Alastair Kneale's blog

Turkish President Erdoğan is becoming increasingly dictatorial. Ever since being elected he has worked to trample on Turkish democratic rights, consolidate his powers and promote his Islamic agenda. Turkey’s remaining secular and democratic pillars, established by the Republic of Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923, are being dismantled. Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party have pushed through a referendum, to be held in April, that if successful will pool power in the hands of the president and dramatically reduce his accountability to parliament.

John Surtees (11 February 1934 – 10 March 2017) has died in hospital at the age of 83. John Surtees will always hold a special place in the history of the Isle of Man TT. Seen as the greatest motorcyle race in the world, the Isle of Man TT provides the ultimate test for competitors and machines alike. The International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race was first held on the Island in 1907.

News from the Celtic League:

It seems the oil spill following a collision between a Manx registered vessel and another ship off Chennai India is much worse than earlier thought,

The spill which we reported on earlier is now polluting 24km of coastline and the pictures of the shoreline pollution show this is a major incident.

Damage to marine life is likely to be extensive not just from the pollution but from the chemicals used to tackle the thick oil slick which is creeping inexorably along the coast.

The government of Catalonia has vowed to continue with its plans to secure its independence from Spain.  This come as ex-President of Catalonia Artur Mas is put on trial by Spain accused of criminal disobedience for holding a symbolic independence referendum in Catalonia in 2014. Artur Mas, who governed Catalonia from 2010 to 2016, will appear at the high court in Barcelona on Monday (06/02/17) along with former vice-president Joana Ortega and former education minister Irene Rigau. 

News from Mannin Branch of The Celtic League:

Following the retirement of the Deputy First Minister of the Stormont government the Manx Nationalist Party has written to him to acknowledge his role in bringing stability to the North of Ireland after the troubles.

Martin McGuinness was pivotal in ensuring the process was successful and also built an unlikely working relationship and friendship with the DUP’s Ian Paisley who was First Minister for many years.

The text of the Mec Vannin letter is set out below:

News from the Celtic League:

Contributions are currently being sought for the next issue of Carn (#167). 

Carn is the Celtic League’s longest running publication and was originally launched in 1973. The 24 page long publication is currently only available in hard copy format and is produced three times a year. It is regarded as an educational magazine and provides news articles and in-depth analysis of issues from an alternative perspective relevant to people in the Celtic countries 

News from Mannin Branch of the Celtic League:

The Centenary celebration for Sophia Morrison today got of to a very good start with a wreath laying at Peel Cemetery at the grave of the great Manx figure. Even the weather smiled on the day with the midday rain abating just ahead of the event.

I spoke briefly about the need for us to not simply record our appreciation of Ms Morrison’s work but also the work of those she subsequently inspired and continues to inspire.

News from Mannin Branch of the Celtic League:

There’s no better to celebrate Xmas Eve and the run in to the two day holiday that this absolutely excellent series of Xmas songs from the Culture Vannin web site (link):

http://www.culturevannin.im/news_story_460609.html

BERNARD MOFFATT

Public Relations Officer Mannin Branch

Issued by: The Mannin branch of the Celtic League.

24/12/16

December 26th is Saint Stephen's Day. This is a day in the Christian calender that remembers Stephen who was said to have been the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death by Jewish authorities in c.34 having been accused of blasphemy. It is a day that is also celebrated by the tradition of 'Hunt the Wren', particularly in the Celtic nations of Ireland (Éire) and Isle of Man (Mannin). 

A very special event is taking place to celebrate the Old Manx Christmas at 8.00pm on Friday 6 January 2017 in the intimate candlelit setting of Patrick Church on the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). Old Manx Christmas Concert  - Kiaull yn Nollick Veg Knockaloe  will feature Hartes Ease, a local group specializing in 16th and 17th century Renaissance music.