A selection of photos from the Amovate Family Fun Day.

(as always, if you click on each photo, they will present themselves in a larger form)

It’s All About Family Fun In The Sun!

The West Coast’s third annual Family Fun Day, the pivotal event of Amovate’s 2016 charity fund-raising, will take place on Saturday August 13^th on the large field at the apartments on the road towards Arrifana.

And we fully expect it to once again live up to its name!

The first two Family Fun Days attracted an estimated total of around 650 people and John Bergstrom-Potter, our President says: “The last two did what it said on the tin, and we expect the same again.

“They certainly were Fun-In-The-Sun days, and they were family-oriented with perhaps more kids enjoying themselves than anyone’s ever seen in one place on Vale da Telha.

“It will take place on the large field in front of Hugo’s Bar at the apartments on the road leading from Vale da Telha 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.

“The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word “fun” as a source or cause of amusement or pleasure, also diversion, amusement, sport; also, boisterous jocularity or gaiety, drollery.

“And that’s exactly what we’ve got planned; all of the above. Mum and dad will love it, and so will the kids—six hours of unbridled pleasure and enjoyment.”

For the mums and dads there is a beer tent selling draught Guinness and John Smith’s Bitter as well as another selling Sagres. And Hugo’s Bar, the co-host of the event, will be offering their usual cocktails along with the normal wines, beers and spirits.

And, as before, this year’s event, which will raise funds for the Conferencia de Nossa Senhora D´Alva, the compassionate childrens’ charity in Aljezur, runs from 2pm to 8pm, with a packed programme of games and entertainment.

There will be children’s entertainment with Sofia Britto, a juggler and balloon sculptor who appeared successfully on “Portugal’s Got Talent”, a bouncy castle, face-painting and various stalls, some with games to play and others selling a wide variety of goods.

And the day will close with live music from Emma Louise, well known across the Algarve as an accomplished and versatile singer with an incredible vocal range covering pop, country and soul music.

We are also hoping to have rides on a horse-drawn carriage although we are waiting for confirmation on this.

There is also the extra attraction of Amovate’s famous West Coast car boot sale, normally held on the first Sunday of each month at Amovate Old School House HQ in Vales.

But for this August month only, the car boot will be held alongside the Family Fun Day at the apartments central area, from 2pm, with the usual caveat: Unwanted household items only–no goods grown, made or bought for profit please. Stallholders charged €2 for each table space, x multiples of €2, or €4 for vans (i.e. Transit size).

Amovate’s President added: “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.

“Working with Cath Baker we have provided and/or facilitated the donation of 35 wheelchairs for Portimao Hospital (the donation also included 50 hot/cold gel packs for pain relief) and a walking frame for the orthopaedics unit, 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! Come along to the Family Fun Day and enjoy a fun-packed day out”.

The Fun Day programme of events will run along these lines:

14.00   Family Fun Day begins
14.15   Sofia Britto, juggler and balloon sculptor from “Portugal’s got Talent”.
14.45   TGV—vocalist/guitarist/drummer
15.30   Drummer
16.00   Sofia Britto Fire dancer
16.30   Singer Emma Louise
17.30   Raffle and awards
17.50   Singer Emma Louise

*        *        *        *

The Fun Day stalls include the following companies and organisations:

Aloe Vera

Aeza Dog & Cat Charity

Silver semi-precious stone Jewellery

S H S Solar Panels

Face Painting

Conferencia de Nossa Senhora D’ALVA, Aljezur

Draught Guinness & John Smiths Beer Tent

Sagres Beer tent

BBQ-Hot Dogs, Burgers, Cheese Burgers & Bifanas

Madrugada Cancer Charity

The Arte @ Spa Craft Shop

Mimos da Mãe – Gourmet Jams and Honey

Play Your Cards Right

ENDS

 

A great afternoon of friendly but competitive games of Petanca took place at the Old School House, Vales. The sun was shining and everybody was smiling.

The VdT Petanca Clube teamed up with expats from England, Germany and Belgium to ensure the expats were not annihilated by  playing against Portuguese “professionals”.   The Petanca Clube even accepted the Sunday afternoon expats’ way of playing the game which meant playing just seven ends,  and noting the points scored as against playing to 13 points which is the standard way.

There were four teams in each group, involving a round robin at the first stage and the team with most points progressed to the next stage. There were 5 groups and as well as the winner of each group going forward, the next 3 highest scorers also progressed into the next round.

This was then followed by a straight forward knock out tournament, quarter final, semi-final and then the final.

After completion of the competition there was  a wonderful BBQ of chicken and pork complimented with salad and crisps and there was plenty of it. Drinks were optional of course.

Finally it was the culmination of the event,  with the  prize giving, where nine prizes were presented, eight to the knock out stage winners and one special prize. A large trophy was awarded to the winners and a “gold” medal to keep for John Williams and Arturo.   There was a steward’s inquiry over this with John changing partners at the knock out stage who seemed to have partnered the Portugal “Ronaldo” of petanca. All taken in good spirit of course. The trophy will be retained in the Amovate as this is to become an annual event.

There was a special prize presented to the team with the lowest number of points scored. A bottle of water for Cath Baker and Antonio Ramos, the President of the Petanca Clube.

Thanks were given to all who made this a successful and memorable event. It was noted that the Portuguese were watching the clock in preparation to watch Portugal against Austria.

They were finally left on their own to watch it,  which maybe was a good thing considering the result and what happened during the game!.

There are a few tickets left for the Summer Solstice Night at O’Paulo’s, Tickets can be obtained by e-mailimg info@amovate.com or from Ian Bedford, Chic Wilson or Kate Lang.

A great night with top International Singing Star, Ilsa

…………………………………………….

Tickets are now on sale for the Summer Solstice Evening at  O’Paulo’s Restaurant, Arrifana. 

Prices are €20 Members & €22:50 Non-Members. 

The Menu is as follows:-

Starters
Bread
Olives & carrots
Tuna Paste

Main Course
Corvina with salad
followed by
Turkey breast with chips and vegetables. Gravy in a jug on the table.

Desert
A Selection platter per table

Coffee
As required

Sunset drink at the appropriate time.

Entertainment: International Singing Star “Isla”

Outside Bar open at 19:00 and tables available from 19:30

Tickets Available from: Steve Scott, Steve Baker, Kate Lang, Chic Wilson & Ian Bedford

Event Limited to 80 people