Central London Humanists

Our monthly pub evenings are always a great opportunity to meet interesting people, chat, do a little networking, and enjoy a fun evening out.

Whether you’re new to Humanism or already a member, this is a fantastic space for anyone who is non-religious, questioning their beliefs, or open-minded and looking to mingle.

Date: Wednesday 1 November 2023
Time: From 6pm
Feel free to join us whenever you’re able to – we’re often there until closing time.

Venue: Somers Town Coffee House
A lovely pub, close to Euston & Kings Cross stations.
You’ll find us towards the back of the pub, on the left of the bar – look out for the Humanist signs on the tables.

What we talk about:
The conversations are different every time – from current events to humanism and secularism, with plenty of good laughs in between!
If there’s something specific you’d like to talk about, we’d love to hear about it.

Celebrate our shared human values with a night of compassion, community, and comedy. Let's raise our glasses and our spirits for a better world! 🥂✨

🎭 Central London Humanists present: Xmas Party Comedy Night! 🎭

🍷 Sip with purpose at our Charity Wine Bar – each glass supports MacMillan Cancer Support!
🎤 Laugh out loud with our lineup of guest standup comedians delivering punchlines with a punch!
🎄 Embrace the Xmas party vibe—wear your festive best and bask in the joy of the season!
❤️ Fundraise for a fantastic cause—every chuckle contributes to MacMillan's mission!

🌟 Get ready for a holiday extravaganza with heart and humour! 🌟

Hannukah is a festival of light! Lighting the Hannukah candles is an opportunity to find light within ourselves, and find the strength within ourselves to move beyond darkness in our lives.

Humanistic Judaism is a secular approach to Judaism that enables everyone to experience and enjoy spirituality and celebration without “belief” or organised religion being a necessity. It’s a beautiful way to connect and share our own philosophies and inspiration.

You don’t have to be Jewish or have a Jewish background to attend and this event is open to all who are interested and want to celebrate. We ask that political discussions be left at home for this event – there are many important discussions to be had, but this is not the time or the place for it.

We will be lighting the chanukiah candles, and discussing Hannukah, the concept of light and all it can bring to our lives.

We’ll also be enjoying some food and drink, and you’re welcome to bring traditional Hannukah foods if you’d like to share. Fried foods like doughnuts and latkes are always popular on Hannukah.

This event is led by Martin Di Maggio from the Society for Humanistic Judaism
Date: Friday 15 December
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Hpod, 1000 Cumberland Market, London NW1 3RH
Cost:£5

Will the event be recorded?
Yes, the ceremony will be. And photos will be taken of the whole gathering. Please let the organisers know upon arriving - no problem if you don't want to appear in any photo or recording.

Is there a cost to attend?
We ask for £5 per attendee to help cover the cost of putting on events like this for our members (we do not have a membership fee). Contactless card payment will be available at the meeting.

Portobello – music, movies, but mostly mayhem
A guided walk of +- 2 hours / 2 kilometres / 1.3 miles

Portobello Road and Notting Hill Carnival; riots and Rachmanism; an explosion of music and an electrifying cinema; the bookshop that featured in the film “Notting Hill”.

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Date: Saturday 13 January 2024
Time: 2:00 PM, with a prompt departure at 2:15 PM
Place: Pret, 140 Ladbroke Grove (more details below)
Finishes: About 4.15 pm at the Earl of Lonsdale, 277-281 Westbourne Grove W11 2QA for optional refreshments
Maximum: 30 people
Cost: £3

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Meet under the Westway near Pret, 140 Ladbroke Grove W10 5NE
Almost opposite Ladbroke Grove underground station (Hammersmith and City or Circle Lines).
You can also find us with what3words.com using ///poster.elaborate.event

Toilets available at various hostelries including Pret (may have to request access at counter).

Walk is led by Robert – 07981963681
He can be contacted for further information but please note he won’t be able to respond to messages or calls after the walk has started.

The formal bit:
You are responsible for your own actions and safety; there is no liability on the walk leader or CLH for anything that may happen on the walk. You must be able to walk at 2.5 mph and able to walk for 2.5 miles. It is participants responsibility to keep up with the walk leader. To safely cross roads, when appropriate, pedestrian controlled lights will be used and obeyed unless it is obvious that the whole group can cross safely. When stopped at a point of interest please be mindful of not blocking pavements so that members of the public can pass by safely.

These walks are not suitable for dogs.
Don’t forget this is UK and it may rain at any time! Walk will go ahead whatever the weather unless deep snow so please bring clothing for all seasons.

The Central London Humanists (CLH) Committee is pleased to invite all members and supporters – past, current, and future - to our Annual General Meeting.

The AGM is always a thought-provoking occasion and a great time to connect or catch up with fellow Humanists. We’ll review the past year’s progress, select the 2024 Committee, and discuss the future of CLH and how we can make every event and interaction even better, in 2024 and beyond.

Following the AGM we will be joined by guest speaker, Madeleine Goodall, Humanist Heritage Coordinator at Humanists UK.

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Date: Wednesday 17 January 2023
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Please join us from 6:30 to enjoy a glass of wine or soft drink - on us! We will begin promptly at 7pm
Venue: Old Diorama Arts Centre
We'll then move on to a nearby pub for drinks.

We look forward to seeing you there to kick off an exciting year.

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AGM Documents

We will share the finalised agenda and all relevant documents in the first week of January, including:

• Minutes of 2023 AGM
• Nominations for Committee Positions
• Membership Report
• International Report
• Annual Report (including Chair's Review and Treasurer's audited accounts)
• Online Analytics Report
• CLH Constitution

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Voting

Anyone who is registered as a full member of CLH and is a paid-up member of Humanists UK (HUK) is automatically a voting member of CLH. You will be able to vote on resolutions and are eligible for election to the Committee. Please bring your HUK membership details with you to the meeting.

Non-voting members and supporters are also very welcome to join us for the AGM and participate in our discussions.

Nominations for Committee positions must be submitted to the Secretary (info@centrallondonhumanists.org.uk) at least 14 days before the AGM (i.e. no later than 4th January 2024).
- Each nomination needs to be proposed and seconded by voting members of CLH.
- Brief candidacy statements can also be included along with the nominations.

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Have Your Say

January's book: The Social Instinct: What Nature Can Teach Us About Working Together by Nichola Raihani

'A phenomenally important book' Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins

Why do we live in families?
Why do we help complete strangers?
Why do we compare ourselves to others?
Why do we cooperate?

The science of cooperation tells us not only how we got here, but also where we might end up. In The Social Instinct Nichola Raihani introduces us to other species who, like us, live and work together. From the pied babblers of the Kalahari to the cleaner fish of the Great Barrier Reef, they happen to be some of the most fascinating and extraordinarily successful species on this planet. What do we have in common with these animals, and what can we learn from them? The Social Instinct is an exhilarating, far-reaching and thought-provoking journey through all life on Earth, with profound insights into what makes us human and how our societies work.

'A pleasing juxtaposition of insightful scientific theory with illuminating anecdotes' Richard Dawkins

'Surprising, thoughtful and, best of all, endlessly entertaining' Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling

'A superb book about how important cooperation is' Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors

The meeting starts at 7:15. At 7:30 pm we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so.

We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group.

While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions.

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Central London Humanists are taking a group booking at the 2024 Humanists UK Convention. Our members can receive 10% off all tickets.

To access the discount, click attend on this event and we will share details.