THIS year s Melplash Show has been cancelled, it has been announced. Organisers said it was with great sadness they must announce the cancellation on the 2021 event which was scheduled for Thursday, August 26. The Melplash Show is one of the most-anticipated annual events in west Dorset and in pre-Covid times, attracted as many as 20,000 visitors every year. Earlier this year, the organising committee spoke of their desire to host an event in 2021 but said the situation would be reviewed. Now in a message to traders, Show Secretary Lucy Hart said: We have been monitoring matters very closely over the last few weeks, attempting to find out as much as we can regarding the proposed position for late August. This has included close liaison with The Association of Show & Agricultural Organisations, and discussions with our MP to find out what might happen with Covid restrictions going forward.
TRIBUTES have been paid to Portland Port director and decorated Royal Navy commander, Rupert Best, who has died at the age of 76. Commander Best, who was a director of Portland Port UK, commanded the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Courageous during the Falklands conflict in 1982. He retired from the Royal Navy during the 1990s and would be instrumental in persuading Langham Industries to privately take over Portland Port from the Ministry of Defence in 1996 - and the subsequent formation of the Portland Harbour Authority. Friend and Portland Port UK colleague, Bill Reeves, said: Rupert served as director of Portland Port from its formation right up until his death.
Rupert Best, who lived near Melplash, died last Wednesday aged 76. Mr Best had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy and commanded the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Courageous during the Falklands conflict. After retiring from the Royal Navy he went on to become a director of Portland Port. He was instrumental in persuading Langham Industries to privately take over Portland Port from the Ministry of Defence in 1996 - and the subsequent formation of the Portland Harbour Authority a couple of years later. Away from the office, Mr Best ran a cider farm which he took over after the death of his father - himself a distinguished naval officer - and was described as an energetic promoter of Dorset cider apples .
A WEST DORSET pre-school has some prizes up for grabs in its Christmas draw. Bradpole Pre-school operates as a charity and has had a challenging year. The school relies heavily on fundraising to support its work, but has seen almost all of its traditional events cancelled this year. Local businesses have donated an array of prizes including tickets to Melplash Show, Jurassic Fields, haircuts, MOTs, meals out and more. The pre-school originally set a target of £500 which they were able to reach in a week, they have now set a new target of £1,000. A spokesman for the school said: We are so happy that we were able to reach our initial target in less than a week. We have added a stretch target of a further £500 and if we could meet it that would mean so much towards our fundraising targets for the next year.