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Olhão helps clean up Portugal

Olhão is one of the counties that helped to “clean Portugal” on 20 March, with about 400 volunteers joining the project, collecting an estimated 30 tons of rubbish. “The balance is very positive, despite the bad weather, people joined,” said Soraya Ribbon, one of the Olhão group coordinators. A similar initiative was held in the Schools of Olhão. Some 800 children collected rubbish in the area.

The last ‘Busby Babe’ comes to Tavira

Manchester United legend, Sammy McIlroy is coming to Tavira to share his life in football with an Eastern Algarve audience. Listen to stories of playing with and against football greats, such as George Best, Bobby Charlton, Liam Brady and Kenny Dalglish to name but a few. Also playing in 3 FA Cup Finals and the World Cup in both Spain and Mexico with Northern Ireland. He will also share with us football in the modern day from his perspective as a current Manager. A great night’s entertainment. Monday 24th May 2010, 8.30pm. Hotel Porta Nova, Tavira. For more information and tickets telephone 962 572 687 or email g.all@hotmail.co.uk Tickets also available from Skippers Tavern (near the train station), in Tavira, only €20.

Pedestrian friendly Loulé

Loulé Câmara have given the go ahead to transform the centre into a pedestrian friendly zone that will increase the safety and flow of human traffic during the popular events that take place. Work has already begun with the tarmac being replaced by the traditional calçadas stones, more litter bins and benches. Traffic will be kept moving while the work continues, but may suffer some disruption. The work will take approximately 7 months and cost more than 700,000 euros. Loulé mayor Seruca Emídio said: “The concept of the redevelopment is to create a more sociable area for pedestrians, which can be used more as a square than as a street or road for vehicles.” Loule draws a huge crowd with events such as white night in August. “The streets in the centre of Loulé will be transformed into an area more akin to a plaza, making it more suitable to hold major events both cultural and social as the roads can easily be closed to traffic,” said Seruca Emídio. “With these works we aim to give the centre of Loulé a new image highlighting landmark buildings such as the municipal market and the university,” said a spokesman for Loulé Câmara. However, the focus of the area will be on making the centre more accessible for pedestrians. Seruca Emídio said: “The redevelopment is sensitive to the trade that is already in the centre of the city and it is hoped that works will make the centre a more appealing public space that people will want to return to.”

Mobile Medical Unit to start in Faro

The Algarve health service has set up a mobile health clinic with the words Cuida-te (Take care) across their vehicles to encourage young people to seek help for medical issues and dependencies. The first mission to encourage young adults to seek advice, will take place in Faro. It is hoped that the bright yellow trailers will enable teenagers, young men and women, who may be too embarrassed to visit a health centre, to seek confidential medical help.

Apassenger bound for a South American country was arrested at Faro Airport attempting to smuggle a large amount of cocaine inside his stomach. The man was in his 40’s, and thought to be of South American origin. He was detained by Faro Airport PJ police, and found to be transporting several individual packages of cocaine inside his body. Police said the amount was enough for up to 4,400 individual doses. He was held and sentenced.