Melplash

Human settlement in England

Netherbury

Unitary authority

Dorset

Dorset

Region

South West

CountryEnglandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townBRIDPORTPostcode districtDT6Dialling code01308PoliceDorsetFire Dorset and Wiltshire Ambulance South Western UK Parliament

West Dorset

List of places: UK; England; Dorset

50°47′00″N 2°43′50″W / 50.783218°N 2.730611°W / 50.783218; -2.730611

Melplash is a village in western Dorset, England. It is situated on the A3066 road 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Bridport and 2 miles (3.2 km) 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]

References

^ ^a ^b Gant, R., Dorset Villages, Hale, 1980, p127
^ "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. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
^ "These players have their own authoress". News Chronicle. 26 May 1938. p. 20.