The Melplash Agricultural Society Show is an agricultural exhibition, held at The West Bay Show grounds, Bridport, Dorset it has been running annually since 1847 and over 350 trade stands to witness!

Farming and agriculture really is at the heart of the show and visitors will be able to watch judging of the wonderful animals. There’s also a Discover Farming marquee – a must visit for those who are interested in learning more about food production and farming. A wide variety of activities and interactive demonstrations where you can experience of a variety of ‘Farm to Food’ activities.

A countryside arena where spectators can watch gun dogs, hawk displays, ferret racing and much more!  Enjoy the countryside, learn more about West Dorset as well as meet like minded people – there’s something for everyone!

You can visit their website for more information at… www.melplashshow.co.uk/

The Great Dorset Steam Fair is the World’s largest heritage and cultural event, showcasing Great Britain’s National industrial, agricultural and rich leisure history.

2019 marks the 51st Anniversary show starring 500 full size steam engines, a record breaking event!

If you’re looking for an excellent fun and action packed day out then you’ll love the Great Dorset Steam Fair. Traditionally this English fair is held at the village of Tarrant Hinton, near Blandford Forum in the heart of the beautiful Dorset countryside. Further directions are superfluous. Just find the village on the map, head in that direction and follow everyone else to the show.

From small beginnings this annual event has become one of the favoured places for those interested in how people lived, worked and played in bygone years and it is now widely recognised as “THE” National Heritage Show as well as being regarded as the leading show of its type in the World. The spectacle covers an enormous showground, at over 600 acres being one of Europe’s largest outdoor event locations. 2019 sees the show in its 51st year.

You can stand amazed at the variety of exhibitions and the sheer scale of the show means that there is always something new to see. For the first time visitor seeing the Great Dorset Steam Fair can be quite an awe inspiring and impressive site, a sea of marquees and attractions that can take your breath for a moment.

The show has something for everyone, whatever your interests! Maybe you are a collector, a steam fanatic, an exhibitor, a heavy horse fan, an avid camper, a music fan or just on holiday in the South of England over the August Bank Holiday weekend and fancy an excursion to what is described as the most remarkable show on earth!

For more information, visit… www.gdsf.co.uk/

Bridport Hat Festival ! The 10th Bridport Hat Festival will take place on Saturday 7th September 2019.

Bridport Hat Festival is a celebration of hats, a fundraiser for head-related charities and a giant summer-ending party for the town and its visitors – all run by volunteers. The most creative, quirky, stylish and inventive head wear combines with live music, multiple competitions, demonstrations, talks, displays, shows, a hat auction, games, hatted dogs (yes, hatted dogs) and much, much more, all ‘topped’ off by a HUGE mass hat-wearing photoshoot in Bucky Doo Square on ‘Haturday’. And all you need is a hat!

To find out more you can visit their website at… www.bridporthatfest.org/

Food Rocks was founded by Mark Hix in 2012 to celebrate the fantastic produce that the South West has to offer while raising funds for the Fishermen’s Mission and RNLI.

Each year the festival has grown and continued to raise thousands of pounds for the charities over the years.

We so look forward to this year’s weekend and the celebrity cheps that Mark invites, last year we met with Oz Clarke who was there just to enjoy the weekend and taste the amazing food that Mark and guest Chefs prepared.

The two-day food extravaganza curated by Mark himself, brings together the best of Dorset food and drink, celebrated chefs and local producers from the surrounding regions.

Both days will see a jam-packed programme of chef demonstrations, food and drink to take home, supper clubs and a raffle of amazing prices from all the producers and chefs. T

The event is free to attend and suitable for all the family.

For over 176 years Dorchester Agricultural Society has celebrated agriculture and rural life within the county of Dorset. The first exhibition was held in 1840 and this has now developed in to the two day Dorset County Show which takes place on the first weekend in September.

The Show encompasses competitive classes in: Cattle, Dairy Goats, Sheep, Pigs, Sheep Shearing, Horses, Show Jumping, Homecraft, Horticulture and Farm Produce

As well as these competitive classes the weekend showcases rural skills, local food and drink producers, Main Ring entertainment and a wide variety of trade stands. A good day out to be had!

You can find out more information by visiting their website at… www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk/

The Colyford Goose Fayre is a much loved local, traditional event where a large number of locals dress in medieval costume and form a procession which walks through the village. This colourful procession of hundreds of people follow the Mayor of Colyford and his lady down to Springfield to the accompaniment of music and jollity from the Mummers and the many providers of medieval music.

The fair still respects the medieval roots, with stall selling produce under tents, lots of refreshments and local goods available. Many medieval skills are also on display, such as archery, thatching and bodging. There is also plenty of entertainment from dancers and the mummers play, performed by locals.

We are awaiting the dates for 2019, but its normally in September.  For more information best to check their website of events at… www.colyfordvillage.co.uk/goose-fayre.html