Madeira News Blog

(8th June). ‘Quinta Pedagógica Of Pico do Funcho Inaugurated Today – The new area has a Residential Home and Centre for Occupational Activities’. The Association of Cerebral Palsy of Madeira now has a home and a residential centre for occupational activities, with the home able to take 49 adults, and the centre another 37. The project was financed in full by the Social Security of Madeira. A Quinta Pedagógica is what they have in Prazeres, and there it is a small farm with animals, for learning purposes.

Palmeiras, Roca Mar, Galo Mar, and Garajau are the four beaches of Santa Cruz that have now hoisted their ‘blue flags’ for high standards. Garajau and Palmeiras also receive the award of ‘Accessible Beach’, signifying they are equipped for people with limited mobility. I just looked out this morning to see we now have our ‘blue flag’ flying in Ribeira Brava. The water looks so much blue and clearer now, funny that!

‘Misunderstanding – The process for the concession of the dockyard at Água de Pena is close to going to court’. The start date for the new boat repair yard underneath Madeira Airport is not yet known, but the tender process to select the site operator is running into problems, and regardless of who gets the contract, the unsuccessful tenderers are likely to take the matter to the courts … because the operating terms are ‘surreal’. The main issue seems to be about the rights and responsibilities for the boat lifting equipment, and the payments for using the boatyard by those based there, and those just using it when needed.

‘Worrying – The young people of Porto Santo try to keep their hopes alive, but the poverty, the health, and the work are chapters of risk’. This is the featured location in the Diário this week, selecting a complete island rather than the usual town, village, or parish. The older generation consider that in days gone by living conditions were worse, "everything is made if people want to buy something. In our time we had to work hard to have some of the goods that today people easily buy in supermarkets", says one older resident. But the more serious problems are new and hidden, with a lack of work being one problem. "Put simply, work is increasingly scarce and I do not see how small companies on the island will survive", said the owner of a construction company. The island has become increasing dependent on the hotel industry for work, but some of these are now closing for Winter. The president of the parish council says that whole families increasingly live in a climate of poverty, that is not extreme, but is likely to endanger the normal growth and development of some children and young people.

This article gives a report (in English) from the European Cup 10,000 metres events held in Ribeira Brava on Saturday. The Portuguese had a good day in both male and female events IAAF … Thanks to Paul for the link.

‘Five Million For Nenê – Nacional and Al Nasr in agreement. It just lacks the player to say yes’. Somehow I doubt that Nenê wants to go and play in Dubai, unless he wants to hide away a very promising future. Still that seems to have set the price tag. There is a German club expressing interest also.

(7th June). The next presidency of the EU (Sweden) will seriously consider banning beer advertising throughout Europe. The industry in Portugal employs 3,500 people directly, and 100,000 indirectly, and the barley crops have more acreage than the vineyards on the mainland. There are of course concerns for Portuguese brewers on such a tough measure. Does that mean they would have to get rid of all the Coral tables and chairs, sun umbrellas, pub signs and everything else which seems to carry the Coral brand? How will we know where to go to buy a beer … worrying thoughts indeed!

(7th June). ‘Madeira Coordinates Projects – 7 projects that were agreed this month will receive community support’. Under the Transnational Cooperation Programme which covers Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands, two of the projects will be managed here. One is a ‘Cartography’ project which will provide online mapping (or imaging) of the islands for the management of the environment, and risk management in areas of seismic activity, volcanoes, and climate. This project is named GABITEC, and it will be something accessible to all, and will let you view your actual home on Madeira on your computer. The programme was set up in 2002 to allow the three island regions to cooperate with resolving common problems.

A 45 year old man who fell from path of "considerable height" at Boca do Risco, Porto da Cruz, was rescued yesterday afternoon by a Merlin helicopter and taken to Funchal Hospital in a pretty serious condition. He was found by a mountain rescue team from the Fire station in Machico, and is believed to have been injured and stranded for around 2 days.

In what seems to be ‘nature corner’ in the Diário today, there is a recommendation that the green leaves of palm trees should be pruned in Winter, to stop the spread of Gorgulho (pest weevil). The recommendation is from the Regional Directorate of Forestry, who adds that the chemical treatments can only be done with approved insecticides and qualified personnel, and doing it yourself could actually break the law. He explains that cutting the green fronds in Spring and Summer releases an odour that in fact attracts the weevil, who will then find perfect conditions for laying eggs. The fronds should be cut in Winter, leaving a stem of at least 30 centimetres, if possible using a paste that will help heal the exposed cut. Weevil traps should not be placed in the trunk of the palm, but should be buried at 50 metres (not entirely clear there on the exact distance, but if you have a trap then presumably it has instructions with it). Also another person in the same article takes the opportunity to remind people to have their dogs vaccinated every year against Rabies, as required by law since 2003, and says that they must be registered at the local council (Junta de Freguesia), and if born from July 2008 must also be micro chipped. 

A Spaniard won the men’s 10,000 metre European Cup in Ribeira Brava yesterday, but the Portuguese took second and third place.

That’s all I can manage today, as it is time to go and vote … will catch up on the other sections tomorrow, but all the headline stuff is covered here anyway.

(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.