HUMANIST SOCIETY OF WEST YORKSHIRE
Affiliated to the British Humanist Association

NEWSLETTER (108) MAY, 2008

May Meeting, Tues. 13th May at 7.30pm (coffee from 7.00)
"The Unwoven Rainbow: A Journey Towards Rationality.”by Dr Richard Parker of  the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust  

April Meeting,  AGM

There were 18 members present.  Arising from the minutes of the previous year’s AGM it was reported that Robert Lee was co-opted on to the Bradford SACRE in February 2008 and Gerry Hanant took over from Mike Davies for the Leeds SACRE on 1st April 2008 for the 08/09 year.  Also in Kishore Budha’s absence, Paul Dean set up our website and very generously paid for that and the first year’s running fee.

The Secretary reported that membership stood at 51, two down on last year; three members had died during the year.  The seven speakers’ meetings were all well attended. The summer Garden Party had good weathr for a change!  Greg Owens resigned as Newsletter Editor in October under pressure of his assignments for is Master’s Degree in Philosophy and moving house. The Secretary took over, but single page A4 format does look as professional!  Purchase of a new printer has improved readability.  There were two Committee meetings during the year.  Paul Dean and Paul Irving have volunteered to represent the BHA when ’faith communities’ are consulted by the local authority.

The Treasurer reported assets stood at £1593.10 at 31/03/08, a gain of £31 79 on the year.
The SACRE report for Leeds by Mike Davies reviewed the full 4-year period of Mike’s stint.  He had made a small but significant progress in getting Humanism into the new Leeds RE syllabus.  The SACRE report for Bradford by Robert Lee indicated he had only had one meeting to attend in the 07/08 year since his co-option and was still feeling his way.
Paul Irving was re-elected Chairman. Robert Tee was re-elected Secretary/Treasurer.  Martin Crozier, Paul Dean, Brian Layfield and Robert Lee were re-elected and Jean Horsfield was elected on to the Committee.

AOB. It was agreed to send our to Greg Owens for his work as Newsletter Editor.
After a break for drinks and ‘nibbles’ in the Café, Paul Dean gave us his illustrated talk on:- “Early Religion: The Beliefs and Monuments of Neolithic and Bronze-age Britain”
Paul’s talk was based on his own travels around the country visiting round barrows, long barrows and henges.  The talk was illustrated by the photos he took on these travels.  The talk was very much enjoyed and the subject worth a full meeting’s talk.  Paul is indeed a polymath!

Diary  All meetings at Swarthmore at 7.30 unless stated otherwise.
            Sun. 13th July, Summer Social, 3.00 - 7.00pm at 36 Oak Dene Close, Pudsey.
            Tues. 14th Oct. Naomi Phillips,(BHA, Public Affairs) Title to be announced.