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The 2nd October 1263 is the date of the Battle of Largs. It was an important point in Scotland's history as an expanding state. Although it was an indecisive engagement between the kingdoms of Norway and Scotland, it signalled the beginning of the end of Scandinavian influence over Scotland. For centuries the Norse - Gael kingdoms of the Hebrides and Isle of Man came under the influence of Norway, as did the Northern Isles of Shetland and Orkney.

The British government and its Army forciby evicted the Chagos Islanders from their home fifty years ago to make way for an American military base.

The used intimidation and violence. The gathered the Islanders pets and gassed them in front of them some of the older Islanders said in recent interviews they were so frightened they thought they or their children would also be gassed.

Not sure what point Juan is making here but if what he is saying is that the judicial system is ‘a law unto itself’ well I agree with him 100%.:

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/turner-hits-out-at-faile...

Last year The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum celebrated its 150th anniversary. This year The McManus is celebrating another anniversary associated with the Scottish city of Dundee (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Dè). The children's comic the Beano is celebrating its 80th birthday and is published by the Dundee based publisher DC Thomson. The comic first appeared on 30 July 1938. Its characters include Dennis the Menace, Minnie the Minx, The Bash Street Kids, The Numskulls, Roger the Dodger, Billy Whizz and Tricky Dicky.

I’m quite fond of Howard Quayle MHK (our Chief Minister) in an abstruse sort of way. The very fact that I’m writing about him when in the throes of almost deathlike fits of coughing induced by ‘the murran’ - indeed the sort of coughing attacks that are normally only experienced when Manx Radio’s John Moss calls Travelwatch ‘respected’ - says it all.

Howards trump card for me is that he is not Alf Cannan MHK and every day he stays at the helm of COMIN is another day of torment for Alf who thinks that should be his chair.

‘ALDERDI EGUNA - ONE FOR THE NATIONALIST TO DO LIST?

On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 September the basque nationalist party (Eaj-Gnp) organizes each year the ‘alderdi eguna’ or day of the party during which it regularly invites political parties from other colonized nations in struggle for their self-determination.

The ‘alderdi eguna’ takes place on Saturday in the northern basque country and on Sunday in the south basque country This year the party of the occitane nationalists (P.N.O.) which spans France and Italy was one of the guests.

I may embrace poppy day this year if not by wearing the emblem at least in spirit.

No! I don’t mean ‘that poppy day’ sometime in November but the one being organised throughout France for October 5th and aimed at highlighting the damage that pesticides are doing to the planet.

Here’s some links to a couple of sites in Brittany at Nantes and Morlaix (the latter town I know well) which are promoting the event. The objective is to focus attention more adequately on the damage that pesticides are doing to wildlife, plant life and insects not least the humble but vital bee:

The plan for gold mining in The Sperrins has ‘resurfaced’ with an Australian company mooting project to establish the mine near Magherafelt in Co Tyrone. A TV personality is lending his support to opponents of the plan (link):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-45730901

As a man walked along the seashore at Cluais Mhór, in west Kerry Ireland in 2016, he found an object glistening amongst the stones. It turned out to be an 800 year old gold brooch, with a small semi-precious blue tourmaline stone, a dagger-like pin and inscribed with Gothic lettering. He subsequently reported the find to the National Museum of Ireland.

Founded in 1989 the Celtomania festival is a celebration dedicated to Celtic music, culture and heritage. It is on from Friday, October 5 to Sunday, November 11 2018. Events will be taking place in a number of towns in Brittany's  Loire-Atlantique: Nantes (Naoned), Bouvron, Haute-Goulaine, Héric, La Chapelle-Launay, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Lavau-sur -Loire, Orvault (Orvez), Pornic (Pornizh) , Saint-Aignan de Grandlieu, Saint-Etienne de Montluc, Saint-Herblain (Sant-Ervlan), Saint-Jean de Boiseau, Sucé-sur-Erdre (Sulieg), Treillières and Le Pellerin.