Blogs

A Clyde-built ship is to return home after years spent as a visitor attraction in Hawaii. The Falls of Clyde is the last surviving iron-hulled, four-masted full-rigged ship, and the only remaining sail-driven oil tanker. Built in 1878 by Russell and Company in Port Glasgow, the Falls of Clyde is currently moored in Honolulu harbour, but over recent years her condition has deteriorated. The Falls of Clyde transported sugar from Hawaii to America’s west coast during the early part of her life before being converted into a bulk oil tanker. 

The most widely spoken of the Celtic languages, Welsh is arguably the most secure with the brightest future. “The Welsh language is integral to Wales’ culture and society. It is the only language that is de jure official in any part of the United Kingdom (with English being de facto official). It is estimated that 25% of the Welsh population now speak the language, with roughly 15% speaking Welsh daily as their first language of choice.” – Brown UCCF

One of the Celtic Tongue’s principal strengths is its place in the Welsh university system.

Ceremonies to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War (28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918) are taking place this weekend. Remembrance day in many parts of the world is observed on 11 November to mark the end of hostilities at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. One of the deadliest conflicts in history, it is estimated that it resulted in the death of over nine million combatants and seven million civilians. As the First World War’s centenary is marked, we need to be clear, this is not some supposed commemoration of duty performed towards King and Country.

The great Manx abortion debate is over the handmaid's have defeated the combined wrath of the Christian Soldiers, the Monarch (whose role was invoked at one stage) and prevaricating politicians not least the Chief Minister who at a crucial stage sat on the fence. It’s a good day for woman who will, subject to the anachronism of ‘the Royal Assent’, have the right to choose. Its a bad day for politicians no more free cupcakes delivered by ‘the maids’.

The Engine Shed (Scottish Gaelic: An Seada Einnsein) is a dedicated building conservation centre in Scotland. It is run by Historic Environment Scotland. They have an exhibition, which runs until 12 April 2019, on the 'Scots Who Built the White House'. In particular they look at how in 1794, a group of Scottish stonemasons left Edinburgh New Town for Washington DC to help build the official residence of the President of the United States. At this time Scottish stonemasonry was held in high regard and Scottish stonemasons carried out elaborate carvings on the facade of the structure.

Media release from Culture Vannin - Ned Maddrell Lecture:

Hook Lighthouse (Irish: Teach Solais Rinn Duáin) was recently voted as one of the top ten places to visit in Ireland. It is one of the two oldest operational lighthouse in the world (the other being the Tower of Hercules in Corunna, Galicia). The existing tower is thought to date from the 12th century. However, tradition states that a monk named Dubhán established a monastery on the Hook Peninsula (Rinn Duáin) in the 5th century. It is thought that the monks from Dubhán’s monastery erected the first fire beacon to warn seafarers of the nearby dangerous rocks.

Its the dark days before Xmas and a political torpor has settled over the land. In the Keys they are talking about Brexit again it helps if you are an MHK to present things as if they are complex. Mumbling about how you enable the process to deal with a problem as yet still not determined by the United Kingdom enables you to look away from the food banks and fuel poverty.

For MHK?MLCs the real world out here is to frightening to contemplate best listen to the guidance of the Pisco Kid (aka Juan Watterson SHK) and adjourn for a good lunch at the subsidised canteen!

The Irish peace group PANA (PEACE AND NEUTRALITY ALLIANCE) hold a major conference in Dublin on the 16th of this month.

The theme of the conference is United States and NATO militarism and it launches a global campaign against US/NATO military bases (link):

https://www.pana.ie/

Like a modern day ‘Joan of Arc’, Kate Beecroft MHK, returns to the fray this week in the House of Keys. Last week in a reprise of ‘the Siege of Orleans’ she forced a humiliating climb down and apology from Manx Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK last week.