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Back to School! Help Needed!
It is that time of year, Castelo de Sonhos are gearing up for their annual Back to School project. Silves Rotary Club always supports this project and members help where they can. Help is needed with back packs and stationery to get children ready for school in September. Fill your shopping trolley with essential items for Kids in Need in the Algarve or make a financial contribution 60€ buys a backpack complete with contents. The poster below shows the things needed and where you can drop them off. Every little helps even if you can only give a few items, it all counts. If you would rather make a donation Castelo de Sonhos’s bank details can be found on the poster too.
An unforgettable experience!
The second half of the school exchange between Agrupamento de Escolas de Silves Sul and Wilden School in Southampton took place between 4 and 9 July.
The Exchange Project was arranged and sponsored by the Rotary Clube de Silves to provide participants with opportunities to experience school life in the UK. The project was started in 2013 and has run successfully since then with a break during the pandemic The English students spent time in the Algarve in March, and this was the chance for the Portuguese students to attend an English school and stay with the host UK families.
Rotary Club President Pam Winn travelled with the 5 students and two teachers who unanimously agreed how useful the trip had been. This kind of activity not only improves language and communication skills but allows participants to develop new skills and ideas along the way.
One parent after the trip said
“Thank you, RC Silves and all the teachers involved for this unforgettable experience. I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the fantastic exchange experience between our Portuguese kids and the English students. It was truly unique and invaluable. An experience filled with learning, sharing, and connection. I am immensely especially grateful for the opportunity you have provided to our children. This experience has enriched them in countless ways, both personally, and culturally, and will surely stay with them for a lifetime.”
RC Silves Celebrates its Achievements and Looks Forward to a New Rotary Year
Members, visiting Rotarians and guests gathered in Silves to look back at President Jim Kennedy’s many achievements in the past year and to look forward to new President Pam Winn’s focus for the in coming year 25/26.
As is traditional Jim and Pam performed the Flag ceremony with honoured guest José Manuel Sosa Governor’s assistant for the coming year. Jim passed the baton on to Pam with the president’s pin and the President’s collar. Congratulations were received form the Rotary Club of Almancil, the District Governor via Jose Sosa Governor’s Assistant and with a flag exchange from RC Canterbury.
Following the formalities, members and guests enjoyed a traditional afternoon tea and the music of Jackson Rivers. Alan thanked two of the winners from the cookery Competition who volunteered to serve the drinks. A happy day was had by all in fellowship.
Cookery Competition Awards
Judges gathered at the Sporting Club Albufeira for a dinner and to award certificates and prizes to the participating pupils of Agrupamento Escolas de SilvesSul and of course the winning team in the RC Silves cookery competition. The pupils cooked in the restaurant kitchen and the waiters served the wine, water and food. At the end of the evening, Alan Winn announced the winners. It was team 1. Jim Kennedy RC Silves president presented the certificates and FNAC gift vouchers. We will do it again next year.
Garden Gathering raises 2000€ for Education Projects
On the 19 May RC Silves members and friends gathered in David Trubshaw’s garden for a barbecue lunch of lamb, sausage, quiche and salad. This was followed by a myriad of desserts all baked by members fair hands. Topped off by a raffle, tombola and dancing to the music of the multi talented Jackson Rivers. The event raised 2000€ to support RC Silves Education projects for the schools in our community.
Cookery Competition Team 2 Final
On the 6 May the judges gathered again at Algoz School for the second semifinal. Team two was presenting their three course meal. They hoped to impress the judges with their expertise. The team started with a welcome drink of port and tonic. The meal followed of vegetable soup, chicken roulade and a creamy raspberry dessert. The judges sharpened their pencils and jotted down the scores. Head judge Alan Winn collected their score sheets to crunch the numbers. The winners would be announced at the Awards Dinner later in the month.
End Plastic Soup- Speaker George Lebeau Regional Director Portugal
His Key Points:
- Plastic pollution is a severe, escalating crisis. By 2050, oceans may contain more plastic than fish.
- Health Impact: Microplastics invade human bodies (e.g., placenta, testicles).
- Solutions: Awareness: Recycle, reduce, refuse.
Action: Join initiatives like Portugal Azul (inspired by Nacho Dean’s global expedition).
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- Education: Schools and communities must engage.
- Industry Accountability: Coca-Cola cited as a top polluter; Pakistan’s ban noted.
Alliance: Over 25 Portuguese Rotary Clubs involved; each club urged to appoint an environmental lead.
- Call to Action: “It is the ACTION that matters.”
RC Silves Celebrates with their Entrepreneur of Year
The Entrepreneur of the Year award is in recognition of outstanding achievements in business in our community.
Nidia is the owner and Chef de Cuisine at Restaurant D’Mestres which is situated close to the market hall in Pêra. Having transformed an old unused building in Pêra into an Alentejo themed restaurant with murals depicting her family heritage in the region. Since opening in April 2024 she has thrilled her clientele with fabulous food and great service to rave online reviews.
Silves Rotary club has been lucky enough to hold their post meeting lunches there since July of last year.
Jim Kennedy, Club President said “I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of this award and I am honoured to be able to present it to Nidia on the anniversary of her opening the restaurant.”
Nidia has truly created something special taking traditional Alentejo cuisine to a new level. In my mind her success was assured with the first mouthful, add to that the warm welcome from her and her team it has proved to be a winning formula which brings high praise from its patrons. But Nidia does not forget the local community either with her generosity and community spirit.
D’Mestres restaurant is a great success and RC Silves is happy to be part of its story.
Cookery Competition the Team 1 Final
Ten judges gathered at Algoz School on the 2 April to taste the food created by the students and paired with local wines. They were to be judged on the food and the service in this first final. The students greeted the judges and lead them to their table. A vision in blue with candles and flowers.
The predinner drink of Port and Tonic was presented in a glass decorated with a flower. The Menu was interesting, and the judges were looking forward to the tasting. The first course of Shrimp Bisque was delivered in a wine glass what a good start. It was so good that the judges forgot to take a picture. The main course of Duck breast with vegetables on a green bed was served with an Algarve local wine and was followed by an orange pudding and almond liquor.
Well done to team 1! The judges look forward to the second final with team 2. It is going to be a tough competition.
UK Portugal School Exchange Programme resumes after 4-year delay.
On 14 March 5 students and 2 teachers from Wildern School in Southampton arrived at Faro airport for a 5 day stay with their Portuguese host families.
Students and Teachers at the Rotary Peace Garden at Faro Airport
The last time that the annual exchange which started in 2013 took place was in March 2020. A mixture of the Covid Pandemic and concerns over Brexit causing the gap in this valuable programme
The exchange is coordinated and funded by the Rotary Club of Silves as part of their educational support programmes.
Students spend time with host families experiencing life and culture in each other’s country. They also attend school lessons and take part in other educational activities.
The poor weather this spring did not dampen the enthusiasm of all involved. The students enjoyed the brief sunshine at Salgados Beach as well as a visit to Silves to see the castle and Archaeology Museum in Silves.
All Students together in Salgados and visiting King Sancho 1
Friendships were formed, language skills improved, and confidence grew as the days passed.
The Rotary Club of Silves members would like to thank all involved including the parents, teachers and school managers of both Wildern school in the U.K. and Agupamento de Escolas de Silves Sul here in the Algarve.
The Portuguese students will visit Southampton from 4 July for the return visit. Hopefully as in the past, the students and host families will forge friendships that will last well into the future.
Rotary Clube de Silves 