Madeira News Blog

This just in from Sky News, I haven’t seen anything in the Madeira press yet : ‘Cagliari have officially unveiled their new signing, Brazilian striker Miguel Anderson Da Silva’. Better known as Nenê, the 25-year-old joins the Serie A outfit from Portuguese side Nacional of Madeira. The former Cruzeiro front-man is delighted to have been awarded an opportunity to prove himself in one of Europe’s most prestigious divisions, and has every intention of making a positive impact. "I’m happy to be here," he told the club’s official website. "I must thank president (Massimo) Cellino for making the financial effort to sign me. Now it is up to me to repay that faith. "It has always been my dream to play in a major European league, though, and now that has come true. Now I hope to become part of the Brazil national team and if I am to do that I must be giving my best for my club". Inevitable, but sad for Nacional and Madeira to lose one of the best ever goal scorers here, and the top goal scorer in the Portuguese premier league last season. No mention of how much they paid for him, but I think that €2 million was the previous offer that didn’t work out in Saudi Arabia.

(9th June). ‘Jersey Warns Traffickers From Madeira – The authorities on Jersey came to Funchal to protest and correct the situation with the police to stop the drug traffic from here to there. They are also preparing a campaign to alert about heavy prison sentences’. The advertising campaign warns of heavy penalties of imprisonment for those caught drug trafficking, involves the Jersey Police and Customs, and is aimed at drug dealers from Poland, Madeira, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. The Jersey authorities, with police and other security units, came to Madeira in May to meet their counterparts here to discuss strategies to prevent the problem, which is rife over there because of the high prices that drugs are sold for. Only last August, a Madeiran was sent to prison for 3 years for possession of less than 10 grams of heroin, and another in October for three and a half years, caught with 12 grams of the same drug, brought from Madeira. In one of those cases the prosecution even accepted the defence that the drug was for personal use. What an embarrassment … even I feel embarrassed! That’s one export Madeira doesn’t want, especially to a country that provides work for so many Madeirans, and welcomes them into the community as well. I know it’s just a few idiots spoiling matters for everyone, but can’t they see the potential damage? There are expressions that covers this situation, that have the word nest, backyard, or bed, but as they contain a swear word I will refrain from repeating, oh hang on, how about ‘biting the hand that feeds you’. The equivalent announcement from yesterday (in English of course) is here in the JERSEY EVENING POST

‘Barardo Remembers That He Invested Here Instead Of Favouring Brazil – The businessman is irritated with the delay of the Câmara that holds up the demolition of the Savoy. Among many messages, he says that "talk doesn’t create jobs" ‘. Joe Barardo, the administrator of the group responsible for the Savoy’s plans, believes the plans submitted for demolition are complete, and that Funchal council (CMF) has no real grounds for delaying the matter. In the plans the destruction of the two hotels by implosion is preferred as being quicker and cheaper, but CMF are looking into dismantling as a safer option. Referring to Sunday’s election results, Berardo is "concerned with the dissatisfaction of the Portuguese people" with the political situation, enough to "spread fear also in the business world", and he shows growing concern for the growing support for the Left Block and Communist Parties, and fears for nationalisation. Joe Berardo again emphasized that "investors can not wait that long for the administrative decisions of licensing authorities, because the market position is very complicated". He also refers to the plans to 10 years ago to demolish the site for the Royal Savoy, and said there were no reservations or objections then. I think I must have woken up on a different planet this morning … communism, nationalisation, implosions in busy tourist zones … what has this guy been smoking!

‘Fishing Boat Was In Danger At Open Sea Near São Vicente – 5 crew members were rescued by another boat in the area’. The ‘Encumeada’ was spotted adrift early this morning, with the alarm raised at 5am. The authorities mustered all the resources they could from civil protection and the fire brigade, to rescue the crew members from the boat that was taking on water 3 miles offshore, and even the Merlin helicopter was summoned. But a nearby boat, the ‘Felicidade Rocha’ actually beat them to it and made the rescue, and was in the process of towing the vessel in distress towards Porto Moniz.

‘The Cherry Festival In Jardim da Serra next Sunday’. The regional secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources, Manuel António Correia, will be present next Sunday in the festive ceremonies of another year of the ‘Festa da Cereja’ in Jardim da Serra. The celebrations start on Saturday, at 2pm, with great entertainment, followed on Sunday by a number of initiatives, which include several musical performances, sporting tests, allegorical parade, and a cooking demonstration, among others. The event is organized by the Casa do Povo (House of the People).

An employee of Funchal Council (CMF) was convicted yesterday of ‘diverting’ €46,000, and sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment, suspended for the same period. The case dates back to 3rd July, 2007 when the Funchal Police announced that it had arrested an employee of a council, on suspicion of the crimes of embezzlement and falsifying of documents. The 47 year old woman admitted the charges, apologised, and acknowledged the need to repay the money.

Porto Moniz hoisted its ‘blue flag’ for beach quality this morning.

The residents of different parts of Caniço are dissatisfied with the current postal service, that is being undertaken by a company subcontracted by CTT (Post Office / Mail). The problem is not only in Caniço, but also in other areas of Madeira complaints are being made. Important correspondence such as bank letters, and water, electricity and telephone bills disappear without trace. Even if the victims go to the post office (Correios) to complain of the disappearance of letters, they are poorly served and end up without an answer. If the ‘CTT’ does not solve the problem, and refuses to reveal what it intends to do, the people of Caniçal are considering taking the case to another extreme. Join the club, my postal services went downhill two years ago. I am still waiting for my June TV magazine, which was sent from Portugal two weeks ago.

This from the UK Daily Telegraph today : Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Manchester United’s pre-season training next month, after withdrawing from Portugal’s squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Estonia with a suspected hernia injury. Ronaldo, 24, has returned to his home island of Madeira after complaining of pain in the lower abdomen prior to, and after, Saturday’s World Cup qualifying victory over Albania in Tirana.

‘Nenê Is No Longer Going To Dubai – Nacional and Al Nasr don’t reach agreement on the payment terms. Germany could be the destination for the goal wizard’. Following on from the news yesterday about the €5 million offer from Al Nasr.

(8th June). ‘Giant Fig Fed Five People – It was the result of a graft, and grew to 300 grams’. Found in Caniço, the fruit "seems to have been blessed with divine generosity". This fruit was protected from blackbirds until it split naturally, and then went to provide pudding for a family of five.  Not my area of expertise, but it doesn’t look that miraculous to me. I know a lot of readers here like to discuss fruit, so that’s why I included the story.

(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!