Attached to Carol's latest newsletter are photos of Tavira and Santa Luzia, which impressed both of us with their tasteful and carefully thought out designs, compared with the 'improvements' to CVO.

If you look at these you will see imaginatively designed calçada, street lights which look as if they belong (compared to the surplus motorway lights in our square), seats in both stone and wood (Ellie please note ), trees implanted in the ground (not temporary tubs), sail type shades to protect from the sun, waste bins which look like ships ventilators,and even a variety of tasteful barrier posts. Although traffic runs through the square there is a 30 kph speed limit, a clearly defined roadway in a different colour and clearly marked pedestrian crossings.

I would estimate this cost no more than our ill-thought out design. So - why the difference ?

It appears to come down to one thing - the President of the Tavira camara who is so well thought of that locals are wondering what will happen now that his mandatory two periods of office are completed so he must stand down.
Interestingly he is this year standing for President of Faro camara and is thought to have an excellent chance. If he does win it will be interesting to see whether he can push through some long needed improvements there.

The moral of this story - choose your President carefully or, even better, if anyone knows the outgoing Tavira President well - persuade him to stand in Lagoa

Roy

maybe we can peititon Camara to get some decent trees and benches in place..so who do we go too? where do we sign, peition is in order here me thinks.
Gaynor

Ive got all my fingers & toes crossed Roy..that seats will eventually appear in the 'new' square. I was so looking forward to an avenue of trees instead of orange trees in tubs
Maybe we should have a Brit as representative on the Camara? Hey how about you Roy or Carol?
I think Biffa once tried to stand? Think thats right...........

Tudo de bom
(Im trying to practise my Portuguese.....)

Does anyone happen to know what the opinion of the local residents are of the new square etc. I do'nt mean the ex pats who live out there, but those people who were born and bred in CV. I would imagine that they may have been consulted as to what they would like to see in relation to changes, and it might just be that the changes to the square are a direct result of their comments.

Just been looking at the webcam of the beach. Quite a crowd has gathered, as it looks as if there is some entertainment on the stage. I wonder how long they will stay as they all seem to be standing, unless they are customers at the restaurants. I agree with you Ellie, some seats are definately needed especially to give the square some atmosphere.

On saturday night there was a " animation " as the french call it, characters dressed out of star wars with a mobile disco, fire juggler. stilt walkers, belly dancers , ballerina.

They prcessed down the IN road into the square ( something not possible before ) , The in road was closed and traffic held up during the procession.
The centre was crowded as people heraing the noise gravitated to the square.

MORE OF THIS PLEASE .

Have just looked at webcam of the 'square' and it looks total chaos!! Coaches, large trucks, vans etc etc - cannot believe what they are allowing to enter and cross the 'square'??

The layout clearly indicates that this was not what was planned to happen??? Oh dear, a real shame IMHO which will be sorted before the whole surface (not laid for this sort of traffic) is totally ruined and destroyed.