Antonio Lambe, Environmental Action for the Algarve, supported by Joanne Rodrigues
The members of RC Silves are very interested in their environment and work to enhance and maintain it. They were amazed to hear that there was an environmental problem so close to their homes. Antonio Lambe and Joanne Rodrigues from “Environmental action for the Algarve”, opened our eyes to the landfill problems on our doorstep.
Antonio came to the Algarve with his parents in the 60’s from Argentina and they created a lovely landscape around their home. Joanne is a restaurant owner near Odelouca.
To the west of Silves is a waste landfill where the operators of this site have applied to extend it into four surrounding areas. It is already causing a great nuisance to the local people. The rubbish delivered to the site is fed on by Storks and other birds.
The rubbish ferments and produces gases which add to the climate change. Joanne who runs a local restaurant is plagued by flies and this is ruining her business. These sites can also catch fire as they produce heat, bio gases and methane. There is also noise pollution from the heavy machinery needed at these sites.
A leap forward in recycling is required by the population of Portugal currently we are the 4th worst in the world.
Antonio’s presentation was followed by a discussion by members about many of the possible answers to this problem. Such as Biodigesters, Incinerators, Composting and encouraging the people of Portugal through education, incentives and financial penalties to recycle more.
Rotary Peace Garden
On 22 February 2025 the rotary clubs of the Algarve inaugurated a Peace Garden at Faro Airport in celebration of 120 years of Rotary and it’s commitment to peace. All the clubs from the Algarve were represented. President Jim Kennedy, Secretary Pam Winn and Peace Fellow Petra Vahle Francis were there to represent RC Silves. An olive tree was planted by the District Governor and representatives of Tavira Rotaract Club and Albufeira Interact Club. The Peace Pole and the plaque marked the spot.
The ceremony finished with a flash mob. All the rotarians joined together to sing “Let’s Make the World a Better Place”
Video link:- https://maisalgarve.pt/2025/02/25/rotary-jardim-da-paz-aeroporto/
Walking Praia da Falésia with Friends
One of the many activities pursued by RC Silves are fellowship walks. On the 8 February a small group gathered on the spectacular cliffs of Falésia to walk the beach and return by the cliff tops.
The striking cliffs of Praia da Falésia near Albufeira are the result of a long geological process shaped by sedimentation, erosion, and tectonic activity.
They are an impressive example of how weathering and erosion shape sedimentary landscapes over millions of years. Their striking colors and steep formations are due to differences in mineral composition and the ongoing geological and climatic processes. The combination of red, orange, white, and darker layers creates the stunning contrast that makes this coastline so visually striking. The views from the cliff tops are not for the faint hearted.
If you would like to be notified of any walks in the future please contact our Master of Ceremonies (MOC.rotarysilves@gmail.com) There is a small charge of 5€ the proceeds go to RC Silves projects. All walks are at our own risk.
Practice Rounds of the New Cooking Competition
The 22nd January saw the first practice round for the new cookery competition based at Algoz School. Team 1 presented 3 courses with drinks to 5 Judges who fed back to students following their feast. The competition runs until the 14 May and culminates with a cook off between the best two teams. The competition offers the chefs and waiters a challenge and audience for their food.
Practice 1
Team 2 presented their 3 courses on the 19 February. Seven judges enjoyed a treat. The team worked hard to present their food on a delightful table setting.
The team produced Pea Soup, Tamboril with seasonable vegetables and a cookie surprise so good the judges forgot to take a picture.
Watch this space for future rounds!
Students demonstrate their new public speaking skills.
Silves Rotary club members and guests were amazed at the confidence on display by the students who had attended the Model United Nations meeting in South Manchester UK in October.
The students attended their two-day event last October along with 300+ students from other schools around the U.K. and Netherlands. Although they were overwhelmed at first by the end of the first day, they were holding their own in the committee’s discussing such important issues as child labour, human trafficking and the global migration problem. During that time their English language improved significantly, their confidence and self-esteem blossomed and by the start of the second day they were on equal terms.
The students thanked club members for making the trip possible and said how much it had changed their lives.
The two teachers who travelled with the students were amazed by the improvement in confidence and language and hoped that the club will be able to arrange further visits in the years to come.
