World record reclaimed by charity combiners

A new world record was set for the most combine harvesters working in one field on Saturday when 208 combines set to work harvesting a crop of winter barley on a farm near Duleek. The event was organised by the Combines4Charity Group who were delighted to reclaim the world record they set in 2009 but lost a year later to a group of Canadian farmers. In 2009, the Meath group succeeded in having 175 combines working simultaneously to set the world record but this was beaten a year later by 200 combines in Canada. With just eight combines to spare, Combines4Charity reclaimed their record at around 4.45pm on Saturday afternoon at Gerry Curran's farm at Platin. Combine harvesters from all over the country started arriving on Friday evening and continued to arrive right up to the start of the event. "We are absolutely thrilled. We are thrilled for everybody attending that it wasn't in vain. It was humbling on Friday evening to know people had left their own crops to come and take part," said committee member Tony Brady from Kildalkey. It has been intended to start harvesting at around 3.30pm on Saturday but heavy downpours hampered events and it was 4.45pm before the harvesting got to begin. Mr Brady explained that while 211 combines checked in, conditions were very wet and three of them got blocked leaving 208 successfully participating in the event. Mr Brady has expressed his gratitude to the farmers from all over the country who turned out to support the event. He said that at one stage on Saturday it was looking tight as to whether they would make the record and that after making a few phone calls, farmers left their own crops to take part. Two farmers who were cutting oil seed rape in Rathmolyon left their crop to come over arriving at 3pm and others also dropped everything to come along. Mr Brady said they had farmers from Kerry, Donegal, Antrim, Armagh and that he believed every county in Ireland was represented. On behalf of the committee, Mr Brady thanked Gerry Curran for supplying the field, FBD their main sponsors and all the farmers who supported the event. He also thanked Gardai and Meath County Council. As well as setting a new record, the event aims to raise funds for Barnardos, Self-Help Africa, the National Rehabilitation Trust, the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre and local charities. Mr Brady said it would be another month or six weeks before they know how much was raised for the charities and that a presentation night will take place in the new year.