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Kernow

4 Mys Du 2017

Heritage mismanagement adds to fury of Cornish protests

As predicted by 'Kernow Matters To Us' less than a week ago, fury has erupted over the National Trust's mismanagement of UNESCO recognised Cornish World Heritage sites in west Cornwall.

November 5th is commemorated by some in Britain as the date of the so-called Gunpowder Plot. Traditionally it is the date when bonfires, with an effigy of Guy Fawkes on top, are lit and this is accompanied by fireworks.  Guy Fawkes (April 1570 – 31 January 1606), also known as Guido Fawkes, was a member of a group of English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. They planned to assassinate King James I, (James VI of Scotland) and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne.

Plaid Cymru - Party of Wales has unreservedly condemned the jailing of Catalan politicians by the Spanish State. They have issued the following statement:

"These are members of a democratically elected government. Vice-President Oriol Junqueras is a longstanding friend of Plaid Cymru and colleague of ours in the European Free Alliance, and we urge the Spanish State to release him and the other political prisoners.

Mec Vannin the Manx National Party has called for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to intervene in Catalonia. This is after Spain has sought to crush democracy in Catalonia and reacted forcefully following the declaration of independence.

“Dears Sirs

With reference to the current situation vis a vis the Madrid and Catalunyan governments, we cite the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples:

Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo is festival of light that is on from 3rd November 2017 until 7th January 2018. An enchanted lantern trail has been designed with beautifully crafted, giant colourful lanterns and illuminated sculptures inspired by wildlife. Silk lanterns will include those in the form of a pride of lions, orangutans, tigers, giraffe and monkeys that will light up the skyline. This festival of light also has a Chinese theme with displays of a 16-metre high porcelain elephant tower and a 30-metre long Chinese dragon.

On the Isle of Skye (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach), the belief in the existence of fairies, or “the little people,” goes back to prehistoric times. Something that they share with some other Celtic peoples. A number of places on Skye are associated with this local legend. Locations like naturally occurring pools typically under waterfalls are seen as a favoured site for the little people to gather.

With the popular Cornish festival Lowender Peran on schedule for early November, Manx participants will soon be packing their musical instruments and dancing shoes for this annual extravaganza, but this year's invited group could prove to be a bit of a red herring.

Media realease from Culture Vannin:

Who has contributed most to Manx culture? RBV nominations underway

An annual cultural award named after our very own Celtic sea god, Manannan, the ‘Reih Bleeaney Vanannan’ or RBV is awarded to an individual or group who has made the greatest contribution to the Island’s cultural heritage. Nominations are open to the public throughout November, with the final decision made by representatives of various Manx cultural organisations.

Hark! The Glad Sound of Cornish Carols

Following the huge success of Shout Kernow – Celebrating Cornwall's Pub Songs, winner of the Waterstones’ Holyer an Gof Award (awaiting its third reprint in spring 2018), Sally Burley and Hilary Coleman have turned their attention to exploring the continuity and revival of the Cornish carolling tradition. They have travelled all over Cornwall – to pubs churches, chapels, town squares and private functions – recording stories, memories and local versions of carols.

The small Scottish Hebridean island of Sanday (Scottish Gaelic: Sandaigh) is to get its first road. When built it will replace a track that gets covered by water at high tide. The road will be a mile and a half long. Sanday is connected by a bridge to the larger neighbouring Isle of Canna. The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust is helping with a crowdfunding campaign to raise more than £31,400 to pay for the construction of the road.