farnham HUMANISTS

contact 01252 794021: Little Craigy Barns, 37 Frensham Vale, Farnham GU10 3HS David.savage44@btinternet.com

Since our December newsletter we have discussed ‘Is prostitution moral?’, ‘The case for a secular society’and ‘A Humanist’s attitude to the Church’; socialised at our annual dinner; rambled to a pub lunch and enjoyed fascinating talks by: Norman Bacrac on the South Place Ethical Society and Dr Richard Thomas on Africa. Our new informal pub evenings at the Fox Inn, the first Wednesday in every month, are proving to be fun and well attended. If you haven’t been along yet why not join us at our next pub evening on Wednesday 3^rd September at 8pm.

Future events (see Current Programme below) include our annual debate, a visit to the Hindhead Tunnel, a talk on Quaker beliefs by Michael Gittins, a discussion on adoption - reality and practice and a talk by Andrew Copson BHA Education Officer. We are currently putting together our programme for next year – please let David Savage know if you have any suggestions (01252 794021 David.savage44@btinternet.com).

Other current and recent activities are updated as follows:

• Annual Debate – David Savage has worked hard to set up what should be a stimulating and well informed debate on the motion "Britain needs nuclear power". The high profile and well informed speakers are: Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister for Energy and Jean Llewellyn, Chief Executive of the National Academy for Skills (including Chair of the Nuclear Skills Advisory Group) speaking for the motion; and against the motion Nathan Argent Greenpeace spokesperson for nuclear issues and Antony Froggatt Independent Consultant on EU energy policy. Carole Cockburn, Surrey County Councillor, is chairing the debate which is at 8.00pm on Friday 31st October at The Great Hall, Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham GU9 7QR. Admission is free (we do have a collection for charity). We expect a stimulating and enjoyable evening and hope that we will achieve a large turn out. Please publicise the event amongst your friends and contacts. (A4 and A5 flyers are attached to the accompanying e-mail).
  
• Local Development – Alec Leggatt and Jennie Johnson attended a BHA Local Development Project Training and Networking Event in February. The project exists because of a lack of representation at local level for non-religious people which means that, unlike religious people who can be consulted through recognised methods of communication, non-religious people’s needs and views can be excluded from decision making bodies. Communication with Monica Wambu, the Surrey County Council Senior Manager for VCFS (Voluntary Community and Faith Sector Strategy) and Diversity has resulted in Farnham Humanists now being included under the Council’s Equality and Diversity contacts list. On Monica’s recommendation Farnham Humanists have also written to Councillor Helyn Clack who is the Executive Member for Safer and Stronger Communities. Following a tip off from the BHA, David Savage and Jennie Johnson have applied and been accepted as attendees to the South East England Faiths Forum (SEEFF) Regional Launch of the Government’s Inter-faith Strategy at University of Surrey in November.

• Conferences – Jim Herrick and Mike Adams attended the International Humanist and Ethical Union’s annual conference in June in Washington D.C. Several Farnham Humanists attended the BHA’s AGM in July.

• SACRE - Jennie Johnson attended meetings of the Surrey Standing Advisory Council for RE in February and July. The youth SACRE introduced themselves at the July meeting by their religion or belief and the adult SACRE members were encouraged to do likewise. This revealed that Jennie was not the only non-religious attendee, several members (amongst the county councillors, teachers, support people) were either agnostic or atheist. None of the young people had heard of Humanism and the opportunity was taken to remedy this. Jennie contributed to the "odds and sods" group (i.e. non Church of England Christians and other faiths) in their review of Surrey County Council’s Social Inclusion Framework.

• Humanist Chaplaincy support - Additional leaflets have been provided to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice describing what Humanist support could be provided as an additional option to religious chaplaincy. So far only one patient has requested and been provided with support. Farnham Humanists are also applying to provide chaplaincy support to Send prison. The required CRB checks for this are being processed but a meeting to discuss the application has not yet been agreed.

• Ceremonies - Alec Leggatt and Barbara Burfoot continue to provide officiant support for Funerals, Weddings and Baby Namings. Apart from providing a social service BHA officiants gain a great sense of fulfilment when the many unsolicited compliments arrive, especially from the bereaved family. If you would consider training as an officiant, talk to Alec or Barbara or go to the BHA website.

• Articles/Letters in the press – Halima Fradley wrote an excellent article in the Aldershot News titled "Celebrating Life and Being Human" based on a two hour interview with Alec Leggatt and David Savage. Please let Alec or David know if you would like a copy.

• Trustee of the BHA – Farnham Humanists are delighted that David Savage has been appointed as a trustee of the British Humanist Association. Together with Jim Herrick’s role on the committee of the National Secular Society, we are fortunate that Farnham Humanists has such close links with Britain’s two main secular organisations.

• Remembrance day – Sunday 9^th November 2008 – As for the past two years, members from Farnham Humanists plan to attend the 11:00 ceremony at the Farnham Memorial and lay a wreath. Please join us if you are able. Last year we went for a coffee afterwards.

Meetings are free.

On the first Wednesday of each month we have an informal pub meeting at the Fox Inn, 21, Frensham Road, Lower Bourne, Farnham starting at 8:00pm.

Sunday meetings are now held at Cafe Rouge 4-5 Town Hall Buildings, The Borough, Farnham GU9 7ND and start at 7:30pm.
(Cafe Rouge is in between Nationwide Building Society, on the corner of Castle Street and The Borough, and W H Smiths ie. a few shops east of the bottom of Castle Street).

If anyone would like a lift, please contact David Savage on 01252 794021.