About us
Welcome to Central London Humanists!
CLH provides a meeting place for humanists, the secular, and other non-religious people, particularly those who live or work in the central London area of the UK.
Every month we hold a talk/lecture and several social events. Our social activities include group socials, a book group, picnics, walks, museum & cultural visits and theatre trips.
If you're not religious, or doubting your faith or belief and like open-minded communities, and would like to meet like minded people, come along and join us!
As we don't have a membership fee, a donation of £3 is suggested at each meeting. This goes towards our running costs, partnership fees and charitable donations. If it's your first time, we don't expect a donation.
We are a partner group of Humanists UK.
We are an Associate Member of Humanists International.
We're also on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Some of our previous talks are available on YouTube.
Anyone who joins us on Meetup can participate fully in events. They can suggest events, participate in organising events and much more.
As we are such a large group, each year we hold an AGM and elect a committee to help manage the group. To be a voting member of Central London Humanists, or to be a member of the committee, you must be a paid up member of Humanists UK (to join go here).
Upcoming events
9
CLH AGM 2026
Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, London, GBThe Central London Humanists (CLH) Committee is pleased to invite all members and supporters – past, current, and future - to our 2026 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 2026 Committee, and discuss the future of CLH and how we can make every event and interaction even better, in 2026 and beyond.
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Date: Wednesday 18th February 2026
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Please join us from 6:15pm to enjoy a glass of wine or soft drink - on us! 6:30PM AGM will begin promptly
7:30PM Guest Speaker: Jessie Hayes, Humanist Celebrant presents an Introduction to Humanist Ceremonies More info hereVenue: 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
2026 AGMdocuments can be viewed here.- Agenda
- Minutes of 2025 AGM
- Nominations for Committee Positions
- Candidate Statements
- Annual Report (including Chair's Review and Treasurer's audited accounts)
- CLH Constitution
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This year, we invite your active participation in shaping the future of Central London Humanists through the following three action points:### 1. Nominations for Committee Membership
Nominations are open for new committee members to help shape the future of CLH.
If you’d like to apply to join the CLH Committee, please complete this committee nomination form. Applications close on 11th February 2026.### 2. Have Your Say
If you have any recommendations, nominations, or matters arising that you would like to raise at the AGM, please email info@centrallondonhumanists.org.uk by 11th February 2026.
We look forward to welcoming you at the AGM and working together for another fantastic year of campaigning, events, and support. Your involvement is what keeps our community thriving!
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 22nd January 2025).
- Each nomination needs to be proposed and seconded by voting members of CLH.
- Brief candidacy statements can also be included along with the nominations.
- Members can register interest in joining the CLH Committee by completing this short form.
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Have Your Say
We encourage anyone who is interested in Humanism and CLH to consider becoming a voting member:- If you are already a HUK member and wish to register as a full member of CLH (no membership fee) please register on our website: https://centrallondonhumanists.org.uk/signup
- If you wish to join HUK and support its work to promote humanism in British life, please go to: https://humanism.org.uk/join
We also welcome other contributions, particularly in helping to manage our events. The more hands and minds involved, the more we can do, so please do get in touch if you’d like to get involved in some way.
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Please Note:
Events are advertised on multiple online portals and through email, so RSVP numbers on any one portal may not be fully indicative of the greater attendance on the day.We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.
31 attendees
Introduction to Humanist Ceremonies with Wedding Celebrant Jessie Hayes
Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, London, GB## Introduction to Humanist Ceremonies
With Jessie Hayes
Please note this talk follows the CLH AGM from 6.30-7.30 PM. If you would like to attend the AGM then you are most welcome. If you prefer to just attend the celebrant talk then please wait in the venue foyer and we will admit you from 7:20 PM.
Humanist ceremonies are often one of the first ways people encounter humanism in practice. They mark life’s most meaningful moments with warmth, reflection, and joy, without religion, and always centred on the people involved.
In this talk, Jessie Hayes introduces humanist ceremonies: what they are, why they are becoming increasingly popular, how they differ from religious or civil ceremonies, and who they are for. Drawing on her experience as a celebrant, Jessie will explore why ceremonies matter to us as humans, how storytelling and values shape them, and why they are such a powerful expression of humanist ideas in everyday life.
