No Second Helicopter

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

The long-awaited second aerial means of fighting rural fires is no longer expected to arrive in Madeira in 2025, despite being planned and promised by the Government of the Republic.

It was a promise from the Secretary of State for Civil Protection that a second helicopter would be in the Region by the end of 2025, but the commitment will not be made, explained Micaela Freitas, the Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection.

The Secretary of State for Civil Protection is visiting the region to resolve pending matters with the Madeiran Executive and hopes to replicate a successful model for funding the Humanitarian Firefighters Associations.

“We had a visit from the Secretary of State for Civil Protection and he himself told the media and the Secretariat that the second aerial means would come by the end of the year. The truth is that, so far, it has not come. We are almost in December, and we have no indication that it will arrive this year,” she said, reinforcing that there is hope that the aircraft will be made available next year.

“It is a situation that goes beyond the Regional Government,” mourned Micaela Freitas.

Samntha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com