NEW Melplash Agricultural Society president Cleeves Palmer is following in his family’s footsteps taking on the role.

The society organises the Melplash Show which will be held on August 22 this year.

Mr Palmer is the fourth member of his family to hold the office and said that it was a tremendous honour.

He said: “I am thrilled to be elected president of the society and in becoming the fourth member of my family to take on this tremendous honour.

“My grandfather was elected in 1940, but due to the war he did not take up the post until 1946, my father in 1977 and my brother John in 1997. “The Melplash Agricultural Society, and in particular the Melplash Show, has meant a great deal to me throughout my life.

“I entered many classes as a child and my gardeners Kevin Dean and the late George Eveleigh entered many horticultural classes.

“In my twenties I helped the late Justin Mallinson with the setting up of the showfield.”

Mr Palmer added: “Farming is vital to the area and it is incredibly important that the society continues to promote what we do here in West Dorset for the community and beyond.

“Our annual show is a wonderful opportunity for bringing town and country together and I look forward to being even more involved in 2013.”

Mr Palmer takes over from Lady Caroline Sandwich after her year in office.

Lady Caroline said: “It was the most extraordinary honour and it gave me the most extraordinary sense of the agricultural community and people pulling together and hundreds of volunteers giving their time free to make it work.”

She also paid tribute to the society’s excellent show secretary, committee and chairman and all the help they gave her.

Dan Newman from Chantmarle continues as chairman in the two-year role. Mr Newman took over from Nigel Jones last year.

Mr Newman is a beef and sheep farmer, farming 1,500 acres. He comes from an agricultural family who has lived in the Cattistock area since 1700.

Like Mr Palmer, Mr Newman was the third member of the same family to take up the post.

His father, Ralph Newman, was chairman in the 80s and his uncle Bernard Newman, in the 90s. He was vice chairman for two years before becoming chairman, when he pledged to keep the charm and tradition of the show.