by Matt D’Arcy

It seems like the whole world celebrates St Patrick’s Day—even those of us who are not Irish!

So perhaps it’s time for we English to begin celebrating our own St George’s Day.

Well, Aljezur’s local animal charity, AEZA, is planning to do just that.

The Friends of AEZA team are organising a St George’s Day fundraiser at Jose’s Restaurante Vale Da Telha next Sunday, April 23rd, the date set aside each year to celebrate England’s patron saint.

And, just as everyone, whatever their nationality, celebrates St Paddy’s Day, you don’t have to be English to come along to this patron saint party, which gets underway at 2pm.

Wendy Smith, one of the organisers, says: “Christina (Pearl C) and guitarist/singer Amadeu will be singing live for us after the meal, which is a real treat! I heard them at the Christmas Market and they were lovely together, so we are looking forward to a great afternoon.

“We have some excellent raffle prizes on offer too”.

Tickets cost €16.50 and the meal consist of four courses, mixed starters followed by a taster plate with the mandatory roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes, a main course of either chicken, salmon or a vegetable stir fry vegetarian option, followed by dessert.

To book your tickets contact Wendy on 282 997 273, 964 119 837, Sheila on 969 772 120, or Lynda on 915 968 260, or alternatively, e-mail:

friendsofaeza@gmail.com

 

 

By Matt D’Arcy

THEY’RE calling it the West Coast Fun Dog Show because it’s all about having fun with your dogs.

That reminds me:

Q: Why aren’t dogs good dancers?

A: Because they have two left feet.

And…

Q: What do you call a dog magician?

A: A labracadabrador.

OK, down to business. The third annual Costa Vicentina Dog Show, which features competitions like the dog with the waggiest tail, and the dog looking most like its owner, will take place on Sunday April 9^th 2017 at Vales, just outside Aljezur.

Once again the show will be hosted in the grounds of the re-named La Preferida restaurant (GPS 37°17’47.9″N 8°50’38.6″W), thanks to the hospitality of new owner Dino Vallas, and will include 15 different classes to go before the judges.

The show opens at 10.30am for entries, stalls and food. And—for anyone coming from the south coast along the N120 at the western end of the A22 motorway—there will, on the day, be signposts from the N120 junction with the hill up to Vale Da Telha (on the left, a few hundred yards before you reach the town of Aljezur itself) directing people to the venue.

Judging starts at noon and the 15 classes will be judged, amongst other things, on mixed breeds, rescue dogs, pedigree, obedience and agility, culminating in a parade for best dog of the day.

The full schedule for the day is listed below.

The organisers ask that all dogs should be on a lead, and owners should bring their dog’s vaccination record.

Before the judging, at 11.45am, Albertina Moll from Algarve Dog Training will be giving a demonstration of agility training. She will also set up her agility equipment in a separate ring to give entrants for the agility competition the opportunity to practice during the afternoon.

There will be a number of different local art, crafts, beauty and bric-a-brac stands selling pet products, handmade crafts, jams, chutneys, beauty potions, jewellery and good quality second hand clothes amongst others.

Food such as burgers, sausage rolls, hot dogs, salads, quiche and cakes will also be served all day and there will be a superb doggie hamper raffle prize.

All profits from the show go to AEZA, the Association for Environment and Animal Protection of Aljezur, a non-profit association based in this west coast town, whose main objective is to provide abandoned animals decent conditions to live in, with shelter, food, care and health care.

This show is organised by Friends of AEZA, a group of Vale Da Telha locals who give their time and energy freely to benefit the animals in the Aljezur shelter.

Judging starts at 12 noon and the show schedule is:

(Rosettes 1^st to 5^th, & a since thanks to 1^st prize sponsors)

1. BEST AEZA RESCUE ~ DOG Catherine & Alan Smith. Red Setter Rescue                         BEST AEZA RESCUE ~ BITCH                  José Restaurant. Vale da Telha
2. VETERAN DOG OR BITCH ~ 8+ YEARS OLD Jorge Gameiro director of Visky
3. PEDIGREE DOG Bafo do Baco ~ Loulé
4. PEDIGREE BITCH Font do Vale. Vale da Telha
5. PUPPY UNDER 1 YEAR ~ DOG OR BITCH Pont’ a Pé, Aljezur
6. WAGGIEST TAIL ‘O Zé’ Restaurant, Monte Clerigo
7. BEST CONDITION COAT Batata Doce Museum, Rogil

BREAK FOR 30 MINUTES

• DOG & OWNER LOOKALIKES Largo Damaso Clinica, Mexilhoeira Grande
• MOST PRETTY BITCH Hugo’s Bar. Vale da Telha
• MOST HANDSOME DOG o Paulo Restaurante, Arrifana
• BEST TRICK Parque da Floresta Bowls Club, Luz
• MINUTE SIT AND STAY Wendy Smith
• MOST BEAUTIFUL EYES Kerry Gross
• AGILITY COMPETITION (practice sessions available) Ana Paula Cabrita
• Finally, the winners from each class compete against each other in a parade for best dog in show. Best in Show rosette sponsor ~~ AlmaVerde

SHOW RULES

~ All dogs kept on leads please ~

~ Please clean up after your dog ~

~ Bring your dog’s current vaccination records ~

~ Class entries and payment accepted from 10.30am

~ Entrance to the public is through donations to AEZA please.

1^st class €3, subsequent classes with the same dog €1.50.  Agility practice session €2

The show vet is Dr. Filipa Alves.

Further information can be found at the AEZA website

http://www.aeza.org/en/

and the AEZA Facebook page.