Category Archives: Amovate Events

Bombeiros Presentation Ceremony

Doreen Pipe, Peter Johnson and Mike Thomas hand over the kit to an officer of the Bombeiros

Amovate President Peter Johnson, with Operation Florian’s Mike Thomas and Shepperton Aurora Rotary President Doreen Pipe formally presented Aljezur’s firefighters with the fire and rescue equipment at the Bombeiros HQ on Thursday September 26th.

Fire Chief Mario Costa thanked Amovate and Aurora Rotary—including Dave Good, a member of both organisations who played a key role in setting up the whole project—for their part in making his force the recipient of what he called a “fantastic” donation.

And he hailed the UK fire fighters, Florian’s Mike Thomas and Steve Darby—also representing Lancashire Fire & Rescue, source of the helmets & boots, whilst the fire kit (bunker pants and jackets) came from North Wales —for their generosity to fellow members of the worldwide fire fighting community.

Earlier, Aljezur Bombeiros, watched by Amovate’s Committee and members of the Association, gave a fascinating, realistic and highly professional demonstration of how they will be using the sophisticated rescue equipment that was part of the donation.

They created a very convincing crash scene—including damaged roadside barriers—involving two cars, one of which had overturned, trapping the driver (a very patient Bombeiro) inside.

The team assembled to free the driver, went through their paces using the cutting and “jaws of life” tools, plus equipment to fix the vehicles firmly in place to avoid any dangerous movement during the operation.

They removed both doors plus the column between before stabilising the “patient”, cutting him free of his seat belt, inserting a spinal

The car door is being cut away

board beneath him, then carefully extricating him from the vehicle before handing him over to the paramedics, who checked him out on their collapsible stretcher before loading him onto the ambulance for the “journey” to hospital.

All of this was done using equipment from the donation.

Afterwards, Florian’s Mike Thomas, explaining that he and Steve Darby had more than 60 years UK fire fighting experience between them, added: “I can honestly say that demonstration wouldn’t be carried out better, or more professionally, anywhere else in the world.”

The UK fire fighters were happy that the equipment, which should last the Bombeiros up to 10 years before it needs to be replaced, could not be in better hands.

Then, 10 of the Bombeiros lined up wearing the high-tech Personal Protection Equipment—helmets, tunics, trousers and boots—from the set of 100 included in the donation to form a backdrop for the symbolic handing-over of the kit and equipment.

Mike Thomas, Peter Johnson and Doreen Pipe performed the handover, after which the Amovate President declared:

“Amovate is very proud to have been part of this magnificent venture in securing vital equipment for Aljezur Bomberios.

“The hard work in England by Shepperton Aurora Rotary Club and in particular Dave Good, an Amovate member working with ourselves, has made this possible.

“The people of Aljezur and its surrounding area will now have a fire brigade that can service its vast area with a much better equipped resource and with cutting equipment that will save lives.

“Amovate has and will continue through its charity to make donations where it sees that our help benefits people in need. Today, members of Amovate can rest assured our charity has been part of a magnificent scheme which will make the Aljezur area a safer place.

“Finally thank you to Direct Transport for their kind donation towards this gift. As always they have helped Amovate move much-needed equipment from England to Portugal, which greatly assists our donations within the Algarve and, in particular, Aljezur.”

Doreen Pipe then spoke, saying: “Each and every one of our Shepperton Aurora Rotary Club members is delighted to have supported this project with Operation Florian and Amovate, to provide the vital equipment for the Aljezur Bombeiros.

“Your bravery and professionalism will have saved much property and many lives over the years, and we thank you for that.

“We hope that with this ‘new’ equipment will allow you to cope with emergencies and further assist to you carry on your fantastic and vital emergency work for many years to come.

“Your safety will be improved with this excellent equipment, provided by Operation Florian, which is sent from our own British fire fighters, and we all owe a debt of gratitude to the fire fighters at home and here.

“Today shows how working together, Rotary, Operation Florian and Amovate have all been able to benefit those in need of help. We hope that all of the Bombeiros teams here in the Algarve, will be safer at work and able to continue to respond to each new emergency, with the right equipment for your amazing skills.”

Florian’s Mike Thomas declared: “On behalf of Operation Florian may I say a big thank-you to our friends here in Aljezur for organizing this evening and inviting Steve and I to attend.

“Operation Florian was formed more than 20 years ago as a simple means of fire fighters helping less fortunate fire fighters and our first donation of a fire appliance in war-torn Yugoslavia, is still in use today, standing proud as a beacon of the fellowship that fire fighters have towards each other.

