Apologies for absence yesterday, the day got away from me. The blog would have said something like, “really pleased Celtic pushed back so vocally against the illiberal and ill-conceived Offensive Behaviour Act”, but with less brevity.
Shortly before Christmas we launched the campaign to fund the construction of a school kitchen in Malawi through Mary’s Meals to mark the 10th anniversary of Celtic Quick News. The project would cost £7000 and to get us there we scheduled a St Patrick’s Day dinner dance for next Friday, 14 March.
8 days out I am delighted to inform you the target money has been raised, Mary’s Meals already have £7000 in their bank, the project is officially funded and construction plans are underway.
That the money was raised ahead of the event was a surprise, although after 10 years of watching Celtic fans go about their business in this manner, it shouldn’t have been.
We received a remarkable donation from Patrick Foley’s Irish Bar & Restaurant in Gent, and Barney Vallely’s Irish Pub in Cologne, who between them raised €2600.
You don’t think of Gent and Cologne as being big ‘Celtic towns’. I’m sure they are not, but there enough Celtic fans in each city to form a proper community. Their work has been incredible and a real inspiration. Thank you to Patrick, Charlie and their patrons. Special thanks to Kolncelt, who orgainsed the entire effort, but has had to cancel his trip to Glasgow next week.
This gave us a problem, of course, The Show is going ahead next week, but the kitchen at the Kholoni Primary School is already paid for, what will be our focus next week. Here is a remind of what that £7000 is going to achieve:
Mary’s Meals feed 822,142 kids each day across some of the most impoverished areas of the world. The global average annual cost per child is £10.70, and is only £7 in Malawi, where the Kholoni Primary School is.
Kitchens are brick constructed and fully stocked with stoves, pots, serving utensils, mugs and cutlery. They also have a wall-mounted blackboard, so the room can be used as a classroom outside of meal times.
The charity started in 2002 when founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow met a mother dying of AIDS, and her child, whose only ambition was to have enough food to eat.
93% of money raised goes directly to the needy and, where possible, the 65,000 volunteers who keep the project running are drawn from parents and relatives of the children being fed.
The impact in Malawi, 17th poorest country by UN measures, is significant. Mary’s Meals provide a daily meal to 20% of the countries primary school aged children. The impact is more than just feeding the hungry, two years after a Mary’s Meals project in Malawi starts, school enrolment is up an average of 30%, leading to higher educational achievements, and a better chance in life.
I’m open to ideas on what to focus on next week but my instinct is to get back onto Mary’s Meals and ask where they next need a kitchen.
A couple of pairs of tickets have become available for Friday’s CQteN St Patrick’s Day at the Kerrydale Suite, Celtic Park. £50 per ticket, dinner, dancing, two acts, Irish dancers; it is shaping up to be quite an event. Email Tony if you want to be there, cqnbooks@gmail.com
We have a donations page for CQN Mary’s Meals’ projects, if you would like to help out, you can do so here.
Seville, The Celtic Movement, launches this month.
Order yours below:
[calameo code=0003901714cb03d5d5808 lang=en page=114 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
813 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 22
- »
Regard depictions of Scots and national stereotypes.
Don’t forget this guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhuiwbjEPlQ
ernie lynch
14:34 on 6 March, 2014
What I’d like to know is which English basturt was it that wrote Flower of Scotland, surely the most execrable, kitsch depiction of Scotland ever inflicted on mankind?
—————————————————————————————————-
Ernie,
I realise that this is perhaps rhetorical, with an ironic, subliminal message in the question…..but if you could humour a slow on the uptake, dour Scot with an explanation as to what you’re getting at in reality? (Seriously!)
Well..well…well.
Is it asking too much to believe that the board have finally realised the depth of feeling and resistance to the OBFTC among the supporters?
Money talks and bullshit walks and the fear of a collapsed supporter base have been the driver here, not any concern for 15 year olds being arrested at 4.00am.
The Green Brigade has gone, with the police aided and abetted by the PLC Board, and with a general aging demographic across the whole of Scotland so has the stadium atmosphere.
In a country where we make up around 17% of the population but our football club is the only serious representative in European football and by extension the only focal point and representation for popular culture, this state of affairs was and is clearly unacceptable to some of Scotland’s leading political and civic lights hence the passing of the ill conceived, ill planned and ill executed OBFTC Bill.
Make no mistake though Messieurs Lawell, Bankier and the rest of them are part of the problem not the solution and they are only compelled to say something now because of the financial impact the Bill is having on the attendances.
I still believe the Four Horses are waiting on Kerrydale Street for someone by seasons end.
Squire Danaher 13.51
I was at that game as well and it also happened to be the last time I went to a Scotland game. I remember Mo Johnston missed a half decent chance. A hun near me calls him a useless fenian b…… Another fan says to him “I’m a fenian b…… as well” “Well you’re in the wrong end” replies the hun. You could see fans around him leaving at that point probably with the same view as me to leave and never come back.
I remember a few weeks ago someone posted a wee 10/15 minute video about Marys meals.I dont know who it was.meant to save it.Anyone??
Well play nice Celts
remember culture is always changing and adapting
so rejoice as Champions in the land that gave us the reformation.
our club is a symbol of how far we have come
nothing is perfect but we keep working for that ideal
HH
proud to be a celtic fan
Alasdair MacLean
14:42 on 6 March, 2014
Well if all the ridiculous constructions of Scotland and Scottishness are perpetrated by they English basturts I assume it was one of them that came up with Flower of Scotland.
Some sort of black propaganda, psycho warfare unit set up by Whitehall I expect.
It’s the only rational explanation.
Fans opinions on the Offensive Behaviour Act wanted, only takes a min to fill in.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7LVDFF6
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow & his wife came and spoke to the St Berards parish after mass a couple of years ago.
I can still recall it vividly
Inspirational does not begin to cover it.
Ernie,
You are correct. Flower of Scotland is certainly no cheery wee toe tapper.
But I prefer that or even a One direction album track to your anthem of God save the Queen.
ernie
I found BillyBhoy`s ” physically sick” comment , if he truly meant it, quite revealing. I think a man of your intellect has enough about him , though, not to keep your promise to keep reminding us. The quality of mercy truly is not strained.
JJ
PS If BB`s comment was about an issue more important than patriotism , maybe I wouldn`t have typed this post.
Jungle Jim/Gordon_J,
unfortunately I can attest to the horrible nature of groin injuries suffering more than my fair share, the worst being when I ripped the muscle clean off the bone back in 1996 – was 11 months before i was back playing again. Although i didnt get the operation offered due to the surgeon’s words “no guarantee of success, in fact we may could make matters worse”!!
wee niggles/minor tears are annoying as there is not too much you can do but rest it. Although im sure with the facilities and medical staff Celtic have, they will know exactly what to do to ensure quick return to fitness.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Geordie Munro
14:48 on 6 March, 2014
I don’t have an anthem. The nearest thing would probably be The Internationale.
The Token Tim,
Sounds awful. At least you had an honest surgeon …
Ernie, did they English basturts also construct all they kitsch, mawkish songs from Ireland?
Geordie Munro
I had the misfortune to find myself in a Scottish bar in Gran Canaria watching a Scotland match once. Only once I had ordered my pint did I realise it was a Rangers bar. I decided to stay for the banter. I was with two patriotic Rangers fans on holiday they were made up. I had dragged them round the numerous Irish bars for 4 days so I thought I would let them have their night. I had a long sleeved white Celtic away shirt on they had Scotland shirts on. The game was a non event. I spent the evening being asked what I was doing in the bar. I said it’s a Scottish bar Scotland are on so I am watching the game. As it was I didn’t really get any grief of course as the game went on I got bolder and bolder. This was much to my amusement as my mates who I worked with were now starting to panic.
Denmark scored the pub erupted. The goal scorer was Lovenkrands. To see people in Scotland tops celebrate for a goal against their own nation was amusing. My friends were dumbstruck and embarrassed. They wanted to leave. I was starting to enjoy myself.
The celebrating was for my benefit and my friends knew it. The match ended and a portion of the crowd despersed including a few Celtic Bhoys who made it known to me in the usual fashion when leaving. A few Hail Hail’s and a pint bought from a guy from Ayrshire who was a Rangers man but said I must be the bravest guy on the island.
Karaoke time! The worst collection of singers I have ever heard. Simply the best sung a dozen times in over an hour. Eventually a guy from Belfast came over and gave me a bit of direct banter. Didn’t bat an eyelid. The fella was on holiday he didn’t give me it too bad. Just the usual pub banter. My friends were now terrified.
A wee burd approached me and asked why I was in a Rangers bar. Tired response. It’s a Scottish bar pal. She actually declared that Celtic fans were better looking than Rangers fans. I said we were more inteligent too. She seemed a bit confused by that until I pointed out the Rangers jersey she was wearing!
At around this point the party tunes were striking up and it was time for me to depart much to the relief of the guys with me who I actually worked with and we decided to book the holiday due to our strange work policy of allowing few people off at the same time so we were abroad in September or something like that as none of our own mates were off work we booked a break together. The two of them being honest as they are said they had been in Celtic and Irish bars the past few days and never hid neing Rangers fans said they had never been more terrified in their life by the atmosphere when I walked in there with them. I told them it said a lot more about their fans than they maybe thought about in the past. I don’t hear much from them these days but none of the two of them go to the games anymore and never mention Rangers on Facebook either.
