PLACES Fuseta

FUSETA

The famous lifeboat station in Fuseta is due to be turned into a small museum.

Olhão Council has announced the completion of an architecture study which, it says, will be “essential” to the renovation project. The study acted as the “first thorough evaluation of the conservation state of the village’s most iconic building,” says the council, adding that the “most modern technologies” were used in the process. The architects behind the study have already presented it to Olhão mayor António Pina and local councillor in charge of public works Ricardo Calé and sent it to the board of State Heritage (DGPE). The renovation work will involve improving the structural integrity of the building, carrying out architectural and functional improvements and turning it into a small museum, run by the municipal museum of Olhão, entitled Centro Interpretativo de Paisagem e do Património (Interpretative Centre of Landscape and Heritage). Considering the lifeboat station is located in the middle of the Ria Formosa estuary, visiting the museum would have to involve a boat trip to reach it. However, these details on how the museum experience would work have not been revealed.

The lifeboat station (officially Estação de Socorros a Náufragos da Fuseta) was built during Portugal’s Estado Novo authoritarian regime in the second half of the 20th century. As the council puts it, the “keys to it were handed over to the DGPE by the Institute of Sea Rescue (ISN) in 1996” and it has remained closed ever since.

According to the council, the “uniqueness of its construction in the Ria Formosa and its modernist design,” along with the “esteem that the population of Fuseta and the whole borough have for the most striking building of the village’s landscape” prompted the local authority into action in an attempt to breathe new life into it. We are looking frward to the opening of this unique heritage building, an in the meantime will continue to enjoy the beauty of Fuseta.

ALGARVE CROQUET CLUB AT BENAMOR GOLF

The brand new facility is now open and ready to be enjoyed by all

On the 2nd of July Benamor Golf Club and the Algarve Croquet Club unveiled their brand new Greens. After months of hard work, carefully nurturing the greens (with bit of trouble on the way), the beautiful greens were ready to play on. Joined by the owner of Benamor, Gonçalo Martins Dias, to cut the ceremonial ribbon, a group of 30 players made their way onto the greens to enjoy the game. Aside from a great addition to Benamor Golf, the group intend to use the new facilities to encourage greater participation in Croquet in Portugal, progress in their competition efforts and arrange International events. The Algarve Croquet Club would like to give a special thanks to JP, director of Benamor Golf for believing in their vision and helping them grow the game. To book your lawn slot at Benamor, please contact Benamor Golf by emailing: reservas@benamorgolf.com or Telephone +351/281320880. The slots are for 2 hours and you can book from 08:00 through to the last slot which starts at 18:00 and finishes at 20:00. Bookings can only be made up to one week in advance. Ladies Day: Held on Wednesday mornings 08:00 to 12:00, booking is by emailing: algarvecroquetclub@gmail.com. This will start from Tuesday August 10th. Closing time for bookings is 24 hours before. Check in at reception before play. Men's Day: Held on Thursday mornings 08:00 to 12:00 booking is by emailing: algarvecroquetclub@gmail.com. This will start from Tuesday August 19th. Closing time for bookings is 24 hours before. Check in at reception before play. Sundowner Tournament will be run Biweekly on Tuesdays from 16:00 to 20:00. Booking to attend is by emailing: algarvecroquetclub@ gmail.com. These will be on August 11th and 25th. The refreshment cart will be in attendance. Check in at reception before play.