Tweet
For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
Now about a week to go until the Scottish Elections. I have posted up around 10 of the political manifesto's for you to study with a link to where you can learn more about the other smaller parties that are standing and you can see this at: https://www.electricscotland.com/ind...ce/manifestos/
-------
Beth did send in her video of the week BUT the file was damaged and wouldn't play so have emailed her to let her know and I expect I'll get a new copy soon.. When it come in you'll be able to view it at:
https://electricscotland.com/bnft/videos.htm
--------
I also did a short video on "The SNP Record: Good or Bad?" which you can watch at:
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
World's most powerful tidal turbine sets sail from Dundee
It will be anchored close to Orkney where it will produce enough electricity to power 2,000 homes
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-scotland-56851245
Russia’s Bear Economy
Taking stock of their economic plight, ordinary Russians would be distressed to learn that they are worse off than the citizens of Romania and Turkey. While Vladimir Putin casts about for foreign interlopers to blame, no one has done more to damage the Russian people's living standards than the president himself.
Read more at:
https://www.project-syndicate.org/co...aslund-2021-04
What the UK can learn from China’s Military-Civil Fusion programme
China has learned its lessons from the West, now we must learn from how Beijing is operating
Read more at:
https://capx.co/what-the-uk-can-lear...sion-programme
Annalena Baerbock Holds the Keys to Germany's Next Election
This fall, a politician with the Green Party could become German chancellor for the first time. Annalena Baerbock is a far more dynamic candidate than her conservative and center-left competitors - and she could be poised for a senior position in the next government, if not the country's top political office.
Read more at:
https://www.spiegel.de/international...5-853b26113ca3
EU warned of fraud risk after massive corruption of funds rarely reported by member states
THE EU has been warned about the risk of fraud related to the recovery fund, after it emerged that public authorities in the member states rarely reported allegations of corruption and abuse.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...commission-spt
Europe trades in failure
The European Commission's new 'strategic' approach to trade is nothing of the sort. Instead of revitalising the transatlantic partnership, deepening ties with fast-growing regions and tackling climate change, trade policy in the bloc is becoming increasingly defensive, protectionist and dirigiste.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/europes-new-strategi...ng-of-the-sort
Nicola Sturgeon warned she faces fight to retain her own constituency in crucial election
NICOLA STURGEON has been warned that she will face a fierce battle to retain her own Scottish Parliament seat in the upcoming election.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...arwar-video-vn
Sturgeon on Andrew Marr, 25/04/21
Anybody who read my analysis of Sturgeon's last four TV interviews could be forgiven for feeling a weary sense of déjà vu if they watched her being grilled by Andrew Marr yesterday
Read more at:
https://chokkablog.blogspot.com/2021...rr-250421.html
SNP: hatred, delusion and the beginning of their end
WHY IS THERE so much hatred in Scotland? I don’t remember this as a factor in public discourse in most of the decades of my life. It is only since nationalism became a major force in Scotland, from around 2011, that virulent and public hatred has become so noticeable.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2021/04/sn...-of-their-end/
Let’s talk about George
To be honest, I was initially sceptical about George too. However, I had been awestruck by his debating skills in the US Senate, his passion in 2014 on the pro-UK side, and his commitment now to strategies that could beat the SNP and beat back the ugly and tiresome Nationalism that has brought Scotland to its knees. All of that is what got me talking with him about a new party to help break the stalemate
Read more at:
https://themajority.scot/2021/04/27/...k-about-george
Laura Kuenssberg shamed for completely untrue coverage - Sir James Dyson hits back
SIR James Dyson has accused the BBC of twisting the truth in its reporting of his text messages with Boris Johnson - and vehemently denied suggestions he was seeking preferment for either himself or his company. More bias from the BBC.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...covid19-brexit
MEPs approve UK trade deal in landslide win - Brussels battle FINALLY over
MEPS have voted in favour of the post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU by a landslide number of votes.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...liament-result
Scots parrot with Edinburgh accent sounds like Mrs Doubtfire
Onion the African Grey from Edinburgh has become an online hit with TikTok fans.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entert...-like-23996943
Glasgow on the edge
By Gerry Hassan in the Scottish Review
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/GerryHassan568a.html
India’s COVID Tsunami
The number of infections in India surpassed 17 million in recent days, and the official death toll now exceeds 190,000. How did everything go so wrong so soon after India recovered from the first wave of the pandemic last year, resumed normal life and economic activity, and started exporting vaccines?
