December 27 is becoming an important date in Anglesboro, and as they did 12 months ago, tractor drivers from throughout the region assembled in the village for a fundraising run in aid of Anglesboro Community Council.
At this stage, council members, together with their colleagues in Anglesboro Vintage Club, have the organising of this event down to a tee.
You need a bit of luck to avoid the worst effects of Irish weather and thankfully storms that lashed the country in the post Christmas period had abated allowing the run to take place in relatively good conditions. Around noon, 180 tractors were sent off on a tour of south Limerick, accompanied by a team of marshals and stewards whose remit was to ensure everyone stayed on track and on schedule.
It was shortly before 3pm when the first of the tractors started arriving back. There then followed a major operation to successfully park up the convoy. Even allowing for the fact that competitors had two days of turkey and ham inside them they were still treated to a fine spread in the community centre.
Alternatively, they had the option of sampling some excellent fare from the barbecue which could just about be made out through a cloud of smoke, obviously the cooks take a great measure of pride in the steam engine-like performance of their barbecue as they brought along a gigantic sign informing the public ‘No Smoke No Pope’.
In a new development this year, the run also incorporated an auction – Mitchelstown based businessman and sports commentator, Maurice Walsh who oversaw proceedings did a very professional job.
As well as the serious business of bringing in cash, the run is a wonderful social occasion and friends and family of the drivers were out in force to welcome them home. The reaction of participants was universally positive and organizers can take a great deal of satisfaction from this. Having built up the tractor run brand over the years, those promoting it have every reason to continue with what is a very successful formula.
