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€20,000 to local charities from The Western Vintag
15/08/2007
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€20,000 given to local charities from The Western Vintage Tractor and Engine Club Annual Show 2007 at Hollybrook This has been the most successful year to date of the existence of this club, since its formation in 1991. The club got off to a great start in February with its auction and Autojumble in Shrule, which is getting bigger and better every year and was very fortunate with the weather which was mild and dry. The Commercial road run was a very enjoyable day for all who participated on April 22nd where 16 vehicles drove from Headford through Cross, Cong, Clonbur, Maam, Leenane, Recess, Maam Cross, Oughterard, Moycullen Galway and back to Headford. The day was damp but a very enjoyable meal was had by all in Oughterard. The Tractor Road Run on 13th of May was run for Mayo Autism Action, which went from Ballintubber to Castlebar, Newport, Westport, Ayle and back to Ballintubber. 23 tractors took part and a well-deserved meal was had by all in the Helm in Westport. A very successful bucket collection was taken up on the day by Mayo Autism Action. The 16th annual Vintage Rally to be held at Hollybrook on the 1st of July was launched at the Country Club on May 26th. A cheese and wine reception was held on the night with entertainment and all had a very enjoyable night. As it had been decided by the club to share the money raised at the Rally with Mayo Autism Action, The Mayo Branch of the National Council for the blind, as well as The Mayo Mental Health Association. There were representatives at this reception and members from the different organisations spoke on the night and expressed their gratitude to the club, and said how they were looking forward to working with the club. Little did anyone know what was in store for the charities as a result of the Vintage Rally. However, the committee were very busy making phone calls, inviting exhibitors, attending other shows and giving out flyers promoting our own show. Members were exhibiting at other shows and rallies with the hope that those shows in return would exhibit at the Hollybrook Rally. Advertising was done on as many radio stations, newspapers and magazines as possible nationwide.Two weeks before the 1st of July and the club members gathered in the Rally field and got stuck into work. It is unimaginable the amount of physical work that goes into this show. Driving stakes and putting up wire throughout the twenty acre site for the different exhibit areas to conform with safety. Putting up poles with speakers for the P.A. system and running underground electric cable throughout the field. To build the huge marquee which the club put up each year for the crafts. This is the work the members do every evening for two weeks prior to the show from 8pm until dark. Nearly 12 o’clock most nights before members leave the field, and for one week after the show to take it all down again and put it in storage for next year. All this work is spear headed by the hard working chairman Michael O’Malley. He places the men each evening at the different tasks until at last we are ready for the show, or were we? Saturday evening and the weather is not looking great. We had been listening to the weather forecast all week. I was optimistic that it would be good. It was very mixed and wet during the week prior to the show but the grounds were holding up well. Michael O’Malley said on Saturday evening that we had done all we could for the show and the weather was up to the Gods. Sunday morning 1st of July, some members were in the field at 7 o’clock. A few trade stands had arrived the night before and more were queued at the gate waiting to get in. It made heavy rain at 9 o’clock and the traffic flow into the field was taking its toll on the grounds. But fortunately a strong sun came out and the field dried up quickly. We could not believe our luck. Over 200 vintage cars, nearly 100 vintage tractors, vintage motor bikes, commercial vehicles, a huge turn out of crafts, a working area, threshing and hay turning with a horse and hay turner. Autojumble, trade stands and many other vintage exhibits filled the field. There was music all day by “Cois Tine” and dancing in the evening by the straw boys.Children were well entertained with bouncy castles and slides, quads, fancy dress, and fun and games with Disney characters. Food and ice-cream vans were flat out all day and although it did make a light shower at around 4 o’clock, it did not disperse the large crowd in attendance as they had plenty of tents and marquees to shelter them and as soon as the rain was gone everyone got on with enjoying the show. We figured that the crowd would have been much bigger but for the fact that it was pouring rain all day in Hollymount, Ballinrobe, Tuam and Claremorris. Only a few miles away it poured all day, so the Gods were looking down on this Club that had worked so hard for the charities and we were grateful. The different parades took place during the day in the main arena and sheep dog trials kept others happy. A video man was employed to make a D.V.D. of the show, which will be on sale at a later date, and while I am confident that he will do a good job, I have to sympathise with him as there is absolutely no way that he could have captured everything on the day. He would have had to make two of himself to be in two parts of the field at the same time, there was so much going on during the day.The official opening was done by Art Killeen of Hollymount who was one of the founder members of the club and its first chairman. Paddy Sweeney of Brownsgrove, Tuam was the winner of the Marce Gannon Perpetual Trophy for having the oldest working tractor in the field on the day. It was a 1938 Fordson N., well done Paddy.The presentation of the money to the charities was done at the Country Club, Hollybrook, Hollymount on Saturday night the 11th of August. Again there was wine and sandwiches for everyone and entertainment. Michael Mooney was M.C.on the night and said, that this was the celebration of the vintage rally. He then called on Michael O’Malley, the chairman, to speak. Michael thanked everyone who helped out for the show and sympathised with any other clubs who have had to cancel or postpone their shows because of the weather that we are experiencing this year, and how lucky we were on the day of our show. He thanked Helen and Malachy Forde for the use of their premises and grounds throughout the year. With that he announced that the Club were in a position to give a total of €20,000 to the three charities this year. Michael Mooney thanked the charities for their help and support on the Rally date and called on representatives from the three charities to come and say a few words. P.J. Murphy of the Mayo Mental Health Association, Helen McHugh of the Mayo Branch of the National Council for the Blind and Sean Coffey of the Mayo Autism Action, all expressed their thanks for the money and said how enjoyable it was to work with the Western Vintage Tractor and Engine Club and that the money would be put to very good use for the charities.Photographs were taken of the presentation of the money to the charities and also of the presentation of the Marce Gannon Perpentual Cup to Paddy Sweeney and of a cup to Cristy McEvilly, Outherard on behalf of his grandson Aaron McEvilly 8 years old for being the youngest exhibitor at the show. Michael O’Malley presented the cups on behalf of Helena and P.J. O’Connor. A great night was had by all and they danced into the early hours of the morning. D.V.D.'s of the years events can be had later from any member of the club priced at €20.Watch out for our Autumn tractor road run which will be done for the Mayo Branch Of The National Council For The Blind on Sunday 16th September. This run will go from Balla to Castlebar, Ballyvary, Bohola, Kiltimagh and return to Balla. So come out and see these well restored vintage tractors drive the roads of Mayo and support a very worthy cause and with the help of God the weather will have picked up by then.
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