It was a step back in time for some members of Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) when they were invited to attend a school prize-giving ceremony at Escola EB 2/3 Dr Antonio de Sousa Agostinho in Almancil.

All the pupils were presented with certificates whilst parents, friends and, of course, the Rotary members were treated to several performances by the school’s recorder band, young choristers and David Bejerea a very talented young man on keyboards. The entertainment ended with an accomplished accordion recital performed by 12 year old Inês Faria. The performances were followed by a very special Presentation.

A Centennial Celebration Concert was organised by the Rotary Club of Estoi Palace International to celebrate 100 years of the Rotary Foundation. “We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing good for others.”

This is the motto of the Rotary Foundation. Formed 100 years ago with a donation of 26 US dollars. Since then Foundation has donated over 3 billion dollars worldwide to improve the lives of the underprivileged. The Algarve has benefitted from its generosity as the Foundation helped Rotary Club Estoi Palace purchase a refrigerated truck for the Faro Food Bank and a fully equipped new ambulance for the Sao Bras Bombeiros.

Members and friends of the Algarve Archaeological Association (AAA) recently enjoyed a very successful Spring lunch at the São Domingos Restaurant in Guia. A long-standing member, Glenis Vowles, was presented with flowers as she was thanked for her years of work for the AAA.

Tuesday saw the culmination of the 2017 Rotary Algarve Schools Cookery Competition. Organised jointly by Peter Hinze of the Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) and Alan Winn of the Silves Rotary Club, the competition now in its fourth year began in earnest in January with teams from four schools in the Algarve, two from Agrupamento de Escolas Silves Sul, and two teams from each of Dra Laura Ayres School in Quarteira and Escola EB 2/3 Dr Antonio de Sousa Agostinho in Almancil.

The March ride postponed for a week due to the recent bad weather finally got underway from Silves on the 22nd of March. It was led and organised by Alain Balouzet and John Redding. 

Unfortunately the ride had to be shortened due to a delay caused when regular rider John Heffernan decided to take a closer look at at some loose gravel.

Almancil was host to the British Ambassador Kirsty Hayes, who recently visited the Pinetrees Riding Centre to meet many of the people involved in Riding for Disabled in the Algarve. She was accompanied by Consul Simona Demuro, Vice Consul Clive Jewell, and Manuela Romano de Castro, Press Officer.

The President of Almancil´s Parish Council, Sr. Joaquim Pinto, was present to welcome them together with the Director of Almancil Schools, Dr. Rui Filipe, and also Adriana Pereira, Teacher of Special Needs Education and who has 6 autistic children benefitting from the AEDA´s sessions.

Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) has held a number of fund-raising events in support of the Associação Social e Cultural de Almancil, known locally as ASCA. Since it was founded in August 1992 ASCA has provided, amongst many other things, a Day Centre and a Residential Home for the elderly, home care services, together with social and economic support to families.

It’s latest and perhaps most ambitious project is to build a crèche for up to 147 children up to the age of 5. The project has already been presented to the Câmara Municipal Loulé and is awaiting the building permit. It is hoped that the work will begin during the second half of 2017 and will take approximately one year and cost in the region of one million euros excluding equipment.

David Butler-Cole describes his latest production “Flights of Fancy, a revue” as “thoughts skimming through a turbulent mind”. He has taken these thoughts and created witty and satirical sketches which reflect the myriad of modern day frustrations and topical situations encountered by us all.