Madeira News Blog

Today’s photo – Many thanks to Elaine (West) … A rainbow at Paul da Serra

"The fireworks was indeed the  best I have ever seen. Most were launched from the waterfront, east from the harbour, but there was also a number of other sites (I counted to more than 10, but people say 40 sites). The rockets were synchronised, so the same type/colour came from many sites at the same time – amazing! 17 tons of fireworks are rumoured to have been used… Many boats went out to see it from the water, but that looked dangerous (dark, many boats, acohol, attention on fireworks, etc.), so I stayed in the harbour". PRIVATE BLOG WITH PHOTOS

São Martinho Church – Funchal by Sonia von Walter.

"FUNCHAL – Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo has bought his native island of Madeira and indicated that he plans to turn it into a theme park focusing on his career. Ronaldo, 24, already owns the world’s largest collection of mirrors". From the Los Angeles Times From Lisbon to L.A., some stories we’d like to read in 2010

"Three people from the Madeira archipelago have returned home for Christmas holiday after working in the Central African country of Equatorial Guinea are hospitalized due to infections of falciparum malaria. One of the workers is in intensive care while the other two are in the hospital but stabile. The Madeira archipelago is one of the autonomous regions of Portugal in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. It does have a sub tropical humid climate which is conducive to many emerging diseases found in the tropics. But according to experts, the weather in December is too cold for local transmission". MORE FROM THE NATIONAL EXAMINER

Nacional fought a brave fight away at Benfica in the Carlsberg Cup last night, losing only in the last few minutes by a single goal.

Many thanks to Elaine once again for yesterday’s top news stories :

Bad weather returns and causes more damage. Madeira is on orange alert, the second highest on a scale of four. This is due to heavy rain and strong winds forecasted with gusts up to 110 km/hour in the mountains. Sea condition forecasts are for 4 metre waves and 55 km/hour winds. The conditions are expected to remain until tomorrow. The Porto Santo ferry managed the link yesterday but docking at Porto Santo was hampered by strong waves. The ferry also sailed today but there are uncertainties about tomorrow’s journey. A landslide in Ponta do Sol yesterday threw more than a ton of rocks and earth into the stream. It occurred near the Giga Park when people were about to attend the circus at 15.30, causing more alarm than damage. The leader of the PS in São Vicente is concerned that the stones carried down by rain to Ribeira Grande are being moved to land fill sites above Ginjas. Gouveia questions the safety of this operation in case they are washed down from this new site. He has already alerted São Vicente Council to the matter and will inform the Public Prosecutor. The PS Francisco Dias of Porto Moniz Council accuses the PSD of halting and preventing the local authority from planning a Risk Charter for the county (disapproved in the last Council meeting in December). This would mean a revision of the Municipal Plan and would help defend the coastline, streams, industrial parks, forests and population. This afternoon, a wall collapsed onto a section of the expressway in Madalena do Mar and the police closed the road as it is partly blocked and the remaining wall unstable. The damage will be assessed tomorrow morning.

Cantares de Reis in Ponta do Sol on January 5. The Grupo de Folclore da Ponta do Sol are marking the Dia de Reis with a show in the village centre (next to the auditorium of the Centro Cultural John dos Passos) from 21.30. This initiative started seven years ago due to the wealth and diversity of regional cantares de reis (songs of the kings). There are many different groups participating. This tradition is still alive in Ponta do Sol and throughout Madeira and in recent years, there have been more groups formed. They visit, from the 5 – 6 January, homes of friends, relatives and neighbours and travel to different sites. The festivities usually continue until Santo Amaro. Visitors are rewarded by the householders with food and drink typical of the festive season (liqueurs, homemade bread with meat in wine and garlic, various sweets, bolo de noiva, torresmos and sometimes soup).

