Images of the Unimaginable

Hubble poster The Hubble Space Telescope Gallery by Bob Mizon MBE FRAS

Wednesday 26th June 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Since 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has been revealing aspects of the near and far universe in awe-inspiring detail. In "Images of the Unimaginable", astronomer Bob Mizon takes us on a tour of the cosmos as seen through the eye of this revolutionary instrument, and examines the nature of the great range of objects - galaxies, nebulae, comets - which it has explored.

Bob is the coordinator of the British Astronomical Association’s Campaign for Dark Skies, and writes for the astronomical press.

Join us for a fascinating guided tour of the universe.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed from Gervis Road, which is better lit and has roadside parking).

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

June Bulletin

DW 6298984 (crop)Can there be an adequate Humanist response to the horrific killing in London last week? Our latest bulletin includes some reflections on peace. 

This month’s bulletin also includes robust responses to Stef Kling's presentation on the global economy, what we're doing for World Humanist Day, teaching Humanism to children, the continuing decline in church attendance, and of course our round-up of great events!

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Best wishes,
David Warden
Chair, Dorset Humanists

In 10 years 'No Religion' population increases from 15% to 25% in England & Wales

The British Humanist Association and National Secular Society comment on the data in England & Wales.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) comments on the Census 2011 data here & here with a 5 minute summary video here.

Other Census 2011 info from Dorset Humanists here.





Christians have declined in numbers across all age groups below 60 since 2011



Numbers of Non-Religious & Religious in Dorset (by Age, Ethnic Group, Country Group & Occupation)

Census 2011: The 16th May 2013 release of census data drills down to numbers of religious & non-religious in local authority regions of Bournemouth, Poole and county of Dorset (comprising Christchurch, East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland) - see map left.

I have compiled the new religious data into four sections with  examples from the town I was born in, Bournemouth (click image for larger image). Each of my Excel summaries has details of the above 8 Local Authorities in Dorset County.

NB. Sections on National Identity by Religion and  Economic Activity by Religion are not included in my compilation.

1) DC2107EW - Age by Religion in Dorset County (source | download Excel summary by Chris Street)


Note: In Bournemouth, parents state that 29% Primary age children (age 5-9) and 30-36% of Secondary children (age 10-17) have no religion. 50% age 20-24 have no religion.

Act Now to Support Legal Recognition for Humanist Marriages in England and Wales!

Humanist Wedding 1 An important message from Jim Al-Khalili, President of the British Humanist Association:

Please email your MP right now to support legal recognition for Humanist marriages in England and Wales (an editable proforma email has been set up for you at the following link: http://campaign.publicaffairsbriefing.co.uk/emailsupport.aspx).

On Monday and Tuesday next week (20th/21st May), MPs will be debating the Marriage Bill currently before Parliament. Its main purpose is to extend marriage to same-sex couples but also being debated will be an amendment to give legal recognition to humanist marriages in England and Wales.

Humanist marriages have had legal recognition in Scotland since 2005 and this has led to a great increase in public knowledge of Humanism and non-religious approaches to life in Scotland in that time, as well as giving non-religious couples the option of a wedding ceremony that allows them full expression of their own personal beliefs and values, conducted by a celebrant who they know shares them. Last year, almost 3000 couples had a humanist marriage in Scotland – overtaking the number of Roman Catholic marriages and on course to overtake the Church of Scotland by 2014.

Every year, the number of weddings conducted by our celebrants in England and Wales exceeds the number of many sorts of marriage that are legal (e.g. Quaker, Unitarian, or Jewish marriages) and we believe that legal recognition for humanist weddings is fair, rational and timely.

We urgently need your help today.

Although the government has said it is not against humanist marriages in principle, it is resisting the change. However, the vote will be a free one, which means MPs will make up their own minds on whether to support legal recognition for humanist marriages or not.

We need MPs from all parties to support this move, so please contact your MP today.

Adherence to profound and life-shaping beliefs is not confined to those who profess a religion and although all couples have access to a legal civil marriage, only religious couples have access to a legal marriage based on their deepest beliefs and values. The introduction of legal humanist marriages will not affect anyone adversely; it will just allow those couples who are increasingly choosing to have a humanist wedding to have this as their legal ceremony and make the possibility available and known to many couples who might never otherwise choose to do so.

Many thanks,

Jim Al-Khalili

President, British Humanist Association

Here is a direct link to a standard email that you can send as is, or edit as you wish, that will simplify the process for you. Please take action today and help us gain recognition for Humanist marriages in England and Wales. http://campaign.publicaffairsbriefing.co.uk/emailsupport.aspx

A Parting Gift: Leaving Your Body to Science

Leaving Your Body to Science PosterSaturday 1st June 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

by Dr Jenny Skidmore, Director of the Centre for Learning Anatomical Sciences at Southampton University

Donating your body to science can play a critical role in teaching trainee doctors, assists medical research and helps save millions of lives, yet we currently face a serious shortage of donors.

In a fascinating presentation, Jenny will take us through the practicalities of leaving your body to science, explain how medical students learn anatomy, and outline what happens after the anatomical examination of your body is complete.

Join us to discover how we can benefit medical research, and help future doctors and surgeons learn their life-saving skills.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

New Events Programme: May – Sept 2013

DH Prog May-Sept 2013 Our latest events programme taking us through to September 2013 is now available for download here.

We’re really pleased with the latest line up of presentations and events and we hope you will be too. The new programme includes presentations and discussions on a range of topics including science, philosophy, sex and sexuality, NLP and a look at anomalistic psychology and the paranormal. 

For full details of all these events and more, download your copy of the latest Dorset Humanists Events Programme here.

Finally, please check this website, our monthly bulletins, and/or facebook for any last minute updates to our event schedule.

Most Dorset Humanists meetings and events are at Moordown Community Centre, 21 Coronation Avenue, BH9 1TW, Bournemouth, Dorset. (google map), or The Green House Hotel, 4 Grove Road, Bournemouth. BH1 3AX.

Click this link to see details of Dorset Humanists next meeting.

Click this link to see all posts detailing forthcoming meetings and events.

Regularly receive details of all our events and news by registering here to receive monthly email updates via our free "Bulletin".

May Bulletin

DW 6298984 (crop)In this month's Bulletin we bring you shocking news about our Humanist friends in India.  Also this month, we report on a visit from Sir Jonathan Miller, and list details of some excellent forthcoming talks including a Humanist view of sex and sexuality, how to donate your body to medical science, Humanism in a multicultural society, and how to create a sustainable economic system. Our exciting new programme is also available for download

A recent experiment in 'atheist religion', the Sunday Assembly, has got our  members thinking about how Humanists could do more to celebrate life.  Read Cathy Silman's article alongside historical notes about an 'ethical church' which was set up 100 years ago in Bayswater. 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

David Warden
Chair, Dorset Humanists

Sex and Sexuality: A Humanist View

Sexuality 2 Poster

Wednesday 22nd May 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Almost all world religions impose rigid rules about what is and is not acceptable in terms of our experience and expression of sex. As a current example, religious groups are lobbying for Abstinence Education for young people, despite the lack of evidence of the success of such approaches.

In this presentation, Jo Adams will explore what a more positive, holistic and person-centred model of sex and sexuality might look like. Join us for a frank and enjoyable evidence-based discussion of this often taboo subject.

Jo Adams is a former Chair of the National Sex Education Forum, and was also a member of the previous Government’s Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV. She is the author of a number of popular books relating to self-esteem and the promotion of positive sexual health, and is a founder member and Chair of our highly successful sister group, West Dorset Humanists.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be easily accessed from Gervis Road, which is better lit and has roadside parking).

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.