Alastair Kneale's blog

Last week the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued an alarming report on global warming. The new report focuses on what impacts we might expect from warming of 1.5 degrees and 2 degrees. The Paris climate agreement negotiated in 2015, set a target of no more than 2°C global warming above pre-industrial temperatures, but also an aspirational target of no more than 1.5°C.  This would substantially reduce the risks and effects of climate change. However, there had not been a lot of research into the climate impacts at 1.5°C vs. 2°C.

Rayner Hoff (27 November 1894 – 19 November 1937) was born in Braddan on the Isle of Man (Mannin). He was the son of a stone and wood carver and began helping his father on architectural commissions at a very young age. He studied drawing, design, and modelling, from 1910 to 1915 and during the First World War fought in the trenches of France. After which he studied at the Royal College of Art in London. In 1922, Rayner Hoff won the Prix de Rome which allowed him the opportunity to study in Rome. 

London Manx Society (Manx: Yn Cheshaght Manninagh Lunnin) will be holding their Mhelliah Service at St Bride's Church in London's Fleet Street on Monday 8th October. A Mhelliah is a traditional Celtic harvest festival that remains popular on the Isle of Man, and is celebrated annually by London Manx Society. In his novel 'The Manxman', a 1894 novel by the Manx writer Hall Caine (14 May 1853 – 31 August 1931), he describes the Mhelliah festival:

Politicians in the Isle of Man are not viewed in a good light. With a few notable exceptions, there is a lack of quality in the present Manx elected representatives. People do not have confidence in their ability to develop the Manx economy in a way that would benefit the community. In uncertain economic times there is a need for a government with a clear plan of action. However, there is a painful lack of direction coming from the Manx government. This results in them resorting to short term reactions to various economic issues as they arise.

The world-renowned three-day Rally Isle of Man was first held in 1963. Held on public roads, the car race is also part of the British Rally Championship. On Sunday, Rally Isle of Man said they had experienced "insurmountable delays" in securing the necessary road closure orders from the Manx government. This has resulted in the cancellation of the Manx event.

On 1st to 4th November 2018 Lowender Peran Celtic Festival is celebrating its 40th Anniversary. The Festival welcomes people from around the world to enjoy music, dance, arts and culture, representing the Celtic nations of Scotland (Alba), Ireland (Éire), Wales Cymru), Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow) and the Isle of Man (Mannin). Information on the event and programme can be obtained from the Lowender Peran website.

News from Mannin Branch of the Celtic League:

THE DOWN SIDE OF THE CRUISE IDYLL

Breton website 7seizh carries a report from the Marine and Seafarers safety organisation MOR GLAZ in which the criticise the shooting last month of a polar bear on the Island of Svalbard.

The Elgin Marbles, or Parthenon sculptures, have long been the subject of dispute. The collection of classical Greek marble sculptures were originally part of the temple of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens.  They were removed and shipped to England, in what the poet, peer and politician Lord Byron described as an act of vandalism or looting. They have been kept in the British Museum since 1817.

Close to the village of St John's (Manx: Balley Keeill Eoin) in the Isle of Man (Mannin) is the Ballaharra Quarry. It is owned by the Corlett family, who run a genuine Manx company with ownership and control remaining within the same family since it was established in 1947. They bought the site at Ballaharra after discovering working deposits of sand suitable for building materials. Production began in 1965.

Media Release from Culture Vannin:

Culture Vannin is pleased to announce the official launch of the on-line Manx Gaelic course, Glossika. Glossika is a team of linguists and polyglots based in Taiwan that are dedicated to changing the way people learn foreign languages: the aim is fluency through a natural immersion self-training method.