Blogs

On BBC Radio programme Crossfire the former chief medical officer Sir Harry Burns said that a Yes vote in Scotland’s referendum would be beneficial for Scottish people’s health.  Sir Harry said that if people of an independent Scotland felt more in control of their lives "then that would be very positive for their health".

Seldom does one come across a newspaper article that so poignantly touches as many of the critical elements related to the struggle of the Celtic tongue. The past, present and future of Nova Scotia Scots Gaelic are in sharp focus in an article by Francis Campbell in the Halifax “Chronicle Herald” under the headline “Inverness Area Elder Prefers ‘Taste’ of a Chat in Gaelic”.

The Map of the Regions has now been adopted by the National Assembly. The borders of Brittany remain the same and as predicted the parti socialiste representatives sold out and denied Bretons what they have demanded for so long – Brittany reunified. This was a golden opportunity to right the wrong committed in 1941 when Nantes and Loire-Atlantique were undemocratically rendered asunder from the rest of the historic nation of Brittany.

As reported in the Scottish newspaper, The Herald, a new opinion poll today reveals that the Yes Campaign is winning over Scotland’s Labour Party supporters. This comes despite the Labour Party forming an alliance with the Tories and Liberal Democrats in Scotland against independence. Over the last three months this shows a significant rise of 7% of Labour voters switching to support an independent Scotland.

The Cornish Language Partnership (MAGA) have announced “Speak Cornish Week – 2014”.  The website “this is the west county” is reporting under the headline “Speak Cornish Week Celebrates Unique Heritage Following Minority Status” that the Cornish Language Partnership Chair, Councillor Julian German, will launch the event on July 21.

This year's inter-Celtic Manx festival, Yn Chruinnaght, promises a bumper bundle of events during mid July, but to get you in the mood there'll be a selection of Manx, Irish and Menorcan dance displays in the Mooragh Park and the annual Ian O'Leary Lecture in Ramsey as part of the celebrations for Manx National Week.

Largely based in Peel, the festival provides a great opportunity to hear some talented musicians from both at home and abroad and learn something new, with a number of events free of charge.

As widely reported for many weeks the proposals upon regional reorganisation being undertaken in France and its impact upon the ancient nation of Brittany will soon be revealed. There has been a lot of speculation about the outcome. The clear will of the Breton people has been that Brittany should return to its historic boundaries. That is the reunification of Nantes and the Loire Atlantique with the rest of Brittany from which it was ruthlessly torn by the Vichy regime in 1941.

Music, dance and the Celtic tongue of Scotland are all on display at one of the world's premiere celebrations of Celtic culture, the Hebridean Celtic Festival.

Va’n Chruinnaght currit er bun liorish Mona Inney Ghoolish dy chur focys da’n obbyr ta goll er jannoo ayns cultoor Vannin, ny cosoylaghtyn  rish cultooryn ayns buill elley – as ayns ny cheeraghyn er-lheh as chengey Cheltiagh ayn – as ny troyn lioroo ta Mannin gyn cosoylaght.

Yn Chruinnaght was founded by Mona Douglas to provide a focus to the work that’s being done in Manx culture, the similarities with cultures in other places – and particularly in the countries with a Celtic language – and the traits by which Mann is unique.

In a recent news article in the Scottish newspaper the Daily Record, one of Scotland’s leading breast surgeon’s has said that only voting Yes to independence can save the National Health Service in Scotland. Dr Philippa Whitford said: “In five years, England will not have an NHS and in 10 years, if we vote no, neither will we.

“If we do not vote Yes in September, I will be heartbroken. I have spent 32 years working in the NHS and it is very dear to me.”