Best Gross Scores on Holes 2,7,8,12,15 – Alistair Maxwell 21
Nearest the Pin – Not Won
Longest Drive – Ian Bedford
| Stab. | Gross Score 5 Holes | ||
| 1. Bob Cavanagh | 33 | 25 | Winner |
| 2. Alistair Maxwell | 30 | 21 | |
| 3. Lyell Farlie | 27 | 31 | Runner Up |
| 4. Brian Parker | 26 | 27 | Third |
| 5. Ian Bedford | 25 | 27 | |
| 6. Les Medcroft | 24 | NR | |
| 7. Derek Allen | 23 | 30 | |
| 8. Jeremy Verling | 22 | 28 |
Next VDT Golf Society Day will be The Chairmans Challenge 11th October 2018
by Matt D’Arcy
TOP CAT and Officer Dribble, Robert the Brute, Hawkeye the Noo, Shaun the Sheep, doctors, nurses, nuns, Bavarian beauties and a host of other characters turned a 3.54km (2.2mile) walk into a laugh-a-minute stroll that raised around €3,000 for charity.
The fourth annual Charity Fun Walk here on Vale da Telha raised €2,437 on the day with the final total expected to pass that €3,000 mark once all pledges are in.
And it means that the walk—with the participants calling in 8 bars along the way for a spot of liquid refreshment—has so far raised more than €10,000 for charity since it was started in 2015 by Vale da Telha’s very own Cath Baker who based it on charity pub crawls held in her native Lancashire.
The walk was held on September 9th, beginning at Restaurante O Paulo on the picturesque Arrifana promontory, with the Restaurante Fonte do Vale in Vale da Telha being the final “watering hole”, where the walkers’ arrival was the signal for a big party with music by Brian DJ Rockindad.
Prizes were handed out for the best male and female costumes. Faith Quinton won the ladies’ prize with her “Shaun the Sheep” outfit that involved the application of 550 cotton wool buds.
And Bob Packham took the men’s prize with his “Robert the Brute” outfit.
At one stop along the route Cormac Murphy, as Bavarian Boris, persuaded customers to have a €1-a-head whiparound to “persuade” him to dive into the swimming pool, kitted out in his full lederhosen!
The donations were flooding in even before the walk, with local Vale da Telha quiz group handing over €550, another €250 from community association Amovate, €150 from the lline dancing group, €100 from the Amovate Keep Fit class and €100 from the Vale da Telha Pilates Group.
And before the start at Restaurante O Paulo one customer handed over a €50 note to Cath, who—with co-organiser Steve Scott and her partner Kjell Motet—stopped cars, passers-by and tourists along the way persuading them to drop a few coins into their collection buckets, swelling the coffers.
Paulo at the restaurant also very generously put into the collecting tin all the money from the drinks bought by the walkers at the start, and also made a €50 donation himself.himself, as did the Restaurant Brisamar at Arrifana.
And later the Restaurante Fonte do Vale, which hosted the post-walk event, made a further donation of €285.
Previous walks organised by Cath have resulted in the presentation of 29 wheelchairs to Portimao Hospital and of an electric wheelchair and ramp for a local boy suffering a degenerative illness.
Last year’s walk provided the funds to build a Snoezelen room fitted out with sensory equipment for special needs children at Aljezur school and this year the cash raised will go towards buying a waterbed for the room and more sensory aids.
The school’s special needs teacher Claudia Fernandes commented: “The Charity Bar Walkers are making our dreams come true”.
The Algarve’s artists and artisans are heading back to the west coast for their fourth Arts & Crafts Fair in the last two years.
The previous three here in Vale da Telha were so well received by residents and visitors that the region’s talented artists and artisans are returning for a fourth Fair on Sunday, September 30th at the Restaurante Fonte do Vale.
Unique handcrafted gifts and collectables, glass, jewellery, soaps, original artwork, textiles, wooden puzzles, preserves, chocolates, ceramics, prints,
greeting cards, Fi-Line fashions and more will be displayed and on sale.
Organiser Susan Puttick, who is also one of the exhibitors, told us: “Sofia at the restaurant very kindly invited us to hold a fair there.
