Home » Posts tagged 'RC Silves'
Tag Archives: RC Silves
Silves Rotary Club Bringing Christmas Cheer
Many charities make special efforts at Christmas to support the local community. RC Silves is no exception. This year they again joined Castelo de Sonhos in its Shoebox appeal, presenting lots of Christmas goodies for the needy families of Silves. These last two years they have also included shoeboxes for those in the psychiatric ward at Barlavento hospital. Tailoring the shoebox contents for the patients.
Alan Winn Project Officer RC Silves delivered the boxes personally to staff and Volunteers
Staff help patients to open their gifts
Pam Winn President of RC Silves paid a visit Junta de Freguesia de Armação de Pêra to donate a 500€ to the Emergency Food Fund just in time for Christmas. This fund supports local families in need in Armação de Pêra making a direct impact in the community especially at Christmas but all year round too.
The President of Junta de Freguesia de Armação de Pêra Bruno Nunes accepted the cheque from Pam Winn on behalf of the Freguesia.
Rotary continues the fight to eliminate polio worldwide
For many years Rotary clubs across the globe have been making efforts to bring an end to the
misery caused by polio myelitis. Rotary International has led this fight and with help from major
sponsors such as the Bill Gates Foundation, polio has been eradicated from most countries and is
currently only present where religion or conflict still hampers the efforts to complete the task.
A healthcare worker prepares to head out on a bicycle during a National Immunization Day in the village of Adjin, Cote d’Ivoire
With World Polio Day being held on 24 October Rotary clubs across Portugal will be doing their bit
to raise awareness and funding to continue the fight to rid the world of this horrific disease. For
every Euro raised the Bill Gates Foundation donates a further 2€ to the cause.
The Rotary Club de Silves with support from The Portugal Resident has been fundraising all year
at meetings and on their fellowship walks and are pleased to announce a donation of 1000€ which
means with the top up 3000€ becomes available to purchase vaccines and other materials needed.
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.
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).
-
- 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.
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.
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.
First Walk of the Season Rocha Delicada
Rotary Club of Silves organises walks throughout the Rotary year weather permitting. Philippe Pfister our Treasurer an avid walker himself leads each walk. The first walk after the hot summer months was the Rocha Delicada Trail. Members of Lagoa and Lagos clubs joined us for this walk. The walks are not just open to Rotarians so if you are interested in joining a walk at your own risk of course, please contact our Master of Ceremonies who will ensure you receive an invitation to the next walk. (MOC.rotarysilves@gmail.com)
The walkers enjoyed this short tour of the area, watching people fishing for razor clams and of course the wonderful bird life. Walking groups are a wonderful way to see the local countryside and to get to know people. The highlight of the walk was the return of the flamingos.
RC Silves Celebrates its Achievements and Looks Forward to a New Rotary Year
Members, visiting Rotarians and guests gathered at the D’Mestres Restaurant in Pêra to look back at President Rainer Kroth’s many achievements in the past year and to look forward to President Jim Kennedy’s focus on Fun, Fellowship and Fundraising in the coming year.
Chef Nidia delighted all present with a fabulous authentic Alentejo feast.
As is traditional Rainer and Jim performed the Flag ceremony with honoured guest José Manuel Sosa Governor’s assistant for the coming year.
Rainer reviewed the activities of RC Silves for the Rotary year 2023-2024 and thanked everyone involved. He especially addressed the leaders of projects and the board members. He stated that members and friends commitment to investing their time and talents for the community creates hope in the world and makes Rotary magical. This year’s theme.
Fatima had an extra surprise for Rainer as she presented the club with a recognition certificate for the number of new members the club had recruited over the last rotary year.
The moment then came for Rainer to pass the symbols of the presidency (necklace, pin) to the incoming 2024-2025 president, Jim Kennedy.
Jim outlined his focus for the year was to build on the growth of new members and provide opportunities for the members old and new to bond. He thanked Rainer for his success in growing the membership and drawing the club closer to Rotary clubs across the Algarve. He expressed the need to focus on more fund raising as there was a lot of activities the members wanted to achieve this year. He looked forward to Fun, Fellowship and Fundraising.
He started the year by pinning 3 new members, Angelika Rahe-Marquis and Peter Mapham and Gail Mapham
Representatives from all those Rotary clubs present at the meeting wished Jim all the best for the new Rotary year and Assistant Governor Dr José Manuel Sosa presented the best wishes of the Governor Paulo Taveira de Sousa and his message for the year.
Rotary Clube de Silves 