Vale da Telha’s annual Music Festival, scheduled for Saturday August 25^th, has been cancelled.

Amovate’s committee has decided to take this step with extreme reluctance to avoid the risk of heavy financial losses on the event.

It was felt that many people would not wish to travel, or be able to travel, to the Old School House, whose somewhat remote location from the main residential areas makes it pretty much impossible to get there for such a social event other than by car.

As most residents are aware there has been an increase recently in the block stopping of drivers at GNR checkpoints in the area to combat instances of drink-driving , with heavy fines and instructions to present themselves at court as a direct consequence.

Our feedback suggests that many people who would normally attend the Festival feel they would rather not risk driving there—and those who would will not be using the bar facilities. Also, a fair proportion of people attending past Music Festivals have travelled by car from the far edges of Aljezur or even from outside the municipality’s boundaries.

Clearly, as we make no admission charge to the Music Festival, we try and make up our outgoings from bar takings, which would need to be in excess of €1,800 to cover the €1,200 costs incurred to stage the event, with fees for the musicians etc., even with a donation from the Câmara.

Amovate fully accepts that the GNR are doing their job and we are not attaching any blame to them for the action we have taken.

But as there is no other transport available to VDT, taxis are few and far between and, with no verges or footpaths on the road from VdT to Vales—and no street lighting—it is too dangerous to walk to Amovate (in the unlikely event that anyone should wish to travel that distance on foot) we think this is the best course of action.

Movement to another venue would not help either as these people still need to travel by road.

We will be meeting in the next week or so to discuss the issue and, hopefully we can arrange events in the future that are more central to VDT, as with the Summer Ball.

Here are a selection from the  Summer Ball which was enjoyed by many residents and friends of Vale da Telha, and the local areas.  Our thanks to all those who helped with the organisation, and of course to all who supported the event to make it such a huge success.

An important update on arrangements for the Summer Ball being held in the Marquee at the Vale da Telha Hotel on Saturday July 21^st….

Since our original post we have been delighted—and more than a little overwhelmed—by the response from the community up here.

After an original print run of 100 tickets when they first went on sale on June 2 we had to print further tickets on two occasions, such was the demand.

We have now had to decide, after discussions with Bruno, the hotel owner, and a careful scrutiny of the Marquee (taking measurements etc) that we must limit the number of tickets to 220 for the comfort of those attending!

And that means some people may be disappointed if they don’t move quickly, as we are now almost sold out down to the last dozen or so.

From the outset we have had people ringing and e-mailing from abroad, asking us to reserve tickets, such is the interest in this “posh” do, which it is hoped will become the annual social highlight of the year on Vale da Telha.

Although the original plan was for the evening to begin at 7.30pm we decided at a meeting with Bruno on Wednesday that the three bars he is providing will open from 6.30pm so people can get there earlier, if they wish, and settle in.

The independent caterers will open the cold buffet at 7.30pm so, again, we can complete the serving of food etc., in time for the music and dancing to begin at a reasonable time.

There will be three bars and drinks are pre-paid; two or three of Bruno’s staff  from whom the pre-payment vouchers can be purchased, will be circulating amongst the guests.

You can buy enough not just for your next round of drinks, but for several rounds, so you don’t need to keep going back to buy more vouchers each time you want to buy your drinks, the prices of which Bruno assures us will be kept to Vale da Telha levels.

Incidentally, you should bring with you, hang onto and not lose your tickets as these will be needed first for admission and then to access the buffet.

AN APPEAL FROM THE ORGANISERS: Sharon and Chris, who ran a successful catering business in the UK before retiring to Vale da Telha, will be providing the catering for the Summer Ball.

But they need some additional refrigerators to store the food just prior to the night of the Ball.

We have managed to source three or four but they do require more. So we would ask if any of you has an empty fridge doing nothing in your house, garage or shed that we could borrow for a few days from approx. Wednesday July 18^th to the following Sunday or Monday, could you let us know.

You can contact us by e-mail at info@amovate.com and we will arrange collection and return.

Alternatively if you see any of the following committee members on your travels around and about just tap them on the shoulder and utter the magical words: “Pssst—wanna borrow a fridge?”

Peter Johnson, Ian Bedford, John Bergstrom-Potter, Sue Bedford, Maria Franca, Ken Cragg, Dave Ogborn, Rick Hursthouse, Gunnar Hermansson, Steve Carmichael or Matt D’Arcy.