Message From the Amovate Committee
Happy New Year! 
We hope 2026 is off to a great start for you.
We’re pleased to share that we are upgrading our website and launching a regular newsletter to keep you better informed about our ongoing work and progress.
On January 20th, 2026 the Amovate Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held in the Old Schoolhouse. The following provides a summary of key takeaways from the meeting for those who were not able to attend:
President’s Message.
Matt D’Arcy provided an overview of the past year’s Amovate activities highlighting the recent elections and change of administration for Aljezur. He emphasized the commitment of the previous and current administrations to completing the playground and multi-use court projects as passed by the Aljezur Council in Act 17 (July 2025), The location of the projects has been discussed in recent meetings with the Câmara to possibly include a site in Sector B. The landowner will be in conversation with the Câmara about the projects (and currently owns a large number of plots in Vale da Telha including the tennis courts). Matt reinforced that the Committee is deeply grateful for all the donations that have been made in support of these initiatives. According to a recent GoFundMe update, “the newly elected government representatives are currently familiarizing themselves with the projects.” As soon as the Committee receives further information, we will be sure to share it with you. Members are thanked for their patience and understanding as Amovate moves through this process together with them. Additionally, Matt addressed member concerns about the Vale da Telha area. He suggested that if there are issues important to members they would like to bring to the attention of the Câmara an email can be sent to: geral@cm-aljezur.pt and the Freguesia at: geral@cf-aljezur.pt. Please copy the Amovate Committee on submissions at: info@amovate.com so that emails can be gathered and followed up.
Presentation of the Financial Accounts.
Simon Peach provided the financial report and overview. The following is a summary of the financial report:
Income for the year-ended December 31, 2025: € 27,691
Expense for the year-ended December 31, 2025: € 10,912
Cash on Hand as of December 31, 2025: € 1,407
Bank Balance as of December 31, 2025: € 25,304 .
Primary income sources were from Memberships (€1,830), Hall Rentals (€5,581) and Tennis Club (€4,658). Primary expenditures were from Charity Donations (€300), Hall (the schoolhouse) Utilities & Cleaning (€2,291), Tennis Court Repairs & Resurfacing (€4,658), Schoolhouse Building Repairs (€1,773) and IT Administration & Insurances (€1,372).
Simon emphasized the agreement with the Câmara that €10,000 has been assigned to funding of the playground and multi-use court as well as a funds “set aside” for contingency purposes if the projects experience a cost overrun.
Review of 2026 Amovate Committee Objectives.
Shirin Spangenberg presented an overview of 2026 Amovate Committee Objectives as well as a review of 2025 objectives. Shirin discussed the 2025 planned membership increase of 100% (which in hindsight was deemed as not realistic) and the success of various sports programs (walking football, tennis, striders and strollers as well as classes offered in the Community Center/Schoolhouse building). She commented that planning includes use of the Community Center for family-oriented activities such as game/movie night. Shirin also commented that the Amovate Committee is looking for volunteers to join sub-committees to help support the objectives and create an inclusive environment with the community. She indicated that a sign-up sheet would be available following the meeting for those who are interested in volunteering. Shirin mentioned that it is her impression the new Câmara is open to more meetings and input from Amovate and that she was pleased to note the removal of significant amounts of green waster around the recycling and waste areas earlier in the day. A list for Volunteers was available at the end of the meeting and we thank those members who signed up for various activities!
Committee for Election
Matt D’Arcy presented the following list of official committee positions and nominated persons brought forth for consideration to be elected for the 2026 year.
The Directors
- President: Matt D’Arcy
- Treasurer: Simon Peach
- Secretary: Giselle Moran
General Assembly
- President: Shirin Spangenberg
- Vice President: Richard Aylard
- Secretary: Renny Hutton
Fiscal Council
- President: Simon Peach
- Reporter: Alice Pelgrim
- Secretary: Dirk Spangenberg
APPROVED: All attendees present at the meeting unanimously approved the above list of persons to be elected to the respective official committee positions.
NOTE: An Amovate Social has been announced. Details can be found at the following link: https://amovate.com/feb-2026-social/
Warm regards,
The Amovate Committee
Sports News
Tennis
News Flash! Please stop by to see the repainting and renovation of the inside fences at the Courts.
Also, please see the acknowledgement of the Vale da Telha Tennis Club by the Royal British Legion. Thanks to all who donated!
If you wish to join the Tennis club, please email: tennis@amovate.com
Walking Football
The walking football sessions were very well attended in the Autumn months usually with 5 or 6 a side matches.
Although the playing fees are small at €3 per match, over the months we had sufficient fund to purchase new training goals, balls and keeper gloves. In addition, we donated a significant amount of food to the Christmas food charity.
Old Schoolhouse Calendar and Class Updates
New Classes for January 2026! Tuesday evening at 6:15 join Celine in Yoga X Pilates for a one hour class. Class starts on January 13. Starting on Thursdays in January at 9am Yoga Fit, a flow class to keep you FIT, then at 10am Pilates/Barre class to keep those little muscles tight. Please see schedule for more information.
Class spotlight: Keep Fit is a lively and welcoming circuit training class that has been running for 18 years at the Amovate building. Each session is carefully set up by a dedicated group who provide a variety of machines and workout equipment, so everything you need is ready for you. With upbeat music and a group of highly motivated participants, the atmosphere is fun, energetic, and encouraging. Best of all, the workout can be as challenging as you want it to be, making it suitable for all fitness levels.
For just €2.50, you can enjoy a full one-hour workout every Wednesday morning at 8:45am. If you’re looking for an affordable way to stay active, have fun, and boost your fitness, Keep Fit is the perfect class for you.
For the most current class schedules and descriptions of each class please see the following link: https://amovate.com/activitiescalendar/
A great morning of free classes on December 18th, 2025. Started with Line Dancing, then Zumba, then Pilates to finish with a bit of yoga.
In Local News:
Homage to a “local hero”
David Mervyn Parkes who many knew as “Dave”
On December 27th 2025 Mr. David Mervin Parkes age 71 years passed peacefully in hospital, He is survived by his loving wife of almost 40 years Sylvia Parkes. After visiting good friends that had moved to Vale da Telha, Dave and Sylvia bought a house here in 2017. You may have seen Dave in his garden, creating a beautiful wonderland for their retirement years. Dave met Sylvia through Sylvia’s older brother when she was just a teenager. She had no interest in him, but Dave won Sylvia over with his charm. They married two years later and shared many adventures together in the forty two years they were together. Dave became a master gardener after retirement from a very successful business. In fact, Sylvia and Dave enjoyed many meals from the fruit (and vegetables) of their labor. He was kind and always willing to lend a hand. Dave will be remembered as a wonderful man and loving husband. He will be missed by many. His wife Sylvia wrote an amazing poem to celebrate his life and it is available below:
https://amovate.com/poem/
Plano de Pormenor da Urbanizacao da Vale da Telha
Many of you may have heard (or perhaps attended) the Aljezur Câmara.information sessions in December, 2025. The following provides handy links to view the plans:
1. https://aljezur.city-platform.com/app/?a=planos (Registration required)
2. https://cm-aljezur.pt/pt/menu/123/plano-de-pormenor-da-urban…
International Choir of Aljezur
Although the Choir is not an organization officially associated with Amovate, there are many Members who participate in this activity. The Choir is actively seeking male voices to augment the richness of the choir’s sound. Please find below the contact details and do consider joining this rewarding endeavor!
Feedback?
Please give us your news stories, public interest stories and any events that you would like to contribute by replying to this email or emailing: noticiaseeventos@amovate.com.