Vale da Telha is next month hosting a major Boules tournament and Festival spread over three days.

This prestigious tournament, hosted by the Petanca Associação of Vale da Telha, is expected to attract around 250 players from right across the Algarve, competing for one of the sport’s most sought-after trophies.

The three-day Festival on the weekend of September 16, 17 and 18, will be centred on the wide expanse of land between the apartment blocks at the commercial centre, alongside the playground and the Pastelaria in the Parque.

The weekend begins at 5pm on Friday September 16^th with the competitors gathering for sardines and bread, before being entertained from 7pm by the live music of Portuguese duo Nelson and Arménio.

Then, at 9pm, there will be the ceremonial cutting of the Anniversary cake, accompanied by sparkling wine before the music continues late into the night.

On Saturday the 17^th the organisers are holding a mountain bike race, with competitor registration beginning at 8am and the race getting under way at 9am.

The racers will then attend an invitational lunch at 1pm followed at 2.30pm by traditional games including a mini-petanque tournament.

There will be a barbecue at 6pm, then, from 7pm, live music with the band Os Celtas.

The major petanque tournament then takes place on Sunday September 18^th, the competition between teams from the APA and the APBSA beginning at 8.30am, followed by the trophy presentation.

We will supply more details as we get them from the organisers.

In the meantime here is a quick resume of the rules and methods of the game of boules, or petanque should any of you wish the follow the local players.

According to Wikipedia:

Boules (French pronunciation: bull) is a collective name for games played with metal balls.

Two of the most played boules games are pétanque and boule lyonnaise.

The aim of the game is to get large, heavy balls as close to the elusive ‘jack’ (i.e. ‘boobaloo’) as you can.

It is very popular especially in France, but also Portugal and Italy, where it may often be seen played in any open space in villages and towns. It is also similar to ‘bocce’ and ‘bowls’.

Brief rules of pétanque or boules

Size of teams, number of boules:

You can play the game with two teams of one, two or three players on each side. With teams of one or two, each player has 3 boules; with teams of 3, each has 2 boules.

Size of boules and cochonnet:

Boules should have a diameter of 7 to 8 centimetres (2.8 to 3.1 in), ideally made of steel, and weighing between 650 to 800 grams (1.4 to 1.8 lb). They should be marked so each player can tell which boules belong to them. The cochonnet should be made of wood, preferably beech wood, about 3 centimetres (1.2 in) in diameter.

Choosing the throwing place:

Toss a coin to choose which team plays first. Any player in this team chooses where to draw a circle on the ground in which every player will stand to throw their boules. The circle should be about 0.5m in diameter and at least 1m from any obstacle (wall, tree, edge of playing area, etc). Throwing the cochonnet he/she then throws the cochonnet between 4m and 8m, or 6 to 10 paces from the circle in any direction. It also must not be closer than 1m from any obstacle.

The first boule:

Any player from the first team then throws the first boule, trying to get it as close as possible to the “cochonnet” without touching it. Both feet must stay together on the ground and within the circle while throwing and until the boule has landed.

The other team

A player from the other team then steps into the circle and tries to place a boule closer to the cochonnet than their opponent, or to knock the opponent’s boule away. You must throw within 1 minute of your turn starting. The boule nearest to the cochonnet is said to be “holding the point”.

Who plays when:

The players in the team that is not “holding” continue throwing until they place a boule closest to the cochonnet, and so on. Players on the same team do not have to take alternate throws, but player must always play their own boules.

When one team has no more boules:

When a team has no more boules to be played, the players of the other team throw theirs and try to place them as close as possible to the cochonnet.

Counting the points

When both teams have no more boules, you stop and count up the points. The winning team scores one point for each boule nearer the cochonnet than the opponents closest. Only one team can score points in each round.

Starting the next round

A player from the team that has won throws the cochonnet from a new circle drawn round the cochonnet’s last position. The winners are the first team to reach 13 points (or whatever total is previously decided).

It was all about the beat at the Vale da Telha Music Festival.

It was a day when the estimated 350 revellers;

BEAT the weather as forecasts of thunderstorms failed to dampen their spirits;

BEAT the attendance record for the annual festival hosted by Amovate and backed by local businesses and the Aljezur Camara; and;

Danced to the BEAT of rock ‘n’ roll doo-wop band The Teds until the wee small hours.

