Events

So called “Equality Conflicts” seem to plague us - eg: Rights of Christians - v- Gay/woman’s rights? Can human rights and equality law principles help us understand them better, transcend them and/or resolve or eliminate them? Paul Crofts is an independent Equality and Diversity consultant and trainer. He has been providing training and consultancy for almost 30 years in race, community and race relations, discrimination law and practice and hate crime to a range of public sector, community and private sector organisations.  You can view a video of  Paul's talk here. All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.

a talk by an Ex - Hindu   This talk will make you think! The speaker will highlight the failure of Hinduism as a moral compass and show that it was flawed from the very outset. He will also look at the contribution of several neglected Indian figures who stood for liberty, equality, fraternity, social justice, women's rights, secularism/humanism and more.   The speaker is from a Hindu background, but his study of the historic foundations of Hinduism show that it fails to provide a good foundation for an ethical life. All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome. Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay  

How have we changed our planet? And what are we to do to avoid an environmental calamity in the Anthropocene? Palaeontologist Professor Mark Williams examines the evolution of life over geological timescales. Over three decades his research has taken him from the tropics to the polar regions, working across terrains as diverse as glaciers, deserts, jungles and everything in between. Professor Williams’ current focus is on studying patterns of human induced changes to life, such as the impacts of introduced species into ecosystems as far apart as San Francisco Bay and the Leicestershire countryside. His research explores solutions to human induced changes to the biosphere. Those changes may be one of the defining characteristics of a new geological epoch known as the Anthropocene. Mass extinctions in the past have been caused by a massive asteroid strike, rapid and substantial changes in climate, and sustained super-volcanic eruptions. Professor Williams’ research explores h...

The remarkable story of German artist Matthaeus Koelz, who fought in WW1 and secretly painted a giant anti-war work, ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill.’ Simon Lake tells how this painting was cut up and secretly smuggled out of Germany. Six fragments of this powerful painting now survive (four in Leicester, two in Germany). All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.

The boundaries between gaming and gambling are blurring. Sarah examines the rise in ‘loot boxes’ – a chance-based mechanism found in popular digital games and young people’s experiences of these products. Talk by Sarah Mills All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.

What do we know about Socrates? This is the third talk in a series presenting figures whose busts adorn the facade of the Secular Hall. Marta Umińska studied classics at the University of Warsaw. All welcome - admission free . Tea & biscuits. Donations welcome.  

Ned Newitt looks at the development of the Co-op movement in Leicester from the 19th to the 21st century. It was a movement that was not limited to shops, but encompassed manufacturing, housing and other services. 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 President.   Ned has written several books, most relating to the history of Leicester, including -   The Secular Hall - A History The Anthology of Leicester Chartist Song, Poetry & Verse  The Slums of Leicester ...