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The Promontory People - An early history of the Cornish

By Craig Weatherhill

AVAILABLE END OF NOVEMBER 2018 

228 pages paperback with 20 illustrations in black and white - ISBN 978 1 9164906 1 1 - Francis Boutle Publishers

News from the Celtic League:

A member of the Irish Police, An Garda Siochana, Sgt Maurice McCabe is to retire after thirty years service. An Irish ‘Serpico’ McCabe exposed wrongdoing and malpractice in the Police and was subjected to almost a decade of villainous behaviour from some in the Force up to and including those at the most senior level.

Our own, local Celtic festival, Yn Chruinnaght, may have celebrated its fortieth anniversary earlier this year, but hot on its heels is the Cornish festival favourite Lowender Peran, which celebrates its own fortieth birthday at the beginning of November.

"Exploding human consumption" has caused a massive drop in global wildlife populations in recent decades, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) points out in their Living Planet Report. The WWF makes it clear that: "Plummeting numbers of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish around the world are an urgent sign that nature needs life support.

Hop tu Naa is a well established Manx tradition which celebrates the Celtic New Year on the 31st October. It is seen as a time to beware of evil, when divination may be practiced (particularly if you're looking for a soul mate), spinsters would be encouraged to bake the infamous Dumb Cake (Manx Gaelic: Soddag Valloo) and it is an opportunity for a character named Jinny the Witch to make an appearance. A unique song and traditional dance have also survived contemporary influence.

‘Never apologise it's a sign of weakness’ so the saying goes! I’ve never subscribed to the adage myself believing that on occasion an apology is the best recourse.

‘Baron Boot’ our Agriculture and Environment Minister is used to ‘dining al fresco’ with his barbecue apron and kit but in this interview (courtesy of Manx Radio) he gets a ‘roasting’ himself from an irate Manx ‘Green’.

After the summer barbecue affair the miniscule Minister proffered apologies all round. Quite the genial host I was quite swayed by his humility over the matter. However it seems after his recent climate change faux pas it will take more than a slightly overdone sausage or burger around the Boot ‘barbie’ to promote harmony with the Greens.

News from the Celtic League:

Renewed controversy surrounds the death of Willie McRae in 1985. The death of the SNP political figure and environmentalist has been ruled a suicide by authorities although over the years ambiguities repeatedly arise to challenge that contention.

The latest controversy surrounds evidence from an intensive care nurse who treated McRae in hospital (NATIONAL link):

The result of Presidential Election in Ireland has seen Michael D Higgins elected on the first count to serve a second term in Áras an Uachtaráin. In what has been described as the most lacklustre presidential contest for many years, the incumbent, Michael D Higgins, victory came as little surprise. However, the increase in support for Peter Casey, from a low point in the pre-election opinion polls, to second place with 23.3% of first preference votes surprised many.

The Cornish Culture Association presents its very own Allantide celebration. Allantide is the Cornish version of Halloween. During the evening we will be celebrating the unique customs associated with the time of year., These include 1) The giving of Allan apples 2) The family table 3) The tindle bonfire 4) The apple cross game and much more. 

Please make a turnip Jack-O-Lantern - Prize for the best one. If you have a pumpkin they are welcome but won't be able to enter the competition.