It was great to see the students talk so confidently in front of an entirely adult audience. Alan Winn who leads the Education Projects for Rotary Silves asked the students a few questions. Answers, Yes they would like to go again! Yes they are still in contact with other students they met ant the conference and “Fish and Chips!”
Diretor Carlos Silva of the Agrupamento de Escolas de SilvesSul, thanked members for the support they give to the school and said working in partnership and friendship has made a difference over many years to the pupils of the school.
Rotarians agreed that it was one of the best rotary meetings they have attended.
Best Year Ever for Christmas Shoeboxes for the Elderly
This Christmas marked the 20th year that Castelo de Sonhos has distributed shoeboxes of goodies to the elderly folk around Silves. Well over 300 boxes were collected and distributed which is the most ever received. Rotary Club of Silves partners with Castelo de Sonhos at Christmas and members contributed shoeboxes to the total. Rotary Shoeboxes are always sought after. This year with the large amount of boxes received, we were able to deliver boxes to Associação Gaurda-Chuva, Barlavento Hospital and Care Homes looking after people with no family.
The smile says it all……
Delivering Christmas Shoe boxes to Barlavento Hospital
Silves Rotary Club members Petra Vahle Francis and Alan Winn deliver shoe box Christmas presents to Barlavento Hospital in Portimao to be given to patients on the psychiatric ward who will remain in hospital over Christmas.
RC Silves Rotary Club Christmas Party
Members and friends of RC Silves met at Bistro Rainha to celebrate Christmas together. They enjoyed a fabulous meal cooked by Adelia and served in style by Wilson and Guilherme. David Trubshaw entertained with his traditional Christmas jokes. Enjoying each others company before starting our community work again in the New Year.
The First Biodiversity School Forest
In 2023 Escola EB 2,3 Algoz was selected to house the first Biodiversity Forest to be planted as part of RC Silves environmental projects. On 8 November, 320 indigenous trees and shrubs were planted by students and rotary club members, supported by Silves Camera President Rosa Palma
This was the first step in creating a small, 100sqm, dense woodland where a new ecosystem could exist. In the centre of the forest is a learning space and adjacent is a small laboratory. Student volunteers will care for the newly planted saplings until they are established. The students at the school will be able to observe the various development stages as the forest grows after using the Miyawaki principles of planting.
On 14 November the finishing touches were added after the planting of the two final Carvalho de Monchique oak trees by Deputy Camera President Luisa Conduto and Rotary District Governor Paulo de Taveira Sousa. The completion of this project by Silves Rotary club provides the school with a living environment to use as a source of inspiration and research as part of the saving the planet curriculum.
Club President Jim Kennedy thanked all involved for the efforts in bringing this important project to completion with special thanks to Rainer Kroth who led the project from its inception. Silves council prepared the ground, Nutriverde Algar grew our plants and trees and Sonia Soares from Floresta Nativa advised on the planting. Thanks must also go to Porches International Rotary Club for their considerable financial support.
Model United Nations Debut a Success
Earlier this month 6 Students and two Teachers from Agrupamento de Escolas Silves Sul set of from Faro Airport to attend the 24th Model United Nations meeting at Cheadle Hulme school in Wilmslow, south of Manchester.
They joined over 330 students at this event to play the roles of delegates to the United Nations and to represent 61 different countries in their teams of 6.
The students aged 13 formed the Portuguese delegation where, in the General Assembly, they reacted to a world crisis in which all communication systems to Australia were disrupted and the threat by terrorists to extend the disruption if their demands were not met.
In committee they debated such important topics as modern slavery, child internet safety and environmental issues of the day.
Older students from Cheadle Hulme school were the organisers of the meeting and played the roles of UN General Secretary, senior UN officials and Committee Chairs.
The trip was organised and funded by the Rotary Club of Silves through their fundraising, to provide educational opportunities that can make a difference to individual pupils’ success in the future or impact the local community. Club President Jim Kennedy said that access to events that extend and develop a wide range of skills in young people provides them with the confidence to succeed in their later lives. Working together, debating, writing resolutions and amendments, learning the Portuguese Government’s position on the topics covered and making those views heard in the meetings were just some of the skills acquired along with improving their English language and growing in confidence.
We hope to repeat the experience next year.
Rotary Clube de Silves 