17 Feb 2012 - Oxford Fiddle Group to play for Madrugada

Eight members of the 18-strong Oxford Fiddle Group will be on a five day tour of the Algarve. On 17 February they will be performing to raise money for the Madrugada charity at the Gusto Bar and Grill in Praia da Luz which is providing a special dinner, including Espetadas da Madeira, to make it a night to remember.

The band members visiting the Algarve consists of five fiddles, an acoustic guitar, bass guitar and a concertina. This is their third visit to the Algarve and they will be performing lively songs, foot-tapping jigs and reels and beautiful slow airs and laments from the UK, Ireland and the USA. Their performances are always fun yet played with passion. Earlier this year they performed in Bonn, Germany and have also performed in France, Holland and Ireland, and this summer will be performing in Norway.

 The all-in cost for this special evening is €22 for Madrugada members and €24.50 for non members. Dinner menu comprises: starter of garlic bread (plain and tomato) Parma ham and olives; main course of chicken and pork Madeira skewers, chips and salad; and a sweet of chocolate gateau or fresh fruit salad. A vegetarian option, available by pre-ordering, comprises vegetables rolled in a pancake and served in a sauce (like a lasagne) which the chef assures us is delicious! Wine is included.

 Reservations and tickets are available at the Madrugada charity shop in Praia da Luz or by contacting the office – 282 761375 or by e-mail to mariajoao@madrugada-portugal.com.

The eight members of OFG who are performing in the Algarve are from left to right: Adrian Broadway, Marilyn Mills, Chris Mills, Jed Mugford, Christine Ellis, Tom Bell-Richards, Rita Blewitt and Peter Day.

It’s Madrugadalicious! - 12 October 2011

Friends, Jenny Leeder and Mo Miller, have launched a new venture to help raise funds for Madrugada, a non-profit association working in the community to provide palliative care here in the Algarve.

Christened ‘Madrugadalicious’ the venture’s first event took place on 12 October 2011 with a lunch at Jenny and John Leeder’s home in Carvoeiro. Each guest paid a €10 donation to Madrugada. Lunch was served for 24 guests who paid a €10 donation to Madrugada, while a number of people unable to attend also made donations, bringing the total raised to almost €300.

Jenny explains how the idea came about: ‘We had heard that the Macmillan charity had raised a huge amount of money for its palliative care nursing in the UK by organising lunches and similar events based on small groups of friends meeting up at their houses. So we thought why not do the same here for Madrugada.’ 

Having enjoyed the first event immensely, many guests and friends have decided to help, either in the same way or by organising their own events for raising funds. For example, Susan and John Thorpe at Porches Pottery have said they will give a coffee morning at Bar Bacchus in Porches - they used to hold similar events for Macmillan when they lived in England. The Corte Real Gallery in Paderne, is hosting ‘The perfect English tea’, including a fine selection of home baked cakes, from 2.30-5pm on 14 December. The organisers say this will be a great place with open fires and a real Christmas atmosphere to meet up and make new friends. 

If you would like further details of future events or wish to help by hosting your own luncheon, coffee and cake morning, afternoon tea, dinner party or whatever, please contact Jenny Leeder or Mo Miller for information and advice:  jleeder@waitrose.com or Mo: mo.miller@btinternet.com

 Picture shows,left to right, John and Jenny Leeder, Mo Miller with guests and Madrugada President Alison Blair (far right) at the first Madrugadalicious held on 12 October in Carvoeiro. 


 

Madrugada Charity Fashion Show & Autumn Fair

If you are looking for something special to wear for the coming season there will be plenty of bargains on offer at the Madrugada Charity Show & Autumn Fair to be held on Sunday September 18 at the Almadena Social Club.

Fashion for all ages will be featured on stage by six models who will make a total of eight changes, while clothing selected over many months from donations made to Madrugada’s Praia da Luz charity shop will be on sale. Also available will be jewelery, bric-a-brac, craft items, food and refreshment, childrens’ entertainment and much more plus an auction by David Chesterton who is compering the event.

‘We are given so many quality items at the shop we decided it was time to show them off.  Almadena with its new social centre and local resident population from all the surrounding villages is ideally placed.’ explains organiser Lesley Robinson (aka ‘Bubbles’).

The event runs from 11am-5pm on 18 September with the main fashion show at 12.30 and the charity auction starting at 2pm. Entry is free of charge. For further information or anyone willing to donate items, cakes, preserves etc please contact the Madrugada office: 282 761 375. Website: www.madrugada-portugal.com