TWENTY students were awarded a combined total of £36,000 at a popular agricultural show earlier this month.

Annual scholarships for students aged 16 or over were given out at the Melplash Show in Dorset on August 22. 

The Melplash Agricultural Society award the scholarship to those within a 12-mile radius of Melplash Village Church. The funding will help to pay for an apprenticeship, diploma or degree course. 

The students awarded a share of £36,000 are: 

  • Tia Groves studying either a Diploma in Agriculture or T-Level Livestock at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester
  • Will Fooks studying T-Level in Crop Production at Hartbury College, Gloucester
  • Sophie Raymond studying T-Level in Livestock Management at Hartpury College, Gloucester
  • Jack Bacon studying an extended Diploma in Agriculture at Hartpury College, Gloucester
  • George Goringe studying T-Level in Livestock Management at Hartpury College, Gloucester
  • Amy Messer studying Level 2 Agriculture at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester
  • Ryan Powell studying Level 3 Agriculture at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester
  • Marly Winters O’Brien studying Level 3 Agriculture at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester
  • Will Symes working at GCS Agricentre on an apprenticeship linked with Writtle College, Chelmsford
  • Thomas Horsington studying foundation degree in Agriculture and Business Management at Royal Agriculture University Cirencester
  • George Found studying Agriculture in Farm Business Management at Newcastle University

The society are set to continue to support the following students: 

  • William Baker
  • William Banham
  • Isabel Cooper
  • Erin Hayball
  • Beka Hughes
  • Harry Hughes
  • Bobby Hutchings
  • Harry Papworth
  • Leo Rich

“We are delighted to award the 2024 scholarship to twenty local students," said George Rendall, Melplash Agricultural Society director. 

"A total of £36,000 has been awarded thanks to the very generous continued support of our sponsors and donors, without their financial assistance we would not have been able to support so many students. The level of funding given to each student is variable; each application is assessed on its merits.  In total since the scheme started in 2006, the society has awarded ninety-eight scholarships to the value of £262,000."

If you would like to apply for the 2025 funding, the closing date for applications is July 1 2025. The application can be downloaded from the Melplash Show website.