Blogs

Well over a decade ago cracking of the reactor core graphite records for places like Heysham were, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) told us, ‘closed documents’ did any politicians press the issue...Not that we are aware.

The issue of cracking of the graphite bricks which line the nuclear core of the UK's nuclear plants (see earlier post) is a deep seated one we had correspondence about this over a decade ago with Mike Weightman who was then the Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations at the NII.

We’re short of homes again! One of the consistent themes that has preoccupied the Nationalist Party Mec Vannin is homelessness and the perpetual failure of successive Isle of Man governments to address the question of affordable homes and also increased social housing.

Even those that do own a modest home or rent social housing face steep rates or rent rises so the government’s preoccupation with cosying up to the wealthy can continue.

‘Oh for the good old days’! I thought when I saw this Manx Radio news story about a forthcoming financial soiree:

https://www.manxradio.com/…/international-tax-conference-t…/

I wonder will there be any shock horror revelations at this event or will it simply be one of those back slapping exercises where Manx Radio’s John Moss can run around breathlessly interviewing the financial service glitterati about all that's good and pure in our tiny ‘haven’ while Paul Moulton at MTTV tries to elbow him out of the picture.

We all know the more prominent figures the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin such as Pearse and Connolly not to mention ‘the one who got away’ (from being executed) Eamon De Valera. However Joseph Plunkett is less well celebrated and indeed he was one of the least likely revolutions. Yet his is one of the most evocative stories of that weekend. Plunkett was married just hours before his execution in the chapel at Kilmainham to Grace Gifford on Easter Sunday. His wife was allowed back for a few hours on Easter Monday morning when he was shot.

Celtic League concerns about the continued operation of Hunterston nuclear power station have proved prophetic after it was revealed that cracks in the graphite core of the reactor are widening.

The Celtic League has highlighted concerns about a number of UK nuclear facilities which we believe are being operated beyond their sell by date to plug gaps in the UK's energy needs

In November 2015 EDF the plant operator said the operation of the cracked reactor core was safe:

Celtic League concerns about the continued operation of Hunterston nuclear power station have proved prophetic after it was revealed that cracks in the graphite core of the reactor are widening.

The Celtic League has highlighted concerns about a number of UK nuclear facilities which we believe are being operated beyond their sell by date to plug gaps in the UK's energy needs

In November 2015 EDF the plant operator said the operation of the cracked reactor core was safe:

Yesterday 8th March was International Women's Day. Interesting to see an item by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) or as it should be better described English Broadcasting Corporation. With their usual sleight of hand they wrote: "In 1919 Lady Nancy Astor became the first elected woman MP to sit in Parliament." Their little trick was to include the words "sit in". In fact the first woman to be "elected to" to the British parliament was Constance Markievicz (February 1868 – 15 July 1927).

The Celtic festival season bursts into life this weekend with Cwlwm Celtaidd, a family-friendly festival which retains strong links with the Isle of Man and presents a packed weekend programme of concerts, dances, workshops, street displays and legendary bar sessions in the seaside town of Porthcawl.

Returning after a year's hiatus to assess the festival's future strategy, Cwlwm Celtaidd has gone into partnership with TRAC Cymru, an initiative which promotes and encourages the participation and development of the folk music scene in Wales.

The Breton football team of Stade Rennais Football Club, commonly referred to as Stade Rennais, SRFC or Rennes are celebrating victory over the English side Arsenal on Thursday. It was the first leg of the their EUFA League 16th round match, which they won by 3 goals to 1. They are based in Rennes (Breton: Roazhon), a city in the east of the Celtic nation of Brittany (Breizh).  Rennes plays its home matches at the Roazhon Park, located within the city.  They are one of the clubs that can play in what is known as the Derby Breton.

A recent opinion poll commissioned by 'Cornwall Live', revealed that of the several thousand people participating, a remarkable 92% believed that St Piran's Day should be made a holiday in Cornwall.

7% disagreed and said that it was no different than any other day and 1% asked 'Who's St Piran?'

Sadly, a number of people who have moved to live in Cornwall left bitter opposing comments in response to the poll. We say 'shame on them' for very many reasons!