Read more at:
https://www.project-syndicate.org/co...haroor-2021-04
Liz Truss hails historic moment for Global Britain as trade bonanza UK unlocks £891bn
BRITAIN's Trade Bill has officially become law today, implementing the agreements struck by Liz Truss across the globe.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...-breaking-news
Map shows how Sturgeon's independence obsession will tear nation apart
NICOLA STURGEON's independence obsession could tear Scotland apart, a map detailing the strength of 2014's Yes/No vote across the nation suggests
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/14...referendum-spt
Electric Canadian
Finding Your Scottish Ancestors in Canada
Added this video to the foot of our Scots in Canada page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...land/index.htm
Jews in Canada
Found an abridged copy of the original book which is easier to read and this can be downloaded from our Jews in Canada page at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/jews/index.htm
The Farmer's and Emigrant's Hand Book
Being a Full and Complete Guide for the Farmer and Emigrant comprising the clearing of Forest and Prairie land, Gardening, Farming Generally, Farriery, Cookery, and Prevention and Cure of Diseases with copious hints, recipes and tables by Josiah T. Marshall (1852) (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...ants00mars.pdf
The “Statistically Average”
Early Haliburton Farm, A Case Study from the Kennaway Settlement by Christopher S. Martinello (2015) (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...haliburton.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday morning - the 25th day of April 2021
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...5th-april-2021
Chiefs Journey
The summer and fall of 1886 saw a flurry of ‘loyal’ Plains Indigenous leaders pay visits to Central Canada.
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...efsjourney.htm
Electric Scotland
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in Section 1 of the May 2021 edition.
Hi. This issue has something that is so important, everyone in the world needs to know it. On page 5, you'll see the explanation of the "Help Me" hand signal. It started as a signal for children to use but has already become known for everyone else everywhere. I hope if you do a publication for your Scottish group or for any group, you'll copy that page and include it in your newsletter. How to do the signal is so easy: just fold your thumb across your hand and then fold your fingers over your thumb. It's important for the "sender" to know this and also for the "recipients" to know it so they may call the police to help. There is a URL on page 5 at the bottom which will show you a video of the signal being used.
Do you have a cat? If so, I have come up with something that prevents cat litter from getting on the floor! You just need a Rubbermaid or a sturdy bin. Mine is about 18 inches tall. Our electrician happened to be here when I was figuring this out, and he had one of those round saws six inches across. He cut one hole for me with that round saw towards the top of the bin on one of the long sides. That way, you can have plenty of clumping cat litter in the bottom of the box. Our Harry (cat) is delighted with his new facilities and there's not a bit of litter on the bathroom floor. What took me so long to think of this?
You will enjoy Pete Hylton's story from Scotland this time as we all do each time he sends us an adventure. Tom and I both were charmed by his story of Dasher, the Christmas snail. Thank you, sir!
It's lovely to see the Scottish Wildcat, the orphan Finlay, growing up so fast! There is a link so you may see even more photos of this very fortunate little guy.
Sometimes when it is time to write my Letter from the Editor, I have no idea what I am going to write. I've been in many situations when a radio client would say to me, "OK, Beth. I need 10 - 10 second commercials, 5 - 30 second commercials, and 5 - 60 second commercials. I'd like them funny. I'll just sit here by your typewriter with you and wait while you write them."
What do you do then? You start writing. My goodness, that made me think of my friend, Bill Ray. Lordy, I miss dear Bill Ray from Bill Ray's Sport City in Ocala, Florida. We did worse than writing them, we'd do 2-voice commercials ad-lib with a sheet of copy paper with his specials written down and have such fun with that. In radio, a 10-second commercial IS ten seconds, etc. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my tale for this time. What I wrote for you is a precious memory. Just a bit scary, but very true.
Please send me your Flowers of the Forest. Please send me your genealogical queries, too. No charge at all for either. Please let me know if you change your email address, too.
Please continue to be careful and safe. The virus is still mightily lurking in our country.
Aye, beth
You can view this at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/
Scottish Political Manifesto's for the 2021 election
We've provided 10 of the Party manifesto's for you to study. If we've missed anyone please advise. Also added a link to the BBC site where they provide details on all the smaller parties.
You can get to this at: https://electricscotland.com/indepen...stos/index.htm
Clan MacDuffee Newsletter
Added the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 newsletters which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...ffee/index.htm
West Cowal Churches
Listen to weekly sermons from West Cowal Churches.
