Madeira News Blog

(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.

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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(23rd May). ‘Hospital Sends Records Far Away’.  I am not quite sure what this is doing on the front page, but there you go. A Funchal hospital is to move 80% of it’s archive records from Funchal to Porto Moniz, with the rest going to Campanário. The documents contain medical records and registers, and is all about saving money. Consideration is also being given to microfilming and digitally capturing these records.

This week it was reported that the protective barrier for the beach of Ponta do Sol, which cost €3.2 million, is poorly built and will be removed and rebuilt. But by the look of things, this is not the only infrastructure of this type along the Madeira coastline, which is causing problems. Reis Magos (Santa Cruz), Machico, and Ponta Delgada are now also causing some controversy. Reis Magos is a clear case of poor planning, and often attracts criticism from bathers and environmentalists, as well as from other partisan forces, including the ex-president of the council who opposed the building of the structure from the start. A problem that arises, even before these concrete monstrosities are complete, is the accumulation of mud and debris inside the structures, which cannot escape thereafter. This puts-off bathers from using them, preferring to swim in the open seas instead. The one at Machico seems to be a collection point for oil slicks and fish remains, because of its proximity to a fishing port. The water quality is now considered at several locations to be at risk, and hence the ‘Blue Flag’ status could be unobtainable in the future. The same structures at Calheta and Ribeira Brava are also discussed in the article. In the case of Ribeira Brava, the older barrier has actually made accumulate lots of sand in the bathing area. So much so, there is now a small sandy beach. Every year the water gets shallower and shallower, and I would guess in few years time it will be suitable for paddling only. The other newer barrier is much more of a problem, as incoming waves push the mud from the river (mouth) into the protected zone, and it is quickly filling up with unpleasant muddy sediment. The president of the council of Ribeira Brava says at the moment there is nothing to see (no problem), but I think his head lives where the sun don’t shine, so that would probably explain his comment.

The president of the Institute of Health Management and Social Affairs (IASAÚDE), explains that the current problem with head-lice is recurrent and affects every year, pupils in the public and private schools of Madeira. The problem is not necessarily caused by lack of hygiene, clean hair or not, long hair or short. However, the lice are easily transmitted through close contact (head to head) or by sharing hats, brushes or even pieces of clothing, and it is then that comes the problem of prevention. School kids are the most vulnerable group, and when one get it, the whole family have to be treated. In one school recently, several cases of scabies were also identified, and the health service had to come in to intervene. As a school pupil myself, I am lucky to have an unbeatable and 100% natural protection against head-lice, so my school pals are never at risk with me.

A 45 year old woman was detained at Madeira Airport on Thursday, after being caught with 16,584 heroin doses. The haul had a street value of over €330,00.

Madeira’s contribution to the investigations of Charles Darwin were discussed yesterday, at the Municipal Museum of Funchal, in a conference arranged by the Retired Teachers Association of Madeira. The contribution of the region derives from research connected with two naturalists, who lived on Madeira. "They sent many copies of their work to Darwin, which were essential for the compilation of the book ‘The Origin of Species’ " said the speaker. She also noted that many species from Madeira were sent to the researcher, such as crab parasites, which come only from the region, identifying five new species to science at a worldwide level. However, the contribution overall was immense, also with species of insects and plants. "They were a great help for Darwin in writing his book" she concluded.