Melplash Explained

Official Name:Melplash
Country:England
Region:South West England
Static Image:Melplash, Christ Church - geograph.org.uk - 451925.jpg
Static Image Width:237px
Static Image Caption:Christ's Church, Melplash
Os Grid Reference:SY485985
Coordinates:50.7832°N -2.7306°W
Post Town:BRIDPORT
Postcode Area:DT
Postcode District:DT6
Dial Code:01308
London Distance:145miles
Shire County:Dorset

Melplash is a village in western Dorset, England. It is situated on the A3066 road 3miles north of Bridport and 2miles south of Beaminster.

The construction of Christ Church between 1845 and 1846 was funded by James Bandinel (who was at one time secretary to William Wilberforce) in memory of his father, who had been vicar of Melplash and the neighbouring village of Netherbury.[1] [2] The church was designed by Benjamin Ferrey[1] and built in Neo-Norman style.

There was once a flax industry in the village. An annual agricultural show held in August by the name of The Melplash Agricultural Show started in the village in the 19th century but is now held on fields owned by the Melplash Agricultural Show Society at nearby West Bay.

In 1938, the Melplash Players theatre group "had the advantage of coaching and casting" from Gertrude Bugler, previously of The Hardy Players.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Gant, R., Dorset Villages, Hale, 1980, p127
  2. Web site: Netherbury Pages 170-176 An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Dorset, Volume 1, West. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1952. . British History Online . 14 July 2020.
  3. News: News Chronicle. 26 May 1938. 20. These players have their own authoress.