Maybe that was a wee eye opener for them about their support.
I quite enjoyed the experience but there wasn’t half some ugly specimens in that boozer!!!
LB
John O’Neil
14:56 on 6 March, 2014
‘Ernie, did they English basturts also construct all they kitsch, mawkish songs from Ireland?’
####
I dunno. It’s not my proposition. It’s the nats who’ve come up with it.
I think it generally falls into the McGlashanesque take on life that anything good is Scottish and everything bad is English.
The Internationale.
I would rather listen to Jedward singing ‘The Billy boys’. Even if it were the extended version.
Old P G Wodehouse couldn’t have been very good at the old Nazi Sympathizing.
He ended up here
Tosek Internment Camp – Ilag VIII
with my grandfather during WWII
John O’Neil
15:02 on 6 March, 2014
That’s because you’re an ignorant chump.
No offence.
Gordon_J,
wasnt fun I can assure you! 3 weeks on crutches and a whole month of no driving was especially annoying. The plus side was i was off-work the whole of Euro 96!
Yep, surgeon was decent guy. He did say that if I had been a professional, or possibly even junior, they would probably have taken the chance on the op.
But as I was simply an amateur, he felt it best not too and just let time let the muscle grow back and re-attach or words to that effect. To be honest i was fairly happy about the lack of op too!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
BigWoos CSC
eddieinkirkmichael
Thank you
Survey completed
Gave me a wee chance to say how bad I feelthis law is and its effects on families.
My daughter is in her 4th year at uni andas I said yesterday im afraid to let her go to the football with friends in case her future is jepordised on the word of two ill informed officers who may decide that what she is singing is offensive
Kolncelt fair play to you with your offer of the hotel booking ,chapeau doffed for your efforts in the bars in Germany. This is what Celtic should always be about I,ll toast your health at CQ10. Hail Hail Hebcelt
John O`Neil
I quite like The Internationale……it reminds me of Christmas.
JJ
It all works out in the end. Harry Lauder’s daughter Estée moved on to bigger and better things.
eddie
Survey completed. I would advise others who feel strongly about the Act to do likewise. It is well constructed and , if you manage to find the words that reflect your feelings, quite cathartic.
JJ
LiviBhoy,
I learned many years ago, that Celtic fans are generally not that welcome in “Scottish” bars.
Most are… apologies… were, home to rangers supporters clubs.
I tend to avoid them as a rule.
Fair play to you though.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Afternoon all.
Great news about the funds for Mary’s Meals. A truly wonderful organisation. I would suggest that any extra money raised be given to them to use as they see fit. I am constantly amazed and delighted at the number of children they feed every single day.
Helping them is being true to our origins.
Kolncelt
Natknow was one of those swithering about returning to Edinburgh.
Right, my final post for this session.
Any Celtic supporters who support Celtic for the same reasons as I do, will only be very, very slightly interested in Scotland, Ireland or Switzerland. They might, however, have a passing interest in Brazil and Spain.
Cheerio for now,
JJ
Livibhoy,
That sounds spookily familiar to an experience I had.
JJ,
Check out Michael Bubles version. You’d think Santa was coming doon yer chimney :)
LB
A smashing story: again
Mags
Peach :)
Kolncet,
Brilliant from you.
Is this still available?
HH
jeez I thought blinker was pants
Ol’ PG Wodehouse was a bumbling old man who was prepared to look like a collaborator as he wanted released early. He was neither Lord Haw Haw nor Tokyo Rose in his broadcasts. Just another upper class twit who was fairly naive.
He was much less pro-Nazi than, say, The Queen Mother or the owner of The Daily Mail.
Mags
Harry had the foresight to give her the best possible foundation to build her career on.
ernie lynch,
Was Will Fyffe English?
They had music halls in Scotland too.
I’m struggling to see what’s put you down this tack……
All I’m trying to do is establish where this not very complimentary, unfair but very real, stereotype of the Scots orginated.
Nobody has hinted at “English basturts” but yourself.
I understand that you are steadfastly against anything Scottish that could be described as good, but I think you’re twisting what’s been said a bit to suit your single-minded agenda.
Yes centenarybhoy,
and as the first to ask directly, it’s yours if you want it.
Well played P67, well done CQN………..great result for the charity – more of the same makes great sense if there is a surplus of monies………
Re – Scotland games, my only experience of Celts being booed was at a game – think it was a friendly against Colombia, Andy Walker came on and was roundly booed and abused by three huge hunned-up mouth-breathing mastodons standing beside us………….stomach churning and did dent my national team fervour….by association.
Re – Scottish stereotypes, on my travels I’ve always found us to be of the most generous demeanour both in spirit and resource. The tight Scot thing doesn’t wash with me – canny yes, tight…………….naw!
HH