Cantar os Reis in Funchal. In the auditorium of Funchal Municipal Garden on Tuesday 5 January at 21.30. The event is organized by the Cultural Association Encontros da Eira and is part of the tourist calendar for Christmas and New Year festivities. Various groups will be performing songs and plays with religious themes, reviving the traditions of cantares de reis from various parts of the region. Inherent to the show, there will be distribution of specialities of this season to the public and entertainment on the streets by the group Gaitulia. Local men bring regional instruments and women regional food. That afternoon the group Encontros da Eira will perform at the Congress Centre (Casino) in a show which is the responsibility of the orchestra (OCM).

Valter will not give money to the Parish Councils. The ex-president of the Parish Council of Seixal, who is now the Mayor of the County Council of Porto Moniz, will not transfer any funds to the four Parish Councils; Seixal, Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz and Acadas da Cruz. This is the same situation as during the past eight years when the previous mayor was Gabriel de Farinha. Two Parish Councils are PSD controlled (Seixal and Ribeira da Janela) and the other two are Socialist. The two Socialist Parish Council presidents are more critical of the Mayor of Porto Moniz (PSD) than their counterparts in PSD run Councils. Valter Correia explains that he would like to transfer funds to the parishes but the budget is tight and instead, they will be given materialistic help. In São Vicente, the budget is also tight but Jorge Romeira (PSD) has a different attitude and gives 204,000 euros to the three Parish Councils. São Vicente and Ponta Delgada receive 65,000 euros and Boaventura over 74,000 euros. He said the Councils require the money for their valuable work for the residents, "Clearing footpaths and improvements cost money." In Calheta, the CDS Manuel Baeta wants to know why there are a million euros of the Council budget allocated for ‘Other’. He thinks this is not transparent and it is more than the total budget of the eight Parish Councils in Calheta.

Cavaco receives more criticism than praise. The New Year’s message from Cavaco Silva, the President of Portugal, did not please the majority of political parties in Madeira. The exception was the PP leader José Rodrigues. The PSD thought it was a message of a country without hope. Miguel de Sousa stated, "My generation has lived since 1974 hearing this speech that we must sacrifice, we need to unify, we need judgement. It is always repetitive."  He said Portugal needs a new system as the current one is not working and that change is the responsibility of all: President, Prime Minister, members of the opposition parties and other political players. The PS agree that the country needs those who will propose a new system and the message shows conflict between the President and the Government. Rodrigues of the PP said that Cavaco supported the Government as he said in his speech that the PS and the Government have all the conditions to govern. Cavaco said in his speech that the country’s foreign debt and the imbalance of public accounts are enhancers of an ‘explosive’ situation in Portugal. He stated that the political parties must maintain political stability in the country.

Madeira Island Tourism increases its investment in a promotion on the Continent. In Lisbon, there will be an Industrial Fair from the 13 – 19 January. The regional authorities who are promoting tourism to Madeira will use the themes activities and sports to engage the interest of tourists from Portugal. In recent months, there has been a remarkable growth in the number of Portuguese staying at hotels on the island, partly due to the increase in availability of air transport and campaigns launched by the Regional Tourism department. They ran direct advertising campaigns through the Internet and indirectly through sponsorship of regional events and TV productions on national television. In the first 10 months of last year, the hotels recorded 809,165 overnight stays, which exceeded the total for 2008.  The final total should be a record number for the Portuguese market in the last decade. There will be an area to promote Porto Santo and one for the Wine, Embroidery and Crafts Institute. During the days open only to professionals, Madeiran barmen will demonstrate the making of cocktails. The Regional Director of Tourism will be there on the first two days and at a dinner held in central Lisbon for those working for national airlines, tourist agents and tour operators.

Hundreds followed the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fátima to the Church of Carmo this afternoon. After a well attended Mass, the statue was taken from the College Church to the Church of Carmo in Funchal. There was also good attendance at the Peace March which started at this church and ended at the Se Cathedral at 18.30. The Pilgrim Statue remains at the Church of Carmo until next Sunday. The Bishop of Funchal would not comment on the controversial statements by the President for European Anti-Poverty about the transfer of Canon Manuel Martins to Machico Parish.

