Politics….Walking For Wildlife…….CARVED STONE BALLS!....
by Bernie Bell - 07:40 on 10 November 2022
Politics….
I posted Bartholomew’s poem/spell in m’blog…. http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=15997 and suggested that he might send it to ‘The Orkney News’ as well - which prompted an exchange which is relevant to the time we’re living in, so – I thought I’d post that too….
Bart….”I suppose I could though maybe I should time it for your next general election.
And I should rename it "Red Magick", right? I use "Blue" in the American version since that's the color that's become associated with Democrats, the middle of the road party. Labor is "Red", right?”
Me…..”Yes, Labour/Socialists are labelled as being ‘red’ and use that colour when campaigning - the anthem for the Labour Party begins ‘The people’s flag is deepest red’ …
The People’s Flag
The people's flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their hearts' blood dyed in every fold
So raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its shade we'll live and die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here
It flew above our infant might
When all ahead seemed dark as night
It witnessed many a deed and vow
We shall change its colour now
So raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its shade we'll live and die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here
It well recalls the triumphs past
It gives the hope of peace at last
The banner bright, the symbol plain
Of human right and human gain
So raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its shade we'll live and die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here
It suits today the meek and base
Whose minds are fixed on self and place
To cringe beneath the rich man's frown
And haul that sacred emblem down
So raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its shade we'll live and die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here
With heads uncovered vow we all
To bare it onward 'til we fall
Come dungeons dark or gallows grim
This song shall be our parting hymn
So raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its shade we'll live and die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here
By Jim Connell
Though – dear – oh - dear- the Labour Party ain’t what it used to be – no longer really Socialist – it’s never been right since Tony Blair turned it into the New Tory Party. Here’s an updated version of ‘The People’s Flag’ by Leon Rosselson…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVtt60RxAQ0
It gets harder and harder to work out who to vote for in Britain – lesser of two evils is the best option open to us.
No – the best option open to us is Scottish Independence and to be able to make other choices. Locally, I vote SNP as the SNP bloke is…a good bloke and a good person to vote for - we have that added option, here in Scotland.
Here’s my version of ‘The People’s Flag’….
The People’s Flag
The People’s flag
Is brightest blue
Crossed by a broad
White line or two.
***
It stands for Scotland
Standing free
Not bound by force
Or adversity.
***
So raise the blue-bright
Banner high
Beneath its shade
We’ll live and die
***
Though cowards flinch
And traitors sneer
We’ll keep the Saltire
Flying here!
***
BB – 2021
Saltire bus stop …The Western Isles……
It’s odd to think that the Liberal Party used to be seen as the rebels and ‘left-wingers’ before that term was in use. To be a Liberal in politics in Victorian England meant you were viewed with suspicion! Now, the Lib-Dems are seen as the prevaricators and the wishy-washy party.
Times change. Let’s hope they start to change for the better very soon or we’re stuffed! I wouldn’t hold your breath - or your poem - for our next General Election though – the present incumbents know they’d be out if that happened now.”
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Walking For Wildlife…..
Latest newsletter from Wild Justice…. https://wildjustice.org.uk/
“This week we’re providing details about the upcoming People’s Walk for Wildlife 2, taking place in London on 26 November. Read on for a bit of background about the walk, and please make sure to let the organisers know (link below) if you’re planning on coming along.
Who are the organisers? Well lots of people are involved and the walk is supported by many wildlife conservation organisations – including the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, Badger Conservation and Butterfly Conservation, but our own Chris Packham is the main organiser, and of course Wild Justice supports the walk.
Walk Details:
Date: Saturday 26 November, 12pm – 4pm, London.
Timings: Gather from 12pm. Walk from 1pm. Speeches, music and infotainment from 2pm. 4pm finish and home.
Route: We’ll muster from 12pm at Portland Place, and walk down to Parliament Square.
Bring with you:
- The style: Your wildest look – the walk will be fancy dress, so don your best wildlife outfit, be it a hen harrier, a hedgehog or a humble slug. Feel free to make wild signs and placards too – family-friendly of course.
- The sound: Rather than chants and shouting, we’ll be letting birdsong do the talking. No instruments or drums please. Download the RSPB’s free Birdsong Radio App (Android or Apple) onto your phone, and fill the streets with birdsong on the day.
Important info: If you’re planning on coming along, please let us know so we can estimate numbers. Pledge to walk at peopleswalkforwildlife.org. Please also consider donating to the walk costs if you can.
Why walk?
You might have attended the first Walk for Wildlife in 2018. It was led by Chris Packham, and attended by 10,000 soggy wildlife lovers, conservationists and environmentalists, ecologists, students, families, scientists, ecologists, land managers and members of the public – all concerned about the state of nature.
So far, 2022 has been politically extraordinary (to say the least). In the midst of multiple waves of turmoil, several worrying threats have emerged – ones that could be disastrous for wildlife and the environment in the UK. Chaos in implementing the Environmental Land Management Scheme, threats to environmental laws under the Retained EU Law Bill, and the unknown impact of Investment Zones and development have all amounted to what many see as an Attack on Nature.
Nature’s already severely depleted, battered and bruised. This is death by 1000 cuts. Death by countless slashes, burns, persecutions, fells, chops and spillages. We’re asking you as Wild Justice supporters to join us in this walk in solidarity with wildlife and fellow nature lovers. We need politicians to do more for nature, not to mount attacks on it.
This is a peaceful, joyful and family friendly walk. There will be an atmosphere of urgency, and of joy. Wildlife will be celebrated, and our concern for its fate will be stressed.
We hope to see you there. Pledge to walk at peopleswalkforwildlife.org.
Stewards, infrastructure, acquiring licences to shut roads and public areas for the duration of the walk – all of this costs money to do safely. These walks can only go ahead with your support – if you feel able to, you can donate at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/walkforwildlife2
Hopefully see you there!
Wild Justice (Directors: Mark Avery, Chris Packham and Ruth Tingay)
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CARVED STONE BALLS!....
Knowing of my mild obsession with carved stone balls, someone brought my attention to a book by Chris Stewart-Moffitt. This is available to either buy - or download FOR FREE….. https://www.archaeopress.com/Archaeopress/Products/9781803271262 A gift to archaeology students, or my fellow obsessives.
Trouble is – I have bad eye-sight and can’t read a lot from a screen. For that matter, I am a manky old person who gets tired sitting at the computer for long. I prefer to print out papers etc. to read while sitting on the sofa – though that takes me a while too. As this is a whole book, it would take me an age to read it. So, rather than wait to write a review of it I thought I’d put a link to it in m’blog, then folk can either buy it or read it themselves from the screen.
Antonia Thomas was also good enough to put her whole book on-line for free - but I bought it anyway! Then plugged it whenever I could…. https://theorkneynews.scot/?s=Art+and+Architecture+in+Neolithic+Orkney%3A+Process%2C+Temporality+and+Context
Have a look – maybe buy the books – Christmas presents?
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Here’s one I made earlier….. https://theorkneynews.scot/2022/01/21/sam-gamgee-2/
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