These can be viewed at: https://www.westcowalchurches.org.uk/watch-listen
Life and Letters of Sir Gilbert Elliot
First Earl of Minto from 1751 to 1806 when his public life in Europe was closed by his appointment to the Vice-Royalty of India edited by his Great-Niece the Countess of Minto in three volumes (1874)
You can read these at: https://electricscotland.com/webclan...to_gilbert.htm
Up and Down
Fifty Years Colonial Experiences in Australia, California, New Zealand, India, China, and the South Pacific being the Life History of Capt. W. J. Barry written by himself (1879)
I read the entire book in one sitting and you can read it at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/nz/barry.htm
New Videos about the Royal Family
As usual I found the page where I'd placed quite a few YouTube videos about the Royal Family were no longer available. Have hunted for them and discovered new links are available so have updated the page at: https://electricscotland.com/history/leaves/index.htm
The Caledonian Flute
I found this sampler at:
https://archive.org/details/cd_the-c...orman-ensemble
Rod Cameron
Internationally renowned flute maker and engraver and you can read about him at: https://electricscotland.com/history...ameron_rod.htm
Story
Marguerite Garden
Honour at last for Scots woman who 'did her bit' to help French fighters flee the Nazi occupation.
TO Marguerite Garden’s neighbours and many friends in the town where she has lived most of her life, she seems a typical grandmother. But the petite, grey-haired lady dressed In a cardigan and slippers has a secret past as a heroine of the French Resistance.
The Lanark pensioner rarely talks about her remarkable role in the war which she modestly dismisses as no more than ‘doing her bit’. But yesterday on the anniversary of the D-Day landings, fame finally caught up with Marguerite. It was revealed that she is to be decorated with the Legion D’Honneur France’s highest honour, for her exploits during world War II.
Preparations are being made for her to receive the award at a ceremony in Edinburgh later this year. French-born Marguerite, 77, has lived a daring life that mirrors that of Charlotte Gray, the fictional character brought to life on the screen by actress Cate Blanchett.
At the age of 14, Marguerite risked her life to work with the French Resistance in her picturesque home village of Plomodiern in Brittany. She and her father, who was also awarded the Legion D’Honneur, arranged escape routes out of France for hundreds of local men, including Marguerite’s brothers, to allow them to continue fighting from England.
She said: ‘I think my Involvement began when my father took me with him when a lobster boat was going away so I got to know the people who were preparing It. Later on, when my father wasn’t around, they trusted me enough to come to me and ask me to help.’
At one nerve-racking point, while harbouring airmen waiting to leave France, she helped conceal them upstairs in the family home while a German slept in one of the bedrooms, unaware. ‘What better cover than to have the Wehrmacht In the house,’ said Marguerite.
It was also at her family home that the head of MI6 — the intelligence-gathering network for which she worked - began making radio transmissions that were picked up at Bletchley Park, the Enigma code-breaking station in England.
Her work did not stop there. Marguerite carried out many dangerous missions. She scoured the Brittany coastline, searching for mines, to ensure British maps were accurate. She also carried messages and parcels between her network and another in Paris.
‘There was no reason to suspect me,’ she said. ‘I was a young girl, travelling to my school. I was never arrested.’
Eventually, her father’s role in the Resistance was found out and he fled as the Gestapo came knocking. ‘I opened the door to them,’ said Marguerite. ‘They smelled of the Gestapo, of Turkish cigarettes. My father had learned what was happening and didn’t come home, so my mother told them that he had left us and they accepted that. If it hadn’t been for that story, they would have taken us away.
Marguerite Garden‘I was aware of risking everything but tried not to think about it. I wasn’t scared even though one of my brothers was shot by the Germans in Paris. She added: ‘We wanted to be of use to Britain. That was our aim, to help win the war. I would do it all again if I had to.’
After the war she began an architecture course at college In Paris. At the age of 20 she met Scots holidaymaker James Garden and it was love at first sight. Within a year they were married in Kilmun, Argyll. She and her husband, who became a prominent surgeon, had seven children. He died in 1992.
News of the Legion D’Honneur, which the French foreign minister recommended she receive, brought a surge of emotions for Marguerite. ‘I don’t know why it has taken so long to come,’ she said. ‘But it means so much to me, I cannot say. When I think about it, I just burst into tears.’
END.