“Today Operation Florian is a successful charity still run by fire fighters and our motto is ‘helping to save lives across the world’.

“Truly we are international and tonight is a celebration of the donation we have made here in Portugal. I think the fire fighters of Aljezur will make good use of the firecoats, trousers, helmets and boots that we have donated alongside the improved ability to rescue those trapped in vehicle collisions. The Aljezur firefighters are now better protected to serve and protect the residents, visitors, businesses, natural environment etc of Portugal.

“We are just as proud to help you as we are to help all fellow fire fighters, the fellowship of fire fighters is the largest family in the world, and we embrace you.

“Of course someone had to approach Florian and seek our help. A big thank you to Shepperton Aurora Rotary especially to David Good for being persistent whilst we got our act together and of course to your colleagues in Amovate who supported you along the way.

“Once again, on behalf of Operation Florian, thank you and we wish you good luck and stay safe as you keep your community safe.”

Refugio Social Nuphar Lutea / Associação – POSTPONED

 

 

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED

 

Amovate have been asked to advertise this local event on behalf of this charitable organisation.

REFUGIO SOCIAL ­ NUPHAR LUTEA / ASSOCIAÇÃO – has a heart for the homeless and needy and has acquired premises in Vila Real to be used as a feeding station, but it lacks any kitchen equipment –  fridge, cooker, etc. This event is to raise funds for this. The association also has plans for a permanent social refuge in Lagos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gala Ball 2013 – 28th September

Don’t stop the Music!

Rihanna and Jamie Cullum sang those lyrics—and we’re listening!

The Music Festival has come and gone, but we’ve no intention of stopping the music just yet.

We’re now just four weeks away from our second annual ball, the Gala Ball, following on from our successful Summer Ball last year. We’ve re-named it because this year it is taking place on Saturday September 28th…one week into Autumn!

As before it will be held in the Marquee at the Vale da Telha Hotel on the Pines roundabout, and we think you’re going to have a great time.

Singer Ana Messias, such a big hit at the Music Festival last Saturday with her fantastic voice, will be back with us again, this time performing slightly different material, more swing and big band standards.

And last year’s headliners the New Orleans Band will be back, this time performing less jazz and much more “dancing” music.

Hotel owner Bruno has met with the Amovate committee and he assures us he has addressed the teething problems at last year’s inaugural ball, and says the issues with toilet facilities etc have been sorted out. He assures us everything is working fine.

There will be two bars, one at the entrance, one inside the new Marquee which is slightly bigger than before, a corner having been squared off and the kitchen area having been opened up. Prices will be the same as last year, and Bruno promises that clearly-marked price lists will be on display.

Bars will open at 7:00 pm, with the music beginning at 8:00 pm. Dress code will the same as last year—smart casual.

The 2012 Summer Ball ticket prices were set at €10, which included a buffet.

This year the tickets are priced at €7.50 which will include tapas on the tables. You can buy your tickets from any of the Amovate Committee members you will find listed by clicking on “Committee 2012-2013” on the top strapline of this website, or reserve them by e-mailing us at:

info@amovate.com

But be quick—numbers are limited to 150.

Don’t forget the date and don’t forget to get in early as tickets could very quickly be in short supply. (At least we hope so!)

And most of us—as Rihanna and Jamie Cullum sang (with a few tweaks by us)—will be asking:

“Don’t Stop The Music”
Please don’t stop the music 
Please don’t stop the music 
Do you know what you started? 
I came here to the Gala Ball 
And now we’re gliding on the dance floor, 
Your hands around my waist 
Just let the music play 
We’re hand in hand, cheek to cheek and now we’re face to face 
Keep on dancin’ to it 
Please don’t stop the, please don’t stop the music 
Let’s escape into the music, bandleader let it play 
I just can’t refuse it 
Like the way you do this 
Keep on dancin’ to it 
Please don’t stop the, please don’t stop the 
Please don’t stop the music 

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THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND

The band was formed in 1998 by a group of international jazz musicians, all now living in the Algarve.

With musicians from England, Scotland, Holland, and Portugal, they quickly became established as the premiere group playing Dixieland and New Orleans style jazz music from the 1920’s in the area.

In 1999 the band was first featured at the Loule International Jazz Festival followed by a concert tour taking in all the major cities of Portugal, culminating at the prestigious Lisboa concert hall “Cultergest”.

