NEWS

Guadiana bridge project praise

The mayor of Alcoutim has welcomed news of a proposal to build a bridge across the Guadiana river. The long-standing project, which is supported by recovery and development funds and proposed by Lisbon, will see the Algarve town of Alcoutim connected with Spain via a bridge that will also allow for pedestrians along with vehicle traffic.

Tavira council replaces two diesel vehicles with electric vans

Tavira council has purchased two electric vans; the two 100% electric Renault Kangoo ZE vehicles cost around 57 thousand euros. The vehicles emit no pollution or engine noise and will “replace two diesel vehicles that had a very high mileage and whose gas emissions did not meet the current legal quality standards”.

Two thousand bird boxes installed throughout algarve to encourage repopulation of rare species

The Algarve will receive about two thousand bird nesting boxes, which will be supervised by the Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF). The initiative won the 2018 National Participatory Budget and results from a collaboration between the Vita Nativa Association, based in Olhão, and the Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF). The initiative first took off at the end of July and has since resulted in the signing of a collaborative protocol, safeguarding hundreds of local bird that are threatened with extinction. This “is a two-year project that is taking place throughout the Municipalities of the Algarve. Over the next few months we will install nest boxes for small species of passerines, such as titmills, and for prey species of small and medium size, such as owls and kestrels”, states the Vita Nativa association. João Tomás, one of those responsible for the project, remarks that “most birds depend on natural cavities to settle and reproduce but, with the changes that have been made in the habitats, this is disappearing”. With the implementation of nest boxes, it will be possible “to help foster interest and provide more direct contact with society in relation to birds”. “Moreover, with a greater number of breeding places available, we will also be promoting the establishment of more birds in the urban environment and contributing to a better balance of ecosystems”. “This is because the species we want to benefit are known to be excellent friends in the control of biological pests (for example: the pine caterpillar and micromammals)”. The project, all in all, includes the installation of nest boxes, the monitoring of their use, with live online transmission of some occupied nests, awareness-raising campaigns, and environmental education at schools. Bird box building workshops are also planned for the future. The Vita Nativa association concludes that the objective is to involve “the population in general, alongside the various local and regional entities in the Algarve, such as municipalities, tourism boards, farmers, producers, schools, and others”.

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Armona’s own Shirley Valentine

We are always looking for interesting stories, so when Pam Pardo emailed us about her story, we thought you’d like to read about it.

Iwas born into a privileged background. Eventually life led me to a small village near to in paradise and winter on the mainland back My father was a director on the board Olhao, Pechao, and I frequented a small family in Pechao. In other words, I have found my of Manchester City Football Club. restaurant, Fonte Nova, the owner of which , Nirvana, and the perfect life style. Luckily for me my Mother hated a tall, moustached, guitar playing Tom Conte To add to my happiness both my children have football, therefore I was lucky enough to look alike quickly stole my heart, his name, bought properties in Olhao and it is my greatest accompany my father to sit in the directors’ box Ze Pardo. Well, there was no way I was going pride in life that they have followed me despite of most of the premiership clubs’ in England. back to talk to my kitchen wall in Cheshire, UK the fact that I left them first! This led to my lifelong love and football, which so I decided to stay, work in the restaurant, I believe that almost single handidly I have I now share with my Portuguese husband Ze… learn to speak Portuguese, and the enjoy the helped to change this little corner of the Algarve I met my first husband as a client in a Algarvian way of life. helping the local economy to blossom, after my rather salubrious hair salon in Kings street, We married after a few years, and 30 years Shirley Valentine start. 28 families and friends Manchester in the days of Vidal Sasoon, The later decided on a new challenge, having spent from my home town in the UK have bought Beetles and the” Swinging Sixties”. We had 20 years running a very successful company properties in Olhao Concelho, having visited two amazing children, Andrew and Kate a year taking 5 star American golfing groups all over me. My son built a large photographic business later. They have given me 4 equally amazing Europe, to open a restaurant on Armona Island. here bringing employment to many of the local grandchildren. This is where the most amazing part of my life Portuguese people, bringing large camera This takes us to the Shirley Valentine part of really started, we were working together on crews of around 50 people to stay in the area my story. Empty nest syndrome occurred and paradise Island, Ze as the chef in Restaurant for half the year. life in UK was becoming boring, wet and cold. Armona 4, and myself running a letting agency So from that fateful meeting with Ze, the Tom After an investigative visit to rural France, for my friends and clients lucky enough to have Conte of Pechao, I eventually found my dream which I found to be very expensive, I happened houses on the island, also project managing in the Autumn of my life, Armona Island… to find myself in the Algarve, looking for a new builds there. We were lucky enough to buy Contacts: Facebook: Armona 4, change in direction, and some fun of course. our own island property enabling us to summer Tel: 919 476 247