And that's it for this week and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
Now about a week to go until the Scottish Elections. I have posted up around 10 of the political manifesto's for you to study with a link to where you can learn more about the other smaller parties that are standing and you can see this at: https://www.electricscotland.com/ind...ce/manifestos/
-------
Beth did send in her video of the week BUT the file was damaged and wouldn't play so have emailed her to let her know and I expect I'll get a new copy soon.. When it come in you'll be able to view it at:
https://electricscotland.com/bnft/videos.htm
--------
I also did a short video on "The SNP Record: Good or Bad?" which you can watch at:
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
World's most powerful tidal turbine sets sail from Dundee
It will be anchored close to Orkney where it will produce enough electricity to power 2,000 homes
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-scotland-56851245
Russia’s Bear Economy
Taking stock of their economic plight, ordinary Russians would be distressed to learn that they are worse off than the citizens of Romania and Turkey. While Vladimir Putin casts about for foreign interlopers to blame, no one has done more to damage the Russian people's living standards than the president himself.
Read more at:
https://www.project-syndicate.org/co...aslund-2021-04
What the UK can learn from China’s Military-Civil Fusion programme
China has learned its lessons from the West, now we must learn from how Beijing is operating
Read more at:
https://capx.co/what-the-uk-can-lear...sion-programme
Annalena Baerbock Holds the Keys to Germany's Next Election
This fall, a politician with the Green Party could become German chancellor for the first time. Annalena Baerbock is a far more dynamic candidate than her conservative and center-left competitors - and she could be poised for a senior position in the next government, if not the country's top political office.
Read more at:
https://www.spiegel.de/international...5-853b26113ca3
EU warned of fraud risk after massive corruption of funds rarely reported by member states
THE EU has been warned about the risk of fraud related to the recovery fund, after it emerged that public authorities in the member states rarely reported allegations of corruption and abuse.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...commission-spt
Europe trades in failure
The European Commission's new 'strategic' approach to trade is nothing of the sort. Instead of revitalising the transatlantic partnership, deepening ties with fast-growing regions and tackling climate change, trade policy in the bloc is becoming increasingly defensive, protectionist and dirigiste.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/europes-new-strategi...ng-of-the-sort
Nicola Sturgeon warned she faces fight to retain her own constituency in crucial election
NICOLA STURGEON has been warned that she will face a fierce battle to retain her own Scottish Parliament seat in the upcoming election.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...arwar-video-vn
Sturgeon on Andrew Marr, 25/04/21
Anybody who read my analysis of Sturgeon's last four TV interviews could be forgiven for feeling a weary sense of déjà vu if they watched her being grilled by Andrew Marr yesterday
Read more at:
https://chokkablog.blogspot.com/2021...rr-250421.html
SNP: hatred, delusion and the beginning of their end
WHY IS THERE so much hatred in Scotland? I don’t remember this as a factor in public discourse in most of the decades of my life. It is only since nationalism became a major force in Scotland, from around 2011, that virulent and public hatred has become so noticeable.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2021/04/sn...-of-their-end/
Let’s talk about George
To be honest, I was initially sceptical about George too. However, I had been awestruck by his debating skills in the US Senate, his passion in 2014 on the pro-UK side, and his commitment now to strategies that could beat the SNP and beat back the ugly and tiresome Nationalism that has brought Scotland to its knees. All of that is what got me talking with him about a new party to help break the stalemate
Read more at:
https://themajority.scot/2021/04/27/...k-about-george
Laura Kuenssberg shamed for completely untrue coverage - Sir James Dyson hits back
SIR James Dyson has accused the BBC of twisting the truth in its reporting of his text messages with Boris Johnson - and vehemently denied suggestions he was seeking preferment for either himself or his company. More bias from the BBC.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...covid19-brexit
MEPs approve UK trade deal in landslide win - Brussels battle FINALLY over
MEPS have voted in favour of the post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU by a landslide number of votes.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...liament-result
Scots parrot with Edinburgh accent sounds like Mrs Doubtfire
Onion the African Grey from Edinburgh has become an online hit with TikTok fans.
Read more at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entert...-like-23996943
Glasgow on the edge
By Gerry Hassan in the Scottish Review
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/GerryHassan568a.html
India’s COVID Tsunami
The number of infections in India surpassed 17 million in recent days, and the official death toll now exceeds 190,000. How did everything go so wrong so soon after India recovered from the first wave of the pandemic last year, resumed normal life and economic activity, and started exporting vaccines?
