"From the Posturings and Pretensions of New Labour
May the Good Lord deliver us."
"The Nineteenth century saw a great Springtime of Nations as the revolutions of 1848 saw new countries created the length and breadth of Europe. In our world today we are now seeing our own Spring Awakening with people and cultures that have long been dormant and subdued asserting their right to exist, their right to dream." Adam Price MP
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
A Totalitarian Agenda
Brown reveals his hidden authoritarian
Wed Sep 30 12:01PM
Brown's plans to tackle anti-social behaviour and teen pregnancy are scary, dangerous and Stalinist.
By Ian Dunt
It's rarely words that give it away. It's the assumptions behind the words
Gordon Brown gave civil libertarians some breadcrumbs in his speech to conference today. For one thing, ID cards will not be made compulsory in the next parliament, although Alan Johnson had already announced this.
On biometric passports, Brown promised no further information would be required than that needed for current passports. The idiocy of this statement is immediately obvious. If the passport includes biometric information it will necessarily have more information than the previous passports, which didn't. Hence the name.
But it wasn't the flimsy nature of the liberal offerings which gave the game away - it was the assumptions. This is the policy, announced today, on teenage pregnancy: Parents on benefits between the age of 16 and 17-years-old will be put in shared, supervised housing where they will "learn responsibility and how to raise their children properly".
Yes, we have a problem with teenage pregnancy in this country. And we have a problem with anti-social behaviour. It's also quite clear these two issues are linked up together, although which is a cause of which is difficult to establish. Presumably they endlessly cause each other. But Brown's solution to this problem tells us everything we need to know about him; it tells us the assumptions he works under. He believes the state has all the answers. That it can monitor and re-educate people - for that is precisely what is being proposed. That it has the moral right to come and take away people who happen to be poor and pregnant and forcibly re-house them. That the state knows how to parent. That the state is always right. A stark and dangerous new line is being crossed.
There was a hint of what was to come earlier in the speech when he described the market. It's a passage intended for a totally different demographic - lefties and trade unionists and those undone by the financial crisis, basically. He believes in state action in this area, so it's perfectly coherent - necessary even - for him to believe in state action in correcting societal problems.
This thinking has always been foolish nonsense. The state's role in the economy has no moral or political equivalence to its role in society's affairs. Only Stalinists and mad right-wing libertarians (social Darwinists, to all intents and purposes) believe otherwise.
The plan was coupled with a raft of other measures to tackle anti-social behaviour. Parents of children who breach Asbos will be given orders along with their kids. Asbos themselves managed to dissolve basic legal standards, for example by instigating legal proceedings on actions which weren't actually crimes and allowing hearsay evidence into proceedings. We can now see where that reasoning has taken us. People are going to be punished despite having done nothing wrong.
There is a crime known as negligence. This is a suitable vehicle with which to tackle the parents who allow children to run wild. Simply punishing them for being related to someone is a dangerous legal precedent.
Last year, Brown addressed the Broken Britain agenda during his conference speech as well, although in a far more fleeting manner than he did today.
"Nothing has ever broken this country," he roared. It affected me, because I'm liable to be moved by patriotic sentiment. Minutes afterwards I realised the rhetorical trick he had used. He had swapped one thing - patriotism - for another - crime - and used a linguistic sleight to mask it. I remember feeling angry. He had used my patriotism against me.
Today he took a different approach to a Conservative agenda which Labour strategists clearly believe to be a vote winner. He finally addressed anti-social behaviour and Broken Britain. And he did it in the most dangerous, illiberal way imaginable.
After a decade in power, Mr Brown suddenly realised he was far further to the left than he previously thought, and we saw the results in his conference speech last year. Suddenly greedy bankers and unrestrained markets were the bad guys, not the saints they had previously been made out to be. Now he realises that anti-social behaviour has to be addressed, something he seemed disinterested in until now.
But nothing has changed. The ruthless, authoritarian heart of this government is still in place.
It's not in the words. It's in the assumptions.
Wed Sep 30 12:01PM
Brown's plans to tackle anti-social behaviour and teen pregnancy are scary, dangerous and Stalinist.
By Ian Dunt
It's rarely words that give it away. It's the assumptions behind the words
Gordon Brown gave civil libertarians some breadcrumbs in his speech to conference today. For one thing, ID cards will not be made compulsory in the next parliament, although Alan Johnson had already announced this.
On biometric passports, Brown promised no further information would be required than that needed for current passports. The idiocy of this statement is immediately obvious. If the passport includes biometric information it will necessarily have more information than the previous passports, which didn't. Hence the name.
But it wasn't the flimsy nature of the liberal offerings which gave the game away - it was the assumptions. This is the policy, announced today, on teenage pregnancy: Parents on benefits between the age of 16 and 17-years-old will be put in shared, supervised housing where they will "learn responsibility and how to raise their children properly".
Yes, we have a problem with teenage pregnancy in this country. And we have a problem with anti-social behaviour. It's also quite clear these two issues are linked up together, although which is a cause of which is difficult to establish. Presumably they endlessly cause each other. But Brown's solution to this problem tells us everything we need to know about him; it tells us the assumptions he works under. He believes the state has all the answers. That it can monitor and re-educate people - for that is precisely what is being proposed. That it has the moral right to come and take away people who happen to be poor and pregnant and forcibly re-house them. That the state knows how to parent. That the state is always right. A stark and dangerous new line is being crossed.
There was a hint of what was to come earlier in the speech when he described the market. It's a passage intended for a totally different demographic - lefties and trade unionists and those undone by the financial crisis, basically. He believes in state action in this area, so it's perfectly coherent - necessary even - for him to believe in state action in correcting societal problems.
