Estoi Palace International Rotary Club (RCEPI) was delighted to receive a visit from Ilda Braz of RC Ponta Delgada, Açores our Rotary International District Governor (DG). This is an opportunity for the Club to show the DG work that has been done in the local community and internationally. During the visit the DG gave the Club a Certificate of Merit for the funds donated to the End Polio Now campaign, following a successful sponsored bike ride last November. 

Twenty six members turned up for the latest rideout on a clear and sunny day reaching 19 c. There were 2 groups led by Ulf Kollbratt and Stan Green ably assisted by Bob Chesters and Claus Aabo, who stood in for Fritz Norrgard who was unwell.

On Friday the 8th February, 40 members and guests of the St.Patrick's Society of the Algarve, gathered at Balaia golf village in Albufeira for the Society's annual putting competition.
This year three players finished the course with the same score of 35 strokes each.

The Saint Andrew’s Society of the Algarve duly held their Burns Supper at the Ponte Romana restaurant in Silves on Saturday 26 January. The Supper was a resounding success with over 130 participants.
As usual, bagpiper Malcolm MacGillivray got the evening off to a scintillating start by welcoming guests into the restaurant. Guests enjoyed a glass or two of excellent bubbly arranged by Joaquim Tinoco of Catuna & Silva. The restaurant, which has had a very welcome makeover, has been used for this event for many years and is now well practised in preparing and serving the traditional Macsween haggis, tatties and neeps.

It doesn't happen very often in the Algarve but the motorcycle riders of the Algarve Senior Bikers had to delve into their wardrobes and find their winter riding gear for the ride on Tuesday 22nd January.
Unusually low temperatures especially in the hills meant a few extra layers made for a more enjoyable day out.

The Equiland Equestrian Club, located in Bela Mandil, Olhão, is organising a fundraising event for the benefit of ‘Their Voice Portugal,’ the rescue association for mistreated horses,

A talk followed by a charity auction will take place at the Real Marina Hotel & Spa in Olhão on February 22 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., presented by the internationally acclaimed animal communicator Jackie Weaver, who is flying in from the UK.

At their first meeting of the New Year, Almancil International Rotary Club admitted four new members, Fran & Alan Wallace, Padre Jorge Cavalho and Gustavo Lima. taking their total membership to 40, the largest Rotary Club in the Algarve and the largest Rotary Club in Portugal using English as the common language.

Santa and Mrs Claus paid their annual visit to Estoi Casa do Povo to assist in the distribution of the food packs provided by the Faro Food Bank. The Rotary Club of Estoi Palace International was fortunate to have received many donations during the year of toys enabling us to give all the children registered with the food bank an extra Christmas present.