Since then the band has quickly become the busiest band on the Algarve playing music for listening and dancing throughout the region. The band is regularly featured at Festivals, whether parading around the streets as part of the Lagos Jazz Festival or at Vilamoura Marina to promote the “Boat Show”.

International jazz musicians visiting the Algarve, are regularly featured with the band and in 2004 Mr. Acker Bilk, whose hit tune “Stranger on the Shore” can be heard as canned music in hotel lounges worldwide, toured with the band on his first visit to Portugal.

The current line-up is Dave Lawson (clarinet/saxophones), John Ballinger (trombone/vocals), Heike Brockmann (guitar/banjo), Luis Hilario (contra bass), and Tony Scriven (drums/leader/vocals).

Music Festival – A Note from the President

So, another of Amovate’s Music Festivals has come and gone and we hope everyone who turned up really enjoyed themselves.

We would like to thank you all for your attendance but I am sure you won’t mind if I say a special “thank-you” to the committee members and members who tirelessly and enthusiastically worked many, many hours both before the Festival, during the Festival and afterwards.

First they put the plans in place and worked so hard to set up all the various aspects of an event like these, and making sure everything was working and in the right place.

Then they continued to work through the Festival to ensure nothing was going wrong and, finally, on Sunday they swooped again on the Old School House and its grounds, ignoring tiredness and aching limbs, to clear everything away.

To all of you, a special debt of gratitude.

Thank you

 

Peter Johnson,

Amovate President

Here are some of the photos (some good, some not so good!!) from the Music Festival………..

Music Festival – Update

WHO ATE ALL THE PIES?

Well, hopefully, the audience at the Vale da Telha Music Festival will eat all the pies!

Amovate is pleased to announce that Borley’s Pies, whose pies, pasties, quiches etc., are locally produced in Aljezur, will provide the food concession for next Saturday’s event.

Borley’s will be selling the following products (hot or cold) for consumption on the night, or to take-away:

– Chicken and Chicken & Mushrooms;

– Steak & Kidney,

– Sausage rolls,

– Borley´s Cornish pasties

– Spinach quiche

– Also: Sausages (to take-away)

Amovate has also negotiated an arrangement with Borley’s to provide discounts, away from the Music Festival, to any Amovate member purchasing their products directly from the company.

If you buy from the bakery shop at the factory on the industrial estate between Aljezur and Rogil, Borley’s will offer a 10 per cent discount on presentation of your Amovate membership card.

And if you wish to have your pies, pasties, sausage rolls, quiches etc delivered to your home or business the discount will be 5 per cent.

Borley’s are also available to supply parties and events anywhere in the Algarve.

Don’t forget—full details of the Vale Da Telha Music Festival 2013 are Here:

https://amovate.com/index.php/2013/07/vale-da-telha-festival-da-musica-update/

but these are the details in a nutshell:

Admission is free and three acts will feature at the Festival which is scheduled to start at 7.30pm on Saturday (August 24th) running through to approximately 1am, in the grounds of the Old School House, Vales. Gates open at 7pm.

Anna Messias

The Festival is hosted by our own Brian “DJ Rockindad” Jutsum who will provide music in the intervals, whilst singer Ana Messias opens the entertainment, performing a range of material from Adele to Gloria Gaynor.

Claudio and da Gang, a 5-piece classic rock band come next, then Os Compotas Band—a five-piece outfit just

Claudio and da Gang

back from a series of shows in Lisbon and playing only the funkiest of soul music—round off the show.

There will be two bars available to the festival goers. And don’t forget the Borley’s Pies food concession on site!

Os Compotas

 

 

 

 

 

 

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About Borley’s

BORLEY’S PIES has been operating in the Algarve since the 1960s and in recent years the company expanded with the opening of a factory outside Aljezur, which aims to preserve the Borley reputation while expanding the distribution extensively throughout Portugal.

A team of 10 produces thousands of pies each week at the factory and distribute them fresh all over the Algarve. There are around 20 products in the range, catering to Portuguese and English tastes.

The management team is set on preserving the traditional product, which was originally brought to the Algarve by Mr Borley, who has now retired in the UK.

The pies are made of the freshest meat from local traders, never using frozen meat, ensuring that there are no e numbers and no monosodium glutamate in the food.

All the preparation methods for the products are detailed and all the spices and secret ingredients are imported from the UK to give Borley’s their own distinct taste.

The new factory is registered to EC standards and, on opening, Borley’s Pies was said to be the only company in the Algarve that has the official stamp of approval to produce English food.