Blogs

I was saddened to hear of the death of Brian Stowell a great Manxmen and pivotal figure in the Manx language revival (report here from Manx Radio):

https://www.manxradio.com/…/loss-of-giant-of-manx-language…/

Brian was active for many years in a number of inter-celtic organisations including the Celtic League, the Celtic Congress and the Connolly Association.

The annual candle-lit, musical evening held in Holy Trinity Church in the parish of Patrick, has now become an established event on the Manx calendar, with entertainment provided by local early music group Hartes Ease.

Great article here on the legendary Irish singer Margaret Barry in the Irish Times. Margaret Barry started her singing career as a street singer in Ireland in the 1930s and ended up performing at the Newport festival with Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.

There was great passion in her singing as with the 'Cycling Championship of Ulster' often song at sessions in the Isle of Man by the Manx linguist, musician and singer Brian Stowell. Here’s a link to the real thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuKZdM_NvBY

Manx Radio announces the arrival of its latest MD at what it describes as a ‘pivotal time for broadcasting’.

‘Give my head peace’ haven’t Tynwald just approved ‘John the Baptists’ (aka Tim Baker MHK) status quo resolution with the caveat that Chris Thomas MHK chase up the BBC for a bit of a rebate. Chris mind you on the charm front may just succeed - imagine sending Treasury Minister ‘Alfred C’ he would just shout at everyone!

Talks are underway to avert a strike by Nurses in the Irish Republic planned for the end of the month.

Government Ministers including the Taoiseach have been criticised by remarks they have made about the Nursing profession ahead of the strike.

This report at Green News ie expresses concerns of environmentalists about extensions to heath burning of uplands. The new regulations would allow an additional month of hedge cutting in August and an additional month of burning in March:

https://greennews.ie/public-consultation-upland-burning-bo…/

Burning of vegetation in March would critically endanger birds that are just starting to breed and will also impact bees that depend on the gorse as a food source, according to BirdWatch Ireland. (link):

As we suggested in the earlier post on our CL Mannin Facebook site Hitachi has now confirmed a halt to its plan to develop a new build nuclear power plant at the Wylfa site on Anglesey:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46900918

The Celtic League welcome the news and hope the 'pause' becomes permanent.

The latest move coming after other plans to build a new series of reactors at Moorside in Cumbria were halted last year and casts a huge shadow over the 'next nuclear' strategy.

Organised by Michael Heritage Trust, the traditional Oie'll Verree held at the Ebenezer Hall in the village follows a tried and trusted format, which in the age of contemporary entertainment can still muster a full house.

Members of the audience were welcomed by the Chair of Michael Heritage Trust, David Corlett, before returning compére, Zoë Cannell, took to her feet to act as lynch pin between the varied acts on the programme.

From "The Celtic Languages News":

Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs Offers the Daltachas Program

David Cretney MLC asks is the tax regime fair and are the free school meal figures an indicator of unfairness. He presumably is going to press the Treasury Minister on this and get the usual bland answer. I know the answer - the tax regime is unfair and people are struggling and indeed by adjusting things like EPA entitlement COMIN want to make it even more unfair:

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/iom-income-tax-fair-to-all/