Members of The Algarve Archaeological Association (AAA) recently enjoyed a five-day excursion to Lisbon, Torres Vedras and Lourinha. They had a very varied programme moving through time.

The trip included a guided tour, by the Director, of the Lisbon Pharmacy Musuem which presents the history of medicine from ancient through to modern times. A tour of the area around Torres Vedras included a visit to the local museum which displays the prehistoric, Roman, Medieval and Peninsular War histories of the area. This was followed by visits in the local area to see Prehistoric cave sites, a Bronze Age hillfort and a Peninsular War battle site. An afternoon sightseeing in Obidos (medieval city and World Heritage Site) included sampling of the local 'brew' of ginga (cherry liquer) in chocolate cups!

Rotary e-Club Porches International is pleased to announce that, with the support of Tourism Algarve and the Lagoa Câmara, we held a sold-out Christmas Market on November 19 & 20th at the Centre de Arade in Ferragudo. There were more than 100 vendors and together we raised nearly € 6000 to support local projects, including the LAR S. José in Ferragudo. We were pleased to welcome many new vendors.

The Rotary Club of Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) organised a fundraising bike ride with Activity Algarve Bike Rides on Sunday 20th November. Despite the inclement weather the enthusiastic group of riders cycled all the way up to the top of the Cerro Sao Miguel on a challenging 35 km round trip starting from Estoi Pousada and ending in front of the church in Estoi. Well done to everyone who took part and contributed, donations and sponsorship raised a total of 1100 euros.

I’m sitting here feeling totally exhausted but totally elated at the same time . . . I can’t believe what we all achieved last night. Your generosity is overwhelming . . .

Last night we raised approximately €1300 from ticket sales and the raffle; BUT as a result of the publicity regarding the event we raised a further €490 in donations; PLUS the money from the afpop Wine offer (a donation of €1 per box ordered) resulting in another €211 ( a lot of vinho lovers in the East!) making a grand total of €2001 raised for APAR.

“The Christmas Angel has come early,” a teacher told her pupils.

The teacher is in charge of Aljezur School’s special needs section, and the ‘Angel’ was charity fund-raiser Cath Baker, bringing gifts to light up those young faces.

The Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Dinner in Lagos was once again a huge success and a sell-out, with people having to be turned away.
The room resounded to the old classic wartime songs, using the karaoke machine specially programmed for the occasion.

As an expression of gratitude the Associação Humanitária Solidariedade Albufeira (AHSA) would like to acknowledge that since 2014 we have been blessed with the support of a group of Swedish citizens who live in Albufeira.

Every month they have been supplying 432 liters of milk plus other food products which the amount varies depending on the necessity of each month, food such as beans, cereals, sausages, tuna, tomato pure, oil and olive oil.

On Friday 11th November, members of the East Algarve Strollers turned their walk into a fund-raiser for the Poppy Appeal. Picture shows some of the 46 who took part relaxing on Barril Island following the two minute silence which was kept at 11am.