Coming towards the end of the 2019 Committee, Amovate are about to lose the services of 4 of it’s team.

Several are relocating and therefore there is a need for new willing recruits to help. Generally the Committee meets once a month for their full meeting, with the odd ad hoc meeting called for specific reasons generally when a function is being held.

We are in urgent need of willing members that have a few hours a month to spare out of their schedule.

Amovate are hoping that very soon the new VDT Plan will become public and the Câmara look towards our organisation as the people to represent the community especially on these important issues.

In the near future if enough residents register to vote VDT would have the thousand required which could enable it to have it’s very own Parish Council (Junta de Freguesia).  This would mean a local Farmácia amongst other things, but more importantly it would give local people the opportunity to become councillors and represent the area, making a real difference and with funding to do things locally within VDT.

The current committee,  should this time comes, would be more than happy to step aside from the current situation, and if required just continue as the Charity side of the organisation of today.

If you think you could help us or require more information on this subject, please do not hesitate to contact Ian Bedford  Vice President of Amovate on info@amovate.com

AMOVATE was absolutely delighted and honoured to host a “haven for heroes” as the heroic fire fighters of Aljezur and surrounding areas battled the huge wild fires that, for a time, appeared to threaten lives and homes in Vale da Telha, Vales, Espartal and other adjoining areas.

As the fires took hold we were contacted by the President of the Junta de Freguesia of Aljezur who asked us if the Bomberios could use the Amovate Old School House as a feeding station and respite area for the fire fighters from the length and breadth of Portugal as they battled the blazes for more than 12 hours.

And of course we—and the Petanca Clube de Vale da Telha who sublet the premises from Amovate—were more than happy to help the men and women who were risking their lives to help us.

Amovate and petanca club president Antonio Ramos, who did such a magnificent job through the evening and well into Saturday morning, quickly leapt into action.

The rest area and feeding station was rapidly set up so the tired men and women of the bombeiros were able to “refuel”, snatching some rest and refreshment before resuming their heroic efforts which eventually resulted in the outbreak being brought under control without loss of life or property.

Amovate committee member Kjell Motet and partner Cath Baker ran the bar all night, with support from Amovate President Matt D’Arcy and Administrator Steve Scott, who informed the petanca club that Amovate would foot the bill for all drinks consumed by the fire fighters.

It was a real team effort, as the ladies who volunteer at Aljezur Bombeiros brought up from their HQ large vats of cooked food and fruit to serve to their colleagues at the tables set up by Amovate around the building’s car park and petanca court.

Aljezur Vice President Antonio Carvalho was also in attendance throughout the day and evening, and Rui Miguel da Silva André the President of Monchique, an area which has suffered much from forest fires, also arrived to lend his support.

A spokesman for Amovate commented: “It was our absolute privilege to be asked, along with our friends in the Petanca Clube de Vale da Telha to play our part in assisting these wonderful men and women.

“We can only say well done once again to the brave and brilliant bombeiros of Aljezur and the colleagues from other areas who raced to their assistance.

“There were apparently 200 fire fighters, eight aircraft and 70 fire trucks involved, all of whom worked tirelessly for hour after hour in such difficult circumstances to avert what could have been a major tragedy through their bravery and hard work.

“We owe them our grateful thanks and respect”.

There are a large number of New Membership Cards awaiting collection at Amovate Headquarters.

If you have recently joined Amovate, or renewed your Membership, but haven’t got your card, do pop in to the old school house.  They are being kept in the bar area, in the top right hand drawer.