This thinking has always been foolish nonsense. The state's role in the economy has no moral or political equivalence to its role in society's affairs. Only Stalinists and mad right-wing libertarians (social Darwinists, to all intents and purposes) believe otherwise.
The plan was coupled with a raft of other measures to tackle anti-social behaviour. Parents of children who breach Asbos will be given orders along with their kids. Asbos themselves managed to dissolve basic legal standards, for example by instigating legal proceedings on actions which weren't actually crimes and allowing hearsay evidence into proceedings. We can now see where that reasoning has taken us. People are going to be punished despite having done nothing wrong.
There is a crime known as negligence. This is a suitable vehicle with which to tackle the parents who allow children to run wild. Simply punishing them for being related to someone is a dangerous legal precedent.
Last year, Brown addressed the Broken Britain agenda during his conference speech as well, although in a far more fleeting manner than he did today.
"Nothing has ever broken this country," he roared. It affected me, because I'm liable to be moved by patriotic sentiment. Minutes afterwards I realised the rhetorical trick he had used. He had swapped one thing - patriotism - for another - crime - and used a linguistic sleight to mask it. I remember feeling angry. He had used my patriotism against me.
Today he took a different approach to a Conservative agenda which Labour strategists clearly believe to be a vote winner. He finally addressed anti-social behaviour and Broken Britain. And he did it in the most dangerous, illiberal way imaginable.
After a decade in power, Mr Brown suddenly realised he was far further to the left than he previously thought, and we saw the results in his conference speech last year. Suddenly greedy bankers and unrestrained markets were the bad guys, not the saints they had previously been made out to be. Now he realises that anti-social behaviour has to be addressed, something he seemed disinterested in until now.
But nothing has changed. The ruthless, authoritarian heart of this government is still in place.
It's not in the words. It's in the assumptions.
The People Decide
Quote:
"Obviously, you want newspapers to be for you. We would have liked everybody to be on our side, but the people decide.
"I've got an old-fashioned opinion that you look to newspapers for news not opinions."
Gordon Brown
Yes, the people will decide, in fact have decided, and what they have decided is that Mr Brown and his old-fashioned opinion is history.
"Obviously, you want newspapers to be for you. We would have liked everybody to be on our side, but the people decide.
"I've got an old-fashioned opinion that you look to newspapers for news not opinions."
Gordon Brown
Yes, the people will decide, in fact have decided, and what they have decided is that Mr Brown and his old-fashioned opinion is history.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Power to the People
POWER 2010
With the renewed interest in democratic reform following the expenses scandal, and with less than a year until the general election, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust have launched POWER2010, a major new campaign aiming to change the way politics is done in Britain. POWER2010 is a unique campaign to give everyone the chance to have a say in how our democracy works.
Cymru Yfory - Tomorrow's Wales is a partner in the POWER2010 project, and so we are forwarding you the message below from Helena Kennedy, the Chair of Power2010. We would urge you not only to sign the Power2010 Declaration, but also to send in your ideas for democratic and political reform. It is important that the Welsh perspective, and the question of devolution in general, is taken into account in this UK-wide debate and if enough Cymru Yfory supporters write in we can ensure that happens.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friend,
Our politics is in trouble. And it's not hard to see where the problem lies.
Our politicians abuse expenses. They pay fines when they break their own laws – but stay in their jobs.
We need to take back control -- of our government, of our politics, and of our democracy. That's why we've started POWER2010, a new movement that will reinvigorate our politics from the bottom up.
Do you believe power should rest with the voters and not with politicians? Click here to sign our declaration for change.
First and foremost, democracy is about the involvement of the people -- people like you and me. We need to act to take power from the hands of the politicians and put it back in ours where it belongs. Do you want a National Assembly in Wales with real law-making powers? A fairer voting system? Cleaner funding? You decide.
Our movement is young – but growing. This is our chance: I hope you take it by signing our declaration for change:
http://www.power2010.org.uk/declaration
Together we can fix our politics.
Thank you and best wishes,
Helena Kennedy
POWER2010 Chair
With the renewed interest in democratic reform following the expenses scandal, and with less than a year until the general election, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust have launched POWER2010, a major new campaign aiming to change the way politics is done in Britain. POWER2010 is a unique campaign to give everyone the chance to have a say in how our democracy works.
Cymru Yfory - Tomorrow's Wales is a partner in the POWER2010 project, and so we are forwarding you the message below from Helena Kennedy, the Chair of Power2010. We would urge you not only to sign the Power2010 Declaration, but also to send in your ideas for democratic and political reform. It is important that the Welsh perspective, and the question of devolution in general, is taken into account in this UK-wide debate and if enough Cymru Yfory supporters write in we can ensure that happens.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friend,
Our politics is in trouble. And it's not hard to see where the problem lies.
Our politicians abuse expenses. They pay fines when they break their own laws – but stay in their jobs.
We need to take back control -- of our government, of our politics, and of our democracy. That's why we've started POWER2010, a new movement that will reinvigorate our politics from the bottom up.
Do you believe power should rest with the voters and not with politicians? Click here to sign our declaration for change.
First and foremost, democracy is about the involvement of the people -- people like you and me. We need to act to take power from the hands of the politicians and put it back in ours where it belongs. Do you want a National Assembly in Wales with real law-making powers? A fairer voting system? Cleaner funding? You decide.
Our movement is young – but growing. This is our chance: I hope you take it by signing our declaration for change:
http://www.power2010.org.uk/declaration
Together we can fix our politics.
