Alastair Kneale's blog

Shocking news coverage continues to emerge about the levels of violence and intimidation being used against Native American protesters in North Dakota. Protesters from some 200 Native American nations have been objecting to the construction of a huge new oil pipeline which passes over the Missouri River less than a mile upstream from a “reservation” belonging to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. It crosses tribal lands that contain relics that have already been disturbed or damaged during work on the pipeline. There are major concerns that a leak could threaten the area’s water supply.

Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster. As part of the Channel’s Voices of Four Project the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh and the Manx language will be used to introduce some of the channel’s programmes over the next few weeks. Bunscoill Ghaelgagh is a Manx-language primary school in St John's, Isle of Man (Manx: Balley Keeill Eoin, Mannin). At the present time it is the only school in the world where children are taught their lessons solely in Manx and which allows children to learn the language fluently.

News from the Celtic League:

Interpol the International Criminal Police Organisation is in the news again for all the wrong reasons.

It’s speculated that the appointment of a Chinese national (Meng Hongwei) to head the body could cause problems. (Here’s a link):

http://www.thenational.scot/…/human-rights-worry-as-meng-ho…

News from Manx Language Development Officer for Culture Vannin:

The annual Ned Maddrell Lecture, which is free, features a guest speaker discussing a minority language situation that has a relevance to Manx Gaelic. This year it will be held on Saturday 26th November 2016 at Tynwald Mills Conference Centre at 2pm. The lecture will be on language transmission within the family in Gaidhlig-speaking communities in the Western Isles and will be delivered by Dr Cassie Smith-Christmas; the title is:

Hop-tu-Naa is a Celtic festival celebrated in the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin) on 31 October. Predating Halloween, it is the celebration of the original beginning of the Celtic New Year. As with Halloween and the customs associated with it, Hop tu Naa is a festival with pagan roots, particularly the Gaelic festival of Samhain (Manx Gaelic: Sauin). It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, that include Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh. Widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.

Press release from Culture Vannin:

The search for a Manx cultural champion is on

News from Mannin Branch of the Celtic League:

The Isle of Man will celebrate a unique UN award next week when the Secretary of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere programme formally inaugurate our status as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

At an event at the Manx Museum on Tuesday, Mr Han Qunli will present Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK with a certificate marking the island’s achievement.

The International Co-ordinating Council of the Programme on Man and the Biosphere announced the island’s acceptance into the world network in March 2016.

The Manx Wildlife Trust (Manx: Treisht Bea-Feie Vannin) are holding a 'Celebrate Wild about Gardens Week' from the 24 to 30 October 2016. This year they have announced they are celebrating it by going batty about bats! The Trust have organised bat-themed activities on how to support bats and other wildlife in your garden. More information on the programme for the week can be found on the Manx Wildlife Trust website.

News from the Celtic League:

There’s an interesting story on the BBC web pages today about the discovery of the wreck of a U Boat which sank 100 years ago off Stranraer. The story is surrounded with subterfuge and mystery and even has a ‘horrible sea monster’ in the mix! (Link):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ne…/uk-scotland-south-scotland-37691283

News from the Mannin Branch Celtic League:

The Celtic League Mannin Branch have publicly acknowledged the detail and comprehensive nature of an MAIB report into an Irish Sea incident in which the MFV Karen was snagged a year ago by an unidentified Royal Navy submarine.

Text of a Manx Radio report below - an audio clip is at the link:

“Irish Sea fishing dangers exposed