Guests of honour Dr. Caldas Faria Consul - General of Portugal in London, Monsignor Lawrence

head of the Catholic Church in Guernsey and Mr. Davies from the States Immigration Department.

The event was held at St. Margaret Hotel.

Most Portuguese are Roman Catholic (95%) but the number of church goers has dramatically

reduced over the years.

Whether tempted by riches of the new world or the opportunities to provide a better life for their

families and themselves, millions of Portuguese from Madeira, Azores and the Portuguese mainland

left their homeland and settled in all four corners of the Earth. The first immigrants came to Guernsey in 1963, and they were only three of them, all from the Island of Madeira, and they were employed in the hospitality industry.

At that time the majority of the island's work forces were from Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Since Italy joined the EC in 1979 the number of Italians working in Guernsey began to drop. Their places were filled by a gradually growing Portuguese community which already numbered around 400.

On June 10th 1980

The Portuguese Association in

Guernsey celebrated the first Anniversary and the day of

Portugal, the poet Cames, and the Portuguese Communities.

From the age of the discoveries to

the present, the Portuguese have been adventurous and pioneering

people.

Chronology of the Portuguese Community in Guernsey

Chef Rivelino is one of the many Portuguese in catering

This picture was taken in 1982 Luso vs. Guernsey Police Luso team played friendly games with the States Fire-fighters and various Banks. There was also a Mini-European Knockout Cup organized by Vale Rec Sports Club.

Portuguese people living in Guernsey do not have

there own Club or Social Centre. This can make it

difficult for them to fully celebrate their culture.

Traditional Portuguese culinary delights are

prepared in many homes and there are various

restaurants in the Island where diners can taste and enjoy the food and wines of Portugal.

Unfortunately there was a poor response from the children and the teacher resigned.

The Portuguese Secretary of Education faced great difficulties in obtaining a licence for the new teacher, so the Portuguese Authorities had to cancel the education programme in Guernsey.

The Portuguese Association has given its own collection of books to the Guille-Alles Public Library in St. Peter Port.

In 1981: the Portuguese Education Secretary first

promoted Portuguese lessons to pupils at the Notre Dame du

Rosaire School in Guernsey. A teacher from Portugal was

appointed to undertake the job.

The successful 'Lusobritanic' football team

The Luso Team also took part in the Sunday Soccer League and later in the Bankers League sponsored and funded by Portuguese proprietor of the Swan Inn, Joe Gomes.

Since 1983 The Portuguese Association in Guernsey, was affiliated to fourteen similar Associations in UK and the Channel Islands, and registered with the Secretariat of the Portuguese Communities in Lisbon.

Portugal joined the EC in 1986. At the time Guernsey recruited a large number of workers from Madeira for the horticultural and tourism industry. By 1990 the numbers continued to rise as the Portuguese were allowed to move more freely within Europe, UK and the Channel Islands.

By the year 2000 the community represented 3.3% of the Guernsey population (2,000 people). Since 2000 both industries have suffered a tremendous decline.

A large number of Portuguese have diversified their employment widely into hospitals, nursing, domestic services, laundries, shops, gardening, cleaning services, supermarkets, banks, insurance, and the construction industry. Some are now self-employed. The majority of the second generation are employed in finance, banking, public servants, public transport drivers, social services, medicine, law and architecture.

Since being formed the Portuguese Association has played an important roll in providing support to the community liaising consultation with the Portuguese Consul-General in London and the Director of the Communities Centre in Madeira.

The Association also had a good relationship with the States Board of Administration, Housing Authority, Social Security, and the Board of Industry. The Association was also involved with the Police Public Consultative Group.

1981: was also the year the Portuguese Association formed a

football team alongside the GFA, namely 'Lusobritanic.'

Football and other sports has been

a key point of integration.

June 1979: first meeting in the

Bailiffs Chamber with Sir John Loveridge, Bailiff of Guernsey, Dr. Caldas Faria Consul General of

Portugal in London, Francisco Silva and Joe Gomes founders of the

Portuguese Association.

Important dates for the Community

The Portuguese Community in Guernsey is just one of many scattered throughout the world.

The Communities keep in contact

through their governments in Lisbon, Madeira and Azores.

July 1980: Dr. Manuela de Aguiar Secretary of State of the Portuguese Communities visits

Guernsey, with her Secretary and Consul General of Portugal in London Dr. Caldas Faria, invited by

the Portuguese Association in Guernsey.

May 1982: the Bishop of Funchal

Dom Manuel Santana celebrates the day of Our Lady of Fatima Patron Saint of Peace at St Josephs Church, St. Peter Port. Also visited the Bailiffs Chamber and met Sir John Loveridge Bailiff of Guernsey.

May 1983: the newly elected Bishop of Funchal Dom Teodoro Faria celebrates the

week of Our Lady of Fatima at St Josephs Church. Also visited the Bailiffs Chamber and met Sir Charles Frossard Bailiff of Guernsey.

July 1984: the first Congress

of the Madeiran Communities was chaired by the President

of the Portuguese Republic, General Ramalho Eanes. There were 120 Delegates

from all four corners of the world. Guernsey was

represented by Joe Gomes.

March 1989: Virgilio Teixeira, director of the Centre of Madeiran

Communities and the recruitment department of

workers to the local floral Industry, and his delegation attended a meeting with the

President of the States Board of Administration Mr. Roger

Berry and his Secretary.

July 1993: Guernsey's Bailiff Sir Graham Dorey and Lady Dorey visited the Island of

Madeira. They were invited for a state Dinner by Dr.

Alberto Joo Jardim, President of the Executive Government of the Region of

Madeira.

