One of the hot topics discussed at this year's AGM in Breizh was the future of Carn. Carn, now in its thirty-fourth year of publication, is the longest running inter-Celtic publications of its kind, but over the last few years its publication has put a serious financial strain on the organisation as a whole.
This has resulted in the setting up of a sub committee by the League to discuss its future.
Various options have been explored about how we can continue with its production and maintain its high standard, but the fact remains that costs are increasing and with it the strong possibility that without increased sources of funding, the future of the publication must cease or dramatically change.
One of the options that has been explored is to make Carn available through electronic format, so that it can only be read with access to E mail or the internet, However, it seems that many League members would still like Carn to be available through hard copy format and enjoy receiving the publication by post.
Another option is to reduce the number of copies of Carn produced on an annual basis and indeed this will be done in 2007, where three as opposed to four copies of Carn will be produced.
Obviously if we continue in this vein, without tapping into new funding sources, the situation will result where we will have to reduce the number of publications in successive years until all finds have dried up.
Of course this is not the choice solution. Ideally we would like to continue with the production of Carn in hard copy format. We would therefore like to hear from any of our readers who have good ideas for raising extra money to keep Carn going.
Donations are always welcome and cheques can be made payable to the Celtic League at one of the addresses below:
For Euro donations:
Celtic League, 33 Ceide na Grianoige, Rath Cuil, Co. Atha Cliath, Eire
For Pounds Sterling donations:
Celtic League, Millcroft, East Baldwin, Braddan, Mannin
All other suggestions and ideas can be forwarded to the General Secretary (rhisiart.talebot@...), Assistant General Secretary (macdhiarmuid@...) or the Editor (patriciabridson@...) by email or by post to the addresses on the back of this publication.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Diolch yn Fawr Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary
The appeal above is carried in the current issue of Carn (No. 135).
Members and subscribers are urged to submit views as to whether the magazine should continue in hard copy format or move to an Internet only publication from 2008.
Please contribute your views.
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
28/10/06
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