Events

This talk has been postponed from 28th June and will now commence our Autumn Programme.  From religion to capitalism, systems demand conformity. This talk questions ableism and whether neurodivergent struggle reflects individual failure or systemic design.   Veiled Rose is a British Bengali ex-Muslim activist and writer working at the intersection of neurodiversity, secularism, and human rights. Her work focuses on how social and religious systems impact mental health, autonomy, and equality, particularly for women and neurodivergent people. She is Communications Manager at Faithless Hijabi , and a lay member of both the Leicester Secular Society and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain .    All welcome - admission free. Tea & biscuits. Donations ...

Local writer and LSS member Hamish Whiteley reads some old favourites and some new writing about a recent life shock. There will be a collection in aid of PROSTaid , a local prostate cancer charity at the event. .   PROSTaid is a voluntary team comprised principally of prostate cancer sufferers, their families, friends and members of the University of Leicester Hospitals Urological team. They fund three local prostate cancer nurses in the East Midlands, two based in Leicester.    All welcome - admission free. Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome - £5 suggested to cover  costs.

Come and see this unique building rooted in Leicester's radical past. The whole of the Secular Hall will be available to view, including the rare arts and craft tiles in the Ballroom. There will be guided tours throughout the day . The recently restored stained glass window can be viewed.   This year is the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Society. The Lord Mayor will be opening our new exhibition about the Society's history at 1pm.    There is no need to book Light refreshments available throughout the day.

The talk will provide an overview of forthcoming NSS research examining how evangelical groups, including the Church of England, are exploiting non-religious schools as their recruitment grounds, and how religious privilege within our education system leaves schools dangerously at risk of such exploitation. Jack Rivington is Campaigns Officer at the National Secular Society. All welcome - admission free. Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome - £5 suggested to cover  costs.

The helmet was found in 2000 buried in thousands of tiny fragments at a ritual site in Hallaton, Leicestershire. It was meticulously reconstructed by conservators at the British Museum. It is a stunning silver-gilt Roman cavalry helmet dating back to the time of the Roman conquest of Britain (circa 43 AD). It features intricate cheekpieces depicting a Roman emperor trampling a barbarian enemy. Helen Sharp is the Curator of Archaeology for Leicestershire County Council Museums. She is widely known for leading public talks, research projects, and recent reconstructions regarding the Hallaton Helmet.

The lecture explores British-Sikh connections from the eighteenth century through the Anglo-Sikh Wars, culminating in Sikh recruitment into the Indian Army. "Gurinder Singh Mann is a Leicester-based historian, author, heritage specialist and cultural project manager dedicated to preserving and promoting Sikh history and heritage. He is the Director of the Sikh Museum Initiative, through which he researches, documents and shares Sikh history through exhibitions, publications, educational programmes and digital projects. He is the author of several books on Sikh history and heritage, making historical research accessible to wider audiences. Gurinder is also the creator of the world’s first 3D Sikh Museum, an innovative digital project showcasing Sikh artefacts, objects and historical stories through immersive 3D technology. His work also includes managing major public heritage and memorial projects, including the Sikh Troops War Memorial at Vi...

An examination of conspiracy theories that explain an event or situation by asserting the existence of a conspiracy (generally by powerful sinister groups, often political in motivation), when other explanations are more probable. They are often reinforced by circular reasoning: both evidence against the conspiracy and absence of evidence for it are misinterpreted as evidence of its truth. Paul Fitzgerald is a secular, freethinking humanist with a deep belief in rationalism, scientific skepticism and in confronting the tough ethical issues our culture often tries to ignore. I detest dogma, superstition, fanaticism and rigid ideologies of all kinds.