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

MP : Court of Santa Cruz is in chaos. This is an interview with the man whose job title translates roughly as something like ‘state prosecutor coordinator of the Public Prosecutor’s office (MP) on Madeira’. Just picking out a couple of points he made : "There is a big gap between what those elites in power think, and the feelings of the people". On Santa Cruz court : it is an example of how a court should not function, reaching an almost chaotic situation – with the delays of a accumulation of cases, and the inability to respond. The backlog will take years to clear.

Claim of Naviera Armas against the ports – The ferry operator respects the new unloading rules, but the action against APRAM [Port Authority] goes forward on the 18th.

Only 54 created their own employment. The restaurant trade was the favoured area for those who took the initiative, but all in all only 54 took advantage of support offered by the Regional Government, and it is clear that Madeira lacks more entrepreneurs. There are several ‘packages’ to encourage people into self-employment, but being your own boss it seems doesn’t appeal to many, and in particular the 13,500 unemployed. The 54 who have gone down that road have so far created just 66 jobs, with proposals for another 80.

Today’s main news headline : PSD Social Democrats clear out committees where it lost in the elections – The ‘orange’ political committees of São Jorge, Gaula, Achada da Cruz,  Água da Pena, and Porto Moniz, where the defeats occurred in the local elections last October, are on the way out. Soon there will be elections. And the reshaping will not end there. Party elections will be held to appoint new political committees in these 5 non-PSD parishes, but the clear-out might well be extended to other councils. The new elections will see new names, but existing names will be able to stand again [yeah right!]. Drastic, but not a great surprise. Of course it is already well known that president Jardim is punishing those parish councils where the voters didn’t elect his Social Democrats, by pulling out projects. Great tactics from our leader, as by pulling the key projects and strangling the finances, those voters who strayed from the ‘Uncle Bertie way’, will feel let down and disappointed by their current non-PSD parish council, so what will they do next time … return to the Bertie fold [maybe?]. Maybe it’s time for a new year revolution resolution.

Hundreds follow the pilgrim image to the church of Carmo – The Bishop of Funchal asked the youngsters to guide themselves by the principles of peace.  Yesterday afternoon the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fátima was moved from the Igreja do Colégio to the Igreja do Carmo, where it will stay until Sunday, accompanied by hundreds of faithful followers. A peace march also took place with dozens of youngsters walking the streets of downtown Funchal, that finished at Sé Cathedral in Funchal.

Today’s sport / football headlines : Treacherous defeat in the Estádio da Luz [Stadium of Light, Benfica's ground] – National lost the first group game of the League Cup, but can complain about the refereeing (Rodrigo goal wrongly ruled out) and about themselves also. Benfica 1 Nacional 0.

In Division II, União widen the leadership. União 1 Amadora 0, in the second division south league.

Ribeira Brava lead Série Madeira [Madeira football league]. Ribeira Brava actually scored two goals in the 0 – 2 away win at Canicense, and that’s a rarity.

Sue very kindly provided these stories … many thanks.

Parish of Mount Carmo – Bishop says "a profound cultural renewal" is needed.

Not the same numbers that gathered in the square of the College on the day the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima came to Madeira, thousands of people attended did yesterday’s mass in the Church College and followed the procession to the parish of Mount Carmo. The bishop of the Diocese of Funchal addressed a few words to the young people at the church who followed later in March for Peace through Rua Fernão de Ornelas, heading for the Sé.

D. António Carrilho recalled the Pope’s message for this year, stressing that "we are called to pray for peace" and "be builders of peace" as "to build peace is to say yes and say no." It’s "say no to selfishness, lying, hatred, revenge, war and all forms of violence, injustice, envy, jealousy, lack of respect for life and the rights of others and disregard of nature "and" say yes to truth and justice, liberty, responsibility, respect for the rights of the individual and respect for and protection of creation, the whole universe and our mother earth, our common home of all humanity".