“She has also very generously agreed that the table money can go to the charity selected,
Susan J Puttick
which on this occasion is going to be the local St Vincent de Paul Society, the Aljezur branch of the Sociedade de såo Vicente de Paulo, Portugal.
“For us, as well as benefitting such a deserving charity, it’s a wonderful opportunity to go back to Vale da Telha where we were so well received on the previous occasions. We felt the people up there appreciated the craftsmanship and skills on display.
“Originally it was an experiment to see if it would capture the interest of the residents in an area where exhibitions and fairs of this nature were rarely seen.
“But the first three were such a huge success and so well received by the people out on the west coast that we felt it worthwhile following up that interest and enthusiasm with a fourth fair.”
Susan added: “Our artists have all been hard at work producing their unique
creations. Others who have exhibited in the previous fairs will be bringing with them new inspiration designs as well as some of their classic creations”.
Some of the Algarve’s finest painters, fashion, fabric and jewellery designers,
glassmakers and textile designers will exhibit their wares between 11am and 5pm.
Susan creates unique designer jewellery from fresh water pearl, semi precious stone and individual lampwork glass with sterling silver as well as producing botanical artwork to sell as prints and cards.
Gill Goode captures the essence of the Algarve in her fine watercolours and acrylics, whilst Norman Denkel’s hand-made glass creations include jewellery, jars, lights and decorations.
Birgit Felten’s gift in felt-making is in patiently manipulating beautifully soft Merino wool and baby camel hair with silk and cotton to produce her fine wraps, scarves, brooches and delightful flowers with a new range of orchids.
Sandi Croft will be bringing her beautiful and natural (non-chemical) hand-made
soaps and cream, all with their natural fragrances, and Joao Furtado his wonderful range of handcrafted leather belts.
And the work of Margarida Gorgulho, who gained her degree in the art of porcelain at Lisbon University and creates objects much sought-after in cities like Zurich, Lisbon and Porto will also be available along with the childrens’ wooden puzzles of Sandra Knop.
It is hoped, too, that Fiona Morton from Fi-line fashions in Almaçao de Pera, who has that eye for just the right fashion will be in attendance with a collection of her designer clothes.
The organisers are also waiting for confirmation that Chris Wyn and her art
(wooden sculpture and glass) will feature, together with local artist Mike Edward, the hand-made chocolates of Dora Barados, Lis Jensen’s crafted decorations, and the skin products of Lesley Wall.
Food and drinks will be available to purchase,
Ring 911 513 561 for more information.
Aljezur Bombeiros wearing some of the suits purchased (L Steve Scott, 3rd Left fire chief Mario Costa, R Ian Bedford)
By Matt D’Arcy
Roger that!
Aljezur Bombeiros are receiving each other loud and clear after Amovate presented them with 10 state-of-the-art radios following the recent wildfires.
You will recall that we held a fund-raiser at the Restaurante Fonte do Vale—a Beatles-themed concert, starring Algarve tribute band The Bottles—that brought in €3,120 for the fire fighters of Aljezur.
Radios Purchased for the Bombeiros
The amount raised included €500 from concert hosts the Restaurante Fonte do Vale, who also persuaded their beer and coffee supplier to throw in a donation.
So, a huge thank-you to Sofia, Davide and their team and a big thanks, too, to all the 30-plus local businesses and establishments which sponsored the event.
Discussions with fire chief Mario Costa about the best way of utilising the funds then resulted in the decision to buy the much-needed communications equipment, plus 12 suits of fire-retardant jackets and trousers.
We have a wonderful connection with our local Bombeiros—you may remember that five years ago Amovate helped organise and deliver to the fire fighters of Aljezur the donation of €50,000 worth of state-of-the-art fire-fighting and rescue equipment from a UK fire service charity.
Amovate member Dave Good and his Shepperton Aurora Rotary Club in the UK were major players in this huge enterprise, with a considerable donation to the Fire Service charity and then working to collect, store and package the kit before transporting it to Southampton for shipping. They have also arranged donations to fire services in other parts of Portugal.
Fire chief Costa now intends for himself and his men to thank the people of Vale da Telha by bringing the brigade’s new fire engine and ambulance to the Restaurante Fonte do Vale sometime in September, and displaying the donated radios and uniforms for members and residents to see them first hand.
