Anyone who remembers Helen Shapiro’s hit from fifty-three years ago qualifies to take part in the latest fitness craze sweeping the UK, and about to be introduced to the Algarve.

Walking Football, a slow-paced version of the beautiful game aimed at the over 50s, will be launched in Olhão in September.

ASB members started July with a cool visit to the World Superbike racing at the Autodromo do Algarve on a chilly showery weekend at the beginning of the month. The changing weather conditions made for some exciting racing.

Then there was the Moto Clube of Faro Concentration with the thousands of bikers from all over Europe.  Many ASB members attended this annual event with the spectacular closing parade through Faro on Sunday the 20th.

Jackie O'Grady's group showcased their "Garden Theatre" format in the tropical beer garden of the Quinta fe Figuerinha last week (3rd July).

Innovative props and clever stage management turned the stage, normally reserved for musical events, into a bleak, mid-western farmhouse. When the powerful stage lighting snapped on the audience were almost propelled into the midst of the action.

Since it was first chartered in 2006, Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) has had Presidents representing six European nationalities.
On 2 July José Vargas Galamba, AIRC’s first Portuguese President was appointed during a celebratory dinner at the Hilton Hotel Vilamoura.

Jim Bell, a self employed business consultant, has taken over as the new president of the Rotary Club Estoi Palace International.

During a luncheon on July 1 at the Estoi Palace, the previous president Shirley Dunne was joined by Rotary International Coordinator Chris Garner, Assistant District Governor Abilio Lopes, visiting Rotarians, friends and family members, as the chain of office was officially passed to Jim who is originally from Scotland.

   "Hi,  just to say  that we raised the money for the refuge and last week signed and brought it! It's taken a year! 

We've been so lucky to get some really big support, everyone has been so kind,  sadly we had to make a few changes and loose some facilities so we could get a habitation license so the land could actually be sold. 

Lagoa Camara have been brilliant, advising and working quickly for us as we always felt nervous we wouldnt be able to pull it off in time,  so now the land is in the name of the association, so it belongs to the animals! 

Thanks for your support and for sharing our story when we started our mission!"

The motorcycle riders of the Algarve Senior Bikers celebrated the 4th year of the group's existence with a special lunch in Benafim.  Two groups, one from the west and one from east met in Lagos and Sao Bras de Alportel and followed different routes across the Algarve to meet in Benafim north of Loule for lunch.

The RIDE TO ALJEZUR on May 15th organised by Hans and Alex started from Silves and headed west, via Odalouca and Rasmalho to Casais and along to Restaurante Abrigo de Serra in Gralho for a coffee break.

ith Hans leading this section included his now traditional "U Turn'' after missing a left turn to Casais.