Thank you and best wishes,
Helena Kennedy
POWER2010 Chair
Monday, 28 September 2009
The Long Road to Autonomy
The "Cornish conspiracy theory" is claimed to be a long-running conspiracy by the English establishment to deprive Cornish people of their rights, identity and autonomy. It is claimed that the main reason why the Cornish are being denied recognition of their identity is to prevent any public debate or official enquiry into the constitutional status of Cornwall regarding the Duchy of Cornwall, sometimes referred to as the "Cornish Question". Cornish historians point to the fact that in 1508 the 'Charter of Pardon' was granted by Henry VII to give Cornwall a legal right to its own Parliament with the power of veto over acts, statutes, laws, etc, passed by the Westminster government. These rights were granted in perpetuity and cannot be lawfully rescinded, but today are ignored by the UK government.
In 1858 the Cornish Foreshore Case (a case of arbitration between the Crown and the Duchy of Cornwall) confirmed that the Duke of Cornwall, was considered to be a quasi-sovereign within the Duchy of Cornwall territory (Cornwall), but today the Duchy of Cornwall describes itself as a private estate which funds the public, charitable and private activities of the Prince of Wales and his family. It is claimed that at some point after 1858, the officers of the Duchy, with the support of members of the UK Government, developed a plan to portray the Duchy of Cornwall as a 'private estate'. More recently in 2007 the Cornish were the only UK ethnic/cultural group and indigenous minority to be specifically mentioned for exclusion from the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities by the British government.
The Crown Proceedings Act 1947 Section 40, 2g, gives the heir to the throne, the Duke of Cornwall, the authority to "control or otherwise intervene in proceedings that affect his rights, property and profits".
The 1971 Kilbrandon Report into the British constitution recommended that, when referring to Cornwall - "official sources should cite the Duchy not the County" - this was suggested in recognition of its constitutional position.
In 1977 Plaid Cymru MP Dafydd Wigley received confirmation in Parliament that the Stannators right to veto Westminster legislation is still valid.
In July 1997 Andrew George MP attempted to raise a question concerning the Duchy of Cornwall in the House of Commons but was prevented from doing so by an injunction that disallows MPs raising any questions in Parliament that are in any way related to the Duchy. The injunction prevents MPs asking questions regarding the "role, rights, powers and privileges" of the Dukes of Cornwall in Cornwall - reference Tamar Bridge Act 1998, s.41 and letter from the House of Commons Library to Andrew George MP, dated 16 July 1997. On 12 December 2001 a petition with 50,000 signatures was presented to 10 Downing Street in favour of more autonomy for Cornwall - a Cornish Assembly - so far this has not been implemented by the Government. In June 2005 the government allocated £80,000 per year for three years of direct central government funding to the Cornish language. Although pleased with this development, Cornish language speakers point to the fact that during the same period for example the Ulster-Scots language is being allocated £1,000,000 per year of direct government funding.
The National History Curriculum officially starts with the Roman period, rather than earlier civilisations without their own written records, such as the Celts.
In 2007 it was announced by the Office for National Statistics that a Cornish tick box would be refused on the next 2011 Census because "insufficient requirement for the data had been expressed by Census users" and "national identity and ethnicity questions will contain tick boxes only for the largest groups*. This is despite the fact that other groups such as Irish Travellers for example are recognised on the form and the Cornish had previously been allocated the ethnic code of '06' for the 2001 Census - ref. United Kingdom Census 2001 Ethnic Codes.
There has been official Government (HM Treasury) approval for the leasing of Cornish heritage sites such as Tintagel Castle by the commercial Duchy of Cornwall to the state subsidised organisation known as English Heritage. On January 18, 2002, at Truro Crown Court, three members of the Cornish Stannary Parliament attempted to raise issues regarding the history of the Duchy of Cornwall, but were prevented from doing so when a Public Interest Immunity certificate (gagging order) was presented to the court by the Crown Prosecution Service.
In 1858 the Cornish Foreshore Case (a case of arbitration between the Crown and the Duchy of Cornwall) confirmed that the Duke of Cornwall, was considered to be a quasi-sovereign within the Duchy of Cornwall territory (Cornwall), but today the Duchy of Cornwall describes itself as a private estate which funds the public, charitable and private activities of the Prince of Wales and his family. It is claimed that at some point after 1858, the officers of the Duchy, with the support of members of the UK Government, developed a plan to portray the Duchy of Cornwall as a 'private estate'. More recently in 2007 the Cornish were the only UK ethnic/cultural group and indigenous minority to be specifically mentioned for exclusion from the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities by the British government.
The Crown Proceedings Act 1947 Section 40, 2g, gives the heir to the throne, the Duke of Cornwall, the authority to "control or otherwise intervene in proceedings that affect his rights, property and profits".
The 1971 Kilbrandon Report into the British constitution recommended that, when referring to Cornwall - "official sources should cite the Duchy not the County" - this was suggested in recognition of its constitutional position.
In 1977 Plaid Cymru MP Dafydd Wigley received confirmation in Parliament that the Stannators right to veto Westminster legislation is still valid.
In July 1997 Andrew George MP attempted to raise a question concerning the Duchy of Cornwall in the House of Commons but was prevented from doing so by an injunction that disallows MPs raising any questions in Parliament that are in any way related to the Duchy. The injunction prevents MPs asking questions regarding the "role, rights, powers and privileges" of the Dukes of Cornwall in Cornwall - reference Tamar Bridge Act 1998, s.41 and letter from the House of Commons Library to Andrew George MP, dated 16 July 1997. On 12 December 2001 a petition with 50,000 signatures was presented to 10 Downing Street in favour of more autonomy for Cornwall - a Cornish Assembly - so far this has not been implemented by the Government. In June 2005 the government allocated £80,000 per year for three years of direct central government funding to the Cornish language. Although pleased with this development, Cornish language speakers point to the fact that during the same period for example the Ulster-Scots language is being allocated £1,000,000 per year of direct government funding.
