Alastair Kneale's blog

Tributes are being paid to Dr Brian Stowell, who sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 82. He was highly regarded for all of the work that he undertook for Manx language and culture. Speaker of the House of Keys (Manx: Yn Kiare as Feed), which is the directly elected branch of the parliament of the Isle of Man, Juan Watterson, praised him for bringing depth and meaning to the Manx language. He was praised for his contributions to the Celtic Congress and the Celtic League Mannin Branch hailed his linguistic work.

Illiam Dhone (14 April 1608 - 02 January 1663) also known as William Christian was a Manx politician and patriot. For his part in the Manx rising of 1651 he was executed by firing squad at Hango Hill in the Isle of Man on 2nd January 1663. Every year on 2nd January there is a commemoration held at Hango Hill, which is an ancient place of execution. The ceremony is jointly organised by Mec Vannin (the Manx Nationalist Party) and the Mannin Branch of the Celtic League.

News from the Celtic League:

This article from the Celtic League looks at the disastrous environmental impact of Super Trawlers overfishing. The new restrictions by the Irish Government to create a 6 mile coastal ban on fishing by large trawlers is welcome, but further action needs to be taken:

Super Trawlers Will ‘Slip The Net’ Of Large Trawler Ban

A move by the Irish government to restrict larger trawlers from a 6 mile inshore zone around Ireland is welcome but is it too little and too late (links):

A Manx silver ring found by a man who was metal detecting is thought to date from between 1400 and 1500 AD. It was found by Gordon Graham from Edinburgh, in a field in the north of the Isle of Man (Mannin). The ring is engraved with geometric shapes and when he found it in May of this year Gordon Graham reported his find to the landowner and the Manx Museum (Manx: Thie Tashtee Vannin). Finds of archaeological interest on the island must be reported to Manx National Heritage within two weeks.

Dating back beyond written records, the ancient Tradition of "Hunt the Wren" (Manx: Shelg yn Drean) takes place on December 26th, Saint Stephen's Day. One of the Isle of Man's oldest Christmas traditions has now being celebrated with the issue of an Isle of Man £2 coin. It is said that the tradition goes back to pre-Christian times, the origins of which are now not clear. However, it is seen as a way to ward off evil and to bring good luck in the year ahead. The tradition of 'Hunt the Wren', is celebrated particularly in the Celtic nations of Ireland (Éire) and Isle of Man (Mannin). 

Just 24 hours after Edouard Philippe, the French prime minister, said the tax rise would merely be “suspended” for six months, the French government has announced it will  scrap its proposed tax on diesel and petrol due to be imposed in the 2019 budget. It is an increasing sign of panic by centrist President Macron, whose popularity has slumped to 23 per cent after three weeks of unrest in France. Protesters say they can longer afford the raft of taxes and charges imposed by his government. However, the latest back down by Macron may not be enough to satisfy protesters.

There has been dissatisfaction with the performance of a number of Manx politicians for some time now. Not least in their unquestioning timidity in following the economic agenda of the Manx Chamber of Commerce. Whose primary aim appears to be to the desire to reduce labour costs and drive down the living standards of Manx working people.

BRETAGNE REUNIE QUIMPER-CORNOUAILLE 

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE                                       Quimper / Kemper, le 3 décembre 2018 

OBJET : DENI DE DEMOCRATIE

Après l'immense succès de la collecte des 100 000 signatures de Bretagne Réunie demandant l'organisation d'une consultation des habitants de Loire-Atlantique sur la réunification de la Bretagne, collecte à laquelle notre Comité de Kemper a participé, le Conseil départemental de Loire-Atlantique doit se prononcer sur l’organisation de cette consultation. 

Media release from Culture Vannin:

Manx Words: a new resource for learners of Manx

Culture Vannin is pleased to announce the release of a new publication for learners of Manx.

Entitled Manx Phrases this new resource is a fantastic addition to the growing material available for both learners and speakers of the language.

Recently Transceltic reported on moves to turn, “The Flow Country”, a large area, of peatland and wetland in Caithness and Sutherland in northern Scotland, into a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Peatlands are one of the most important natural ecosystems in the world. Peat bogs are a rich wildlife habitat and home to plants that are unique to that environment. Bogs also store more carbon than any other land-based ecosystem, giving them an important role in the defence against the effects of climate change.