September 1996: The fourth Congress of the Madeiran

Communities. Joe Gomes was elected as Vice-Counsellor for the Madeiran Communities for

the UK & CI. In the picture are Dr. Mario Soares President of

the Portuguese Republic and delegates from UK and Channel Islands.

May 1998: Dr Alberto Joo

Jardim and his delegation visit Guernsey for the first time. They attended a function

organised by the Portuguese Association. On the next day

the president and his delegation were invited to visit the Bailiff's Chamber following by a

luncheon in a Restaurant in St. Peter Port.

May 2000: Mr. Jos Lello Secretary of State of the

Portuguese Communities and his delegation visited Guernsey

for the first time. They also met Sir de Vic Carey Bailiff of Guernsey and attended a

function held at the OGH Hotel organised by the Portuguese

Association.

January 2003: Guernsey's

Bailiff Sir de Vic Carey and Lady Carey, visited Madeira on a

private holiday. During their stay in the Island the Secretary of the Madeiran Communities

Dr Brazo de Castro, invited the Bailiff for a luncheon and dinner

attended by the President Dr Alberto Joo Jardim.

Left to right: Mrs de Castro, Gonalo Santos, Dr. Brazo de

Castro, Joo Carlos de Freitas Counsellor of CPM, Vnia

Fernandes Madeiran Singer.

September 2006: Bailiff of Guernsey Sir Geoffrey Rowland and Lady Rowland visited

Madeira. During their stay they were invited to visit the Regional

Parliament and attended a state dinner invited by the President of the Executive Government of

Madeira Dr. Alberto Joo Jardim.

October 2006: Dr. Brazo de Castro Secretary for Human Resources and Madeiran

Communities and his wife visited Guernsey for the third time.

They attended the Test of Portugal Dinner held at St. Pierre

Park Hotel organised by the Portuguese Association and Events Committee. On the next

day they were invited to visit the Bailiff's Chamber following by a

luncheon in a Restaurant in St. Peter Port

May 2012: Dr Conceico Estudante Regional Secretary of

Culture, Tourism, Transport and Madeirian Communities and

Gonalo Santos Director of CCM. The Secretary visited Guernsey for the first time, also met Sir

Richard Collas Bailiff of Guernsey and former Bailiff Sir de Vic

Carey and Sir Peter Walker the Governor of Guernsey.

June 2009: one of the many successful functions organized by the Portuguese Association Guernsey: from left to right Mrs & Mr Matias

rep for BES bank ,Amado rep for BPI bank, Carmen Vieira C.member G.P.A, Claudia Aguiar Vice- Treasure, Ftima Pires, Nicolle Teixeira

Vice-Secretary, Cindy Gomes, Carlos Aguiar Treasure, Joe Gomes Chairman,Rivelino Rodrigues Vice-President, from far back left Deputy

Francis Quin States deputy- Minister for Home Department, Dr. Jos Macedo Leo Portuguese General- Consul in London, Carlos Costa

Portuguese Honary Consul for Channel Islands, Elvio Pires President for G.P.A, Deputy Rhodrick Matthews.

June 2013: last function organized by the Portuguese Association in Guernsey, held at St.Pierre Park Hotel St Peter Port

July 2000: the Portuguese Association in Guernsey received an award from the Regional Government of Madeira for the relevant services

rendered to the Madeiran Community in Guernsey.

Also in April 2011: the Association received an award sponsored by the

Banco Espirito Santo commended for the services rendered to the Portuguese Community in Guernsey

presented by the Portuguese singer Carlos Alberto Moniz at the third Gala of Jornal as Noticias the event was held at the Pestana Hotel in London.

April 2014: the Portuguese Association has been dissolved and its funds have been donated to Hope for Guernsey, in the picture: left to

right Becky Simmons, Carlos Aguiar former treasurer, Joe Gomes former Chairman and joint founder of the Portuguese Association, Dr.

Roger Allsopp and Vanessa Marsh from Hope for Guernsey Support of Medical Search.

Unfortunately due to lack of members and motivated people and time they can commit has led to

the disbanding of the Portuguese Association in Guernsey; however the Association's Blog will

remain for the chronology and the Facebook will serve to disseminate news and important

information to the Portuguese Community provided by the former chairman Joe Gomes.

Joe has been asked by the Policy Council of the States of Guernsey to keep and pass important

information to the Portuguese Community in Guernsey. This practice has been going on for a

number of years with the Portuguese Consulates in Jersey, London and the Madeira Regional

Government.

At the moment the Portuguese Community in Guernsey represents 1.8% of Guernsey's population, around 1,100 people.

The majority of the Portuguese people living in Guernsey feel they have integrated extremely well with the local society and the way of life.

Historical dates in our neighbour Island of Jersey

May 9th 2008: visit to Jersey of Dr. Alberto Joo Jardim President of the Regional Government of Madeira to

celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Madeiran Jersey friendship agreement .

May 10th 2008: Dr. Alberto Joo speech in St. Helier constables hall. Those were present; the Governor and

Bailiff of the island, Constable of St. Helier, members of the States of Jersey and guests of the Jersey and

Portuguese society.

The Historical twinning of St Helier with the Madeiran capital of Funchal

t

April 10th 2012: The Mayor of Funchal, Dr Alburqueque signs a twining charter with St. Helier Constable

Simon Crowcroft in a move which the polititians hope will improve economic and cultural ties between the

Capitals, as well as boosting tourism for both islands.

The former Mayor of Funchal, Dr Miguel Albuquerque

is the new President of the Regional Government of Madeira he took office

on April 2015.

For further information about our chronology please visit our Media Links:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSkglXARHkA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-S_oUWqWw0

Blog: http://gsypassociation.blogspot.com/

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associacao.guernsey

This photo was taken during the Presidents visit to the Island of Jersey.