The National History Curriculum officially starts with the Roman period, rather than earlier civilisations without their own written records, such as the Celts.
In 2007 it was announced by the Office for National Statistics that a Cornish tick box would be refused on the next 2011 Census because "insufficient requirement for the data had been expressed by Census users" and "national identity and ethnicity questions will contain tick boxes only for the largest groups*. This is despite the fact that other groups such as Irish Travellers for example are recognised on the form and the Cornish had previously been allocated the ethnic code of '06' for the 2001 Census - ref. United Kingdom Census 2001 Ethnic Codes.
There has been official Government (HM Treasury) approval for the leasing of Cornish heritage sites such as Tintagel Castle by the commercial Duchy of Cornwall to the state subsidised organisation known as English Heritage. On January 18, 2002, at Truro Crown Court, three members of the Cornish Stannary Parliament attempted to raise issues regarding the history of the Duchy of Cornwall, but were prevented from doing so when a Public Interest Immunity certificate (gagging order) was presented to the court by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Lest We Forget
Forgotten Cornwall - from The Cornish Democrat blogsite.
Yet again Cornwall, the fourth nation of Great Britain, has been forgotten! No great surprise as it's been happening for quite some time now.
This time however the two-faced nature of the 'oversight' really needs to be highlighted.
The Liberal Democrat MP's in Kernow, notably Dan Rogerson and Andrew George, go to some lengths to promote Cornish issues. Questions of Duchy constitution, Cornish tick box on the UK census and the Government of Cornwall Bill have all been recent Lib Dem developments.
What is surprising then is the almost total lack of awareness of the Cornish question in Lib Dem circles outside Kernow. If you mention Rogerson's Bill to one of his fellow party members from another part of the UK, more often than not, you'll simply receive a puzzled look.
"Cornwall wants devolution!?"
One would have thought that the recent Lib Dem party conference would have been the perfect opportunity to put Cornwall's case to the rest of the party. Sadly however, as has been pointed out on this Cornwall 24 thread, just about every aspect of devolution was mentioned, along with copious reference to Scotland, Wales, England and the Six Counties, except that is Cornish devolution.
It seems all the work our Cornish MPs have done, culminating in the Government of Cornwall Bill, didn't even merit one word. Did our MPs even propose that Cornwall's aspirations feature?
Surely our Cornish Lib Dems are not so cynical as to simply throw up a bit of nationalist window dressing in order to save their seats at the next election? Perhaps the Tories are already following their lead. At least we can say that Labour are consistent in ignoring all Cornish specificity. Honesty in their disregard for Cornish question.
Perhaps it'd be wise to write to your MP and ask why Cornwall was forgotten once again.
Yet again Cornwall, the fourth nation of Great Britain, has been forgotten! No great surprise as it's been happening for quite some time now.
This time however the two-faced nature of the 'oversight' really needs to be highlighted.
The Liberal Democrat MP's in Kernow, notably Dan Rogerson and Andrew George, go to some lengths to promote Cornish issues. Questions of Duchy constitution, Cornish tick box on the UK census and the Government of Cornwall Bill have all been recent Lib Dem developments.
What is surprising then is the almost total lack of awareness of the Cornish question in Lib Dem circles outside Kernow. If you mention Rogerson's Bill to one of his fellow party members from another part of the UK, more often than not, you'll simply receive a puzzled look.
"Cornwall wants devolution!?"
One would have thought that the recent Lib Dem party conference would have been the perfect opportunity to put Cornwall's case to the rest of the party. Sadly however, as has been pointed out on this Cornwall 24 thread, just about every aspect of devolution was mentioned, along with copious reference to Scotland, Wales, England and the Six Counties, except that is Cornish devolution.
It seems all the work our Cornish MPs have done, culminating in the Government of Cornwall Bill, didn't even merit one word. Did our MPs even propose that Cornwall's aspirations feature?
Surely our Cornish Lib Dems are not so cynical as to simply throw up a bit of nationalist window dressing in order to save their seats at the next election? Perhaps the Tories are already following their lead. At least we can say that Labour are consistent in ignoring all Cornish specificity. Honesty in their disregard for Cornish question.
Perhaps it'd be wise to write to your MP and ask why Cornwall was forgotten once again.
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Let the Road Rise Up Before Ye....
HI Folks!
(Newsletter written 25/9/09 on the day that Julia docked in Cork - but emailed out the day after....)
Oh Happy Day!
...if somewhat exhausting!
I'm delighted to report that today (25/9/09) the new ship for the Fastnet Line Cork-Swansea service arrived in Cork Harbour - and she's now safely berthed at Horgan's Quay only minutes from the centre of Cork.
We've had an overwhelmingly positive response to our publicity over the last few days - both in Swansea, where the ship stopped over en-route from Finland to Cork and in & around Cork today.
Watching Julia make her way sedately up the Lee, led by a Port of Cork tug with the high-pressure fire hoses playing up into the air, it was hard to fight back the emotion - she looked like a real symbol of hope in these sometimes dark times.
As Conor Buckley, Chairman of the West Cork Tourism Co-operative (which owns the new company - Fastnet Line), said: "The vision is to build this into a long-term, sustainable business — as far as we are concerned this is a 'forever' deal. When the old service stopped, it was a major blow — it caused real pain. Access is the key to tourism success.
The new service will be a massive boost for tourism businesses in Ireland and Wales."
Amen!
"Isn't she lovely"
We're in the process of building up a whole array of Julia photographs on the website - not just shots of her arriving in Cork, but also interior shots.
I was privileged to have a very quick tour of the ship this morning - and my general impression was that she's very clean and tidy inside - and isn't going to require an awful lot of 'updating' before she's ready for service in March 2010. An amount of time will be taken up with routine maintenance, and ensuring that she meets Irish safety standards.
