Percy Shelley: A Humanist Out of Time

Saturday 09^th December 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Songwriter and Publisher John Webster

While he is perhaps most celebrated as one of our greatest romantic poets, Percy Bysshe Shelley was also an idealist who passionately advocated social reform. In this literary and musical presentation, Shelley expert John Webster will reveal how modern humanist ideals inspired much of this revolutionary poet’s work.

John will begin his presentation with an introduction highlighting Shelley's relevance to contemporary humanism, following which he will present many of Shelley’s verses in a cycle of specially composed songs from his 'Shelley's Golden Years in Italy' DVD. These musical adaptations of Shelley’s poems feature introductory explanatory narrations recorded by the poet Benjamin Zephaniah and are illustrated with an eclectic selection of images featuring Shelley-related locations in Italy.

“An excellent opportunity to learn more about humanism in the 19th century and to connect with a visionary poet who looked forward to a democratic, pluralist, and secular future”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Please email Dave at DHweb2(at)live.co.uk for a PDF copy for you to print and display.

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

Filling the Void

Wednesday 23^rd November 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Incorporating Dorset Humanists’ 20^th Anniversary!

With special guests Jonathan MS Pearce, Gareth Howells and Louis Howells

Join us for an inspirational evening of poetry and music with our special guests Jonathan MS Pearce, who has edited a volume of poetry for humanists and atheists called ‘Filling the Void’, and Gareth Howells of award-winning folk band Bemis, with his son Louis.

There is often thought to be a God-shaped void in humanist and atheist lives, but that is far from the truth and our lives can be filled with meaning and purpose. ‘Filling the Void’ helps to document this with a wide variety of thought-provoking and emotional poems. Jonathan and Gareth will deliver an eclectic selection of their favourite poems from the book, and Gareth and Louis will be providing some appropriately themed musical entertainment.

David Warden will bring the evening to a close with a brief review of some of the highlights of Dorset Humanists over the past 20 years, and remember those who made it possible. Wine and light refreshments will be available.

Jonathan Pearce is a Hampshire-based philosopher who has written and edited many books that will be of interest to humanists and atheists, including ‘Free Will?’ , ‘The Little Book of Unholy Questions’, ‘The Nativity: A Critical Examination’, and ‘Filling The Void: A Selection Of Humanist And Atheist Poetry’. He also writes the popular ‘A Tippling Philosopher’ blog for the Patheos blog network.

“Join us for an inspiring celebration of creating meaning, purpose and community in a life without gods”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also 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.

Sunday Assembly (aka “Atheist* Church”) comes to Bournemouth

Bournemouth Sunday Assembly’s Inaugural Event

Sunday 28th September from 11.00am to 12.30pm

Rooper Hall, 5 Victoria Park Rd, Bournemouth BH9 2RB

September 28th 2014 will be an important day for Sunday Assembly!

Across the world, many new Assemblies will be launching and thousands of people will be coming together to celebrate being alive. Thousands of people who didn’t know each other before will be coming together to form new communities, and the great news is one of them is in Bournemouth!

Sunday Assembly was founded in London in January 2013 by comedians Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans as “all the best bits of church but without the religion, and with awesome pop songs too”. “We are dedicated to helping the people that attend, and the folk in the wider community, to make the most of this one life that we know we have”. “We harness fun, joy and wonder to build communities and to help others”.

Sunday Assembly is for everyone who wants to:

•  Live Better. We aim to provide inspiring, thought-provoking and practical ideas that help people to live the lives they want to lead and be the people they want to be
•  Help Often. Assemblies are communities of action, building lives of purpose, encouraging us all to help anyone who needs it to support each other
•  Wonder More. Hearing talks, singing, listening to readings and even playing games helps us to connect with each other and the awesome world we live in.

Each service is based around a theme, with a guest speaker, poets and/or comedians and some great pop songs. The theme of the first assembly will be ‘community’.

* Please note that although Sunday Assemblies are regularly referred to as ‘atheist churches’ by the media, Sunday Assemblies welcome everyone, regardless of any theological beliefs they may have.

