Blogs

A new law has come into effect in Scotland to fight against cruelty to animals. The new measures will increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty to up to five years in prison and result in the Courts having the power to impose unlimited fines for the most serious cases. The new rules are part of The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act, which was passed on 30 November and a range of serious crimes against wildlife will also be covered.

How to mix an awful cocktail......

A few mixed messages from Cornwall's privatised tourist promotion company 'Visit Cornwall...a little right wing London press coverage...a slice of Anglo centric self entitled bigotry and the result?......more misery for Cornwall and her people

A service of Remembrance took place in the town of Ramsey to mark the 111th anniversary of the loss of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's vessel Ellan Vannin on the 3rd December, 1909, in the waters of Liverpool bay.

Departing Ramsey, the Ellan Vannin sailed towards the English port, but less than a mile from the bar lightship the vessel was hit by a tremendous storm and sank with the loss of all lives. A few bodies were recovered but many were never found, with debris, including livestock, washed ashore.

Tonight the Ellan Vannin Memorial Service took place in the Our Lady, Star of the Sea & St Maughold Catholic Church on South Promenade in Ramsey, Isle of Man (Manx: Rhumsaa, Mannin) at 6.30pm. The service remembered those who perished on this day, December 3rd, in 1909 when the Isle of Man Steam Packet ship SS Ellan Vannin sank in the Irish Sea. 

The Christmas lights are being turned on in ceremonies and celebrations in the Isle of Man (Manx Gaelic: Mannin) over recent days. The most recent being in the town of Peel (Manx: Purt ny h-Inshey) where people thronged the town streets and a fireworks display was held. The Isle of Man scrapped social distancing rules on 15th June, the first in the British and Irish Isles  to do so. A relaxation that has since allowed for the opening of restaurants, cafés and pubs, and the reopening of gyms.

St. Andrew's Day (Scottish Gaelic: Là Naomh Aindrea) is Scotland's official national day celebrated on 30th November. St Andrew has been the patron saint of Scotland from at least the mid tenth century and legend says long before. He was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee in the early 1st century and is the brother of St Peter. According to the Gospel of St John, Andrew was a follower of the preacher John the Baptist and then became a disciple of Jesus who he recognised as the Messiah. The name Andrew is Greek in origin.

Wake up and smell the coffee! When the English refer to "Great Britain" they mean "Greater England". There has been some shock expressed over recent days that British Airways wished the England rugby team “good luck” in the rugby match against Wales today 28th November. But is it that much of a surprise?

From The Celtic Language News:

Standing on its original site in the churchyard of St Adamnan's Church in the Parish of Lonan (Manx Gaelic: Skyll Lonan) on the Isle of Man (Mannin) is a very beautiful Celtic Cross. It is one of a number of Celtic Crosses in the churchyard that date back to the 5th century. One of the early Keeils (a Manx Gaelic word for a church), St Adamnan's Church is on the site of an earlier keeill dating from the 5th century. Often simply referred to as "Lonan Old Church" it was originally known in Manx as Keeill ny-Traie, or "the chapel by the shore" and is on the eastern side of the Island.

Media release from Culture Vannin:

Illustrator receives Londeyr award for her work to promote the Manx language

Jeebin, the Manx Language Network, was delighted to present illustrator Vicky Webb with the annual Londeyr award, at the Cooish Manx Language Festival 2020 earlier this month.