She's certainly a massive improvement on the old Superferry ...... and she makes a most impressive sight, tied up in the centre of Cork City. If you get a chance - drop by and take a look - you'll be impressed by the sheer size of her.
"Pennies in the Fountain"
(Well - they all add up, you know!)
Amazingly, the Co-op has now raised something in the region of 10 million euro - thanks to our marvellous shareholders and with assistance from the Finnish bank, Aktia Bank, and its finance company, Aktia Yritysrahoitus Oy. (Pay attention at the back - there'll be a test on this later! )
We are now in need of a paltry 2.5million euro - as working capital so that the service can launch on March 1st (St David's Day) 2010. Those clever people at the Co-op have come up with two attractive investment schemes - one invites people to become shareholders in the Co-op, and the other scheme, with a slightly higher price-tag, is a 4-year investment scheme.
As somebody said today "The fact that this wonderful ship is actually here, tied up in Cork, proves that the revived ferry service isn't just some crazy idea dreamed up by a Garden Centre owner and a guy who makes stained glass". I think what they were trying to say was that this scheme is a real, solid investment that is going to serve as an object lesson on how to dig our way out of an adverse situation...
Whichever spin you put on it - we're 80% of the way there - and surely we can only succeed? With your continued support (both moral and financial) 'We can do this'.
Please take a moment to visit the websites, drop by the e-petition and say 'hi', and consider investing in the 'People's Ferry' - or if you can't, please pass the link on to your friends for their consideration.
Campaign website - www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com
Photos - http://www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com/html/tour.html
Investment - www.fastnetline.com
Fastnetline (investment / news / pre-book) - www.fastnetline.com
"You're more than a number in my little red book"
OK - it's been a long day - but the Fastnet Line 'prebooking' form is still in operation - and we're collecting email addresses from folks who'd like to be told immediately the proper booking website is up & running. In fact, as I type this, the number of email addresses just passed the 5,000 mark!
If you'd like to register your interest - the form's on the Fastnetline website.
"I heard it through the Grapevine"
When we started the Campaign, waaay back in April 2008, our marketing & PR budget was round about zero. Now, 18 months later, it's about the same.
In a way, the success of the Campaign is a testament to the power of no-cost online marketing - and to the really great people who have given us their support. Fastnet Line will of course have 'real money' to spend on marketing - but, as it has worked so well so far, we at the campaign will still be relying on 'the grapevine' to pass the word around. With this in mind - if you could email your friends, colleagues, customers, suppliers etc with the news that the return of the Cork-Swansea service is imminent - and invite them to register their interest at the Fastnet Line pre-booking site then that would be tremendous!
.......And, as another great diarist once said, 'so to bed'
Goodnight all - and sincere thanks from John & myself, and the amazing team at the Co-op.
Adrian
(Newsletter written 25/9/09 on the day that Julia docked in Cork - but emailed out the day after....)
Oh Happy Day!
...if somewhat exhausting!
I'm delighted to report that today (25/9/09) the new ship for the Fastnet Line Cork-Swansea service arrived in Cork Harbour - and she's now safely berthed at Horgan's Quay only minutes from the centre of Cork.
We've had an overwhelmingly positive response to our publicity over the last few days - both in Swansea, where the ship stopped over en-route from Finland to Cork and in & around Cork today.
Watching Julia make her way sedately up the Lee, led by a Port of Cork tug with the high-pressure fire hoses playing up into the air, it was hard to fight back the emotion - she looked like a real symbol of hope in these sometimes dark times.
As Conor Buckley, Chairman of the West Cork Tourism Co-operative (which owns the new company - Fastnet Line), said: "The vision is to build this into a long-term, sustainable business — as far as we are concerned this is a 'forever' deal. When the old service stopped, it was a major blow — it caused real pain. Access is the key to tourism success.
The new service will be a massive boost for tourism businesses in Ireland and Wales."
Amen!
"Isn't she lovely"
We're in the process of building up a whole array of Julia photographs on the website - not just shots of her arriving in Cork, but also interior shots.
I was privileged to have a very quick tour of the ship this morning - and my general impression was that she's very clean and tidy inside - and isn't going to require an awful lot of 'updating' before she's ready for service in March 2010. An amount of time will be taken up with routine maintenance, and ensuring that she meets Irish safety standards.
She's certainly a massive improvement on the old Superferry ...... and she makes a most impressive sight, tied up in the centre of Cork City. If you get a chance - drop by and take a look - you'll be impressed by the sheer size of her.
"Pennies in the Fountain"
(Well - they all add up, you know!)
Amazingly, the Co-op has now raised something in the region of 10 million euro - thanks to our marvellous shareholders and with assistance from the Finnish bank, Aktia Bank, and its finance company, Aktia Yritysrahoitus Oy. (Pay attention at the back - there'll be a test on this later! )
We are now in need of a paltry 2.5million euro - as working capital so that the service can launch on March 1st (St David's Day) 2010. Those clever people at the Co-op have come up with two attractive investment schemes - one invites people to become shareholders in the Co-op, and the other scheme, with a slightly higher price-tag, is a 4-year investment scheme.
As somebody said today "The fact that this wonderful ship is actually here, tied up in Cork, proves that the revived ferry service isn't just some crazy idea dreamed up by a Garden Centre owner and a guy who makes stained glass". I think what they were trying to say was that this scheme is a real, solid investment that is going to serve as an object lesson on how to dig our way out of an adverse situation...
Whichever spin you put on it - we're 80% of the way there - and surely we can only succeed? With your continued support (both moral and financial) 'We can do this'.
