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NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

In an initiative that could well be replicated in other Celtic countries (particularly the Isle of Man) ideas for tackling fuel poverty have been discussed today by a new group meeting for the first time in Inverness in Scotland

The Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force has been established by the Scottish Government. Its remit is to find ways of making it easier and more affordable for people in rural and remote Scotland to heat their homes.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

There will be Easter Rising commemorations in North Wales. Following the rising in 1916 many of those detained by the British Army were imprisoned at Frongoch Prisoner of War Camp in Gwynedd.

Amongst those imprisoned in the Camp was IRA leader Michael Collins who want on to lead the pro-treaty military forces during the Civil War.

See attached link with quotes from local politicians in Wales:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-33994718

For those with an interest in World War II, this weekend's special 1940s event on the Island's vintage steam railway should be just the ticket.

Advertised as a family-friendly event, it's a chance to relive the nostalgia of 1940s wartime with the Isle of Man Steam Railway's fifth Island at War weekend.

A number of events will take place at three of the main railway stations, bringing history to life at Douglas, Castletown and Port Erin.

Isle of Man Post Office has teamed up with the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the legendary battle with a special set of collectable memorabilia.

Kezia Dugdale, as predicted has been elected as the leader of the Scottish branch of the London based Labour Party. No doubt she will continue to encourage the role of Labour in Scotland as no more than the powerless branch office of London Labour. They are incapable of acting independently in the interests of Scotland.

With the Snaefell Mountain Railway still going strong and as popular as ever, special celebrations will mark the network's 120th anniversary on the summit on the 20 August.

There will be special trams and activities throughout the day, which will culminate in the inaugural presentation of a specially commissioned forty minute work for a chamber ensemble, which will be performed inside the Summit Restaurant and simultaneously relayed over loudspeakers across the surrounding countryside.

In a spectacular finale to this year's Lorient Interceltique Festival, two Manx bands swept the board in their bid for the coveted Trophée Loic Raison, topping off a special year for the Isle of Man at the annual festival in Brittany.

Power trad trio, Barrule, clinched first prize and the Ruth Keggin Band was right behind them in second position, showing that the Isle of Man, despite its size, can hold its own in the world of Celtic music.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

I have said on many occasions that we don’t simply like to do reposts or links on Celtic News but sometimes an article pops up that is just to good not to recycle.

‘Wee Ginger Dug’ (aka Paul Kavanagh) has excelled himself in this piece (link below) in which he literally ‘takes out’ those who demean or oppose Gaelic and Scots.

He starts by reference to comments made recently about bilingual signage.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Four women have appeared in Court in North Wales charged with painting ‘anti-drone graffiti’ at Llanbedr airfield in June.

The women were part of a group which has painted slogans and displayed protest banners at the airfield following a deal between Defence Contractor QinetiQ with Llanbedr Airfield Estates to develop their UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) at the airfield.

They are alleged to have painted daubed slogans such as “death drones” on the runway at the Airfield.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

A call from the Isle of Man Infrastructure Minister Phillip Gawne for more land to be released to stimulate economic growth has prompted a strong attack from Nationalists.

The Minister made his appeal in an interview carried by radio station 3FM earlier this week (see link):

http://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/release-land-or-economy-will-stall-says-minister/