Community Development
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The launch of the multicultural bookshelf in Tavira library
As part of the Tavira Limitada movement, an event was organised on the 9th June 2011, to officially open a multilingual shelf in the children’s library in Tavira. The shelf is for children to find a place where they can find books in their native language. Some books were contributed by Liz Beaupied from the bookshop Lura dos Livros, Tavira and its hoped that other contributions will be made to the bookshelf. As part of the ceremony 11 children from different Countries read stories in their native languages and then explained in Portuguese what the stories were about. All of the children are multilingual and attend schools in…
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Lots of Donkeys in Tavira
The Continente shopping centre in Tavira often hosts ART work and this month its an array of donkeys.
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Books for kids!
When I was growing up in Birmingham UK, my only sanctuary seemed to be books and Kings Heath library. I now live in Tavira, Portugal and still have my love of books and reading. I have had a little wake up call this week after visiting the children’s library in Tavira. Its a wonderful, colourful space, but some of the shelves seem empty. I know reading is not a mainstream culture in Portugal. It’s fairly rare to see Portuguese people sitting in Cafe’s reading books. They have strong family ties and its admirable that families do things together and I suppose you could question the solitary and exclusive joy that…
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Community Involvement
We are often bombarded with instructions about ethical, sustainable living. Companies, social enterprises and Governments of various flavours will tell us what we could be doing; but some of the most lasting results start and finish in communities. People doing it for themselves. People’s involvement underpinning simple ideas is usually the way to snowball change. I have recently met a few people who are trying to involve others in initiatives that enable people to create change for themselves. Catalysts, not trying to sell you something necessarily, but presenting ideas that enhances people’s lives. Before I mention what they are doing I just want to look at community involvement as a concept in the Algarve. We…
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A jay in our garden
Thought I should share this photo. I took it this morning. You do not see Jay’s very often as they are shy birds mostly found in woodlands. We are surrounded by Carob trees, but its not a woodland. Very pleased to see this visitor.
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The tide waits for no miller
The fascination with water mills, both tidal or river based abounds in literature. With the mill in the background, Victorian master painters record magical summer times. Mills tell us much about societies and their ability to harness natural forces. Although occasionally difficult to find now, as most are in ruins, many can still be identified all over Europe, sometimes hidden in rough ground or positioned in all their glory in an estuary. Some have pre Roman origins. In the eastern Algarve, there are examples of both types of mill. This article focuses on tidal mills, which are typically in this region, horizontal, long buildings. Many tide mills, along with watchtowers, fortifications, hermitages and…
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Artist in residence in Tavira
Casa 5 Artes, a not-for-profit, arts organisation in Tavira, hosted the artist, Natalie d’Arbeloff in January through to March as part of their artist in residence programme. She took the opportunity to capture some of the everyday life of Tavira. Café life, the Roman Bridge, street entertainers, were all studied and transferred onto paper. During the final few days of her visit, Casa 5 hosted her exhibition, showing 35 images and a DVD which outlined the story of her 5 weeks. The DVD showed her trying to engage with Tavira’s famous tin man and the white ghost like figure who regularly stands on the roman bridge. There are also interviews with her…
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Algarve Green Lives Survey
Many people move to the Algarve to live healthier lives. Many Portuguese have enjoyed the benefits of growing their own for centuries. It is not however always easy to find organic produce or shops that sell health foods. For example where can you get goats milk in Tavira? Is there such a thing as a LET’s scheme in the Algarve? I am gathering information to create a guide to healthy living in the Algarve. The first part of the guide is looking at health food shops and growers. Please help develop this guide by completing a short survey and email it to me. sue@suehall.net Green Lives in the Algarve, Portugal Thank…
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Tavira in the rain
Its been raining for over a month and enough is enough. Nevertheless the rain has enhanced nature and the birds love it! Notice Mr Yellow feet? Just by the amphitheater, the flowers are blooming. To top it all there was a cormorant on the river.
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From wind to the production of flour – The Cachopo windmill – Cachopo moinhos de vento
On Sunday 7th February a group of about twenty people visited the reconstructed windmill in Cachopo. Jim and I were among the twenty, mostly foreigners who joined the adventure. We left the Tavira bus station at 9:30am, in a coach organised by Tavira Camara and the Tavira Museum. The architect and social historian, Marta Santos led the group. She is an expert in traditional architecture based at the Museu Municipal de Tavira / Palácio da Galeria. The road from Tavira, twists and turns and winds all the way up hill to Cachopo, passing beehives nestling next to valley rivers. The views on the way are stunning. Arriving at Cachopo at…
