The Kerryman (North Kerry)

CountyFair­volunteers­readytohel­p

- By STEPHEN FERNANE

WHILE there is still some uncertaint­y surroundin­g the staging of this year’s Kingdom County Fair due to COVID-19, the message from the committee is that they are ready and able to help out in the community.

The prevailing view among Kingdom County Fair members is that the people and businesses of Tralee – and its surrounds – have supported the fair for over 72 years, and now is a time to reciprocat­e this support by helping people get through this difficult spell.

There has been a swell of public support since social isolation measures were introduced with a wide range of initiative­s displaying no shortage of solidarity in every corner of community life.

The Chairman of Kingdom County Fair Committee, James Tarrant, explained that volunteers from his organisati­on can help when dealing with animals, in particular, and in other forms of agricultur­al work that not everyone would be experience­d in.

As regards hosting this year’s County Fair, the intention is to run the event if circumstan­ces allow but, for the time being, it’s all hands to the pump for the greater good of working through COVID-19.

“We feel that we can probably still organise it (the fair) at short notice if we’re allowed. But the chances are that we won’t be,” James said.

“For the moment we’re a committee with not a whole lot to do, so if anybody needed us, we would be happy to help out in any way we can. That’s really the message we want to get across. If anyone wants help with animals through this crisis, we can help. It’s not everyone that would have those skill-sets, but our people would. This would be done within the parameters of HSE guidelines,” he added.

There are about 20 active members in the Kingdom County Fair Committee, each with their own different skills in the agricultur­al sector.

“We just feel that, if needed, we could throw our shoulders behind the wheel. There are a lot of elderly people in rural areas who may need help at this time,” he added.

Contact James at (087) 690 2270.

 ?? James Tarrant: Kingdom County Fair volunteers are ready to do their bit. ??
James Tarrant: Kingdom County Fair volunteers are ready to do their bit.

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