Amovate also went beyond our local boundaries to assist fire fighters and residents in other areas whose courage and fortitude kept the fires from encroaching towards our part of the Algarve.
A €200 donation from our charity fund was approved by the committee and used to buy clothing for Silves Bombeiros as they fought the Monchique fires. We heard they desperately needed clothes they could change into when they came away for a rest, so, using our donation we bought 48 t-shirts, 50 items of underwear for men and 24 for ladies, giving the fire fighters access to dry clothing after becoming drenched battling the flames.
Cath Baker, one of our members, kindly spent the day buying the items and delivering them to Silves.
Goods & Equipment arrive in Monchique
And Amovate. representing this big-hearted community up the hill from Aljezur, also gave more than €300—€200 from our charity fund and a further €100-plus donated by members—to help towards the recovery of the people of Monchique from the devastating fires.
This was decided after it was brought to our attention that a number of people in the Monchique area had lost everything and were badly in need of assistance.
The donation allowed us to purchase goods and again people responded by donating items towards the list of requirements.
The equipment was gratefully received by Ajudar Monchique
Amovate secretary Steve Scott and Vice-President Ian Bedford then delivered goods they purchased with the cash, plus a large number of items donated by members and residents in the Vale da Telha area, to Ajuda Monchique (Help Monchique) whose volunteers distribute the items to people who had lost belongings and even their home.
Steve’s SUV, back seats lowered, was packed to the roof with items like food, work boots and trousers, cleaning and hygiene essentials, tools, gardening equipment, a microwave, coffee machine, kettle and a small worktop cooker.
The full list can be seen below.
Earlier in the day Steve and Ian made the official presentation of the radios and kit to fire chief Costa at the Bombeiros HQ.
Steve explained: “The radios will be used by the fire fighters when tackling fires, so they all can make each other aware of the developing situation when they are not close enough to speak directly to one another”.
After the Fires
He added: “When we made the deliveries in Monchique we saw for ourselves some of the devastation caused by the fires. In fact, the word ‘devastation’ is not strong enough for the damage caused by the fire or what it has done to people’s lives.
“What Amovate, its members and local community have done is, as the saying goes, a mere drop in the ocean. But as the saying also goes, every little helps.
After the Fires
“Overall this shows what Amovate is about and the members’ determination to react when emergencies arise. Of course we would prefer that these situations did not occur but they do and, like the Bombeiros who are mostly volunteers, it requires other groups to volunteer and help out in whatever way they can.
“This we can say is the core strength of Amovate, its members and the community. We are, of course, a non-profit making organisation and are also known for having supported other local charity requirements.
“If you live in VdT or in the surrounding areas please consider becoming a member to strengthen our aims of not just providing charitable assistance but also of persistently lobbying the Camara and local utilities to improve the infrastructure of the area”.
As Amovate President Matt D’Arcy jnr continues to point out: “The more members we have, the louder our voice, and the more we will be heard”.
* * * *
Goods Delivered to Monchique
(This includes both donated and purchased items).
Food:
Rice 20 x1kg, spaghetti 10 x 0,5kg, spiral pasta 10 x 0,5kg, beans 10 x 850gr, sausages 10 x 200gr, tuna 30 x 80gr, coffee 10 x 200gr, jams 15 x 450gr, salt 10 x 1kg, cooking oil 10 x 1ltr, vinegar 5 x 1ltr, sugar 10 x 1k, flour 10 x 1kg, cola, water.
Hygiene & cleaning products:
Toothbrush x 20, toothpaste 10 x 75ml, soap 25 x 125gr,, shampoo 10 x 300ml, toilet paper 3 x 24 rolls, clothes detergent 6 x 3L, All Surface 6 x 1,5L dishwashing liquid 5 x 0,5L, mops x 3, mop buckets x 4, buckets x 4, outdoor brushes x 2, indoor brushes x 2, cloths x 25.
Additional Items Donated:
Microwave, coffee machine, kettle, worktop cooker, saucepan, serviettes, various tins of food x 10, rice x 5 1kg, toilet rolls x 12, cleaning cloths (bagful), soap, cleaning Liquids x 3, mop, mugs x 2, plates, knife, fork & spoon set of 6, working shoes x 4 pairs, working trousers x 1 pair, socks x 3 pair.