Please take a moment to visit the websites, drop by the e-petition and say 'hi', and consider investing in the 'People's Ferry' - or if you can't, please pass the link on to your friends for their consideration.
Campaign website - www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com
Photos - http://www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com/html/tour.html
Investment - www.fastnetline.com
Fastnetline (investment / news / pre-book) - www.fastnetline.com
"You're more than a number in my little red book"
OK - it's been a long day - but the Fastnet Line 'prebooking' form is still in operation - and we're collecting email addresses from folks who'd like to be told immediately the proper booking website is up & running. In fact, as I type this, the number of email addresses just passed the 5,000 mark!
If you'd like to register your interest - the form's on the Fastnetline website.
"I heard it through the Grapevine"
When we started the Campaign, waaay back in April 2008, our marketing & PR budget was round about zero. Now, 18 months later, it's about the same.
In a way, the success of the Campaign is a testament to the power of no-cost online marketing - and to the really great people who have given us their support. Fastnet Line will of course have 'real money' to spend on marketing - but, as it has worked so well so far, we at the campaign will still be relying on 'the grapevine' to pass the word around. With this in mind - if you could email your friends, colleagues, customers, suppliers etc with the news that the return of the Cork-Swansea service is imminent - and invite them to register their interest at the Fastnet Line pre-booking site then that would be tremendous!
.......And, as another great diarist once said, 'so to bed'
Goodnight all - and sincere thanks from John & myself, and the amazing team at the Co-op.
Adrian
Endorsing Welsh Ramblings Quote
"We need to get Wales away from the corruption of Westminster as soon as possible. Another reason to send Plaid representatives whose only vested interest is in their community."
Heritage Minister promotes story of Wales
Heritage Minister sets direction to better tell the story of Wales
A new survey to identify 20th century assets of historic importance in Wales and a register of Welsh Battlefields will be among the priorities of the Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones as he publishes his Strategic Direction Statement for the Historic Environment of Wales today [22 September].
The action outlined in the statement, the first in Wales since 2003, will contribute to the work of ensuring that Wales’ story is told so that the people of Wales and visitors alike gain a better understanding of our Historic Environment. It also provides an opportunity to further celebrate our identity as a nation, our pride in our heritage and the contribution countless men and women have made over the centuries to Wales and the world.
Speaking before his statement in Plenary, the Minister, said:
“Nurturing a living sense of what it is to be a citizen of Wales is a key priority for the Assembly Government. Citizenship is about emotional ties and imagined community, as much with previous generations as with ones to come. Our objective is therefore to help all people in Wales to gain at least some sense of the historic environment in which they live.
“We are all part of the story and the buildings and the archaeology around us help to give a sense of place. People in Wales have experienced a tradition of working in or alongside the industries that were so important in the development of the country. Whole families have worked in local quarries or mines. The chapel and school buildings seen in every community remind us of their focal role in the social history of Wales. The Welsh language and Welsh culture are irrefutably bound to the historic environment of Wales. Everyone has his or her story to tell. And we need to take advantage of all means of telling those stories. We need to be clear that our history and historic environment is part of our story – not something which happened to some one else a long time ago.”
The Minister will announce a package which includes a Statement of his ambition for the historic environment; A Celebration Statement - underlining the importance of the historic environment and its wider impacts and benefits, together with key issues or challenges and thirdly, the headline actions which will be taken by the Assembly Government and its heritage partners.
In announcing his priorities the Minister will commit to actions to conserve and protect the historic environment; to promote heritage led regeneration; to develop imaginative and stimulating ways for people to access Welsh heritage; and to foster new research and learning into Welsh heritage.
The Heritage Minister, said:
“Heritage has many benefits. As my Statement shows, heritage can make an enormous difference to Wales today. Economic benefits through tourism are the obvious example – 90% of international visitors staying in Wales visit cultural sites. This level of activity cannot be underestimated in our economy.”
Among the key actions included in the Minister’s statement are:
* Cadw will carry out a new survey to identify 20th century assets of historic importance and will consult on a Battlefields Register. It will also take measures to develop a modern, clear, accountable system of heritage protection with up to date guidance. To ensure an ongoing dialogue with all sector interests, a further Treftadaeth conference will be convened in July 2010.
* Continued collaboration on the sustainable regeneration of heritage sites and townscapes. Cadw’s ongoing programme of urban characterisation studies to capture the essence of local distinctiveness will help inform regeneration schemes
* Work with the Minister for Children, Education Lifelong Learning and Skills and others on the promotion of the study of Welsh history at community level and in higher education and about the contribution that our historic environment can make to the school curriculum.
* Work with local communities to run events at Cadw sites and encourage local projects which celebrate the Welsh language, place names, local heritage and folklore. Discussions will be held with the third sector on how to develop rewarding opportunities for volunteering and skills development and will help support the creation of a heritage network.
* Ensure collaborative action to tackle access barriers to heritage and through Cadw develop a groundbreaking all Wales Heritage Interpretation Plan.
* Finally, the Minister will convene a Heritage Summit in 2010 to discuss heritage interpretation and the links between heritage and the Arts.
A new survey to identify 20th century assets of historic importance in Wales and a register of Welsh Battlefields will be among the priorities of the Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones as he publishes his Strategic Direction Statement for the Historic Environment of Wales today [22 September].
The action outlined in the statement, the first in Wales since 2003, will contribute to the work of ensuring that Wales’ story is told so that the people of Wales and visitors alike gain a better understanding of our Historic Environment. It also provides an opportunity to further celebrate our identity as a nation, our pride in our heritage and the contribution countless men and women have made over the centuries to Wales and the world.