Read more at:
https://www.project-syndicate.org/co...haroor-2021-04
Liz Truss hails historic moment for Global Britain as trade bonanza UK unlocks £891bn
BRITAIN's Trade Bill has officially become law today, implementing the agreements struck by Liz Truss across the globe.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...-breaking-news
Map shows how Sturgeon's independence obsession will tear nation apart
NICOLA STURGEON's independence obsession could tear Scotland apart, a map detailing the strength of 2014's Yes/No vote across the nation suggests
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/14...referendum-spt
Electric Canadian
Finding Your Scottish Ancestors in Canada
Added this video to the foot of our Scots in Canada page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...land/index.htm
Jews in Canada
Found an abridged copy of the original book which is easier to read and this can be downloaded from our Jews in Canada page at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/jews/index.htm
The Farmer's and Emigrant's Hand Book
Being a Full and Complete Guide for the Farmer and Emigrant comprising the clearing of Forest and Prairie land, Gardening, Farming Generally, Farriery, Cookery, and Prevention and Cure of Diseases with copious hints, recipes and tables by Josiah T. Marshall (1852) (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...ants00mars.pdf
The “Statistically Average”
Early Haliburton Farm, A Case Study from the Kennaway Settlement by Christopher S. Martinello (2015) (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...haliburton.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday morning - the 25th day of April 2021
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...5th-april-2021
Chiefs Journey
The summer and fall of 1886 saw a flurry of ‘loyal’ Plains Indigenous leaders pay visits to Central Canada.
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...efsjourney.htm
Electric Scotland
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in Section 1 of the May 2021 edition.
Hi. This issue has something that is so important, everyone in the world needs to know it. On page 5, you'll see the explanation of the "Help Me" hand signal. It started as a signal for children to use but has already become known for everyone else everywhere. I hope if you do a publication for your Scottish group or for any group, you'll copy that page and include it in your newsletter. How to do the signal is so easy: just fold your thumb across your hand and then fold your fingers over your thumb. It's important for the "sender" to know this and also for the "recipients" to know it so they may call the police to help. There is a URL on page 5 at the bottom which will show you a video of the signal being used.
Do you have a cat? If so, I have come up with something that prevents cat litter from getting on the floor! You just need a Rubbermaid or a sturdy bin. Mine is about 18 inches tall. Our electrician happened to be here when I was figuring this out, and he had one of those round saws six inches across. He cut one hole for me with that round saw towards the top of the bin on one of the long sides. That way, you can have plenty of clumping cat litter in the bottom of the box. Our Harry (cat) is delighted with his new facilities and there's not a bit of litter on the bathroom floor. What took me so long to think of this?
You will enjoy Pete Hylton's story from Scotland this time as we all do each time he sends us an adventure. Tom and I both were charmed by his story of Dasher, the Christmas snail. Thank you, sir!
It's lovely to see the Scottish Wildcat, the orphan Finlay, growing up so fast! There is a link so you may see even more photos of this very fortunate little guy.
Sometimes when it is time to write my Letter from the Editor, I have no idea what I am going to write. I've been in many situations when a radio client would say to me, "OK, Beth. I need 10 - 10 second commercials, 5 - 30 second commercials, and 5 - 60 second commercials. I'd like them funny. I'll just sit here by your typewriter with you and wait while you write them."
What do you do then? You start writing. My goodness, that made me think of my friend, Bill Ray. Lordy, I miss dear Bill Ray from Bill Ray's Sport City in Ocala, Florida. We did worse than writing them, we'd do 2-voice commercials ad-lib with a sheet of copy paper with his specials written down and have such fun with that. In radio, a 10-second commercial IS ten seconds, etc. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my tale for this time. What I wrote for you is a precious memory. Just a bit scary, but very true.
Please send me your Flowers of the Forest. Please send me your genealogical queries, too. No charge at all for either. Please let me know if you change your email address, too.
Please continue to be careful and safe. The virus is still mightily lurking in our country.
Aye, beth
You can view this at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/
Scottish Political Manifesto's for the 2021 election
We've provided 10 of the Party manifesto's for you to study. If we've missed anyone please advise. Also added a link to the BBC site where they provide details on all the smaller parties.
You can get to this at: https://electricscotland.com/indepen...stos/index.htm
Clan MacDuffee Newsletter
Added the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 newsletters which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...ffee/index.htm
West Cowal Churches
Listen to weekly sermons from West Cowal Churches.
