Farmy Army/SVA manual operations to resume Tuesday due to weather

Due to weather, Federated Farmers and the SVA have suspended manual operations today, Monday 20 June, but machinery is continuing to operate where possible. The weather forecast looks good for Tuesday and both Federated Farmers and the Student Volunteer Army hope for a big turnout.

"Rumours that the Farmy Army and the SVA have stopped are wrong," says John Harntell, Federated Farmers earthquake spokesperson.

"Given the weather, the silt has turned into slush that makes it all but impossible to manually remove. We've got equipment operating where possible but to try to work with shovels in these conditions would waste people's time and energy.

"The good news is a likely break in the weather tomorrow with Wednesday looking up as well.

"My message is that the Farmy Army and SVA are still here and once we get a break in the weather we'll be out in force.

"What I'm really hoping for is that Christchurch's workers may take a day or two off to bolster our numbers. Even better, is if big Christchurch employers could join the effort by allowing their staff to volunteer for a day.

"It's a big task but by working together and with the weather on our side, we'll help Christchurch to get through.

"So please come on down to the A+P Showgrounds in Curletts Road tomorrow, Tuesday, from 7am and each day up until Friday," Mr Hartnell concluded.

How to enlist in the Farmy Army and SVA

Excepting today (Monday) due to weather, the rendezvous point for all volunteers is from 7am daily at the Canterbury Park Showground's operations centre (Curletts Road, Christchurch). The operation will run through to and include Friday 24 June.

Please bring with you a packed lunch, bottled water, gloves and appropriate footwear, like gumboots. Shovels and wheelbarrows will be welcome too.

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