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Wurzels
re-record 'Combine Harvester' song to highlight toll of farm accidents
RURAL musicians The Wurzels have joined
forces with The Farm Safety Foundation to create an unconventional farm safety
video aimed at encouraging farmers to commit to being safer and more
professional on the farm.
The West Country's rural songsters have re-recorded their iconic 'Combine
Harvester' song with new lyrics which has been paired with a light-hearted
video produced by students at Moreton Morrell College. The song and video have
uploaded to the internet for farmers to share on Twitter and Facebook.
While the original 1974 version dealt with love sick farmer's attempts to woo a
neighbouring farmer, the 2015 version highlights the risks of modern day farming
in a light hearted style to bring home a serious message to young farmers.
"Farming is a great way of life but working long hours with huge machinery
means you've got to keep your wits about you to stay safe. Oh Arr.
We've always had a big following from young farmers so we are horrified that
there are so many accidents taking lives." said
Wurzel, Pete Budd.
Farming remains the UK's most dangerous occupation. The latest statistics
produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show 27 people died in farm
accidents in the year to April 2014.
A number of factors contribute to the high accident rate, including working with
high powered machinery, livestock, long hours and coping with bad weather.
51% of younger farmers (aged 18 to 29) have admitted to:- The Farm Safety Foundation
that they are occasionally prepared to take risks when doing some jobs around
the farm. Worryingly, 16% said they sometimes follow instructions from someone
even if they know it's not safe.
Rob Jones, Farm Safety Foundation Trustee, said:- "Whilst our video makes
for enjoyable viewing, it has a serious message – too many farmers and their
families are suffering as a result of unnecessary injuries or fatalities at
work. We're asking farmers of all ages to watch and share our video on
their social media networks, and sign up to our safety pledge on our website.
The Foundation is committed to helping farmers work more safely and we want to
help young farmers to challenge poor and unsafe practices."
Agricultural students from Moreton Morrell College jumped at the chance to make
the video to accompany the Wurzel inspired lyrics.
Joe Stevens, who is in his 2nd year studying for a Level 3 Extended Diploma in
Agriculture, helped produce the video, said:- "Even though we are just
starting out in farming, we all know a family that has been devastated by a
death following a farm accident.
It was great to be part of the team working on this video; more people need to
understand the power social media can have in communicating important messages
in a more engaging way."
The song and video have been produced as part of the "Yellow Wellies"
farm safety campaign, which was launched by the Farm Safety Foundation in 2014.
To watch and hear the:- Farm Safety Foundation's Wurzels safety song visit:-
YellowWellies.Org where you can also take the safety pledge.
Farmers can also follow the initiative via:- @yellowwelliesuk on Twitter. |
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Make Sure You
Claim Your ElectriCity Bill Rebate
LIVERPOOL people who are
entitled to an electriCity bill rebate are being urged to claim it
before the deadline date. Households are being given a Government
rebate of £12 on their energy bills.
For those who pay by direct debit or pay quarterly the rebate is
credited to their next bill. However, some customers who use
prepayments, including those who use:- 'Pay As You Go' were sent a
voucher in November to be redeemed for electriCity credit when they
top up at their retail outlet.
The deadline to claim the rebate of 28 February and people who have
not claimed it to date and being encouraged to make sure they do so.
"Fuel poverty is a real issue in the City," said
Councillor Frank Hont, cabinet member for social inclusion, fairness
and equalities, "and many people are struggling to meet their
energy bills. They need to make sure they take advantage of
anything which will help them meet their bills and if they have not
used their voucher yet they must do so by the end of the month or
they will miss out."
Customers can visit a:- PayPoint, Payzone or Post Office outlet,
depending on which supplier they are with, to redeem the credit on
their 'Pay As You Go' key or card. They will need to bring along a
form of identification, such as a household bill, bank statement,
Council Tax statement or driving licence.
If customers haven't received their voucher, they should get in
touch with the energy supplier they were with on 12 October 2014.
Further information is available
online.
Please note that not all pre-payment customers have received vouchers. Some will
have been sent a special action message by their supplier and smart
meter customers will have been credited directly.
Most Wanted drug trafficker, from
Liverpool, captured in Amsterdam
A suspected drug trafficker from Liverpool was
captured in Amsterdam after being on the run for 12 years. Scott
Coleman, aged 40, from Walton, who was arrested as part of a Police
Scotland investigation in February 2003, was charged with possession
with intent to supply heroin, but failed to appear for trial at
Edinburgh Crown Court and fled to Spain. Coleman was detained by
officers from Amsterdam Police last week on George Gershwinplein in
the Stadium area. They were able to confirm his identity as a result
of joint working with the National Crime Agency. He is due to appear
in court next Monday when extradition proceedings will begin.
Coleman is the 65th fugitive to be located out of 76 publicised
through Operation Captura; the multi-agency initiative between
Crimestoppers, the NCA and the Spanish authorities.
Hank Cole, Head of International Operations for the NCA, said:-
"We know Coleman was in Spain for a while but like many fugitives
he wrongly believed he could evade capture by moving around. There
is no safe haven for fugitives. The NCA will continue to work
closely with our law enforcement partners across the world to pursue
these individuals and return them to the UK to face justice."
Founder and Chairman of Crimestoppers, Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, said:-
"The arrest of Scott Coleman is pleasing for 2 reasons. Firstly, he
has been on the Operation Captura list since 2008, so his arrest is
welcome news. And secondly, his arrest takes the success rate of the
campaign to over 85%. This figure cannot be underestimated. We are
talking about individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes,
and it gives me great pleasure to see another one removed from our
streets, thanks to the work of Crimestoppers, law enforcement, and
the public." |
