Blogs

November 11th 1918 marked the end of the First World War, one of the deadliest conflicts in history. It is estimated that about 10 million members of the armed forces and 7 million civilians were killed over the four year duration of the War. Many millions were wounded. Around the Celtic lands and other parts of the world memorial services are taking place to commemorate this disastrous event. This year of 2014 also marks one hundred years since the start of the conflict. We quite correctly remember the carnage and death suffered by people in the First World War.

An informal vote on independence for Catalonia has shown more than 80% in favour. Despite attempts at bullying by Spain more than 2 million turned out to vote on 9th November. Now the pressure is on Spain to respond to the democratic will of the Catalan people and for a formal independence vote to go ahead. The Spanish government had used the puppet Spanish Constitutional Court to ban Catalan people from exercising their democratic right in a formal vote. But this is now being thrown in the face of the Spanish government by a Catalan people who want their freedom.

People of Catalonia are expressing their view on independence today, despite being prevented by a repressive Spanish government from holding a formal vote.

The incredibly pompous Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has tried to stamp out Catalonia's vote on independence. Catalonia attempted to hold a referendum on independence in the same way that Scotland did. But this was repressed by a hostile Spanish government using the puppet Spanish Constitutional Court to threaten Catalonia. However, Catalan's are going ahead with an informal vote today.

Moray Language Centre are holding a meeting on December 4th at 7.30pm at the Gabarfeidh Hotel in the town of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It will be in regard to the Isle Of Lewis Gaelic Initiative. The main topic of the meeting is to spread the message to Gaelic speakers and learners that “adults rather than children are the key to saving Gaelic”.

Anne of Brittany (Breton: Anna Vreizh) was born on January 25th, 1477, in Nantes, Brittany and died on January 9th, 1514, in  Blois, France. Daughter of Duke Francis II (Breton: Frañsez II) of Brittany and Margaret of Foix, Anne succeeded to her father’s duchy on September 9th, 1488. As Duchess of Brittany and twice queen consort of France, who devoted her life to safeguarding the autonomy of Brittany.

Latest polling conducted for STV (Scottish Television) shows that more than half of Scots would vote for the SNP (Scottish National Party) in a Scottish parliament election. This would indicate that the SNP’s grip on Scottish politics has continued to tighten since the independence referendum.

The campaign to change the Welsh Government Planning Law is growing in momentum. Campaigning group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg have been spearheading the opposition to the governments proposed planning laws. The proposed laws has been heavily criticised for ignoring the Welsh language and centralising planning powers in Cardiff. 

Cymdeithas yr Iaith has published its own alternative plans and is calling for a Bill which: 

Cadw is a word in Welsh that can be translated into English as 'to keep' or 'to protect'. Cadw is the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. It works to conserve Wales's heritage and helps sustain the distinctive character of Wales. They have just celebrated their 30th anniversary. Buildings of special architectural or historic interest are protected by a process known as listing and monuments of national importance through scheduling.

This is a date to keep in your diary Saturday, May 2 2015. This will be when the South Coast Celtic Fest 2015 will be taking place at the Hales Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay.

Naight - Radio Vannin:

Shirveishagh Albinagh cur shilley er yn Ellan son co-haggloo

Y Shirveishagh son bree, ventyr as turrysid ayns reiltys Nalbin, hug eh shilley er yn Ellan yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie.

Fergus Ewing, Oltey jeh'n Pharlamaid Albinagh, v'eh ayns yn Ellan d'eddyn magh mychione kianglaghyn oddys ve jeant ayns cooishyn gollrish bree, turrysid as dellal eddyrashoonagh.