Madeira News Blog

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Eiryl … the surf at Porto Moniz

I was having a nice day yesterday, with a trip to the gym and a very nice free massage to follow. The masseur said to me at the end that she would give me 30% discount off the price list if came again, so there’s food for thought. Then I had the rather attractive prospect of a bit of a do in town, a ‘Super Bock’ promotion, later in the evening. But then I came home from the massage to find out that Uncle Bertie is being pressured to serve another 4 years as President of Madeira, until 2015. Perhaps I am going to have to build that darn grassy knoll myself.

I see Modelo started a 50% sale yesterday, for those who have the loyalty card at least, where the sale savings are accumulated. €3 a kilo for cheese can’t be bad, and €1.85 for a bottle of virgin olive oil also catches the eye. The leaflet through the letter box was half the usual size, so I reckon Modelo are cutting back on their price cut backs during this period of general cut backs.

Please don’t forget that news articles will now be posted at various times during the day – Check back regularly and keep yourself up to date.

Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.

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(30th May). ‘Decided To Quit in 2011′. Alberto João Jardim guaranteed yesterday that he was serving his last term as leader of the social democrats of Madeira (PSD-M). Reacting to a call for another term from the president of the assembly of Madeira (ALM), Jardim said that the decision was already made without any possibility of a U-turn. "I said I was going to quit, and I am going to quit. Full stop". That is of course just the leadership of his party, and not the presidency of Madeira. I may be wrong, but I think he has already backtracked on previous retirement decisions.

‘Jardim Will Inaugurate 14 new Works valued at €59.3 Million In June’. Some are public, some private, this is according to the website of the presidency, that gives full details. The first 3 on Monday, are new agricultural projects, and during the month of June he will be in Santa Cruz, Calheta, Funchal, Machico, Câmara de Lobos, Porto Santo island, and Ribeira Brava. The ‘works’ include new roads, 4 new ambulances, tourism and estate agency enterprises, a residential home, an activity centre for people with cerebral palsy, and a new loo-roll in a Funchal public toilet. You can see the full programme here :

JARDIMS JUNE JOLLIES

‘Funchal – The Capital Of Culture’. Jardim Fernandes, the socialist candidate of the PS-M to the European Parliament dedicated his Friday morning to culture, when he presented various proposals. The most significant is the attempt to make Funchal the European Capital of Culture in 2019, a joint initiative with other capital cities of the islands of Macronesia.

(29th May). Politicians and supporters of the Left Block party of Madeira (BE) have criticised the regional government for finding €38 million to give to local football, but having given nothing to combat poverty. The party are referring to the money given to Marítimo to rebuild their stadium.

Someone has gone to the trouble of translating one of Uncle Bertie’s inauguration speeches into English. It is not that well done (probably a software translation with corrections), but if you ever wondered what he says, here is your chance :

PRESIDENT JARDIM INAUGURATION SPEECH

(30th May). ‘Cat’ In A Region That Dispenses With 25th April And Election Polls – The work of Ricardo Pereira is of more ‘Cats’ and he makes people laugh, but the leadership until 2015 makes him think’. This is an interview with a TV comedian, from a programme called ‘Stinky Cat’, who is here from the mainland for the Book Fair festivities. In an interview with the Diário on the day it was proposed President Jardim stays in the leadership until 2015, he puts his own take on the news. It didn’t really belong with the front page news, but here are a few of his quotes on the matter, just to get an ‘outsiders’ viewpoint : “It is easier to control people without a culture than people with Culture” (referring to the announcement this week that the government here is cutting expenditure on culture) ;  “There are even dictators that do not last that long” ; and (commenting on the lack of election polls) “One thing that amazed me. I have been to the island at other times, and I happened to come a time when there were elections and I tuned in the local radio station, in my hire car, and was listening to the radio … and one thing that struck me was: there are no polls in Madeira, because there is no need, because everyone knows who will win, it makes no sense … 78% … and this is not needed. On the continent, we find out the intention to vote for this party or that party … here it is not needed, everyone knows the intention of the overwhelming majority of the people”.

‘High Expectations For The Festival Of Sé – Traders expect to do good business in the festival which runs until 6th June’. The festa in the cathedral area of Funchal started today, with a new bar ‘Buxiga Tasca’ opening, deliberately timed for the event. “I hope the celebrations are very good for business, with much joy, much support, and no fights” says one trader. 

Saturday June 6th brings a real treat for athletics fans, with the European Cup 10,000 Metres being run at the Madeira Sports Stadium, Ribeira Brava. According to the list of participating countries, there should be around 28 nationalities represented, in both men’s and women’s events. The event even has it’s own English website – take a look – especially at the rather odd looking timetable :
10000M EURO CUP
RELATED ARTICLE FROM THE BRITISH PRESS

The last football event of the season is on TVI at 5pm tomorrow, when Porto take on Paços de Ferreira in the Portugal Cup.