All systems go for world record attempt on Saturday

Some 150 combines will descend on Gerry Curran's field at Platin, near Duleek, on Saturday in a bid to set a new world record and raise €200,000 for four charities in the process. 'Combines 4 Charity' has seen cereal growers from across the north-east - and as far away as Cork and Down - come together for this ambitious project that promises to be a magnificent spectacle and a great family day out. The four charities to benefit from the event are Barnardos, the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre (Drogheda), the National Rehabilitation Hospital and Self-Help Africa. The current world record for the most combine harvesters working in one field at the same time is held in Australia where there were 56 combines at work. However, Tony Brady from Kildalkey, PRO of Combines 4 Charity, said they expect to have 150 combines at work in the Duleek field on Saturday. About 40 of the 140 acres will be taken up by side shows and entertainment and the remaining 100 acres will ready to be harvested at around 3pm. Mr Brady said that the weather forecast for Saturday is good and, while there will be some rain on Friday, it will be mostly dry on Saturday. Events will begin at 12 noon and Mr Brady said they hope to begin harvesting at 3pm. If rain is threatened, they may bring the time forward to 1pm. Contingency plans are also in place to dry the corn if the weather turns wet and the event will go ahead unless there is a deluge, but Mr Brady reiterated that the weather forecast is good for the day. "With combines coming from as far away as Cork, Craigavon and Banbridge, it truly will be an Irish record set in County Meath. It has been unreal the unselfishness of all involved. The weather has been wet and the harvest has been dragging on, so it really is humbling that they are all doing it," said Mr Brady. Combine owners will set out in convoy from Trim at 6.30pm on Friday evening with a Garda escort and other convoys will also set out from Donabate in north Co Dublin along the M1 and from the border down the M1. "People can listen to AA Roadwatch for an update. We want to apologise for any inconvenience caused to road users but it is for a good cause," added Mr Brady. As well as the spectacle of seeing so many combines at work, there will be all sorts of entertainment and activities, including carnival rides for children and adults, bouncy castles, an obstacle course, gladiator, trampoline trailer, bungee run, go-karting (for six to eight-year-olds), Darragh McCullough and the Agri Aware Mobile Farm, pony rides, paintball, archery displays, clay pigeon shooting, falconry display, ferret racing and the Irish Underwater Council's 'Try-a-dive pool'. There will be demonstrations by the Garda Mounted Unit and Dog Unit, the Irish Coast Guard and hot air ballooning with Trim's Pauline Baker, the holder of nine world records. A massive Defence Forces display of both old and new equipment will take place, including a live display of the only Chieftain tank in Ireland which weighs in at 65 tonnes and is powered by a massive 650 horsepower engine. Also on offer will be a food village, craft stalls and trade stands and there will be a vintage display of tractors and combines, with the highlight being an exact copy of the first reaper invented in 1831 by Cyrus McCormick, the father of modern McCormick machinery. Local bands and musicians will perform and any bands that would like to play on the day are very welcome to go along. Contact Philip Brady on (086) 347 5033 to book in. Each of the combine owners participating is aiming to raise €1,000 for the charities. Admission to the event is €10 for adults and children are free. "It is an event never to be seen again in Ireland, if not the world. It is going to be a great family day out and one of the committee's criteria is for it to be a value-for-money family day out," said Mr Brady.