Alastair Kneale's blog

Isle of Man Post Office (Manx: Oik Postagh Ellan Vannin) has released a Christmas issue of stamps to celebrate eighty years of Beano, the world's longest-running comic. The Christmas story sees Dennis, Gnasher and friends on various locations on the Isle of Man raising a laugh and causing mischief. The children's comic the Beano is celebrating its 80th birthday and is published by the Dundee based publisher DC Thomson. The comic first appeared on 30 July 1938.

Hartes Ease is a group of Manx musicians who give regular concerts throughout the Island. Their performances include mainly renaissance music for recorders, viols and voice. Following successful Christmas concerts in recent years Hartes Ease will give another concert at 8.00pm on Sunday 6 January 2019 at Holy Trinity Church, Patrick, Isle of Man. Money raised will go towards the Isle of Man local charity www.Knockaloe.im. 

Press Release on New Manx Language Colouring Book:

Cool Mann, the new colouring book from award-winning illustrator and Bloomsbury author Jo Davies, is now published.

Ceremonies to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War (28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918) are taking place this weekend. Remembrance day in many parts of the world is observed on 11 November to mark the end of hostilities at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. One of the deadliest conflicts in history, it is estimated that it resulted in the death of over nine million combatants and seven million civilians. As the First World War’s centenary is marked, we need to be clear, this is not some supposed commemoration of duty performed towards King and Country.

Media release from Culture Vannin - Ned Maddrell Lecture:

Media release from Culture Vannin

Nominations open throughout November for Manannan’s Choice of the year – the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan

Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/146057732@N07/albums/72157679003123016

News from the Celtic League:

A member of the Irish Police, An Garda Siochana, Sgt Maurice McCabe is to retire after thirty years service. An Irish ‘Serpico’ McCabe exposed wrongdoing and malpractice in the Police and was subjected to almost a decade of villainous behaviour from some in the Force up to and including those at the most senior level.

"Exploding human consumption" has caused a massive drop in global wildlife populations in recent decades, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) points out in their Living Planet Report. The WWF makes it clear that: "Plummeting numbers of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish around the world are an urgent sign that nature needs life support.

News from the Celtic League:

Renewed controversy surrounds the death of Willie McRae in 1985. The death of the SNP political figure and environmentalist has been ruled a suicide by authorities although over the years ambiguities repeatedly arise to challenge that contention.

The latest controversy surrounds evidence from an intensive care nurse who treated McRae in hospital (NATIONAL link):

News from The Celtic League: