Friday 19 February 2016
NUS No platform policy getting absurd.
I remember the day when "No Platform " was reserved for violent fascists, denying them public speaking opportunities. But now it seems it is being used to silence debate.
Currently there are some in the NUS ( National Union of students) who are opposing a plan to invite Nick Lowles director of the anti-campaigning group Hope Not Hate, to speak on an anti-racist platform because they claim he is islamophobic. His organisation I have supported because of its campaigns to counter racism and fascism, who has actually worked to challenge anti-muslim hatred and bias directed at them.
This comes after a NUS LGBT officer called Fran Cowling accused Peter Tatchell - who has stood up for the LGBT community for the past 30 years,a hero of mine since his battle for bermondsey in the 1980's, risking his life and sustaining injuries, being mocked by rhe press, subjected to homophobic abuse by his political opponents, and arrested by the police as he fought for equality and free speech - of being racist and transphobic .
Simply absurd and mindblowing.
Two individuals who have stood yes against Islamist extremism, but equally against anti-muslim prejudice. For unity and solidarity. against all hate. It seems that anyone making the case for free speech or expressing an opinion nowadays contrary to those of others is subject to an intense, widespread and vitriolic attacks. Anybody who diagrees with them is blocked. They are branded racists, transphobes, bigots and sexists. in what seems like a witch hunt of McCarthyite dimension, aided by a virtual mob on facebook or twitter ready to back them up.
When freedom of speech is systematically threatened like this, I think we have a bit of a problem.
At the end of the day think the NUS should concentrate on opposing those Tory vermin currently in power, who are destroing everything fair and decent here in the UK and taking aim at real spreaders of hatred and fascist threat, organisations like the English Defence Leaque, Britain First and Pegida. We should not misuse the discourse of free speech.
Wednesday 17 February 2016
Protect Local Democracy
As I write the Tory Government is trying to prevent local Authorities divesting from companies linked to Israels illegal occupation, and settlements on Palestinian land. Authorities which refuse to contract with such companies are also being targeted.
This is a a direct attack on local democracy and decision making. This plan is a grave threat to the fight for Palestinian human rights and freedom of expression. An explicit authoritarian and draconian attempt to clamp down on the growing strength of the grassroot Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement which aims to end government and corporate complicity in Israels violations of Palestinians rights.
At the moment local authorities have the right to divest their pensions on an ethical basis if they wish. Its been part of our democracy for years and was vital in Britain's ability to boycott apartheid South Africa and help bring it down. Margaret Thatcher herself bought in an anti-boycott policy in 1988 aimed at restricting local councils from taking action against to end British complicity in Apartheid. So I guess it's a case of David Cameron and his swivel eyed Tory loons following in her footsteps. As can be seen on their relentless attacks on our Trade Unions and anyone who disagrees with them. Already eroding our own civil liberties now seeks to criminalise/ ban ethical behaviour. It should also be noted that more recently councils across the UK have adapted fair trade principles and removed tobacco and arms companies from their investment portfolios in response to local concerns.
The Tories want us to turn a blind eye to corporate complicity in violating international law and to ignore peoples genuine concerns in favour of good relations with a notorious human rights abusing country.
The UK Government should be welcoming any citizen initiative that helps stop our complicity in grave injustices. I believe seeking to outlaw this movement for justice will only make it stronger.
Please take action and make your voices heard : send a message to the governments consultation on this issue as individuals or organisations, by Friday 19th February 11.45 pm.
Here is a link :-
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/protect-local-democracy-for-palestine/
and hereare two petition links I would be grateful for people to sign :-
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/121704
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/protect-local-freedom-to-divest
,,
Tuesday 16 February 2016
VA. A Warmer Welcome by digitalDIZZY
A Warmer Welcome is a benefit release for # refugees welcome http://www.refugees-welcome.org.uk because offering sanctuary to those in need is a proud British tradition. Protecting people who have fled their country because of well-founded fears of being persecuted for reasons of race, nationality and membership of a particular social group or political opinion. The refugee crisis will neither go away or simply diminish.
As long as there is open conflict, poverty and countries with better conditions that will accept people, the problem will continue. It is our duty as fellow humans to welcome them and give sanctuary. We can not sit back and be indifferent. Remember refugees are a product of humanity's worst instincts - the willingness of some persons to oppress others, but on the other side of the coin is there is a willingness of many to assist and protect the helpless.
A Warmer Welcome is a collosal cast of underground musical magic. From the mighty Astronauts, to Neil Campbell of VibraCathedral Orchestra fame, Zoviet France. Ashtray Navigations, the seminal Devotional hoolingan, Celt Islam. One Eyed God, I-Odica and Dog Dub, and local heroes to my neck of the woods Mwstard, and many more. When I say many more I'm talking of a staggering 110 tracks all for the bargain price of £5. A collection that spans all genres from Dub, Experimental, Ambient, Punk , Drone, Noise, all unifying for one cause there truly is something for everyone.
The music I've heard so far is very special indeed, the result being an array of many different moods, that keep stimulating pace and releasing their individual power, because of the themes and motives, all banded together for a common cause.A dizzying array of diveristy and musical freedom. Strongly recommended you wont be dissapointed, as long as getting some fantastic music , you will be contributing to a great cause. Music to uplift and capture your soul, and help your fellow human at the same time , now that is what I call magic.
You can have a free listen to most of the tracks in the following link, but once drawn in, I hope it will entice you to buy a digital copy of this fantastic piece of work, one love,solidarity, no borders are necesary fight the power.
LINK HERE :-
https://digitaldizzy.bandcamp.com/album/va--a-warmerwelcome
Monday 15 February 2016
Mermaids of the Sea Exhibition Aberteifi/Cardigan:- A poetical response.
A quick plug for this exhibition, currently taking place in my hometown of Cardigan. Aberteifi, imaginative and innovative, well worth a visit, full of inspiring stuff, that celebrates the mythical allure of mermaids and the sea. It is worth noting that every water-based culture has their own mermaid stories, tales of Merfolk that are both magical, beautiful , mysterious and terryfying, the following is my own poetical response to the mermaids call.
A lament for the Mermaids
Out of our depths
The mermaid swims
Releasing salty tears
Tries to embrace
Our struggles and pain
Visions of beauty
Whose siren calls
Tries to awaken us
Carry us to imaginations depths
On currents strong
Beyond the world's confinement.
Among the sea beds they dance
Guided by constellations
The swells of tangled threads
Want to hold us gently close
But are too afraid of being caught
By natures tempests and fishing nets
Cruel hooks and traps
Wishing to remain immortal and free
Elusive creatures of the sea.
Long may Neptune offer protection
sustain these senses of wonder
voyaging among the oceans pathways
dazzling spectacles releasing undulating light
beyond shores of exploitation
singing among fathoms deep
resting upon pillows of pearls
serenaded by underwater acoustics
on sea foams of infinity
the deep abyss of sanctuary.
Sunday 14 February 2016
Pieces
( well it is that time of the year, for the lovers)
Love is delicate, love is strong,
I never realised that
It came in so many pieces,
Whispering while we sleep,
To fan dreams, to release a spark,
To send some light, free us from the dark,
In every country of the world
Waits for travellers to call,
Untreasured can get lost,
Come apart, fade far away,
As longing fingers reach out to touch,
Can make hearts ache, like a snatch of song,
Can open doors for both rich and poor,
When people rise and fall love revolves,
Scattered in millions of pieces,
Allows feelings to run riot,
You can share it if you wish,
As the earth spins round.
Saturday 13 February 2016
Jeremy Hunt's pants on fire.
Yes Jeremy Hunt's been caught lying again, claiming to have the backing of 20 NHS bosses for his decision to impose on junor doctors unravelled as at least half have said they never agreed to supporting the deal. Also a junior doctor has accused him of 'spin' manipulation' and lies', a Dr Rachel Clarke, interviewed by the BBC recently.
Not the first time Hunt has been caught lying, further evidence that he simply cannot be trusted. But remains willfully arrogant, as he ploughs ahead trying to enforce a new contact, one that could see mass resignations, impose it against a peoples well, despite reaching any agreement. Tory democracy in action.
He and his partners in crime, the Conservative Government will stop at nothing to privatise the NHS. He has continued to lie in the House of Commons and should therefore either resign or be sacked, actually if all Tories' resigned for misleading the public, their would not be any left in Parliament.
Anyway his actions continue to expose their warped philosophy, and now the country as a whole are right behind the junior doctors, their fight is our fight. Ordinary people across the land supporting their plight. But the Tories will continue not to listen, try and crush everyone of us into submission, but we can't let them.
The Tories are dangerous though, let's not forget this for a moment, they don't give a flying **** but we have to keep holding them to account take them on bit by bit, unless we want to sit back and stay silent allow the Tories to carry on creating a frightened , selfish, greedy society. Remember we might have another 4 years of their deceitfulness and crap unless we stop them. Jeremy Hunt and his chums cannot be allowed to simply get away with everything that they wish.
Friday 12 February 2016
IDS Murders
This video is intended to raise awareness of the thousands of avoidable deaths, that have happened as a result of welfare reform.
Only today in the Independent newspaper there is a report of a mentally ill man who committed suicide because his benefits were stopped, allegedly murdered by the Government according to his sister.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/benefit-
There have also been cases of peoples ESA being stopped despite their own doctors being adamant that they were completely unable to work.
The flawed work capabality Assessment is also causing unecessary deaths by forcing the long term sick and disabled into work or work-related activity. It is currently causing untold fear and misery for the country's most vulnerable. It is supposedly designed by the Government as a way of assessing how an individuals disability or illness impacts on their daily life. It is not designed to diagnose or treat a medical condition. It is not supposed to add pressure and fear and contribute to peoples ill-being.
How many more of us have to die? None of us want to be victims. We are brothers, sisters, mums and dad, friends and neighbours. But our safety nets, that used to be there are being torn to shreds, people are being left with no vestiges of hope. The welfare state was built on the idea 'from the cradle to the grave ', sadly this has now become a reality for many.
Obviously there are hundreds and thousands of people who have not been killed by Ian Duncan Smith's Government, but one thing I am certain off, is the Work capabilty Assessment must come to an end in order to stop hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives from being a miserable daily battle for survival, and become more flexible for the needs of the most vulnerable. People who are sick need all the support they need. I sincerely hope people keep saying no, and rejecting the Tory's approved cruelty.
Thursday 11 February 2016
There's a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.
( Thank you Leonard Cohen.)
There's a crack in everything
that's how the light gets in,
through empty gestures of times exhaust
that vent bitterness on tonque,
scars trace the nights laughter
sailing on ripped tides at dusk,
allow resurfacing days shadow to ignite
fizzing and nudging, in the process of awakening,
through depths of minds endeavor
moods of restless toil,
voyages of troubled sleep
deep in mood innate,
among the magic of the moon
in the dark shines bright,
waiting for dawns page to turn
golden tickets of imagination,
in the ever present of eternity
to purify and illuminate,
because there's a crack in everything
that's how the light gets in.
Wednesday 10 February 2016
Solidarity to Junior Doctors taking Industrial action today.Save the N.H.S
Not taking place here in Wales, for the time being because the NHS in Wales is devolved. Since 1999, the Welsh Government has been involved in running its NHS, so for the time being will the junior doctors contract already in place, so Junior Doctors will be working as normal today. We are guess most fortunate to have the NHS in our hands for now. We still have public service being run not for private greed. Catching up at last, after all the Welsh have generally been poorer and sicker than the English for at least the past 300 years.
Nevetheless across the border Jeremy Hunt has vetoed a deal that would have ended the junior doctor's dispute, that was supported by the NHS's own negotiators. At the same time N.H.S trusts cannot balance books because of poor funding. A political decision to create room for private enterprise in healthcare. Cuts elsewhere such as in councils, has also piled on the pressure. Despite taking place in England, we must stand together until their is fairness for doctors, safety for patients and safeguards for the future of the NHS everywhere. After all the approach taken by the Government in England is still an attack on us all.
The government is trying to crush the doctors and the NHS, ( an essential service that the Welsh people helped create, modelled on miner's mutual aid schemes, ) whilst undermining the BMA and allow it to fall into the hands of the private sector, we can't let this happen. We must all support the junior doctors, to stop Jeremy Hunt from forcing doctors into accepting a contract that puts more live at risk. Dangerous to patients because tired doctors don't perform at their best, and mistakes will be made.
Another Pig headed Tory ideological attack on hard working honest people. Remember doctors save lives, Tory's take them away.We must continue to support the junior doctors and all those who seek to defend the NHS, porters, cleaning staff etc etc standing shoulder to shoulder with them all in solidarity.
St Teilo's day / Dydd Sadwrn Teilo
The 9th of February marks St Teilo's Day. (also Teilio, Theleau, Eliud; ) The waters of his well - now dried up - are near Maenchlochog, in West Wales, Pembrokeshire's rural heartland, where a church dedicated to him dating back to the 12th Century can be found. It was said to cure whooping cough. Pilgrims came from far and wide to drink it's spring water, which was said to cure paralysis and other ailments.
There was only one drawback; they had to be slurped from Teilo's skull. This strange practice continued into the 20th century using one of the saints three skulls!
Teilo was born at Penally in Dyfed , around AD 500 and was cousin of David the patron Saint of Wales. His original name was apparently Eliuid . He went on to become Bishop at Llandaf Cathedral in Cardiff, and died back in Dyfed at Llandeilo Fawr.
The three churches, that were former centers of the Teilo cult, are still standing. He was a very popular saint,- and by medieval times, there were over thirty churches and villages dedicated to him across Wales and Brittany, including the church at Plogonnec, Finistere, and the chapel of Our lady in Kerdevot. In Brittany he is known as the Saint of horses, and of fruit trees, whilst in France, Teilo, St Samson and his followers are said to have planted three miles of fruit trees and even today the fruit groves they planted are known as the groves of Teilo and Samson.
During his time in Brittany , he is said to have saved people from a winged dragon which he tamed and which he kept tied to a rock in the sea. In another a local Lord offered him all the land he could encircle between sunset and sunrise , Teilo chose to ride a stag to cover as much ground in the time available.
Teilo performed numerous miracles in his lifetime (he raised one man from the dead, healed another one from the palsy and so on) which continued after his repose from his relics and holy wells associated with him. In the Middle Ages Teilo was loved and venerated as one of the greatest saints and Church figures in the country’s history. His veneration from Wales extended to Cornwall, Devon, Brittany and neighboring regions.
In around 554 Teilo and his followers returned from Brittany to Llandeilo Fawr. After the death of St. David, Teilo became revered as one of the most holy men in Wales. He was joined at Llandeilo by many disciples including Cynfwr, Teulyddog and Llywel. He died at the abbey of Llandeilo Fawr on February 9th, probably around the year 560.
A considerable number of churches dedicated to St. Teilo in Wales most can be found in the counties of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Glamorgan. Churches and toponyms that bear his name are also scattered in Cornwall, Devon and Brittany. The modern Anglican Diocese of St. Davids alone has 12 churches dedicated to St. Teilo, and the Diocese of Llandaff has at least six churches which have him as their patron. No fewer than six churches in Devon and Cornwall are connected with him. Quite a few schools are named after him as well.
Today Llandeilo is a little town in Carmarthenshire. Here
Teilo founded his main monastery, served as abbot and
bishop, lived as a hermit. The town church is dedicated to
its founder to this day. It is early medieval by origin
but was entirely rebuilt in 1850. After repose of Teilo
the Llandeilo Fawr Abbey continued to develop and with
time became the major church of all the neighboring
districts. It is known that around the ninth century a
beautiful and ornate Gospel, called “St.
Teilo’s Gospel”, was kept in Llandeilo. It had
been created a century before, most probably in Mercia in
England. It was considered that this Gospel “had
belonged to St. Teilo himself”. Afterwards it was
transferred to the English town of Lichfield where it is
displayed to this day as a great relic. From 1290 on, on
the orders of King Edward I of England (1239-1307), an
annual fair in honor of St. Teilo was held near the church
in Llandeilo. This fair stopped only in the twentieth
century. Fragments of two Celtic crosses (date to c.900)
were also discovered and now are kept in Llandeilo church.
There is a holy well of St. Teilo near the eastern end of
the church.
The saint is depicted on stained glass
windows of a number of churches of Wales, for example, at
the Holy Trinity Church in Abergavenny. A
thirteenth-century church in the village of
Llantilio-Crossenny in Monmouthshire, not far from
Abergavenny, is dedicated to St. Teilo. The church has a
very high spire and due to its large size it is often
nicknamed a “baby cathedral”. The church is in
the early English and Decorated Gothic styles. It is
cruciform and its interior has many interesting features.
In this spot a battle between a king of Gwent and pagan
Saxons may have taken place in the sixth century.
According to legend, St. Teilo took a cross, stood on the
hillock on which the church was to be built and began to
pray. And under the effect of his prayer the Saxons
scattered. The church in the village of Llandeloy in
Pembrokeshire is dedicated to our saint. This fine
twelfth-century church was rebuilt early in the twentieth
century but now is redundant. There is a holy well hidden
among the vegetation near this church. A
thirteenth-century church with three chantry chapels in
the small hamlet of Llantilio Pertholey in Monmouthshire
again has a dedication to St. Teilo who is depicted there
in stained glass. Another twelfth-century St.
