Category Archives: Amovate Events

Amovate Fun Day – Photographs

Amovate Family Fun Voted A Big Success

By Matt D’Arcy (Photographs by Sue Bedford)

Out of the mouths of babes…

And here, might I beg your indulgence and quote my four year-old granddaughter, Summer Serafim D’Arcy. As we left Amovate’s Family Fun Day after five enjoyable hours she settled back into her car seat and said contentedly:

“That was fantastic—can we come back again next week?”

Unfortunately, Summer will have to wait longer than that—she will be a 5 year-old by the time next year’s event takes place.

But her unsolicited remark was a fitting testimonial to this pivotal event of Amovate’s charity fund-raising for 2015. Summer had a fantastic time as did all the kids and their parents…and that was the whole point of the exercise wasn’t it; plenty of people having a good time while at the same time raising vital funds for Amovate’s charitable causes? (We are still counting and collecting the money, and details will be announced shortly).

And these photographs by Sue Bedford certainly prove the point as the area outside co-host Hugo’s Bar was packed with people having a great time.

As Amovate President John Bergstrom-Potter said afterwards the entire event was the result of a huge effort by the Committee and volunteers.

“Ian and Sue Bedford were outstanding in the design etc. of the programme, Steve Scott, Steve Baker & Rick Hursthouse, the events committee put together all the days entertainment, John Williams with his fantastic group of volunteer helpers, lifting and shifting, Sue Bergstrom-Potter, Kate Lang and Chic Wilson performed heroically, cooking burgers, hot dogs and bifanas all afternoon without a break and of course Dave Ogbourn and Bob (I smell a Rat) Packham for their efforts in raising funds. Thanks too, go to all the Programme sellers”.

“When the Fun Day began at 2.15pm the committee members outnumbered our guests. But very soon a steady stream of people began arriving and within a short time the place was packed.

“It was good to see that some of our long-established surfing community turned up with their children, and the bouncy castle was a big hit with them.

“As I was circulating and selling the programmes I had the opportunity to speak with a lot of people and everyone was unanimous in saying how much they were enjoying the day. By the end only had about 35 programmes were unsold out of the 300 we issued which gives you a good idea of the numbers attending.

“It was difficult to assess how many people turned up—but a conservative estimate would be at least 250.”

John, reflecting on the change of venue from the previous year, went on: “There were those who had reservations regarding the venue but in the end it was the general feeling was that this was the better place.

“We are already starting to plan next year’s event, which is hoped will be bigger, with maybe two stages.

“Watch this space!”

Below is a selection of photos from the hugely successful Fun Day held.

There are two Lucky Programme Draw prizes which remain unclaimed. If you have the Programme with either of these numbers on the front, then please e mail info@amovate.com or speak to an Amovate Committee member to claim your prize.

1 Bottle Red Wine – No. 053

1 Bottle White Wine – No. 038

: Bombeiros Band

: Caporeira Exhibition

: Areano

Family Fun Day – 1st August

A wise woman once said: “As long as you’re having fun, you’re doing the right thing”.

So, why not do the right thing and come along to Amovate’s Blue Riband Event for 2015—the Family Fun Day, our main attraction of the year.

It will take place from 2pm-8pm on Saturday August 1^st at the large field in front of Hugo’s Bar at the apartments on the road leading towards Arrifana and we are planning to pack the afternoon and evening with a variety of activities, events and entertainments for the whole family to enjoy.

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“I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny.”
― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

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Clearly, on the first day of August, we ARE expecting sunshine, not rain, and we do intend that everyone will have lots of good fun, whatever the weather has in store!

Last year’s family-oriented event saw perhaps more kids enjoying themselves than anyone’s ever seen in one place on Vale da Telha…and it certainly was a Fun-in-the-Sun Day!

Now, Amovate, your local community association aims to have another FUN-tastic day, plenty of fun and games with even more people having a great time and so much for the family to enjoy together.

Here’s what to expect as you embark on a wonderful afternoon and evening hosted by Amovate and Hugo’s Bar:

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

Bombeiros Band 15.30 to 16.30

Caporeira Dancers 16.30 to 17.00

Areano (singer/ guitarist) 17.00 to 20.00

But while all of this is going on there is so much for the kids to do.

There will be donkey rides, a bouncy castle, face-painting and hair-braiding.

They can play games on The Cube, take pot-shots on a coconut shy or play on a football machine.