These can be viewed at: https://www.westcowalchurches.org.uk/watch-listen
Life and Letters of Sir Gilbert Elliot
First Earl of Minto from 1751 to 1806 when his public life in Europe was closed by his appointment to the Vice-Royalty of India edited by his Great-Niece the Countess of Minto in three volumes (1874)
You can read these at: https://electricscotland.com/webclan...to_gilbert.htm
Up and Down
Fifty Years Colonial Experiences in Australia, California, New Zealand, India, China, and the South Pacific being the Life History of Capt. W. J. Barry written by himself (1879)
I read the entire book in one sitting and you can read it at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/nz/barry.htm
New Videos about the Royal Family
As usual I found the page where I'd placed quite a few YouTube videos about the Royal Family were no longer available. Have hunted for them and discovered new links are available so have updated the page at: https://electricscotland.com/history/leaves/index.htm
The Caledonian Flute
I found this sampler at:
https://archive.org/details/cd_the-c...orman-ensemble
Rod Cameron
Internationally renowned flute maker and engraver and you can read about him at: https://electricscotland.com/history...ameron_rod.htm
Story
Marguerite Garden
Honour at last for Scots woman who 'did her bit' to help French fighters flee the Nazi occupation.
TO Marguerite Garden’s neighbours and many friends in the town where she has lived most of her life, she seems a typical grandmother. But the petite, grey-haired lady dressed In a cardigan and slippers has a secret past as a heroine of the French Resistance.
The Lanark pensioner rarely talks about her remarkable role in the war which she modestly dismisses as no more than ‘doing her bit’. But yesterday on the anniversary of the D-Day landings, fame finally caught up with Marguerite. It was revealed that she is to be decorated with the Legion D’Honneur France’s highest honour, for her exploits during world War II.
Preparations are being made for her to receive the award at a ceremony in Edinburgh later this year. French-born Marguerite, 77, has lived a daring life that mirrors that of Charlotte Gray, the fictional character brought to life on the screen by actress Cate Blanchett.
At the age of 14, Marguerite risked her life to work with the French Resistance in her picturesque home village of Plomodiern in Brittany. She and her father, who was also awarded the Legion D’Honneur, arranged escape routes out of France for hundreds of local men, including Marguerite’s brothers, to allow them to continue fighting from England.
She said: ‘I think my Involvement began when my father took me with him when a lobster boat was going away so I got to know the people who were preparing It. Later on, when my father wasn’t around, they trusted me enough to come to me and ask me to help.’
At one nerve-racking point, while harbouring airmen waiting to leave France, she helped conceal them upstairs in the family home while a German slept in one of the bedrooms, unaware. ‘What better cover than to have the Wehrmacht In the house,’ said Marguerite.
It was also at her family home that the head of MI6 — the intelligence-gathering network for which she worked - began making radio transmissions that were picked up at Bletchley Park, the Enigma code-breaking station in England.
Her work did not stop there. Marguerite carried out many dangerous missions. She scoured the Brittany coastline, searching for mines, to ensure British maps were accurate. She also carried messages and parcels between her network and another in Paris.
‘There was no reason to suspect me,’ she said. ‘I was a young girl, travelling to my school. I was never arrested.’
Eventually, her father’s role in the Resistance was found out and he fled as the Gestapo came knocking. ‘I opened the door to them,’ said Marguerite. ‘They smelled of the Gestapo, of Turkish cigarettes. My father had learned what was happening and didn’t come home, so my mother told them that he had left us and they accepted that. If it hadn’t been for that story, they would have taken us away.
Marguerite Garden‘I was aware of risking everything but tried not to think about it. I wasn’t scared even though one of my brothers was shot by the Germans in Paris. She added: ‘We wanted to be of use to Britain. That was our aim, to help win the war. I would do it all again if I had to.’
After the war she began an architecture course at college In Paris. At the age of 20 she met Scots holidaymaker James Garden and it was love at first sight. Within a year they were married in Kilmun, Argyll. She and her husband, who became a prominent surgeon, had seven children. He died in 1992.
News of the Legion D’Honneur, which the French foreign minister recommended she receive, brought a surge of emotions for Marguerite. ‘I don’t know why it has taken so long to come,’ she said. ‘But it means so much to me, I cannot say. When I think about it, I just burst into tears.’
END.
And that's it for this week and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
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