Darwin Day: Jurassic Coast

Saturday 9^th February 12.00pm
The Purbeck Lounge, Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth BH2 5BH

Dorset Humanists’ Annual    Darwin Day Celebratory Lunch and Presentation

Celebrate Darwin Day in style with a delicious three-course Italian buffet lunch in BIC’s Purbeck Lounge, followed by an entertaining talk from Professor Vincent May.

Dorset’s ‘Jurassic Coast’ has revealed an amazing number of fossils over the last 200 years, including many specimens new to science. In this well-illustrated presentation, Professor May takes us on a fascinating 250 million year journey beginning in the Triassic period, when the continents were joined and Dorset was a desert, through to the recent achievement of World Heritage Site status. We have the Purbeck Lounge booked through to 5:00pm, so there will also be plenty of time to socialise together after Professor May’s presentation.

Booking Information

Italian buffet lunch and presentation ticket (12:00pm start): £16 per person (Please book lunches by 30th January. Places are limited)

Jurassic Coast presentation only ticket (2:00pm start): £2 per person

Order tickets  at a Dorset Humanists meeting, or email lyn.glass(at)btinternet.com (Presentation only tickets may also be purchased on the door).

Professor May spearheaded the application to UNESCO for recognition of the Dorset and East Devon Coast as a World Heritage Site. He continues to chair the Science and Conservation Advisory Group for the Site, which provides professional advice to the Counties of Devon and Dorset. He is also Chair of the Purbeck Heritage Network.

He has been awarded the B.P. Prize for Environmental Science & Management, and has pioneered and implemented multi-disciplinary practice-based masters courses at Bournemouth University in Coastal Zone Management, Water Environment, and European Tourism Management (with French, Dutch & German partners).

 

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.

 

January Bulletin and Newsletter

Even if you know nothing about Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' books, we recommend coming along to Professor Jack Cohen's talk on the ‘Science of Discworld’ this coming Saturday. 

Jack Cohen has spoken to us before and he's a very engaging and witty speaker, as well as an internationally-known expert on reproductive biology.  Nathanial Major, manager of the St Paul's Shelter for the homeless, which we supported with our recent Christmas Appeal, will also be giving us an update after the refreshment break. 

As well as all the usual news and views in this edition of the Bulletin, we have comment on the Census results for Bournemouth and Poole, a new President for the BHA, a report on 'Humanist Support for Prisoners',  Holocaust Memorial Day, and booking details for a Humanists’ Chinese feast and our Darwin Day event. 

All good wishes for 2013 and we look forward to seeing you soon

David Warden
Chair, Dorset Humanists

Click here to view details of our forthcoming and recent events.

Humanist Support for Prisoners

(Article from Dorset Humanists January 2013 Bulletin)

At Dorset Humanists December 2012 meeting in Bournemouth, Probation Officer Amy Walden gave us a unique insight into the needs of non-religious prisoners and how these are being met by a pilot project offering Humanist support.

The proportion of non-religious prisoners, 31%, is in line with society in general yet there is an assumption that their emotional and psychological needs can be Christian chaplains. For example, when a prisoners family member is seriously ill or has died, it is always a chaplain who delivers the news. Not all prisoners are allowed to attend the funeral; they are offered time to sit in the chapel instead, and for prayers to be said and the chaplain is there to provide emotional support.

But not all non-religious people feel comfortable talking to a religious person for advice. There is a void in this area and no guidance given, as if atheism is a taboo and not important. Some questions and needs of non-religious people require a non-religious person to deal with them - for example bereavement and making sense of the world.

Amy explained that a non-religious chaplain or Humanist adviser can give non-religious prisoners a voice and redress the imbalance of provision for religious and non-religious prisoners. Non-religious prisoners find it helpful to be able to talk to a Humanist adviser who can provide guidance, help and support through difficult times, particularly bereavement. They also find it helpful to attend atheist meetings to discuss their views, beliefs and opinions with like-minded people, and to support each other.

A Humanist adviser can facilitate acknowledgement and acceptance that non-religious beliefs are also a 'norm' and give advice on how to deal with situations appropriately when a religious person challenges atheist views.

Despite fierce opposition from the prison chaplain, trained Humanist advisors now have a regular presence at Winchester prison and they have been able to provide emotional support through difficult times, philosophical discussion, advice on dealing with bereavement and an alternative to visiting the chapel at the time of a funeral. Special occasions have included Darwin Day when prisoners learnt about Darwin's life and his theory of evolution, and International Day Against Homophobia with speakers from Hampshire County Council's support group for gay, lesbian and transgender employees.

What prisoners are saying about the Humanist support at Winchester prison: 
"The Humanist discussion group has given me a better understanding of other cultures and religions. It is nice to be able to have a proper conversation with someone. It is also helping me with confidence, talking to people about subjects I would not normally discuss. I think it's a really good idea as you can really open up and be yourself without being judged by others on your opinions."

"This is better than AA!" (Alcoholics Anonymous)

"It's invigorating to have the opportunity for stimulating conversation with other like-minded people that doesn't revolve around criminality and sentencing."

"I didn't know we came from fish!" (after Darwin Day)

"The chocolate cake has been the highlight of my sentence!" (also after Darwin Day).

Dorset Humanists raised £100 for this project which is sponsored by the British Humanist Association

Humanists’ help for homeless

(copied from Bournemouth Evening Echo of 31st December 2011)

Dorset Humanists’ Christmas Appeal has raised £800 for the St Paul’s Shelter for homeless people in Bournemouth. The shelter provides emergency short-term accommodation and access to a range of medical facilities, housing advice, education and training. During the coldest months, St Paul’s also runs the life-saving ‘Winter Watch’ service which provides much needed shelter, warmth and food for people who are sleeping rough.

The appeal was launched after Nathanial Major, manager of the shelter, gave an inspiring talk to Dorset Humanists at the Green House Hotel. Mr Major said, “I am extremely grateful towards the Dorset Humanists for such a generous donation over the Christmas period”. “ This money will be put towards our Winter Watch service as well as helping towards days out with our residents for which we receive no formal funding”. David Warden, Chair of Dorset Humanists, said “A key element of Humanism lies in helping some of the most disadvantaged members of society – we feel privileged to support the shelter in this way, especially at Christmas”.

Dorset Humanists is a community group for atheists and agnostics who want to make the world a better place.

Photo Caption: “GIFT: David Warden (left) hands a cheque for £800 to Nathanial Major, manager of the St Paul’s Shelter”