Blogs

A video installation called Y Milwr Amharod (The Reluctant Soldier) has been beamed on to the front of the National Library of Wales (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru). It commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of Welsh war poet Hedd Wynn, the Snowdonia shepherd who was killed on the opening day of the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, just days after being sent to the front line.

Peterhead (Scottish Gaelic: Ceann Phàdraig) is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Peterhead was founded by fishermen and became a significant fishing and trading port. Given its history it was an appropriate place for the launch of another ship at the end of May 2017. This time it was a toy Playmobil pirate ship launched by two brothers Ollie and Harry Ferguson, aged eight and five. It carries a message asking anyone who finds the boat, named Adventure, to put it back into the sea.  

The so-called Paradise Papers are revelations that are placing a spotlight on the tax affairs of some of the wealthiest people and companies in the world. In particular their use  of jurisdictions with low or zero-tax rates as a means of tax avoidance. At this stage the allegations from the media has focused on tax avoidance rather than tax evasion. While tax avoidance involves companies and people using legal ways to reduce their tax bill, tax evasion is an offence and involves illegal ways of paying less tax than required.

Ireland has joined a growing list of countries that ban the use of wild animals in circuses. Many Irish local authorities already do not allow public land to be used by circuses featuring wild animals. Michael Creed, Irish Minister for Agriculture has signed new regulations which bans the use of wild animals in circuses and which will come into effect from 1 January 2018. The Minister said:

These images were published by the BBC. They were sent in by those witnessing natures light displays of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) across northern and central Scotland on Tuesday night. At this time of year when artificial Christmas lights are being switched on in some great displays around the world, nature likes to remind us who can really do it better!

Kernow

4 Mys Du 2017

Heritage mismanagement adds to fury of Cornish protests

As predicted by 'Kernow Matters To Us' less than a week ago, fury has erupted over the National Trust's mismanagement of UNESCO recognised Cornish World Heritage sites in west Cornwall.

November 5th is commemorated by some in Britain as the date of the so-called Gunpowder Plot. Traditionally it is the date when bonfires, with an effigy of Guy Fawkes on top, are lit and this is accompanied by fireworks.  Guy Fawkes (April 1570 – 31 January 1606), also known as Guido Fawkes, was a member of a group of English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. They planned to assassinate King James I, (James VI of Scotland) and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne.

Plaid Cymru - Party of Wales has unreservedly condemned the jailing of Catalan politicians by the Spanish State. They have issued the following statement:

"These are members of a democratically elected government. Vice-President Oriol Junqueras is a longstanding friend of Plaid Cymru and colleague of ours in the European Free Alliance, and we urge the Spanish State to release him and the other political prisoners.

Mec Vannin the Manx National Party has called for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to intervene in Catalonia. This is after Spain has sought to crush democracy in Catalonia and reacted forcefully following the declaration of independence.

“Dears Sirs

With reference to the current situation vis a vis the Madrid and Catalunyan governments, we cite the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples:

Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo is festival of light that is on from 3rd November 2017 until 7th January 2018. An enchanted lantern trail has been designed with beautifully crafted, giant colourful lanterns and illuminated sculptures inspired by wildlife. Silk lanterns will include those in the form of a pride of lions, orangutans, tigers, giraffe and monkeys that will light up the skyline. This festival of light also has a Chinese theme with displays of a 16-metre high porcelain elephant tower and a 30-metre long Chinese dragon.