De Courcey Harvest Day August 2018
On the Monday of the August bank holiday week end, John O’Neill Chairman of DeCourcey Vintage Club based in Ballinadee welcomed a large attendance of friends, neighbours and participators in the annual harvest festival where voluntary donations are gathered and later distributed to worthy charities in West Cork.
There was the accustomed harvesting with vintage combine harvesters, a static display of tractors, old and very old, among them a selection of Fordson Tractors and working stationary engines of all kinds.
The main feature of the afternoon was a simulation of a farm accident involving a combine harvester. After the initial assessment the operator made contact with the fire, ambulance and medical services which arrived in quick time, flashing lights, crew to hand immediately taking care of the “injured” person.
Because of an earlier call out the Air Accident helicopter was unavailable but we all understood the happenings of the event, sufficient to say that should anyone be unfortunate enough to get caught up in an emergency there is comfort in knowing that there is to hand an excellent service available.
As a reminder, West Cork Rapid Response (WCRR) is an entirely voluntary group working in partnership with and supporting the existing HSE National Ambulance Services (NAS). Their Rapid Response Vehicle and Emergency Service Volunteers are declared National Ambulance Service assets based in and serving all of West Cork.
In an Emergency ALWAYS dial 112 or 999
Most important is to know where you are and make this clear on the phone call to emergency services, so said Rev. Fr. Pat O’Donovan PP, chief of staff of the medical emergency episode. Fr. Pat is a long time member of The Irish Model T Ford Club and made our small number of members present very welcome in West Cork. By the way Fr. Pat has been elevated in his responsibilities and is now a Parish Priest. We extend our belated congratulations to him and wish him well in his ministry – a first for Fr. Pat and a first for our Club!
Land Rover are celebrating 70 years in production this year. There was a call by Bill Chambers, also a member of The Irish Model T Ford Club for all Land Rover owners to turn up. And so they did. In excess of 40 Land Rovers, Series and Defenders lined up and this added to the attraction. Something new for the event – a line up of only too familiar old Land Rovers.