Diamond & Pearl got the whole thing off to a rousing start with their fabulous music and singing, the crowd gradually building up as night began to fall.

The three bars were doing great business and the audience also made good use of the two food concessions belonging to Nick and Kim from the Pastelaria do Parque, and the Piranha, whose cocktail bar was also a big attraction.

Then, headline act The Teds took over centre stage—a “stage” comprising the long flatbed trailer of a lorry, generously contributed by Lagoa Building Supplies.

After sorting out a few problems with sound volume, the five-piece band created a fantastic atmosphere with their rock ‘n’ roll

doo-wop style that had people dancing and jiving until well past midnight.

Amovate’s committee members, who had worked hard for the previous two days setting up the location—aided by workers from Aljezur Camara who backed the event—felt well justified for all their efforts as the crowd thoroughly enjoyed the night’s proceedings.

Steve Baker, President of Amovate’s Fiscal Council, did a fantastic job setting up all the electrics and display screen that brightened up the area and helped create a wonderful ambience for a very successful night.

But, as always, there was a serious note to the evening.

The Vale da Telha Music Festival backs Amovate’s charity fund which last year helped us buy NINE wheelchairs for Portimao Hospital.

Proceeds this year will go towards the Madrugada charity which supports people affected by life-threatening illnesses.

Residents all across Vale da Telha and the surrounding districts have been rallying around with a series of events to raise funds which are being funnelled towards the purchase of a Ripple Bed to ease the suffering of long-term bedridden patients.

Jeanette Cumberworth, who lost her husband Tony, explained: “I had first-hand experience of the comfort and care provided by Madrugada, even though unfortunately for my family we only discovered them a little late.

“I wanted to do this to help Madrugada get better and bigger to reach out to more families who need this kind of support, and also to make more people aware of the wonderful care that they give so willingly.

“They really do help people and their families in the Algarve to cope with serious illness. The community here has rallied around in such a wonderful way to help me thank Madrugada in this manner.”

Now the fund-raising effort moves to the Pastelaria do Parque.

On Thursday at 8pm they will be staging a Music Quiz, which costs €1.50 per person, maximum 6 per team.

And this coming Saturday the Summer Fair Committee will be hosting ‘Festa de Verão’ at the Pastelaria from 2pm in aid of Madrugada, with Arts and Crafts stalls, Novelty Games, Prize Raffle, music and more, as organisers hope the final total raised will far exceed the €800 required to purchase one Ripple Bed.

***Amovate would like to thank sponsors the Pastelaria do Parque, the Piranha Bar, Lagoa Building Supplies, the www.valedatelha.eu website and Aljezur Camara for their wonderful and extremely valuable support in helping to make the Music Festival the success it was.

Grateful thanks to them, and we hope you continue to support these sponsors and repay their backing for the community.

Please see below for more photos:

As Billy Joel once said: “Music in itself is healing, an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”

Listen to the man: Everyone loves music….

And, as we all know, everyone loves a party. So, Vale da Telha is throwing a party—a Festival of Music to which you are all invited.

It’s taking place on August 20^th at the Old School House in Vales, starting at 7.30pm…and admission is free.

To quote another great man, Ireland’s wordsmith George Bernard Shaw: “Hell is full of musical amateurs.”

But there are no musical amateurs here, just seasoned professional musicians and singers, providing hours of great entertainment.

Headline act is The Teds, a rock ‘n’ roll doo-wop band, who all live in the Algarve entertaining holidaymakers.

They are supported by Diamond & Pearl, well-known in the Aljezur area for their range of songs and the quality of their music.

While the two bands are taking centre stage there will also be easier access than ever to no less than FOUR bars, backed up by two food concessions, one organised by Nik and Kim of the Pastelaria, so you can eat and drink between singing along and dancing!

The bar facilities include the normal bar inside the Old School House, two separate beer bars outside, serving draught beer in Imperial or Caneca measures, plus a special cocktail bar run by Hugo of the Piranha as Vale da Telha businesses put their backing behind our own local Festival.

It is sponsored by Aljezur Camara, Lagoa Building Supplies, the Pastelaria do Parque, the Piranha Bar, the http://www.vale-da-telha.eu website, and AMOVATE.

