p>Dear Amigos,

I would like to thank all those who were able to attend our AGM at the end of November. As many of you will know, we are required by law to have three separate committees to run a group like the Amigos; the Assembleia Geral, the Direcção and the Conselho Fiscal. The members of these committees work quietly behind the scenes throughout the year and only come together officially at the AGM and when so many fellow Amigos turn up for the occasion it is not difficult to see why all of us appreciate your support along with the strong feeling of solidarity and camaraderie that it brings. There was only one change in the management structure this year when Michael Savage was confirmed in the post of Treasurer, replacing Edwin Bisset who retired after eleven years. Michael, who many will know through his long standing connections with both the Amigos and the Algarve Wine Society, makes a much valued addition to the committee and will doubtless maintain a firm and trusty grip on our purse strings. After the meeting Joana Ballmann proved that she was back on form throughout her concert and Marie and the team gave us all an enjoyable highly convivial supper to round off the evening

Everyone will have received notification of the concerts on the 30th December and the 6th January

when we shall have the pleasure of listening to two nicely balanced programmes of Piano for four hands played by Ana Margarida Silva and Ana Luísa Monteiro. At this time of year it is always refreshing to have the opportunity to hear some not so festive music after being endlessly bombarded by Christmas carols and jingle bells. I hope you (and your guests perhaps?) will be able to take a break from the parties and come along to enjoy a few inspiring and reflective moments away from the streamers, crackers and balloons.

With the last newsletter was a program schedule for the forthcoming year. Since then there has been further fine tuning and I am spending you a copy of the updated list. As you will notice, the dates of the March concerts have changed and on April 14th and 17th we have been able to tempt Anne Kaasa to will make a return visit after three years. viagra australia casino online no prescription As you know, 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Amigos, an occasion which we must mark with pride. It a long time and we have come a long way and it is reassuring to see how just how many founder members there are still amongst us today. It is an occasion to celebrate in some style and to that end a gourmet, black tie dinner at the Relais & Chateau Vila Monte near Moncarapacho is planned for the 21st of May. Please be sure to mark this date in your new diaries.

Last week the committee met for the first time since the AGM and as promised, there was an interesting discussion about the food served during the interval of the concerts as well as the way in which it is presented. We are going to make some changes which we hope will meet with your approval but, as there is no simple way to resolve what for some is not a problem in the first place, this is not going to be an easy task.

All that remains is for me to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a prosperous, healthy New Year.
Barry