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We have just received official notification of the death of Dr James Whetter.

Dr James Whetter, founder of The CNP died earlier this week. James worked hard over the years for his beloved Kernow and organised the Thomas Flamank commemoration for many years.

His daughters Talwyn and Esyld were with him when he died.

James C. A. Whetter born 1935 at St Austell was a noted Cornish historian and editor of The Cornish Banner (An Baner Kernewek). He has contested elections for two Cornish independence parties.

Yn Commeeys Celtiagh - Celtic League Mannin draw attention to an article in the newspaper Irish World that reports on a study of dead whales, dolphins and porpoises in Ireland, which found that nearly one in 10 were found with marine debris in their systems:

MARINE WASTE MAY BE CAUSE OF UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF CETACEAN STRANDINGS

Marine waste and microplastics could be the cause of a record number of whale and dolphin strandings. This report in the Irish World newspaper speculates:

The Loch Ness Monster features on a new UK 10 pence coin that has entered into circulation. Loch Ness (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Nis) is a freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands (Scottish Gaelic: A' Ghàidhealtachd) which is renowned for its great beauty. It is, of course, also famous for being home to the mysterious large aquatic animal known as the Loch Ness Monster or affectionately known by the nickname Nessie (Scottish Gaelic:Niseag).

Yn Commeeys Celtiagh - Celtic League Mannin have consistently raised the issue of over fishing, dangers to marine mammals by current fishing practices and the enormous damage caused by the use of Super trawlers. In this latest article they point out that fish stocks in the sea are not inexhaustible. The time for international action on the issues raised is long past:

MANY TRACES SIMPLY SAY ‘FISHING’ THE FISHING MAFIA OF EUROPE ARE GETTING ‘CUTE’

According to legend, St Piran was born in Ireland in the 6thcentury.

He was renowned for his miraculous deeds but a group of tribal kings grew afraid of his powers and jealous of his influence. They put a millstone around his neck and threw him off the top of a high cliff into the sea.

As Piran fell, lightening and thunder raged, but as he reached the sea the storm ceased and the Irish watched St Piran float on the millstone towards the Cornish shore.

St David is the Patron Saint of Wales and March 1st is St David's Day. The first of March is recognised as a National Day throughout Wales. It is also a day of celebration for Welsh communities throughout the world and the Welsh flag with Y Ddraig Goch (the Red Dragon) is proudly raised. The flag of Saint David (Baner Dewi Sant) normally a yellow cross on a black field, also plays a central role in the celebrations. The date is tradionally seen as the date that Saint David died in 589.

The “Europe’s Lost Frontiers” research team, along with the Institute of Technology Sligo, University College Cork,  researchers from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and the Irish Marine Institute, are at present undertaking a survey, using the Irish Marine Institute RV Celtic Explorer, to explore the extensive prehistoric submerged landscapes of the Irish Sea.

Soaring demand for spots at Glasgow’s two Gaelic Medium primary schools is just another sign of the Celtic Tongue’s resurgence in Scotland’s largest city.  Glasgow City Council have announced plans to open a third primary school to cope with overcrowding at the existing two Gaelic primary schools. The new school is being termed as a temporary “Annexe” to accommodate the overflow.  However, the Glasgow City Councils “Gaelic Language Plan 2018 – 2022” calls for the establishment of a third fully functioning Gaelic primary school.

Congratulations to Scotland's Rugby Union team who have defeated England 25 - 13 in the Six Nations Championship today. In a thoroughly deserved victory Scotland outplayed and outfought England. As always it's a pleasure to see England defeated by any of the Celtic nations.

Picture courtesy of Scottish Rugby facebook page

Article from Yn Commeeys Celtiagh - Celtic League Mannin highlights concerns about munitions that have been dumped around the Celtic coasts. The article points out that Beaufort Dyke, a deep sea trench between the north-east coast of Ireland, south-west of Scotland and north from the Isle of Man, contains a staggering one million tonnes of discarded munitions: 

SOMETHING NASTY IN THE WATER