Jane Asher

Professor Colin Blakemore FRS

Baroness Blackstone of Stoke Newington

Sir Herman Bondi

Nick Brown MP

Professor Bernard Crick

Professor Richard Dawkins

Sir Richard Doll CH OBE FRS

Maureen Duffy

Lord Dormand of Easington

Professor H J Eysenck

Professor Antony Flew

Roy Hattersley

Anish Kapoor

Ken Livingstone MP

Mario Vargas LIosa

George Melly

Dr Jonathan Miller

Warren Mitchell

Suzanne Moore

Dr Conor Cruise O'Brien

Lord Porter OM FRS

Terry Pratchett

Professor Steven Rose

Professor Joseph Rotblat FRS

Dorothy Rowe

Salman Rushdie

The Earl Russell FRHistS

Brian Sedgmore MP

Wole Soyinka

Professor Laurie Taylor

P Polly Toynbee

Sir Peter Ustinov CBE FRSA FRSL

Gore Vidal

Kurt Vonnegut Jr

Professor Lewis Wolpert CBE FRS

Lord Young of Dartington

Sir Julian Huxley was the first President of the British Humanist Association. The current President is Claire Rayner O.B.E.

The British Humanist Association

and the North East Humanists are concerned with moral issues from a non-religious viewpoint and with the achievement of a more open, just and caring society.

The North East Humanists are affiliated to the British Humanist Association, the National Secular Society, the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association, the European Humanist Federation and the International Humanist and Ethical Union.

The North East Humanists were founded in order to:

· promote an awareness and knowledge of Humanism in this area.

· be a Humanist presence in matters of social concern.

· provide an opportunity for like-minded people to meet each other and exchange ideas.

· provide a local network for arranging Humanist ceremonies.

Up-to-date information on the Group's activities can be seen on our website:

http://NorthEast.Humanists.net

The essential ideas of Humanism go back at least 2500 years to the time when Greek thinkers challenged traditions and beliefs based on the gods.

- that morality is developed from experience, reason and knowledge, not derived from supernatural sources.

- that human beings can lead happy, creative, fulfilling and meaningful lives whilst in this world.

- that, as far as we can know, our life here is the only one we will ever have.

- that men and women must take responsibility for their conduct and for the welfare of others.

- that, in common with other life forms, human beings have evolved naturally over millions of years and will continue to do so.

For people seeking a meaningful alternative to conventional religious ceremonies, North East Humanists can advise on and provide officiants for weddings, affirmations, namings and funerals.

In the case of weddings, the celebration may be anywhere - in a private house or hotel, in a garden or even on a cliff top. It can be very personal, with poetry, readings, music and commitments chosen by the couple themselves, with help from the officiant.

Under the present law, a couple who choose a Humanist wedding ceremony, must register their marriage with the Registrar, as a legal formality.

There are no special requirements for naming ceremonies, although the birth must be officially registered, as must a death.

The naming ceremony can take place in any chosen location and reflect the wishes of the family.

A humanist funeral provides a dignified opportunity for people to celebrate a life as well as to share their grief. It can take place at a crematorium, a cemetery or at a woodland burial ground. Music, readings, and tributes to the person who has died can all be included.

Meetings of the Tyneside Group of the North East Humanists take place on the third Thursday of each month at the Literary and Philosophical Society, 23 Westgate Road, Newcastle with tea/coffee available at 6.45 p.m. for a 7.15 p.m. start.

Talks and discussions are held on ethical and social issues.

Visitors are very welcome.

The Teesside Group also arranges meetings.

In addition, there are opportunities for members to meet each other at a variety of social gatherings

For further information on the Group’s activities contact -

Tyneside: Barrie Berkley Tel.01434 632 936