Speaking before his statement in Plenary, the Minister, said:
“Nurturing a living sense of what it is to be a citizen of Wales is a key priority for the Assembly Government. Citizenship is about emotional ties and imagined community, as much with previous generations as with ones to come. Our objective is therefore to help all people in Wales to gain at least some sense of the historic environment in which they live.
“We are all part of the story and the buildings and the archaeology around us help to give a sense of place. People in Wales have experienced a tradition of working in or alongside the industries that were so important in the development of the country. Whole families have worked in local quarries or mines. The chapel and school buildings seen in every community remind us of their focal role in the social history of Wales. The Welsh language and Welsh culture are irrefutably bound to the historic environment of Wales. Everyone has his or her story to tell. And we need to take advantage of all means of telling those stories. We need to be clear that our history and historic environment is part of our story – not something which happened to some one else a long time ago.”
The Minister will announce a package which includes a Statement of his ambition for the historic environment; A Celebration Statement - underlining the importance of the historic environment and its wider impacts and benefits, together with key issues or challenges and thirdly, the headline actions which will be taken by the Assembly Government and its heritage partners.
In announcing his priorities the Minister will commit to actions to conserve and protect the historic environment; to promote heritage led regeneration; to develop imaginative and stimulating ways for people to access Welsh heritage; and to foster new research and learning into Welsh heritage.
The Heritage Minister, said:
“Heritage has many benefits. As my Statement shows, heritage can make an enormous difference to Wales today. Economic benefits through tourism are the obvious example – 90% of international visitors staying in Wales visit cultural sites. This level of activity cannot be underestimated in our economy.”
Among the key actions included in the Minister’s statement are:
* Cadw will carry out a new survey to identify 20th century assets of historic importance and will consult on a Battlefields Register. It will also take measures to develop a modern, clear, accountable system of heritage protection with up to date guidance. To ensure an ongoing dialogue with all sector interests, a further Treftadaeth conference will be convened in July 2010.
* Continued collaboration on the sustainable regeneration of heritage sites and townscapes. Cadw’s ongoing programme of urban characterisation studies to capture the essence of local distinctiveness will help inform regeneration schemes
* Work with the Minister for Children, Education Lifelong Learning and Skills and others on the promotion of the study of Welsh history at community level and in higher education and about the contribution that our historic environment can make to the school curriculum.
* Work with local communities to run events at Cadw sites and encourage local projects which celebrate the Welsh language, place names, local heritage and folklore. Discussions will be held with the third sector on how to develop rewarding opportunities for volunteering and skills development and will help support the creation of a heritage network.
* Ensure collaborative action to tackle access barriers to heritage and through Cadw develop a groundbreaking all Wales Heritage Interpretation Plan.
* Finally, the Minister will convene a Heritage Summit in 2010 to discuss heritage interpretation and the links between heritage and the Arts.
Friday, 25 September 2009
Cofiwch ein Nhadau- Remember Battles for Freedom
Welsh Battlefields Society:
Sunday 18th October 2009
The subsequent meeting will be on Sunday 18th October at 11.00 in the old quarry near the lime kiln SJ 263374 near Castle Mill bridge in the Ceiriog valley under Chirk [Y Waun] Castle, [right on the Border of Wales and England]. At the bridge SJ 263376, we will discuss the Battle of Crogan 1165, led by Deryn Poppitt and Mark Williams. We will and then explore the battle site. Lunch at the ancient Swan Inn at Pont Fadog - please could you let us know asap if you require lunch so that places can be booked at the Inn.
There are exciting developments regarding the commemoration of Welsh battles, see recent Western Mail article. CADW, RCAHMW and the ASSEMBLY are coordinating a project to identify and mark such sites.
Best wishes,
John H Davies
sion_cwm_hir@hotmail.com
Sunday 18th October 2009
The subsequent meeting will be on Sunday 18th October at 11.00 in the old quarry near the lime kiln SJ 263374 near Castle Mill bridge in the Ceiriog valley under Chirk [Y Waun] Castle, [right on the Border of Wales and England]. At the bridge SJ 263376, we will discuss the Battle of Crogan 1165, led by Deryn Poppitt and Mark Williams. We will and then explore the battle site. Lunch at the ancient Swan Inn at Pont Fadog - please could you let us know asap if you require lunch so that places can be booked at the Inn.
There are exciting developments regarding the commemoration of Welsh battles, see recent Western Mail article. CADW, RCAHMW and the ASSEMBLY are coordinating a project to identify and mark such sites.
Best wishes,
John H Davies
sion_cwm_hir@hotmail.com
Thursday, 24 September 2009
P.M. Outclassed by a Political Pro
Obama snubbed Brown story 'absurd'
Downing Street and the White House are engaged in a damage limitation exercise amid suggestions of a rift between Gordon Brown and US president Barack Obama.
Obama snubbed Brown story 'absurd'
Both governments have been forced to issue strong denials following reports that five requests from the Prime Minister for a one-on-one meeting during his trip to the United States had been snubbed.
Mr Brown was apparently able to snatch some private "face time" with Mr Obama only in a kitchen during a dinner with other leaders in New York.
The row came as the Prime Minister was braced for more bad news, with rumours sweeping Westminster that business minister Baroness Vadera - one of his closest economic advisers - is set to leave the Government.
The White House released a statement dismissing suggestions that Mr Brown had been snubbed by Mr Obama as "absurd", and describing relations between the two men as "terrific".
"Any stories that suggest trouble in the bilateral relationship between the United States and UK are totally absurd," a spokesman said.
"We would add that President Obama and Prime Minister Brown enjoy a terrific relationship, they speak regularly on a range of the most difficult challenges facing our two nations, and meet frequently."
The spokesman added that the two leaders had already "conferred" during the climate change meeting in New York.
Downing Street accepted that there had been "numerous calls" between officials and the White House, where "potential meetings" had been discussed.
