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.

Melplash
Christ's Church, Melplash
Melplash is located in Dorset
Melplash
Melplash
Location within Dorset
OS grid referenceSY485985
• London145 miles (233 km)
Civil parish
Unitary authority
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBRIDPORT
Postcode districtDT6
Dialling code01308
PoliceDorset
FireDorset and Wiltshire
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Dorset
50°47′00″N 2°43′50″W / 50.783218°N 2.730611°W / 50.783218; -2.730611

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

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  1. ^ a b Gant, R., Dorset Villages, Hale, 1980, p127
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "These players have their own authoress". News Chronicle. 26 May 1938. p. 20.
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