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Staffa (Scottish Gaelic: Stafa) is an island of the Inner Hebrides (Na h-Eileanan a-staigh) off the west coast of Scotland. Now uninhabited there is evidence that humans inhabited the Island as long as 3,800 years ago. Some years ago archaeologists working with the National Trust for Scotland discovered evidence for human activity during the Bronze Age on Staffa. Research continues to try and determine whether Staffa was home to a permanent settlement or visited as a place of ritual. 

Work continues in exploring the history of Strata Florida Abbey (Welsh: Abaty Ystrad Fflur) and surrounding lands. The ruins of the former Cistercian abbey are situated just outside Pontrhydfendigaid, near Tregaron in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. The abbey was founded in 1164 and the name Strata Florida is a Latinisation of the Welsh Ystrad Fflur; 'Valley of Flowers'. The conserved ruins of the old Abbey church and part of the cloisters are in the care of Cadw (a Welsh verbal noun meaning "keeping/preserving"), which is the Welsh Government's heritage agency. 

From The Celtic Language News:

The rural housing crisis is threatening our future, claim activists from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man and Cornwall who have united in a cross-border plea over the survival of Celtic languages. They’ve drawn up a Celtic Charter that asserts a “right to a home” for speakers of these languages in their geographical heartlands. However, they say high costs and the proliferation of holiday lets in rural areas means the tongues themselves may soon be driven from those areas.

There was a notice placed in the Manx paper the Ramsey Courier on August 16th, 1918. It was placed by the wife of William Percy Kneale. He was killed on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium during the First World War on July 31, 1917. The notice read:

"KNEALE - In memoriam and loving memory of my beloved husband, who was missed from "Roll Call" on July 31st, 1917.

If those that caused this awful war

Were the only ones to fight;

The City of Edinburgh has launched a consultation with Gaelic interest groups to lay the groundwork for the expansion of Gaelic Medium secondary education. As concerns mount for the health of the language in its heartlands, Gaelic Medium education continues its steady progress in the rest of Scotland. Glasgow has seen explosive growth in the past 10 years and now Edinburgh.

Scotland’s “The National” quotes a city official in describing the context of expanding Gaelic education in Edinburgh:

A new opinion poll conducted by Survation, points to continuing increase in support for Scotland’s separation from the United Kingdom (UK) and is now recorded at 54% in favour. The poll also suggests that the Scottish National Party (SNP) will win the 2021 Scottish election with a “commanding lead”. That election will be to the Scottish Parliament (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba) which is the devolved legislature of Scotland. It is scheduled to be held on 6 May 2021. The Scottish Green Party which supports independence has also seen a rise in support.

A  campaign has been launched by the charity The Ramblers to uncover thousands of miles of historical footpaths in Wales. It comes after The Ramblers have released a map showing what they say is 7,468 miles of footpaths which are missing from official maps. The UK government has set a deadline of 1 January 2026 for all historic paths to be registered for inclusion on official maps. It is now very important that lost paths are identified in Wales, registered and put back on the map.

Media Release from Culture Vannin:

Manannan’s Choice of the Year – nominations sought for cultural award

Last year, folklorist, collector and author, Stephen Miller received the Isle of Man’s highest award for contributions to Manx culture. Now is the time to start thinking about who you would like to nominate for this year’s ‘Reih Bleeaney Vanannan’ award, to recognise them as ‘Manannan’s Choice of the Year.’

Described as one of the "most important structures of medieval Scotland" a lost medieval bridge over the River Teviot (Scottish Gaelic: Abhainn Tìbhiot) has been found. The bridge, near the Scottish Borders village of Ancrum.(Scottish Gaelic: Alan Crom) has been rediscovered after being hidden beneath the river for centuries. A joint press release between Historic Environment Scotland (Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba) and Ancrum and District Heritage Society (ADHS) explained how the bridge was found and the significance of the radiocarbon dating. 

28 Mys Hedra 2020

A why agas oll wheg  

A warm welcome

to all those folks who have recently joined our group. Please continue to monitor our various social media sites for news and updates on a wide range of issues which are of interest to Cornwall and her people and indeed to Cornish people around the globe. During the lockdown, our social media was receiving in excess of one million 'hits' weekly!

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