Peter Hardwill, who has lived in the village of Blackdown, part of the Parish of Broadwindsor, all his life, will take up the role for 2026 after decades of service to agriculture, engineering, and rural development.
Mr Hardwill said: “I feel extremely proud to be the President of the Melplash Agricultural Society this year and supporting our local farming community.
“Having attended the Melplash Show many times I appreciate the role it plays in promoting local agriculture and educating the public about farming, livestock and food production.
“Attending the Show as President is going to be a momentous day for me and my partner Ann!”
A familiar face in West Dorset, Mr Hardwill founded PH Hardwill Limited in 1966 while working alongside his father on the family dairy farm, Hurst Farm.
It was there, he said, that his passion for engineering and construction took root – he fondly recalls driving his first tractor at the age of eight.
Mr Hardwill’s early education at Marshwood Primary School was followed by Beaminster Grammar School, chosen by his parents for its focus on agriculture at O-level.
His growing enthusiasm for engineering led him to enrol in metalwork and carpentry classes at Beaminster Secondary Modern, beginning a lifelong habit of collecting tools and connecting with local tradespeople.
After leaving school, he returned to the family farm and joined Crewkerne Young Farmers, later enrolling in an engineering course at Yeovil College.
With new skills under his belt, Mr Hardwill began taking on larger projects, including constructing timber-framed barns from old telegraph poles and building his own digger.
Word of his practical talent spread, and soon he was completing jobs for neighbouring farmers.
This demand led to the creation of his business, which continues today as P H Hardwill Ltd, now managed by his sons Philip and Michael.
The company, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, will have a trade stand at the Melplash Show on August 27.
In 1985, the family transitioned from dairy to beef farming.
After the death of his father in 1995, the farm was leased to a neighbouring business, Childhay Farming.
Throughout his career, Mr Hardwill stayed connected to industry developments and business training, crediting West Dorset Training with helping him in the early years of his company.
He served on the Board of Dorset Training – an amalgamation of West Dorset Training and other similar schemes in Dorset – for some 60 years until its merger with Newlands Training in 2004.
A long-standing member of Crewkerne Young Farmers, he held numerous positions at both local and county levels.
In 2000 he served as Somerset YFC president.
He has also been a dedicated member of Crewkerne Rotary Club, focusing on youth community projects.
In 2006/2007 he was named rotary district governor for District 1200, covering Somerset and part of West Dorset and West Wiltshire.
As 2026 president of the Melplash Agricultural Society, Mr Hardwill said he looks forward to contributing to its work.
He said: “I am looking forward to gaining a deeper insight into how the Society operates and working with the many dedicated volunteers – the Board of Directors, the section chairman and their helpers – who make the society and Melplash Show the success it is.
“It is going to be a privilege to accompany the stewards and the judges around the farms and gardens in the pre-show competitions, and helping where I can with the Discover Farming programme which is making substantial progress improving children’s understanding of where their food comes from and how it is produced, while also effectively informing older students about the career opportunities within the sector.”
He also hopes to encourage future generations to get involved.
He said: “The next challenge in securing the society’s future is to encourage more young people to volunteer and become actively involved in the society’s various committees – a challenge I hope to be able to contribute to during my time as President.”