To more practical matters—Port-a-loos will be provided for the men, but the ladies will use the rest rooms inside the Old School House, to make the conveniences more convenient for everyone!

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It’s going to be a fun night, but, as always, there is a serious purpose behind this annual event.

The Vale da Telha Music Festival supports Amovate’s charity fund, and proceeds this year will go towards the Madrugada charity which supports people affected by life-threatening illnesses.

Vale da Telha resident Jeanette Cumberworth, who has had first-hand experience of the comfort and care provided by Madrugada, is raising funds for a Ripple Bed to donate to the charity and your attendance at the Music Festival will help her towards her goal.

So, not only will you have a great night you’ll be helping a great cause as well—two fabulous reasons for being there.

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Back to the music—The Teds claim to guarantee a fun night, describing themselves as a “Real live rock and roll fun band,” and saying “If you want a real fun night, don’t miss The Teds.”

Vocalist and co-founder Sandie Croft, who also sings lead vocals for a jazz band, once sang at the Royal Variety Performance when the Three Degrees topped the bill.

Sandie is also a former Line Dancing teacher who once took second place to the then World Champion in a major competition held in Southampton.

She also recorded the promo CD for the original musical “Winston” which had its world premiere in Portugal last October and has written and performed radio jingles in the UK and Portugal.

Her husband and co-founder Ray Charsley, who plays lead guitar and provides vocals once played and sang lead vocals in the band The Game, which had Kenny Lynch as its recording manager and played live on “Ready, Steady, Go” with their debut single being voted a hit on Jukebox Jury, reaching No.36 in the charts.

Later he played in a musical comedy band “Sweet Illusion” which recorded three albums and played live on BBC TV’s Pebble Mill, and at The Royal Albert Hall.

In 1979 Ray and future wife vocalist Sandie Croft met up, and from 1980 onwards they have played together as a musical multi instrumental duo both in Britain & abroad.

In the mid 1980´s Ray played with several brass bands up in Yorkshire, and also with the Championship section Jaguar Cars City of Coventry.

In 1988 Ray & Sandie moved to Portugal where Ray played Trumpet & Trombone with the OJL Jazz Orchestra & was vocalist & Trombonist/Trumpet player with the Easy Street Jazz band.

In 2009 he and Sandie became founder members of the Teds rock n roll band.

They were joined by Luis Hilario on double bass, drummer “Eddie” from Germany and Pete Lucas on keyboards.

Luis was born in the UK to a Portuguese father and English mother and also has experience playing guitar & drums.

From the age of 15 Luis played with various UK bands including a rockabilly band, before moving to the Algarve in 1995 where he was invited to play electric bass with a local rock band.

He has since played in several different bands, playing varied styles of music including Jazz, Latin & rock, finally joining the Teds at their inception in 2009 playing slap bass & singing.

Eddie’s first contact with music was though his parents, as his father played the drums, horn, flute and mallets and his mother was a singer.

Though his parents never encouraged him to play an instrument – “he was supposed to learn a decent profession” –   he felt a deep attraction towards drums and percussion.

After he completed his study of dental techniques he then played the drums for the first time in a band during his national service in the navy.

In 2009 when Eddie was asked to be a co founder of The Teds he entered the Jazz school in Lagos to continue the study of his instrument.

Pete, from the UK, started playing and studying classical piano age 8 and continued to play through his school years taking his music grades at this time.

He sang in a choir at the London Festival Hall with the London Philharmonic and began playing guitar & ukelele age 13.

In the 90´s Pete moved to Portugal and took up the piano again, playing in duets, and with a band playing rock n roll.

Nowadays, when he’s not gigging with The Teds Pete plays solo piano to backing tracks for hotels and private functions.

Of course, support act Diamond and Pearl need little introduction to these parts, frequently topping the bill at events around the Western Algarve.

Singer Pearl C is from Berlin and singer / guitarist Ricky is from London.

Ricky nows lives on Vale da Telha and has been a prime mover behind the Vale da Telha Music Festival.

Together, they take you on a journey through a musical landscape of rock, pop, ballad and dance hits accompanied by backing tracks created in their own studio.

So, put the date, August 20^th, from 7.30pm onwards, in your diary.

Free admission, great entertainment, food and drinks on tap at great prices….what more could you want whether you are a resident, a visitor or a holidaymaker!!