it is a huge privilege to have been asked to be the Society’s President for 2011"