The image of Our Lady of Fatima, who has been on a pilgrimage in Madeira since October 13, remains in the parish of Mount Carmo until the end of the week. She then goes to the Belfry, where she began her visit to Câmara de Lobos.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Wallet lost at Avenue Sea. A wallet with documents was lost yesterday afternoon on Avenue of the Sé, next to the restaurant ‘McDonald’s’. The owner is a mainland tourist who asks those who find the object to contact the PSP or contact the owner on phone 962 337 080. The lady promises to reward for the retrieval the wallet and documents.

Falling trees in the Nun’s Valley. Bad weather on Saturday afternoon caused the fall of several trees on the road to the Nun’s Valley. With the use of technical assistance from a landscaping company that use a chain saw to cut two pine trees involved was completed before the arrival of the Fire Volunteers Câmara de Lobos.

Madeira remains on alert ‘Orange’. Despite the improvements that were last recorded, the Institute of Meteorology continues to put Madeira on ‘Orange’ alert, but this time mainly due to the condition of the sea. Wave levels of five and six meters together with the wind are expected also in mountain areas where they can reach speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, are the situations to be taken into account.

If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated. 

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(21st September). Today’s main news headline : ‘Sérgio Marques Ignores Jardim – The ex-euro MP comes into the election campaign saying that the true head-of-list for the PSD-M in the national elections is Guilherme Silva’. After “a long period of mourning”, Marques, the former Social Democrat MEP, returned yesterday to appear in political activities in Porto Moniz. Whilst at the microphone, he surprised many by ‘promoting’ the number two on the candidate list for the Assembly of the Republic elections (on Sunday) to number one, the place which is of course president Jardim’s. He said that Guilherme Silva is the true number one candidate, which is of course true, but no one dares to say so, because Jardim, although he is always elected in number one position, doesn’t take up his seat in the Republic. Marques upset Jardim by complaining about a decision to do with the European elections earlier this year, and was promptly replaced as the PSD-M candidate. At the time Jardim said: “One does not want to go,  another goes instead. The only important person in this party is me”. Marques says that his dispute with Jardim had finished, but me thinks it is only just starting, and the chances of anyone hearing from Marques again in the election campaign are pretty remote. Yesterday of all days, when Uncle Bertie’s beloved Marítimo lost to the despised Nacional … you just don’t learn my friend.

‘Yesterday, The Candidate Returned To The ‘Ride’ Of The Regional Government’. Guilherme Silva, number two on the PSD-M national candidate list, returned yesterday to the stage in the company of Alberto João Jardim, who as president of the Regional Government, was performing a public act in Ponta do Pargo (Festa do Pêro). The same happened two weeks ago in Porto da Cruz (Festa da Uva). He didn’t actually ride with Jardim in the presidential vehicle, but came in the entourage behind Jardim, and as such was admitted into the area controlled by police. He was also on the stage where Jardim made his speech. The issue is that Jardim is still seen to be turning  non-political events into political events, “Thus it violates the principles of neutrality and impartiality”, said an opposition politician adding, “It is a clear violation of election law”. It was only a few days ago that Jardim was warned by the CNE National Election Commission, that public events could not be used for one-sided party political purposes. He can however invite his own PSD-M social democrat colleagues on official engagements, as long as the invitation is also extended to the equivalents in the other political parties. 

The Jornal da Madeira is currently being well used as a political mouthpiece for the PSD social democrats, now more than ever, almost a sort of of a political manifesto. Whereas the Diário pays a cursory glance at Jardim’s inaugurations, the Jornal is covering them in some detail, especially Jardim’s speeches, however ridiculous they might be. In addition, we now have the câmaras declaring their long and short term plans for improvement and development in their regions. It was Santa Cruz on Saturday, and Calheta yesterday, with all sorts of grand promises being made. This information is not being reported by the Diário. So it’s a double whammy really. We pay for the Jornal through our taxes, and then we have to put up with totally one sided political messages, through a newspaper that because it is free probably has more readers than the competition. Talk about a great big political stitch up!

