Celtic Recipes

The mysterious Welsh tradition of the Mari Lwyd

Submitted by Mair Williams on December 7, 2018 - 11:56am

The Welsh tradition of the the Mari Lwyd is a custom performed during winter celebrations around the dates of Christmas and New Year. Although performed over the Christmas period, the Mari Lwyd is thought to be a pre-Christian tradition believed to bring good luck. The strange and frightening horse-figure, that in the past was often made from a horses skull, but now mostly artificial, was mounted upon a pole. Which was carried by a person hidden under a cloth, which had ribbons attached, from door to door.

Shelg yn Drean Isle of Man coin celebrates Manx Folk Tradition

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 6, 2018 - 7:39pm

Dating back beyond written records, the ancient Tradition of "Hunt the Wren" (Manx: Shelg yn Drean) takes place on December 26th, Saint Stephen's Day. One of the Isle of Man's oldest Christmas traditions has now being celebrated with the issue of an Isle of Man £2 coin. It is said that the tradition goes back to pre-Christian times, the origins of which are now not clear. However, it is seen as a way to ward off evil and to bring good luck in the year ahead. The tradition of 'Hunt the Wren', is celebrated particularly in the Celtic nations of Ireland (Éire) and Isle of Man (Mannin). 

New report finds third of bird species in Wales in 'significant decline'

Submitted by Mair Williams on December 6, 2018 - 12:36pm

The State of Birds in Wales 2018 study has found one in three types of bird in Wales is in significant decline. Farmland and woodland species were especially vulnerable according to the report which was produced by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the Welsh Ornithological Society (WOS), and RSPB Cymru. Researchers pointed to loss of habitat and climate change as factors and called for urgent conservation action.

Neil Lambert, RSPB Cymru Head of Conservation Management said:

Macron in panic as French fuel tax rise scrapped in face of protests

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 6, 2018 - 12:01pm

Just 24 hours after Edouard Philippe, the French prime minister, said the tax rise would merely be “suspended” for six months, the French government has announced it will  scrap its proposed tax on diesel and petrol due to be imposed in the 2019 budget. It is an increasing sign of panic by centrist President Macron, whose popularity has slumped to 23 per cent after three weeks of unrest in France. Protesters say they can longer afford the raft of taxes and charges imposed by his government. However, the latest back down by Macron may not be enough to satisfy protesters.

Welsh beach voted one of best in the world for 2018

Submitted by Mair Williams on December 5, 2018 - 10:59pm

Three Cliffs Bay has been named in the top 20 beaches in Europe for 2018. Three Cliffs Bay is a bay on the south coast of the Gower Peninsula (Penrhyn Gŵyr) in South Wales. The bay takes its name from the three cliffs carved by the sea from 300 million-year-old carboniferous limestone that jut out into the sea. Individual beaches make up the bay each with their own names, including Pobbles Bay to the east of the Three Cliffs, and Tor Bay to the west. Although the beaches are separated at high tide, they are accessible to each other at low tide on foot over the sands.

Time for some Manx politicians to make a 'career change'

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 5, 2018 - 1:47pm

There has been dissatisfaction with the performance of a number of Manx politicians for some time now. Not least in their unquestioning timidity in following the economic agenda of the Manx Chamber of Commerce. Whose primary aim appears to be to the desire to reduce labour costs and drive down the living standards of Manx working people.

Tiny Otter cub washed away by storms in Wales rescued

Submitted by Mair Williams on December 5, 2018 - 1:06pm

High winds and heavy rain have been battering Wales recently due to a storm named Storm Diana. A casualty of the weather was a tiny Otter cub. Thought to have been washed away during the flooding after the storm, the tiny cub, weighing just 1.3kg, was found at the side of the busy A470 road near the village of Ganllwyd  in southern Gwynedd, Wales. The Otter cub was weak, thin and suffering from serious hypothermia when found by a member of the public.  The Otter was taken to a veterinary practice in Dolgellau and then taken into care by the animal welfare charity RSPCA.

Déni de démocratie

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 3, 2018 - 4:51pm

BRETAGNE REUNIE QUIMPER-CORNOUAILLE 

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE                                       Quimper / Kemper, le 3 décembre 2018 

OBJET : DENI DE DEMOCRATIE

Après l'immense succès de la collecte des 100 000 signatures de Bretagne Réunie demandant l'organisation d'une consultation des habitants de Loire-Atlantique sur la réunification de la Bretagne, collecte à laquelle notre Comité de Kemper a participé, le Conseil départemental de Loire-Atlantique doit se prononcer sur l’organisation de cette consultation. 

Meg the sheep dog rescued from Scottish cliff

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on December 3, 2018 - 2:31pm

Coastguard rescue teams from Kilchoan (Cille Chòmhain), Tobermory (Tobar Mhoire) and Salen (An t-Sàilein) in the west of Scotland swung into action yesterday when a farmer reported that his working sheep dog Meg had become stranded on a cliff on Ardnamurchan Point. Ardnamurchan (Àird nam Murchan) is a 50-square-mile (130 km2) peninsula. Meg was 20ft down the cliff face on the south side of Ardnamurchan. The rescuers were assisted by the Tobermory Lifeboat.

Isle of Man: Manx Traditions Calendar Raises Funds for Island Charity

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 2, 2018 - 6:54pm

Annual calendars come in many forms, but there's something a little different in the offing for next year with the release of the Manx Traditions Calendar for 2019 with all proceeds awarded to the Island based charity Crossroads Care.

Designed and created by local artist and ceramist Felicity Wood, her designs are based on a number of Manx traditions throughout the year and her love of Celtic knot work, which she has developed into a modern style.

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