Teilo’s Church in the spot known as Llandeilo
Tal-y-Bont near Swansea was closed in the 1970s, then
dismantled and has now been rebuilt at St. Fagans National
History Open-Air Museum in the city of Cardiff (located in
the grounds of the castle, this museum comprises over
forty reconstructed historic buildings). Remarkably,
during its dismantlement well-preserved ancient murals
were discovered on the church walls under the
wall-plaster. The village of Bishopston, called in Welsh
Llandeilo Ferwallt, situated in the Gower Peninsula, has a
church dedicated to St. Teilo. The parish church in the
village of Merthyr Mawr near the town of Bridgend is
dedicated to St. Teilo. It was built in 1850s on the site
of a very ancient church. A modern Roman Catholic church
in the town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire is dedicated to the
Holy Cross and St. Teilo.
St. Teilo is most famous today for what is supposed to have happened
after his death. According to an account in the early 12th century by
Geoffrey of Llandaff, there was a dispute over the body of St Teilo.
There were three claimants to the remains: the church at Penally (where
he was born), Llandeilo (where he founded his church and died), and
Llandaff (who claimed him as their bishop). During the night, the body
is said to have multiplied into three, one for each church, thus
settling the argument. A miracle, or perhaps just a dodgy excuse for a triple set of
relics.In the early Middle Ages, it was financially advantageous to have
relics or shrine in a catherdral. in order to attract pilgrims.The ancient shrine of St. Teilo, along with his skull, survive at Llandaff Cathedral to this day and attract pilgrims, including Orthodox. His tomb with the main relics stands to the right of the high altar and his head relic is kept in the chapel which bears his name and is housed in a specially constructed reliquary. The skull is mounted on a silver base. For many centuries it was a custom to take an oath on the saint’s shrine. It was recorded that the shrine of St. Teilo at the cathedral was opened in 1850 and also earlier in 1736 by an architect. When the latter opened his shrine, it turned out that the saint’s remains (wrapped in leather) along with his episcopal crozier, cross, chalice and other items were practically intact. A statue of this saint today can be found in the west front of the cathedral. Some parts of Llandaff Cathedral are from the twelfth century; though this church was heavily damaged during the Second World War, it was subsequently restored in all its glory. St. Teilo together with Sts. Peter and Paul, Dyfrig (whose shrine still rests within the cathedral) and Euddogwy is a joint patron-saint of this Anglican cathedral. He is also a patron-saint of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff, which is very close to Llandaff and has a Catholic parish church of St. Teilo and Our Lady of Lourdes.
Down the centuries the saint's multiple relics went missing piece by piece, and what is claimed to be one of Teilo's skulls recently reappeared in Hong Kong of all places. After protracted negotiations on February 8th 1994 there was a special service at Llandaff, at which the skull was installed in its own niche in the cathedral's St Teilo chapel. The reinstated relic is now considered far too precious to be used as a cup. The most succinct and restrained expression of the head cult survival theory in relation to the well and skull of St Teilo is that of Janet and Colin Bord. 'A most important aspect of Celtic religion was the head cult. There is strong evidence showing a close association of this cult with sacred springs and pools, some of it having survived even to the present day, albeit in fragmentary form and lacking the power of the original Celtic stimulus. The Celts were head-hunters… To the Celts the head was the most important part of the body, symbolizing the divine power, and they venerated the head as the source of all the attributes they most admired… The Celtic traditions became so deep-seated that many of them were perpetuated down the centuries, surviving almost to the present day, and this is certainly true of the head cult and its water associations. The Roman historian Livy (59 B.C. – 17 A.D.) described how Celtic warriors decorated skulls with gold and used them as cups for offerings to the gods, a custom continued in the use of skulls to drink the water at certain holy wells until recent times. The most famous of these was St. Teilo’s Well at Llandyfan, wwhich beecame a place of pigrimage, where the water was renowned for its ability to cure whooping cough and other ills, but only if drunk out of the remains of St. Teilo’s skull. Penlog Teilo is the longest surviving skull used for healing purposes, though there were others. Water was drunk from a human skull at Ffynnon Llandyfan . Gruffydd ap Dafydd killed at Dolgellu was used in the same way, to cure whooping cough and other ailments. Francis Jones, suggests that water was drunk from human skulls in order to acquire the desirable qualities of the skulls original owner.Drinking from skulls at holy wells seems to have been widespread in Wales.
Incidentally there are other ways of preventing whooping cough without getting out of your skull. Pass the patient under a donkey nine times, or else persuade them to take a ride on the nearest bear. This particular brand of preventative medicine often kept a bear-keeper in sticky buns and honey. Or whatever bears eat.
Further Reading :- Bord, Janet & Colin, Sacred Waters. Paladim, 1986.
Labels:
# St Teilo # history
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