The Melplash Agricultural Society will be welcoming a very special guest to its webinar this month.

The Rt Hon George Eustice MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, together with West Dorset MP Chris Loder, will be the guest speaker at the society's online seminar - 'The Future of Agricultural and Rural Livelihoods'.

And as well as the excitement of running the annual Melplash Show again on Thursday, August 25 after a two year break, the society is getting ready to celebrate its 175th anniversary. Lots of events are in the planning to commemorate this landmark year, the details of which will be revealed in the coming months.

The Melplash Agricultural Society's original objective, which still stands to this day, is to put a spotlight on local farming, food and rural life in West Dorset. As well as showcasing the best, as it does at the annual show, the society also serves the rural community by being at the forefront of important farming and agricultural issues in the locality.

'The Future of Agricultural and Rural Livelihoods' is the hot issue for the next online seminar to be hosted by society president, Nigel Jones, on Wednesday, April 20 at 6.30pm to 8pm.

He said: "After two years without a full calendar or a show, we are going to make the society's 175th anniversary years the best yet. It is going to be the year when everyone remembers the valuable role that the society plays in championing rural life and the local economy. 

"As we start preparations for this year's show, we are honoured to be joined on our next webinar by the Rt Hon George Eustice MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, together with West Dorset MP, Chris Loder. They will be discussing with a panel of members a number of topics relating to the future of agriculture and other rural challenges. This is particularly fitting as we celebrate our milestone anniversary as a community organisation supporting rural activities in West Dorset."

To attend the free webinar, register at melplashshow.co.uk