Alastair Kneale's blog

The planet earth is in a parlous state. Many people know and even experience the damaging effects of climate change every day through unpredictable and severe weather events and the destruction of the very lands in which they live. It strikes a particularly deep chord for Celtic peoples and those of Celtic descent. Because our landscape, seas and geographic location has played a pivotal role in our history, beliefs and recognition of ourselves.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

“the greatest political con trick since King John of England tried a similar stunt in 1215 that ended up with Magna Carta”

News From The Celtic League

The fact that a UK ‘National’ newspaper woke up to the fact that the Crown Dependencies exist was exercising the media today.

Jersey it seems is going down the toilet fast and there is a far chance the Isle of Man will follow. Of course people from the business community will be wheeled out to say that we have ‘strengths’ that Jersey does not have. Politicians will say we have been diversifying the economy for years etc.

News From The Celtic League

A 4-week £4,000 crowd-funding initiative is being led by author Bob Stimpson and the US and Manx descendants of William Kennish. Running until 28th December, raising funds to place a memorial in New York made from Manx Granite, the initiative has been endorsed by Hon Clare Christian MLC, President of Tynwald, the Isle of Man government.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The National Illiam Dhone ceremony is held each year on the 2nd January at Hango Hill, Castletown the place of execution of the 17th century patriot William Christian.

The iconic ruin of the old summerhouse forms a grim, though misleading, back drop. It was in fact constructed after the events of Jan 2nd 1663 when Dhone met his death with dignity at that place.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

There was extremely heavy rain on the Isle of Man today and it led to unprecedented deadlock on the main arterial routes out of Douglas the Capital.

As workers started to leave for home late evening traffic snarled up. This sort of thing is not unusual in TT week when roads are closed. Traffic crawls at snails pace through the inner core of the capitals roads but last night was different because it soon became apparent there was no where for the traffic to go – in the end people were advised to stay at work until things cleared.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The Celtic League was founded in 1961 at Rhosllannerchrugog near Wrexham in northeast Wales. A group of people came together, many of whom had links to the Celtic Congress (a parallel groups that eschews politics), to establish a group that would campaign on a broad agenda including political, social and cultural objectives and promote cooperation between the Celtic Nations. Those objectives have grown as the League has developed.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

One of the things the Manx Government count on is that Manx people are too mild, restrained and timid to do much more than complain.

To a certain extent that’s true and nothing demonstrated that more than comment on another media site which labelled a graphic on the Mec Vannin (MV) web site about winter deaths as ‘over the top’. Well it would be a ‘funny old world’ if we all agreed the MV graphic is at this link so make your own mind up:

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”

The Chief Minister of the Isle of Man has often cited the need for ‘social cohesion’ on the Island particularly as it goes through the change agenda that government adopted some years ago after the VAT return from the UK was downsized.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The Isle of Man Government AGENDA FOR CHANGE has got a three point plan:

1) Balance the budget
2) Protect the vulnerable
3) Grow the economy

The plan was cited to us by OFT when they responded to our concerns over the hike in Gas prices they said:

“One of the three key priorities of the current administration is to “Protect the Vulnerable” and the Council of Ministers and all Departments and Statutory Boards have this high on their agendas.”