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The first immigrants came to Guernsey in 1963.

They were only three of them, all from the Island of Madeira, and they were employed in the catering and hotel industry.

At that time the majority of the island's workforce 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.

Many Portuguese are in catering.

On June 10th 1980 The Portuguese Association in Guernsey first celebrated the anniversary of the day of Portugal, the poet Camões, and the Portuguese Communities.

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

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

Football has been a key point of integration.

Last year a Portuguese Team played in the Sunday Soccer League and participated in the last Mini-European Football Competition.

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

Portuguese people living in Guernsey do not have there own Club or Social Center. This can make it difficult for them to fully celebrate their culture.

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

Traditional Portuguese culinary delights are prepared in many homes and there are two restaurants in the Island where diners can taste the food and wines of Portugal.