But a spokeswoman added: "We have said all along that the situation with formal bilateral meetings, that they were not pinned down but they would be spending time together in New York and at the G20, where they would be discussing pressing issues."
The Labour Party's traditional lead over the Conservatives in northern England, its electoral stronghold, has collapsed under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, according to research by the Financial Times newspaper.
The FT said on Thursday David Cameron was on course for a clear majority of English seats in the next general election, expected in May 2010.
The business daily's analysis of recent polling data indicates the Tories have a four-point lead in the north of England, wiping out the 19-point Labour lead in the region that helped keep Tony Blair in power in the last election.
Cameron has built a big lead among the wealthy, his party's traditional supporters, and has seen a big swing at the other end of the social spectrum, converting a 12-point deficit to Labour in the 2005 election into a 14-point advantage, the FT said.
On Tuesday, the latest Guardian/ICM poll showed only 26 percent of voters in Britain would vote Labour in the next election, compared to 43 percent for the Conservatives.
(Reporting by Daniel Fineren; editing by Andrew Roche)
Downing Street and the White House are engaged in a damage limitation exercise amid suggestions of a rift between Gordon Brown and US president Barack Obama.
Obama snubbed Brown story 'absurd'
Both governments have been forced to issue strong denials following reports that five requests from the Prime Minister for a one-on-one meeting during his trip to the United States had been snubbed.
Mr Brown was apparently able to snatch some private "face time" with Mr Obama only in a kitchen during a dinner with other leaders in New York.
The row came as the Prime Minister was braced for more bad news, with rumours sweeping Westminster that business minister Baroness Vadera - one of his closest economic advisers - is set to leave the Government.
The White House released a statement dismissing suggestions that Mr Brown had been snubbed by Mr Obama as "absurd", and describing relations between the two men as "terrific".
"Any stories that suggest trouble in the bilateral relationship between the United States and UK are totally absurd," a spokesman said.
"We would add that President Obama and Prime Minister Brown enjoy a terrific relationship, they speak regularly on a range of the most difficult challenges facing our two nations, and meet frequently."
The spokesman added that the two leaders had already "conferred" during the climate change meeting in New York.
Downing Street accepted that there had been "numerous calls" between officials and the White House, where "potential meetings" had been discussed.
But a spokeswoman added: "We have said all along that the situation with formal bilateral meetings, that they were not pinned down but they would be spending time together in New York and at the G20, where they would be discussing pressing issues."
The Labour Party's traditional lead over the Conservatives in northern England, its electoral stronghold, has collapsed under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, according to research by the Financial Times newspaper.
The FT said on Thursday David Cameron was on course for a clear majority of English seats in the next general election, expected in May 2010.
The business daily's analysis of recent polling data indicates the Tories have a four-point lead in the north of England, wiping out the 19-point Labour lead in the region that helped keep Tony Blair in power in the last election.
Cameron has built a big lead among the wealthy, his party's traditional supporters, and has seen a big swing at the other end of the social spectrum, converting a 12-point deficit to Labour in the 2005 election into a 14-point advantage, the FT said.
On Tuesday, the latest Guardian/ICM poll showed only 26 percent of voters in Britain would vote Labour in the next election, compared to 43 percent for the Conservatives.
(Reporting by Daniel Fineren; editing by Andrew Roche)
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Labour's Bitter End
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has brushed off rumours that he might quit ahead of the general election, declaring: "Of course I'm going on."
PM Brown is 'determined' to stay on
Unconfirmed reports have suggested Mr Brown might use ill-health as an excuse for standing down before the poll, and former Cabinet minister Charles Clarke has said he should go "for his own dignity".
PM Brown is 'determined' to stay on
Unconfirmed reports have suggested Mr Brown might use ill-health as an excuse for standing down before the poll, and former Cabinet minister Charles Clarke has said he should go "for his own dignity".
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Forget the Past- Forget Labour - Vote Plaid!
Think Different. Think Plaid.
At a time when people in Wales have never felt so angry and let down by the same old politics in Westminster , more and more people are turning to Plaid because they know Plaid offers something different.
Which party loves our communities and cares about creating a better future for our children and families?
Who will best stand up for our communities? Yet another Labour, Tory or Lib-Dem MP to toe their London party line, or an independent-thinking Plaid MP who always puts their area first? Think about it…
This isn’t a time for politics as usual. Think Different. Think Plaid.
Best wishes
Ieuan Wyn Jones AM – Plaid Leader
What’s on this week:
Super Ceredigion - This Saturday [26/9/09]
Leaflet to take back Ceredigion!
Meet: Plaid Cymru office Chancery Lane , Cardigan, Ceredigion .SA43 1HD
When: 10.30 - 16.30 (Food available!)
Can you help: email geraint.edwards@penrijames.com or phone Owen Roberts 07976 980104
At a time when people in Wales have never felt so angry and let down by the same old politics in Westminster , more and more people are turning to Plaid because they know Plaid offers something different.
Which party loves our communities and cares about creating a better future for our children and families?
Who will best stand up for our communities? Yet another Labour, Tory or Lib-Dem MP to toe their London party line, or an independent-thinking Plaid MP who always puts their area first? Think about it…
This isn’t a time for politics as usual. Think Different. Think Plaid.
Best wishes
Ieuan Wyn Jones AM – Plaid Leader
What’s on this week:
Super Ceredigion - This Saturday [26/9/09]
Leaflet to take back Ceredigion!
Meet: Plaid Cymru office Chancery Lane , Cardigan, Ceredigion .SA43 1HD
When: 10.30 - 16.30 (Food available!)
Can you help: email geraint.edwards@penrijames.com or phone Owen Roberts 07976 980104
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