Blogs

The Skath An Tanlu, a name chosen by the public meaning fire boat in Cornish, was unveiled during a ceremony held at Custom House Quay, Falmouth.

Powered by twin Suzuki 140 bhp engines, the vessel will reach speeds of 37 knots and can carry a crew of six firefighters and two coxswains. It will provide a fire and rescue response to more than 100 houseboats in and around the Falmouth, Penryn and Helford River areas, and it will be available to transfer personnel and equipment during emergency maritime operations.

Despite the fact that you may think I’m chained to this computer churning out this drivel in fact I can rattle this stuff of in a few moments so have plenty of time to enjoy the natural aesthetic.. I think I oscillate between moments of calm contentment in our environment and short bursts of anger at the plight that some on this Island endure (Note: Must try cognitive behavioural therapy).

My good friend Trevor Cowin is in touch again to point out the current issue that he has with the Tynwald Commissioner for Administration. The issue it seems revolves around what he (the Commissioner) believes his role is and what Trevor thinks the role of an Ombudsman should be.

I’ve been having a customer experience with Manx Telecom - that’s what they call it these days when you ask a few questions.

It all started with their statement last week in the war of words with Sure Mobile (link):

http://www.transceltic.com/blog/manx-telecom-wars-who-do-you-believe

If you're looking for a vibrant, colourful festival which brings together our friends and neighbours from the Celtic nations, there's nothing better than the long-running Lorient Inter-Celtic Festival in Brittany, now in its forty eighth year and going from strength to strength.

Following city centre construction work, many of the festival venues have been modified, with new space made available for several pavilions and a layout for a Celtic artwork exhibition in the local square.

Poverty and deprivation which results in misery, despair and recourse to food aid is not something that just sprang up in the last year or so successive Manx governments have known about it and seemingly done little to tackle it.

In 2011 there were no ‘official statistics but a query from an MHK to then Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK revealed that:

‘There are large numbers of families who are clearly struggling to make ends meet.

I’m spoiled for choice! Lunch consumed I settle back for the ‘after dinner rest awhile’ interlude and scan Crown Dependency News. Eddie Power has an item with Kate Beecroft MHK averring that something called the NEWSNIGHTBLOG is a ‘good read. It certainly is very well written and thought provoking but it's spoiled for me by being drawn back to would Kate consider it a ‘good read’ if Howard hadn’t fired her after that ‘No Orchids for Miss Blandish’ episode.

I think the Chief Constable and the Lubyanka crew are losing the plot if this story is to be believed. Either that or there’s to many of them with too little to do. Come to think of it with cuts everywhere and the population falling how do numbers in the force stand up to scrutiny? (link):

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/police-support-castletow...

I’m becoming more than a little annoyed with Howard Quayle the Chief Minister which is sad because I was starting to warm to him especially now his ‘Two Ronnies’ double act with Paul Moulton was rivalling ‘Unforgotten as the high point of my weekly viewing.

I mean Howard can come across as smugly indifferent especially when you learn that people are starving on his watch (link):

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/the-big-table-welcomes-e...

One of our regular commentators contacts me to say they are just a tad angry that various people seem to want to peddle the myth of a ‘subterranean village’ under the reservoir in the West Baldwin valley.

Imagine them all down there in their watery graves - the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker - just one problem its a load of bollocks!