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Foundation

The Bristol-Oporto Foundation


The Foundation awards small grants to schools, youth, art and sports groups, etc., to enable projects to be undertaken on a Portuguese theme.

In partnership with NatWest Bank, an annual EDUCATIONAL grant is awarded to a local school to undertake a project. This has led to an impressive range of imaginative and creative displays.


One of such projects was the Bedminster Lantern Parade (see below).



On Parade - local Churchland Road Brownies carrying the lanterns they had designed and made under the direction of Alan May.
Note the illuminated shapes of the traditional barco rabelo being carried along.
The Oporto Foundation first supported this event two years ago when a local scout group made lanterns again under the direction of Alan May. This year the south Bristol parade seems to have grown in terms of numbers taking part. Many local children who had made a variety themed decorated paper lanterns paraded accompanied by musicians adding lively sound and energy to the wavering lights passing by. There was a large group of rhythmic drummers together with the more traditional sounds of a local brass band. Quite a spectacle with a large number of enthusiastic supporters lining the route including BOA members!

PIN HOLE CAMERA PROJECT (photos of SSGB & Suspension bridge - Richard)
This project is being run by Justin Quinnell a local photographer using Foundation grant funding. Two schools have been involved, one here in Bristol, St Mary Redcliffe. The second is just outside Porto at Rio Tinto.
Results are awaited but we thought a few locally recognisable photos already taken in this way by Justin using a prolonged exposure time might be of interest and demonstrate what can be achieved.

The Bristol-Oporto Foundation

The Foundation is the charitable arm of the twinning.  Through fund raising and donations it has an accumulated a fund that is able to award small grants to those who undertake projects or events connected with Porto or with Portugal.  This can be as an individual or as a group.                                                                                                                              
It has grant supported many interesting and exciting ventures with local schools, youth, art musical and sports groups, as well as with individual poets, artists and poets.  
This is open to all local Bristol people to apply if any Portugal related project is being undertaken. Any application is then put before Trustees and if supported a grant can be awarded.
There is as well a dedicated Education Scholarship Fund which allows for an annual award to be made directly to local a Primary or Secondary school to undertake a Porto/Portugal related project. This has led to an impressive range of imaginative and creative displays including provision of a ‘Portugal Day’ which fits within the current International curriculum.
University students in both Porto and Bristol have been supported in educational visits and language courses in their respective twin city by both twinning organisations. Applications for this are ongoing.
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