Blogs

It is shocking that two years into a new Manx government and a Tynwald that has seen a ‘churn’ of over 50% in membership poverty and deprivation in Mann are getting worse.

This is best illustrated by the fact that the Isle of Man Foodbank with increased demand for the food aid it supplies is moving to new larger premises.

A spokesman for the body speaks about the increasing demand and the factor of what he terms ‘poverty within employment’ where folk who are gainfully employed can still not manage to meet basic needs for food because pay levels are so low:

The Manx media report on a visit by a number of French warships to Mann it's one of a regular series of such military jollies in the Port of Douglas and the vessels Officers were entertained by local civic dignitaries and the Islands English Lt Governor.:

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=40624&headline=French%20Navy%20...

Caergwrle Castle (Welsh: Castell Caergwrle) is a fortification in the town of Caergwrle, Flintshire (Sir y Fflint), close to the English border. It was built by Dafydd ap Gruffydd (1238 - 3 October 1283) between 1277 and 1282.  It is one of the castles of the indigenous Welsh princes built in order to defend their land from invasion.

News from the Celtic League:

The placing of a giant ‘NO’ sign by campaigners opposed to abortion in Ireland on the side of Ben Bulben mountain has prompted protest from the Ireland's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

The sign is 100 foot high and made out of plastic cladding. It has been erected with the landowners permission.

The National Trust’s Women and Power programme was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act, which first gave some women the vote. The National Trust is a charity that aims to preserve and protect historic properties as well as historic landscapes, historic urban properties, and nature reserves  Over the year they have been exploring the stories of the women (and men) from the places it manages, who fought both for and against female suffrage through new exhibitions, podcasts, art installations and other events.

Welsh singer Shirley Bassey has today had a carriage of the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway (Welsh: Rheilffordd yr Wyddfa) named in her honour. The honour recognises Dame Shirley as an international ambassador for Wales and for her musical career. Over the years she has won a number of awards including a UNESCO Artist for Peace Award, a Welsh Legend Award and the Légion d'Honneur. She was the first Welsh singer to have a number one single and also the the only artist to record three James Bond theme songs: Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker.

News from the Celtic League:

One of the consequences of the UK Brexit is that the UK Nuclear industry will separate its functions from Euratom that regulates safety standards across Europe in conjunction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

A year ago UK energy officials were suggesting that the new bilateral arrangements with IAEA would see the nuclear industry have standards set at a higher bar than the current IAEA/Euratom provisions (link - Reuters report September 2017).

News from the Celtic League:

Sellafield are in the dock again over Health and Safety issues although the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) statement gives little away about the nature of this new omission - although it apparently involves staff contamination in an area handling ‘special nuclear materials’.

ONR say they are tight lipped for ‘legal reasons’.

Its worrying to communities around the Irish Sea that the plants safety is once again under scrutiny:

ONR statement in full below:

“ONR to prosecute Sellafield Ltd

11 May, 2018

Stonehaven (Scottish Gaelic: Cala na Creige) is a coastal town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The town grew around an Iron Age fishing village, and gradually expanded inland from the seaside. Stonehaven was a Jacobite stronghold at the time of the Jacobite rising of 1715 and this was also the case during the Jacobite rising of 1745. It was one of the north-eastern Scottish ports where reinforcements, plus money and equipment were periodically landed from France in support of the efforts of Charles Edward Stuart ("Bonnie Prince Charlie") to regain the throne for the House of Stuart.

News from Kernow Matters To You:

With the royal wedding set for Saturday, Cornwall Council has been notified of only two street parties requiring road closures, an all time low. Additionally, there has been one event notification.

The street parties are in Bude and St Austell and the event notification is for a village hall tea party at Carnon Downs.

This has caused the local media to ask the question: "Is anyone celebrating the Royal wedding in Cornwall?"