Kindness, generosity and the Christmas spirit were out in force at Almancil International Rotary Club’s Christmas Market held on Sunday December 6th. At Jardim das Comunidades in Almancil. Organised in collaboration with the Freguesia of Almancil, the event raised a grand total of 3,100 Euros.

The money is to be donated to the Associação Social e Cultural de Almancil (ASCA) and will be used to help fund a new crèche for children from birth to 6 months old and a kindergarten for children from the age of 6 months to 12 years.

Support Algarve childrens charity ACCA by buying a selection of their wonderful greetings cards.

Every cent from the sale of the cards goes to the causes that ACCA supports.

Rotary E-Club Porches International is pleased to report on the success of their annual Christmas Market held 21-22 November at Galeria Arte Algarve in Lagoa.

A total of € 3,885 was raised to finalise a Club project to purchase an electric forklift truck for the Portimão Food Bank warehouse.

AEDA (Riding for the Disabled in the Algarve) would like to thank all those who attended and sponsors who supported the fundraiser on the 19th November.

Solar do Poeta Bar & Bistro in Almancil was the perfect venue; with hosts Lil, Glen, chef Sean and the team offering fabulous food and excellent service. After dinner entertainment with live music from Megan May and Jane Hennessey rounded off a very enjoyable evening.

Whilst former Dragon Duncan Bannatyne languishes in the jungle, his friend and ally Chris White, founder of Ideal Homes Portugal has been dreaming up a way to support him.

Duncan has been facing some interesting challenges including handling the rather tricky Lady C whilst competing on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. He has remarked on his Facebook page that 'Lady C is cuckoo!' but he seems to be doing a terrific job of being peacemaker in the camp.

World War II veteran George Bailey, wearing his service medals, was the special guest at a Royal British Legion Portugal Remembrance Dinner that raised almost €500 for the RBL’s Poppy Appeal.

The Algarve’s Sir Own Gee and his wife Val were also among the guests at this event staged by the Portugal RBL’s Western Algarve Branch at the Restaurante Jardim, Meia Praia, Lagos on November 11.

Seventy happy wine lovers packed the garrafeira of Restaurant Veneza on Saturday, 14th November, to learn about the wines of Herdade da Maroteira, enjoy Veneza’s delightful food and raise funds to help autistic Portuguese children have a very special summer break next year.

Organised by the Rotarian Wine Appreciation Fellowship and Lions International, there were Rotarians from clubs in Porches, Silves, Almancil and Estoi present, together with members of the Loulé Lions Club and many other friends.

We had a very successful Halloween party on Saturday at A Floresta Resturant in Almancil, raising an impressive €1,250 for the Abandoned Animals of Canil São Francisco in Loule.

We would like to thank A Floresta, the people who donated the fabulous raffle prizes, and everone who made the evening such a great success!