Events

Sunday 7th April 6.30pm Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Universe Dr. Louie Savva   Modern science can get very close to the beginning of the universe but our theories break down just before the beginning happens. This is because our theories of the very big and the very small, have not yet been unified. One day, it is very possible that this will be accomplished. Until then we must accept that there was a beginning; something which not only seems reasonable, but the evidence for which still remains today. The question is, did this have any meaning or purpose and how does this relate to the work of a non religious hospital chaplain?   Dr Louie Savva is a hospital chaplain with the NHS University Hospitals of Leicester, working from a non-religious/existential perspective. He has a PhD in Psychology.   ...

Geoff Hall    The Plant Atlas 2020 is a huge survey of plants in the UK. In this talk Geoff will summarise the work done for the Atlas and give its main conclusions. He will then show what is happening on a national scale as well as locally in Leicestershire & Rutland. All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.    

Sunday 17th March 6.30pm Ride On Sistas Sarah Jasat    Ride on Sistas is a Leicester based community cycling group. It is fuelled by a love of cycling (and sometimes cake) that traverses upbringings and culture. Find out about the work they do and how it connects with other cycling and green initiatives in the city.    All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.

Discover the historic connection between Japan  and Portugal through the court music of King  João V with pianist Mariko Terashi & violinist Tamaki Higashi     Memorial concert for Michael Gerard     Narrated by Caroline Moles and Michael Tully   Discover the historic connection between Japan and Portugal through the court music of King João V .   Mariko Terashi is joined by Japanese born violinist Tamaki Higashi. The programme of classical music comes from the time of King  João V of Portugal. It includes work by Carlos de Seixas, Pedro Lopes Nogueira, Domenico Scarlatti, Jaime de la Té y Sagau.    After releasing her last CD Seixas, Rameau, Couperin, Mariko found the idea of recreating the Royal Chapel in Lisbon during the reign of  King João V . the most powerful king. Nowadays we don’t find much information as the earth...

Celebrating International Women's Week Megan Manson   Around the world, religious misogyny underpins policies restricting women's access to education, political participation and wider society. It entrenches sexist notions about 'modesty' and women's bodies. It enables male domination over women and violence against women and girls, including female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based abuse. Such problems exist in communities in the UK, often enabled by authorities' deference to religious leaders. Even the established church retains sexist policies. Sensitivities around criticising religion often lead to this important factor of women's inequality being ignored and waved aside. Megan Manson is Head of Campaigns at the National Secular Society.    All welcome - adm...

Ned Newitt This talk will trace the history of the Poor Law in Leicester from the 1830s to the unemployed demonstrations of 1921. It looks at the prevailing social attitudes of the time and the regime in Leicester’s workhouse. The riotous scenes that happened in 1921 were just one of the many skirmishes that ultimately paved the way for the Welfare State   Ned was born in Southend-on-Sea in 1946. He studied at Cardiff College of Art and came to Leicester in 1971. From 1984-2003, he was a Leicester City Councillor. He is a long standing member of the Society and is the current Chair.   Ned has written several books, most relating to the history of Leicester, including -   The Secular Hall - A History ...

Valerie Jack    How can we learn to live with the hard fact of death? Some may find strength in religious faith, but growing numbers of us are not religious. When grieving or grappling with the prospect of our own end, how can we find solace? In her book Living with Death without God she tells stories which illuminate how, even in the most difficult circumstances, we can find comfort, hope and meaning.    Valerie Jack has taught English and Classical Civilisation for 12 years, alongside writing poetry and plays. Following developmental work with the National Theatre Studio and Hampstead Theatre, Valerie’s play, 'Fireworks' was staged in London twice and praised as ‘sparky’ in The Observer. Her poetry has been widely published, including in the Times Literary Supplement, Magma, Stand, Agenda and The North and her first collection, 'Educational,' appeared in 2009 (tall-lighth...

Prof Martha Clokie   A talk on the research into bacteriophages, or phages, at the University of Leicester. A large set of phages that effectively kill Clostridium difficile (C. diff) has been identified. This is a bacterium that can infect the bowel and cause diarrhoea. Phages could become a routine treatment in future for pneumonia, sepsis, diarrhoea and diabetic foot ulcers. Martha Clokie, Professor of Microbiology, is leading the fight against antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. Working with an industrial partner, Enbiotix, treatment using phages is now being developed into a therapeutic. Martha is currently applying the same principles to look at other debilitating diseases. She is determining the impact of phages on bacteria in the gut, investigating how phages can be used to target Lyme disease, and developing phages to target Salmo...

Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling   Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling explores the resurgence of traditional oral storytelling and tells a tale or two. The Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling is a not for profit community association and aims to promote the art of traditional oral storytelling in Leicester and Leicestershire. They run a free monthly club night to which anyone is welcome and book the best professional storytellers to come and perform in Leicester. In addition they provide training and workshops for those interested in developing a storytelling practise, performing their own shows, ‘club specials’, appearing at festivals and being available for bookings by third parties.    All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.   ...

Nareeman Dosa    The talk will focus on Sudan's present state, the April 2023 conflict's causes, the ensuing humanitarian crisis, and ways to help. Nareeman is a Media Relations Executive. Saudi-born of Sudanese heritage, she grew up in the Arab world, experiencing the casual racism that most Black Arabs face. All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.    

Marta Umińska   The surprising story of Christine de Pizan (1364 – c. 1430), the first woman in Europe to make a living as a writer and publisher. In beautifully illuminated manuscript books Christine confronted the aggressive misogyny of the Middle Ages.   Marta Umińska studied classics at the University of Warsaw. All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.  

John Goodacre   An account of a successful re-wilding project and a discussion of the rationale behind creating nature reserves.   On New Year's Day 2000, when the first trees of this project were planted, Carrifran was a typical high valley in the Scottish Borders ‒ treeless, windswept and closely grazed by generations of sheep and also feral goats. By 2020 it has been transformed into an inspiring example of what can be done in a short time towards recreating a native forest landscape. This has taken years of dreaming, research, planning, appeals for funds, applying for grants and building communities of supporters and volunteers both local and from afar. What can the Carrifran experience teach us when considering conservation and re-wilding in the Midlands, faced here with urbanisation and increasingly industrial farming? ...