Tools:
Pickaxe, rake, Portuguese spade, spade, electric drill, various tools: hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, a Stanley knife and safety glasses.
by Matt D’Arcy
CHRIS PACKHAM, who began Amovate’s Keep Fit classes more than 10 years ago, may be back in the UK—but he’s still keen on keeping us fit!
You’ll remember that Chris’ dad Bob, and Amovate Vice-President Ian Bedford, kept the twice-weekly classes going for many years after the initial launch in 2008 before stepping down earlier this summer.
Now Amovate’s Cormac Murphy—who comes from a family of talented Rugby League and Rugby Union professionals—and other volunteers are keeping up the good work.
But Chris, a physiotherapy technical instructor with 10 years experience in the NHS, remains committed to maintaining the health and well-being of all his old friends and pupils from the Amovate classes.
He and colleague David Gunning have produced a booklet, “Fit In 50 Seconds” aimed at people with sedentary lifestyles. It is a simple 14-day exercise and nutrition plan that can easily be incorporated into your working day.
The booklet has already sold more than 1,000 copies to business and industry in the UK as employers see an opportunity for their staff to follow its advice whilst sitting at their desks or work benches, improving their health and wellbeing.
Now, through Amovate, Chris, who has an M.Sc in Exercise Science, is offering, for £6.99p, a “Fitness Pack” which includes a copy of his booklet, a stress-ball, and an ingenious water bottle, which can be attached to your belt, and then folded away after emptying.
(You can see a photograph of the Fitness Pack here)
Chris, who returned to England to take up new positions in football and hospital physiotherapy, is happy to post the pack from the UK although this could cost you another £6-£7.
He says: “If sufficient people are interested I could potentially send a number over in one delivery. But if people just wanted a copy of the booklet they can order this online at the link here, and the delivery of the book only is a lot cheaper”.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/search?q=fitin50
It may also be possible to have a number of the packages delivered to the English address of someone making regular trips between the UK and Vale da Telha, who could then bring them back to Portugal.
For more details, contact Chris via his email at enquiries@fitin50.co.uk, or check the website www.fitin50.co.uk.
Cormac, who is now running the Monday classes, says any new members interested should come along and join in the fun. You will find details below.
(Julia Curphey, who has professional experience in this field, having worked for Duncan Bannatyne of Dragons Den in one of his health clubs in Shropshire, will resume the Wednesday sessions from September 5th).
* * * *
The fitness classes were started in 2008 by Bob and his physiotherapist son Chris…and from small beginnings come great things.
At first day we had to make do with sitting on chairs whilst rapidly tapping our feet on the floor, running up and down the room, stepping up and down on step trainers and using elastic straps as tension bands for working our muscles.
It was pretty basic stuff, but gradually Bob, Chris and Ian—who joined a few weeks after the classes began—started begging, borrowing or buying more equipment.
Now, thanks to their efforts, it’s quite possible that Amovate has the best-equipped gymnasium facilities on the Algarve’s west coast!
It is now equipped with a multi-gym, three treadmills, four cross-trainers, two rowing machines, three static exercise bikes, sit-up benches, weight benches, a couple of dozen step trainers, abdominal crunchers, a variety of equipment to tone up or strengthen various parts of your body and a large assortment of free weights.
The classes are held twice a week, at 11.30am on Monday and Wednesday at the Old Schoolhouse, situated where the road forks outside Vales, towards Arrifana to the left and Vale da Telha to the right.
We have a hard core of around 12-15 enthusiasts, with an average attendance probably of 10 to 12.
Each session lasts for one hour and normally begins with a 10-minute aerobics warm-up to music, followed by around 40-45 minutes of exercises using the equipment, weights and floor mats you can see in the accompanying pictures.
The routines are changed for each session so there’s no risk of anyone getting bored and the entire session comes with a background of enjoyable music.
It’s fun to be fit…and these classes make it fun to get fit!
So come along and see for yourselves:
All are welcome. No membership fee is required and the cost per session is just €2.50. If you would like further information please do not hesitate to get in touch.
1. By e-mail : info@amovate.com
2. Address: Caixa Postal 205, Vale da Telha, 8670 – 156, Aljezur
3. Or message via the Amovate Facebook Page at
