Caring Tipperary community refuse to allow drought cancel vital Hospice fundraiser

An heroic rural community has issued a rallying call to ensure  funding is raised to support  the vital work being carried out by South Tipperary Hospice nurses.

A massive Hospice fundraiser  was in jeopardy due to the worst drought to hit Ireland in over forty years but the people of Moyglass have overcome huge obstacles to ensure that the Silage Extravaganza on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July will go ahead.

“We know  there are families   in desperate need of the services South Tipperary Hospice provide so we could not allow the weather destroy the purpose of the event which is to raise money to keep those services going” said organiser Matty Tynan.

The drought means there is no  grass to cut  and  over one hundred silage harvesters due to travel from England, Northern Ireland and all over Ireland  to provide the main attraction for the fundraiser will not travel now.

“We were planning this for eight months, cancellation was not an option because of the drought. There was no way this community was going to let down the families who need the Hospice services and in the last two weeks  we pulled out all the stops to put in place a different plan to compensate for the loss of the main feature” said Mr Tynan.

That indomitable spirit of the Moyglass community has saved the event and organisers are appealing to the people of Tipperary to come out in huge numbers to support the Hospice.

“We are now more dependant than ever on the support of the people living within a thirty mile radius of the site. A lot of the overseas visitors will still come because accommodation was booked but they will not be bringing the machinery which everybody wanted to see. There will now only be two machines cutting silage for exhibition purposes but we have managed to put in place a very strong  two day family event to compenate for what was lost”, said Mr.  Tynan.

Up to  four hundred people a month receive “face to face” visits by South Tipp Hospice nurses and those people were uppermost in the minds of the determined organisers who refused to allow a drought spoil their plans help  keep hospice nurses on the road.

Glowing tributes were paid to the Vintage Club members by South Tipperary Hospice.

“ We are very grateful , they had to change plans at the last minute and kept going because they know just how important the funds they raise are in helping us to keep our six nurses, who make between 350 and 400 face to face visits  to  patients homes or in nursing  homes every month, on the road.They are fantastic people that we admire  them greatly” said Sinaida Jansen.

The committee were determined to ensure  that  the important  fundraiser took place  and moved swiftly to put in place an alternative plan of entertainment, exhibitions  and events on the day.

The main feature of the event, the silage cutting will not now go ahead because of the weather.  Some of the exhibitors who were due to travel to Moyglass from all over England and Ireland will still  come but without the machinery that would have been a major attraction.

“A good number of them are still going to come which is fantastic but  to raise funds now we are more dependent on a massive turnout from people living in the locality to ensure this event is a success.We will still have two great days of entertainment  thanks to the hard work of the committee who have worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to put together a new plan” said Matty Tynan.

The Vintage Club ran a very successful Silage Extravaganza three years ago and the reasons for running it were twofold.

“ We did it to raise funds for Hospice and also to strengthen community comradery.That community spirit was truly tested  this  year  when we realised the weather meant we had to take such drastic action to change direction and ensure it went ahead” said Matty Tynan.

A tractor run has now been organised  for the Saturday 28th July. The  tractor run on Saturday evening which will consist of road and farm driving and a barbecue, music and craic on return to Joe Trehy’s farm. A marquee will be erected to cater for drivers and patrons. a vintage silage harvesting demonstration, a vintage hay making demonstration, and a harvest threshing, will also be part of  the  new list of events for Sunday, July 29.Also the discovery of  a rare round silage pit adjacent to the event site has generated a lot of interest and the land-owner has kindly given permission  the weekend visitors visit the site. The silage for these pits would have been cut and drawn and compacted using horses and it is a  most interesting discovery that had been overgrown for years. 

All other events including record attempts for the most County Tractors and most MF 65 tractors will go ahead. Entrants are being asked to still bring  along their vintage silage harvesters for the static display. The County Sea Horse will make its first visit to Ireland and all makes of vintage trucks, cars, and bikes are most welcome. 

T.R. Dallas, Sabrina Fallon and local artists will provide music and song. A platform for dancing will also be provided. A dog show will allow patrons to bring along their favourite pet. A full range of kids’ entertainment will be on site, including Bouncy Castles etc. 

The organisers are  also in the process of producing a novelty calendar which will be very interesting but the contents are being kept “under wraps” at the moment unlike some of the participants.

These calendars will be on sale on the day and will also be available after the event.  The Gardai will also have a stand at the event 

“Although we bow to ‘mother nature’, we are hoping that with these additions and your continued support we will have a mighty weekend that will bring enjoyment to both entrants and patrons” said Matty Tynan.