For the adults there are a variety of stalls offering jewellery, foot treatment, Aloe Vera as well as one organised by the Conferencia de Nossa Senhora DÂ´Alva, the childrens’ charity in Aljezur.

And the Petanca Club are also holding a boules competition should you wish to try your hand.

On a more serious note, should you wish, you can sit down with a representative of Avalon and discuss funeral plans.

Programmes for this event will soon be on sale at €1 apiece and each one includes a lucky number which will be entered into a prize draw. If you are not able to buy one in advance they will also be available on the day.

Just as importantly, while everybody’s having such a good time they’ll be helping to raise more money for the charities supported every year by Amovate.

We are proud that through our Charity Fund we have helped local families in need, helped facilitate the donation of €50,000 worth of firefighting and life-saving equipment for Aljezur Bombeiros plus three life-saving defibrillators, two for the Bombeiros to use in their vehicles and the other for the use of residents in Vale da Telha and the surrounding districts.

We have provided nine wheelchairs for Portimao Hospital, a ripple bed to ease the suffering of long-term bedridden patients, a much-needed new computer for a rehabilitation centre and a washing machine for a local charity, which has also received cash donations from Amovate.

So, while you are having as good time today you can do so knowing you will also be helping good causes in your area.

So come along, bring the family, support our local worthy causes…and have a great time in the process!

Now that’s what you call having FUN!

Car Boot – 2nd August – CANCELLED

The Car Boot sale scheduled for Sunday August 2nd at The Old School House Vales has been cancelled.
The next Car Boot will now take place on Sunday September 6th.
It was deemed necessary to take this action as Amovate’s main summer activity, the Family Fun Day, is being held on Saturday August 1st on the large area between the apartments at the commercial centre here on Vale da Telha, opposite Hugo’s Bar.
And it is anticipated that because of the various activities and stalls, the Family Fun Day will attract a large crowd, necessitating a big clean-up operation by Amovate the following morning, which, of course, coincides with the Car Boot sale–another event which requires a substantial clean-up operation once it is over.
The Committee felt it would be unfair, if not impossible, to expect the volunteers normally tasked with these duties to have to work on both sites through the whole of Sunday.
We hope you will understand the reasons for this decision.

Amovate Fun Day

On the 1^st August at the Amovate Fun Day outside Hugo’s Bar, (by the apartments on the way to Arrifana) you will have the opportunity to let your children, grandchildren or visitors ride on the donkey for a small charge. Make sure your friends, neighbours and or guests come along and enjoy the Fun and Music.

Amovate will be selling Fun Day Programmes soon, they have some useful information inside and have been well supported by some Local Businesses who have purchased advertising space, for which we are extremely grateful.

The programme will cost €1 and will have a lucky number on the front and these numbers will be entered into a free draw.

We have some great prizes but if you would like to donate a prize please do not hesitate to contactinfo@amovate.com to let us know or simple give your donation to an Amovate Committee member.

Amovate 2015 Summer Solstice At O Paulo

by Matt D’Arcy

Oh, what a night!

One of our guests summed it up perfectly when she wrote on her Facebook page: “What a fantastic night, with great company. Thank you Amovate and O Paulo—O PAULO RESTAURANT, you did us proud!”

And certainly Amovate would like to thank Restaurante O Paulo and all the staff there for a wonderful evening. They were quick, attentive and very professional which really boosted the enjoyment of the 90 people who attended. And thanks to Taxi Luis for providing the efficient Taxi service to and from the venue.

Thanks also to singer Emma Louise whose beautiful voice and song selection helped to create such a wonderful atmosphere for our 2015 Summer Solstice event.

Of course not everything was in our control; the 8:57pm sunset we hoped would provide the perfect backdrop to our evening was sadly hidden behind the clouds.

(And even the Space Station fly-past we had gone to so much trouble to organise was obscured, much to everyone’s disappointment! J )

But what was very clear was that the evening was a major success—and we should also mention that Paulo Silva, the owner of the restaurant, was kind enough to donate €50 to our Charity Fund.

Amovate President John Bergstrom-Potter observed: “What a great night. The food was plentiful, the singer was great and it was clear that everyone there enjoyed themselves. In fact we even picked up a few new members!

“We should also say a special thank-you to the Entertainment Committee who organised the event.”

Here you will find a selection of photographs that we hope will sum up the spirit of Amovate’s 2015 Summer Solstice Event (If you click on an individual photo, then click on it again, it will present itself in a larger format). We will be giving you early notice in 2016 of next year’s Summer Solstice Dinner at O Paulo so you can make sure of your tickets.