Joanne Martin was elected the first woman president of the Irish Vintage Engine and Tractor Association (IVETA) at the association’s annual general meeting in Birr last weekend.
Joanne is the sole female director at IVETA among a team of 18. She is well known for her hard work on behalf of IVETA members and is regularly seen on her vintage Howard Hoe, which is her pride and joy, at vintage events.
“It is an honour for me to be elected to be president of IVETA,” said an excited Joanne after she was presented with the chain of office by outgoing president Sean Collins from Clare. “I enjoy meeting people at the many events that we are involved in and I aim to continue enjoying participation as much as before.
“I would love to see more women getting involved in IVETA. They have so much to contribute. I would like to see more of them bringing out their own vintage exhibits, as well as joining me on the board of IVETA.
“People often ask me why am I involved in IVETA and I say that it’s because I enjoy it. We have developed such great friendships through being involved in the many vintage events.
“We work as a team in IVETA. Everyone comes together to get the work done and support one another,” she said.
IVETA is a voluntary association and some of the administration is done from Joanne’s kitchen table followed by many meetings in the evenings.
“IVETA is not about individuals – there are many people working away behind the scenes, including many women, who generate thousands of euro for charities across Ireland every year through participation in these vintage events,” Joanne added.
“We aim to coordinate some of this, provide support to the many thousands of members and provide a cost-effective insurance service.”
Joanne is passionate about IVETA’s investment in the Swallow’s Quarter building in Donaghmore, Co Laois.
“I just love being there – there’s a beautiful presence in the place and I was a big supporter of IVETA getting involved in its restoration. We have also worked hard to bring IVETA forward and develop its membership to close on 4,500 members across Ireland. We are all proud of that,” she said.
Joanne is long-time partner to Eddie Spencer, who has also been a director at IVETA for a number of years. Joanne and Eddie have been part of the IVETA team for almost 10 years, supporting and helping to coordinate events, the highlight of which is the IVETA participation at the National Ploughing Championships with the Irish Vintage Society.
As well as being president of IVETA for 2015, Joanne has plans to restore her father’s Ferguson 20 P6 diesel tractor to its former glory. Her passion for the vintage movement is clear and so too is her support among the rank and file members.
It’s obvious that the IVETA board of directors has made a popular choice to lead their association; co-incidentally it happened on International Women’s Day.
Dripsey opts for Paddy’s Day run
Berrings Autism Support Group and Dripsey Community Association will benefit from this year’s Dripsey Vintage Car and Tractor Run, which takes place at Griffin’s Garden Centre on St Patrick’s Day. This is the club’s eighth run and they have raised a substantial amount of money for various local charities in that time.
The club is affiliated to the Irish Vintage Society and the event is run under its rules and regulations. Registration is at 10am, with Griffin’s Garden Centre supplying complimentary refreshments before and after the run for all participants.
There will be a €20 entry fee and all vehicles must be fully insured and registered pre-1995. You can get further information from John at 086-8435675.
Ballyfin ploughing cancelled
Ballyfin Vintage Club Ploughing match, due to the held in the Laois village on Sunday 15 March has been cancelled until further notice.
14 March Kubby Tractor Pulling Kilcubbin, Down 00447767-271764
15 March St Patrick’s Day Tractor Run Ballynacally, Clare 086-3935249
16 March Tinahely/Killavaney Tractor Run Tinahely, Wicklow 087-2980860
17 March Nenagh St Patrick’s Day Vintage Tipperary 087-9005163
17 March Dripsey Vintage Run Dripsey, Cork 087-7621473
22 March Armagh City Toy Fair Armagh City Hotel 0044-77426-70023
22 March Rathcormac Vintage Club Road Run Cork 086-3183459
22 March Ballyglass Auto Jumble and Auction Mayo 086-8200652
28-30 March Friends of Ferguson AGM La Mon Hotel, Belfast 0044-7860-372304
28 March Mid-Ulster Vintage Tractor Run Moneymore, Derry 0044-7887-948543
29-March Knock Down Vintage Road Run Limerick 087-2452695
29 March North Tipperary Ploughing Ballincur Cross, Tipperary 087-778319
6 April Windmill Vintage Jumble & Model Show Cavan 087-6329362
12 April Clare Model Show West County Hotel,Clare 087-2914608
12 April Ballincollig to Gouganebarra Vintage Cork 087-9096616
12 April IVETA Auto Jumble Swallow’s Quarter, Laois 086-8672664