The talk will be especially relevant for anyone curious about humanism, considering a humanist ceremony themselves, or simply interested in how meaning, love, and community are celebrated outside religious traditions. Whether you are new to humanism or have been involved for years, this session offers a thoughtful and accessible introduction to one of its most visible and joyful expressions.
Following the talk, after a short refreshments interval, there will be a moderated Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions, share reflections, and explore how humanist ceremonies connect people to humanist values in real and tangible ways.
### Your Speaker
Jessie Hayes
Jessie is a humanist celebrant and writer who designs and delivers deeply personal, non-religious ceremonies. She is passionate about storytelling, celebration, and helping people mark life’s key moments in ways that feel authentic and true to who they are.Jessie is a celebrant within Humanist Ceremonies, the network of more than 550 celebrants trained and accredited by Humanists UK to deliver meaningful, inclusive ceremonies for non-religious people.
You can find out more about Jessie’s work at **www.jessiemaywrites.co.uk **and Humanists UK profile
Post event social
As after all our in-person talks at the Old Diorama Arts Centre, we will move on to a local pub for a post event social. So from 8:30 PM we will be going to the Queen's Head and Artichoke, 30-32 Albany St, London NW1 4EA.Photos
Please note this event will be recorded and we will take photos for publication on CLH media channels. If you do not wish to be featured in video or photographs please contact the CLH team in advance or make us aware at the event.Resources and FAQs
…for members, supporters, and participants in CLH activitiesSee here for our knowledge base packed with important, useful information about the group, the organisers, and what we offer the community. See here for our code of conduct and complaints policy.
Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.
10 attendees
Battersea Park - plus Power and Pumps
Battersea Power Station, 85–99 Battersea Park Road, SW11,, London, GBBattersea Park – plus Power and Pumps
This walk is presented by Central London Humanists and led by Robert Hall. Humanists believe we have just one life to be lived rationally and well, with compassion for others.
This event is a guided walk of +/- 2.25 hours pointing out places of interest. We will be walking 4 Km / 2.4 miles.
As befits a walk in winter it will be walked at a moderate pace.
Whilst the grand power station still dominates the landscape it has competition from the new-build flats which have transformed the appearance of the area. However the walk is primarily based on Battersea park which was one of the main locations for the Festival of Britain in 1951 and still has features from that event. The large pagoda is a major surprise as are the many sculptures including one that is deliberately away from the main paths. Plus the Victorians certainly knew how to design elegant pumphouses!
Date: Saturday 21st February 2026
Time: 2 pm with a prompt departure at 2.15 pm
Place: Meet at exit of Battersea Power Station underground station at the top level. (NOT at Battersea Power Station building.) Turn left after the ticket barriers.
It is strongly suggested you find us using: https://what3words.com/cure.bench.junior - or the What3Words app.
The nearest toilets are in the Duchess Belle, 101 Battersea Park Road SW8 4DS (across the main road) or in the Battersea Power Station building. There will be a very brief toilet stop on the walk.
Finishes: About 4.30 pm at Battersea Power Station underground station or join us for refreshments at the Duchess Belle, 101 Battersea Park Road SW8 4DS.
The 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:
These walks are not suitable for dogs, sorry.CLH events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
If you have signed up but find you can't attend, please change your RSVP on Meetup (it’s very easy to do) as soon as possible so that an accurate numbers of attenders can be estimated.
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 keep up with the walk leader at 4 Km/h (2.5 mph) for 5 Km (3 miles). It is participants' responsibility to safely cross roads.
Where appropriate, pedestrian controlled lights will be used and obeyed unless it is obvious that the whole group can cross safely.
When the group stops at a point of interest, please be mindful not to block pavements so members of the public can pass by safely.
Don’t forget this is the UK and it may rain at any time! The walk will go ahead whatever the weather unless conditions are dangerous so please bring clothing for all seasons.
A donation of £3 to Central London Humanists would be appreciated.
The majority of Central London Humanists events are free, but we welcome a £3 contribution per head. This helps towards the running and organising of events, as well as various admin expenses. If you can't attend and would still like to contribute, or would prefer to pay online, please click here.
We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed (most definitely including the walk leader!) do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.
34 attendees
Past events
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