For more information, or to help organise Sunday Assembly Bournemouth, visit https://www.facebook.com/sundayassemblybournemouth

(Edit: Link to new post on 26th October meeting: http://dorset-humanists1.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/singer-songwriter-shelley-segal-at.html )

Thomas Hardy and the Poetry of Unbelief

Thursday 26^th June 7.30pm 
Avenue Restaurant, 33 West Street, Bridport***, DT6 3QW    

A West Dorset Humanists’ event with John Hubbard.

John Hubbard shares his passion and enthusiasm for Hardy’s verse in this selection of readings with commentary. Readings will include around twenty poems, both familiar and unfamiliar, including The Oxen, The Darkling Thrush, God’s Funeral and Afternoon Service at Mellstock. John’s selection has been chosen to illustrate Hardy’s relationship with the world in which he lived, and his developing unbelief.

We are expecting a highly enjoyable evening for devotees of Hardy’s works, as well as a great introduction for those coming to them for the first time.

John gave this talk to West Dorset Humanists nearly 3 years ago and received rave reviews from everyone who came along. We will be meeting in the room upstairs at the Avenue Restaurant. Drinks will be available from the Bar and, if you'd like to eat before the talk, the restaurant will be serving food from 6.00pm (for more details, visit www.theavenuebridport.co.uk)

£3 Entry cost.     Everyone welcome!

***Please note: This talk is in Bridport and not at WDH’s regular venue in Dorchester. The venue was listed incorrectly in Dorset Humanists’ June Bulletin. We apologise for any inconvenience caused***.

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

Thomas Hardy’s Poetry of Unbelief

Wednesday 30^th January 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Bournemouth School’s former Head of English, John Hubbard shares his passion and enthusiasm for Hardy’s verse in this selection of readings with commentary.

Readings will include around twenty poems, both familiar and unfamiliar, including The Oxen, The Darkling Thrush, God’s Funeral and Afternoon Service at Mellstock. John’s selection has been chosen to illustrate Hardy’s relationship with the world in which he lived, and his developing unbelief.

We are expecting a highly enjoyable evening for devotees of Hardy’s works, as well as a great introduction for those coming to them for the first time.

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.

Thomas Hardy and ‘The Poetry of Unbelief’

Thursday 24th November  7.30pm 
The Wessex Royale Hotel, 32 High Street West, Dorchester DT1 1UP

Hosted by West Dorset Humanists

Bournemouth School’s Head of English, John Hubbard explores a selection of Hardy's verse, with readings and commentary, to discover what Hardy made of the world in which he lived, and how he sustained himself in it.
This presentation will be highly enjoyable for people already familiar with Hardy’s works, as well as providing a great introduction for those coming to them for the first time.

Everyone welcome!

Free Entry (£2 suggested donation)

Email: westdorsethumanists(at)hotmail.co.uk  Tel:07921 311518

Website: www.westdorsethumanists.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/West-Dorset-Humanists
Click here to view other forthcoming and recent events.

CANCELLED: Thomas Hardy and ‘The Poetry of Unbelief’

***CANCELLED***

West Dorset Humanists have regrettably had to cancel this event as John had to pull out due to another commitment. The next WDH meeting will now be in October. WDH hope to be able to reschedule John's Thomas Hardy readings and commentary for November. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will update the website when we have further details.
Thursday 29^th September 7.30pm
Hosted by West Dorset Humanists at The Wessex Royale Hotel, 32 High Street West, Dorchester DT1 1UP
Bournemouth School’s Head of English, John Hubbard explores a selection of Hardy's verse, with readings and commentary, to discover what Hardy made of the world in which he lived, and how he sustained himself in it.
This presentation will be highly enjoyable for people already familiar with Hardy’s works, as well as providing a great introduction for those coming to them for the first time.
Everyone welcome!
Free Entry (£2 suggested donation)
Click here to view other forthcoming and recent events.

Email: westdorsethumanists(at)hotmail.co.uk  Tel:07921 311518

Website: www.westdorsethumanists.blogspot.com

                      ***CANCELLED***