New finds in southern Scotland add to my story

Further to my researches into the development of the Celtic Church in Britain new finds in Scotland suggest Christianity arrived before St Ninian set up his church at Whithorn in Wigtownshire in southern Scotland in 397 AD.

Archaeologists and volunteers from AOC Scotland undertaking a three-year excavation of a site at Black Loch of Myrton in Dumfries and Galloway have discovered evidence of a group of round houses dating back to the fifth century BC (iron age). They now think that the history of how Christianity came to Whithorn and southern Scotland may need to be rewritten.

Originally it was thought (though not by me) that Ninian came to an empty area although the close proximity of the forts along Hadrian's Wall always suggested to me that he came to an area where Christianity already had a foothold in communities along and under the wall. The new finds suggest a strong native community in Whithorn itself, possibly a high status secular site where there were Christians already.

The site being excavated was originally thought to be a crannog consisting of a single dwelling built out over the loch but the archaeologists are now claiming to have discovered the best-preserved loch village known in Scotland comparable with Glastonbury and Meare in Somerset.

Source: http://www.BBC.co.uk/news/uk-scotland
13 July 2015

How Daffy Dippy lost his head.

Loved watching the Soap Box Races from Alexandra Palace yesterday. My favourite was the Diplodocus, alas not very streamlined so it lost its head.  For anyone unfamiliar with our Dippy here is a photo of the original in the Natural History Museum, London.

He appears to have lost his head in this picture as well.  He's so huge I couldn't get him all in but you get the idea. 

Why the arts matter - the economic argument

Arts Council England has just published a report detailing the contribution made by arts and culture to the UK economy. The report, written by Cebr (Centre for Economic and Business Research) provides evidence that arts and culture offers a "strong, tangible contribution to the national economy."

The Arts Council England report was launched on 13 July in conjunction with the Creative Industries Federation whose own report is titled 'Arts and Growth:How public investment in the arts contributes to growth in the Creative industries.' You can follow the conversation on Twitter at #cultureforgrowth.

The reports indicate that the Creative industries experienced growth of 9.9% which is higher than any other industrial sector including financial services. Publicly invested arts return 0.4% of the country's GVA and indirectly contribute via tourism, overseas trade and regional development. Arts and Culture is worth £7.7 billion GVA to the UK economy, has generated £15.1 billion in turnover in 2012-2013, an increase of 26% since 2010. For every £ spent on arts and culture an additional £1.06 is generated in the economy.

And after forty years in the business I am still treated as if I do not have a proper job!