(7th August). ‘PS Responds To Visit With Threats – After an incident with Jaime Leandro in São Martinho, the socialists remind that MPs don’t need permission to visit works’. They don’t need permits, and they don’t need to give advance warning to visit the sites of government works and services. That’s a power that deputies (MPs) in the Madeira Assembly have, just needing to present an ID card at the location to gain easy access. It was on the strength of this legislation that the socialist member of the PS-M, Jaime Leandro, requested entry to the works on a road connecting the Estrada Monumental to the via-rápida, next to the Hotel Madeira Palace, late afternoon on Wednesday. The deputy managed to gain access, but on his return five minutes later, according to Leandro, some individuals crossed the road and hurled insults and threats at him. The situation, as reported in yesterday’s Jornal, forced Jaime Leandro to call the police for fear for of his physical safety. Those responsible for the threats have been identified and Leandro admits that he is proceeding with a complaint. The contractor responsible for the work (Tâmega) didn’t wish to comment on the situation, but the regional secretary responsible for the project says that Leandro hadn’t asked permission to visit the site. Leandro says he visited the site to investigate complaints of working at night, causing disturbances to residents in Amparo, "all down to inauguration fever", he says. He fears that the socialists will soon find it necessary to have a "PSD card" (PSD-M party membership?) to enter the works and services of the government. After the incident and the threats that he received, and the reaction of the government, the Socialists are now planning to go and see more works. That guarantee was given by members of the PS-M who are already preparing to travel to several work sites that are being finished, and should be opened in September and October.

‘PSD Of Calheta ‘Steal’ Two Candidates From The CDS / PP’. The orange colour of the PSD seems more palatable than the blue and yellow, as Idalina Sá and Olga Sequeira switched their loyalties. The leaders and activists of the Peoples Party / Christian Democrats try to recover from the blow inflicted by the PSD after the two ‘free transfers’.

‘Council Of Government Meets To Award A Road Contract – The connection to Ribeiro da Alforra and Limoeiro will cost €9.4 million’. The weekly meeting yesterday just had one item on the agenda, the decision to award the building of a road in Câmara de Lobos. The road will be 2.5 kilometres in length, including a 225 meter tunnel. A spokesman said "it is a new link road which will very significantly improve the accessibility for the locations of Rancho, Ribeiro da Alforra and Limoeiro, in the parish of Câmara de Lobos, and establishing a new access road to the new Basic School in Rancho / Caldeira and the recently opened football stadium".

‘Basic sanitation highlighted as an example of failure of CMF’. Artur Andrade yesterday again accused the leadership of Miguel Albuquerque in Funchal Municipal Council (CMF) of a breach of election promises. After a tour of several parishes, the communist councillor in CMF concluded in Santo António, that basic sanitation is one of unfulfilled commitments. The communist cites the cases of Vasco do Gil, Cascalho and Preces.

In the same article, the main candidate for the MPT-M Earth Party, says he fears that the beaches that charge are putting families at risk. Concerned with those families that cannot afford to pay to enter, he warned of the consequences. He said that these poor families are forced to use the beaches that don’t charge, and don’t have lifeguards and safety equipment. He has called for CMF to intervene to allow cheaper access to the beaches in Funchal.

In a national story today : ‘Manuela Accused Of Making A List Of Pals – District leader says that the candidate list for Lisbon is composed by people "spent and tired". The district president of the PSD social democrats in Lisbon, accused his own party leader Manuela Ferreira Leite, of coming up with a "spent candidate list" to "pay favours" and "square accounts", in a national PSD Council meeting on Tuesday. "Instead of submitting a list for the voters of Lisbon, they decided to make a list for internal politics, to satisfy the tribe …" said Carlos Carreiras. "Whilst the district of Lisbon was making an effort to produce a list of credibility, nationally it was preferred to make some choices that seriously undermine the image of the party", he added. That will mean that you are not on that list then Carlos … welcome to politics, and be thankful you are not on Madeira where all such decisions are based on the likes and dislikes of just one man, forget the luxury of councils.