Bombeiros Boots Presentation

By Matt D’Arcy

These boots are made for working…

…and for fighting fires.

Aljezur’s fire fighters have been presented with 10 pairs of state-of-the-art fire resistant boots and 12 pairs of gloves especially designed to help in the extrication of casualties from wrecked vehicles.

The equipment was paid for with cash raised by grateful Vale da Telha residents at a Bombeiros fundraising concert at the Restaurante Vale da Telha.

Friends Brian Jutsum, Sally Henman and Richie Brogden organised the concert, “Musicians Supporting The Bombeiros” which raised €1,760 for the Bombeiros.

The show featured UK band The Shakespearos (who took time out from their tour of the Algarve to headline the evening), Algarve-based German singer Christina (Pearl C) Vennemann, musician Richie Brogden, local singer/songwriter Jackie Meadows, and Brian Jutsum himself, rounding off the night with a 70s-80s music set in his alter-ego of charity fundraising disc jockey DJ Rockindad.

All of the performers gave their services free in order to maximise the funds raised for the district’s fire fighters.

Brian says they were moved by the heroic and selfless actions of the fire fighters who so bravely and fearlessly tackled last year’s huge outbreaks of fires across Portugal, one of which killed 62 people.

He went on: “We know from experience that our local bombeiros, many of them volunteers, are just as ready to risk their lives on our behalf.

“You can’t buy the kind of bravery and skill these men and women show in a time of crisis. But we felt we could help to provide them with some of the resources they need to do the amazing job they do in such times”.

Just under 150 people attended the concert, raising the €1,760 through ticket sales, an auction of two oil paintings donated by a local artist, a raffle of prizes donated by local businesses and residents and €275 from sponsors of the poster advertising the event.

Brian, Sally and Ritchie met with Bombeiros commander Mario Costa to

Brian (DJ Rockindad) Jutsum With Aljezur Bombeiros Commander Mario Costa

discuss how the money should be spent and he asked for the boots and gloves, which meet European specifications, a vital requirement for safety and insurance issues.

The boots and gloves were delivered earlier this week and, with every cent of the €1,760 spent on them, are enough to equip every fire fighter at the Aljezur Bombeiros.

Commander Costa said: “We are grateful for the support of the people of Vale da Telha and the surrounding areas. These boots are perfect for the job of fighting fires, especially the type of extensive forest fires we have had to deal with in the recent past.

“They are a big improvement on those we had before, which tended to begin melting when subjected to high temperatures.”

Firefighter Helio Oliveiro told us: “We have other boots but these are the footwear fire fighters would always choose above all others”.

The photographs show the presentation ceremony at the HQ of Aljezur Bombeiros. On the group picture some of the station’s fire fighters are flanked by (from left) Richie Brogden, Christina (Pearl C) Vennemann, Sally Henman and Brian (DJ Rockindad) Jutsum.

The Algarve’s most talented artists and artisans are returning to Vale Da Telha to stage their fourth Arts & Crafts Fair.

Some of the Algarve’s finest painters, fashion, fabric and jewellery designers, glassmakers and textile designers will exhibit their wares in the fair back at the Restaurante Vale Da Telha on Saturday September 30^th between 11am and 5pm.

The previous three Fairs were such a success that the organisers are staging another repeat performance in our welcoming community.

Entrance is free, snacks and drinks will be available to purchase and proceeds will go to local animal charity the Aljezur Environment and Animal Shelter (AEZA).

Many of the exhibitors from the previous three fairs—along with other talented artists and artisans showing for the first time in the area—will be back to showcase their talents.

Unique handcrafted gifts and collectables will be on show and available to buy, including the delights of a chocolate creator, glass, fine handmade jewellery, original artwork, porcelain, soaps and lotions, leatherware, feltware, prints and greeting cards, textiles, preserves and pickles and much more.

Botanical artist Susan J Puttick, one of the organisers and exhibitors at the fair explained: “The three previous shows were so well received by the people of Vale Da Telha and Aljezur that we wanted to go back there as soon as possible.

“Originally it was an experiment to see if it would capture the interest of the residents in an area where exhibitions and fairs of this nature were rarely seen.

“But the first three were such a huge success and so well received by the people out on the west coast that we felt it worthwhile following up that interest and enthusiasm with a fourth fair.”

Susan added: “Our artists have all been hard at work producing their unique creations for the fair and with Christmas not that far away there will be plenty of gift ideas on display—not to mention the sweet delights of a superbly talented chocolatier!”

There will be porcelain works characterised by the material, and its simple forms with its curved surfaces, texture and colour. These porcelain pieces are decorated with coloured glazes inside, whilst the exterior is unglazed, taking advantage of its porcelain properties: delicacy, strength, translucency, impermeability.

There will be designer jewellery created from fine and unique glass work from all over the world, plus prints of botanical artwork as well as cards available.

There will be fine watercolours and acrylics, and fantastic Christmas cards, especially designed to encompass tradition with the Algarve and always with humour.

Glass creations will be on show and on sale;  jewellery, jars, lights and decorations, all of them utilising the brilliant colours and luminosity of the glass selected, really beautiful work, especially when it catches the light.

There is felt work, created by patiently manipulating beautifully soft Merino wool and baby camel hair with silk and cotton to produce fine wraps, scarves and delightful flowers with a new range of orchids and that essential stocking filler – a designer keyring.

You will find beautiful handmade soaps and cream, all with their natural fragrances and a wonderful range of handcrafted leather belts.

“And other stalls exquisite wired dragonflies and, now, butterflies, plus individual and colourful candles will also be available.

Fi-line fashions in Almaçao de Pera will showcase just the right fashions to suit us all. It’s always a pleasure to peruse their treasury of designs.”

Susan added: “Entrance is free and each artist or artisan will have his or her own table, all arranged alongside the outside of the room to allow free movement between all the exhibits.

“Drink and snacks will be available to purchase and the event will raise money for local animal charity the Aljezur Environment and Animal Shelter (AEZA).”