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This is the remarkable story of the German émigrés who fled Hitler’s regime and became secret listeners for British Intelligence during World War II, brought vividly to life with the assistance of a former internee on the Isle of Man: Fritz Lustig.

Working from Latimer House and Wilton Park in England, Fritz Lustig and his colleagues (together with other secret listeners at Trent Park) bugged the conversations of over 10,000 prisoners of war, ranging from U-boat crews and Luftwaffe pilots to high-ranking German generals, in their fight to secure intelligence information to win the war.

These transcripts remained classified until 1999 but the tireless efforts of the book’s author, Helen Fry, now reveal how the work of Fritz Lustig and his colleagues was as important as those cracking the Enigma Code at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire.

The storms that have battered the coasts around Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Ireland, Isle of Man and Scotland over recent weeks have caused considerable damage. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the atrocious conditions. It also brings into focus the perils faced by those whose livelihood depend upon fishing off our Celtic coasts.

This news in from the Celtic League:

Illiam Dhome Commemoration 2014

News From Celtic League

The Illiam Dhome commemoration took place last week (2nd January 2014) in Mannin/Isle of Man.

The French news Site RFI reported last month that the French Government have pledged 2 Billion Euro to Brittany ostensibly as economic aid. The article describes the governments "Pact For the Future Of Brittany": "The government's Pact for the Future of Brittany promises 2 Billion Euros in aid to help workers declared redundant, restructure agricultural to make it more environmentally friendly and boost the region's economy."  The governments plan has met with mixed reaction from Brittany's trade movement groups and the Breton assembly barely approved with stiff opposition: "...right wing and centrist MPs and councillors opposed the Pact and boycotted the signing ceremony."

A brisk wind whistled through the site of Hango Hill as a crowd gathered in the winter sunshine to commemorate the execution of Illiam Dhone of Ronaldsway on the 2nd January, 1663, for his part in the Manx rising of 1651 against the Derby family. Although a Royal pardon was dispatched it arrived too late to save him from execution.

Believed to be an prehistoric burial ground with an artificial mound, the name Hango Hill is derived from the Norse hanga-haugr, meaning Gallow's Hill, but was renamed Mount Strange by the Derby family in honour of the Derby heir Lord Strange. The poignant remains are that of a castellated summerhouse built on the site during the late seventeenth century.

The event is a joint effort between the Manx branch of the Celtic League and the Manx Republican Nationalist Party Mec Vannin.

Following an introduction by Bernie Moffatt (Celtic League/Mec Vannin), the Manx oration was given by Mark Kermode (Mec Vannin) and that in English by Bill Henderson MHK (North Douglas) followed by a brief wreath-laying ceremony and a remembrance of some important players in the arena of Manx culture and language.

"The music is in our blood when we perform, in our hearts when we write it and in our heads when we sleep." - Mike McNaughton

A focus at Transceltic this year will be the resurgence of Celtic Identity in North America and surge in attendance at Celtic festivals.  We caught up with Mike McNaughton, drummer for the Kilmaine Saints, an American Celtic Rock band who are popular on the festival circuit. The Kilmaine Saints were started in 2009 by a few members of the Lochiel Emerald Society Pipes and Drums (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) and were joined by a classicly trained fiddler and a singer from Ireland's County Mayo. Since then the band have have enjoyed major success playing the growing number of Celtic Festivals in the United States. 

The Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws is quoted in an article on the web site "Daily Post" calling for a more rigorous application of the spirit of the "Welsh Language (Wales) Measure of 2011" in drafting legislation and policy. The 2011 Measure confirmed the status of Welsh as an official Language in Wales. Under the 2011 Act, Huws was appointed as the first Welsh language Commissioner. In the Daily Post article the Language Commissioner is quoted as follows: "It is now time for the Welsh Government to develop a 'rigorously Welsh way' of drafting laws.

As the Isle of Man enjoys a brief respite after being pounded incessantly by ferocious winter storms, which forced an increasing number of cancelled sailings to the UK and Ireland and an unscheduled journey by the Isle of Man Steam Packet on Christmas Day, here's a selection of photographs from St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) as people enjoyed Hunt the Wren and the annual Cammag Match in some much needed winter sunshine!

Blass (Manx Gaelic for flavour or taste) is a new CD which reaches out from the developing Manx traditional music scene, revealing a younger generation of musicians with their own ideas and interpretation of both traditional and original material.

Once again the annual Mollag Ghennal bridged the gap between Christmas and the New Year with a fine selection of  music, song and dance at the Masonic Hall in Douglas, Isle of Man (Mannin). Organised by the mighty Mollag Band (new CD out soon) it was, as usual, a sell-out as revellers enjoyed a range of Manx traditional music from the contemporary scene.

Lately there's been a surge of young musicians coming to the fore with their own unique approach to Manx folk music, many of whom entertained an enthusiastic audience with some of their latest arrangements.

Compered by Bob Carswell, the evening kicked off with some lively unaccompanied singing by Manx Gaelic choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh and was swiftly followed by Manx vocalist Ruth Keggin accompanied by David Kilgallon. Musicians ebbed and flowed throughout the night with appearances by the Barefoot Quartet (with special guest Cairistiona Dougherty), and some spirited entertainment by four young and energetic Manx dancers.