Here are our upcoming events
Saturday 14th September – Social: Walk from Ivybridge
Our next walk (weather permitting) will be from Ivybridge up the Erme valley and back down again. Details to be firmed up, but we’ll catch the Stagecoach Gold service from Plymouth to get us there for around 11:00. Well have a drink afterwards in a pub before returning to Plymouth. It’s possible to get to Ivybridge by train – let us know if you’re going to travel that way and we’ll arrange the best place to meet up before setting off on the walk.
There will be a longer route for those who like the walking and a shorter one for those who prefer to dawdle and look at the wildlife. Plenty of maps will be provided to minimise the chances of getting lost! If you prefer you can just meet us in the pub when we get back. Let us know if you’d like to join us and we’ll send you the details
Films at Plymouth Arts Cinema (various dates)
Some of us are planning to go and see the following films – you’re welcome to come along and join us. Just let us know to expect you.
- Wednesday 18th September at 18.00 – Social: Film night ‘Paradise is Burning’ (here’s a review)
- Tuesday 1st October at 18.00 – Social: Film night ‘My Favourite Cake’ (here’s a review)
- Thursday 3rd October at 20.00 – Social: Film night ‘Remembrance’ (Includes Q&A with scriptwriter). This film from 1982 is set in Plymouth and follows a group of Royal Navy ratings spending their last 24 hours ashore in the city.
Fuller details and tickets on their website https://plymouthartscinema.org/
Tuesday 24th September at 19:30 – Talk: People’s Primary
How three people and a sticky idea ended 100 years of Conservative MPs in Totnes/South Devon and energised voters in the process.
We’re welcoming back Anthea Simmons from West Country Voices who will be talking to us about People’s Primaries. There seems to be little chance of any serious reform of our First Past the Post System. So, what other alternatives do we have? In South Devon a ‘Progressive Primary’ was held to select a single candidate that people could unite behind in the General Election in order to oust the sitting MP. How well did this work and is it a model for the future? Come and hear Anthea’s views and join in the discussion.
For more background see www.southdevonprimary.org and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGe1FPRoPjI
Venue: The B-Bar, The Barbican Theatre, Castle St, Plymouth PL1 2NJ (accessibility information can be found here www.accessable.co.uk/plymouth-city-council/access-guides/barbican-theatre )
This event is free and all are welcome, although a voluntary contribution to help cover speakers’ costs would be appreciated.
Thursday 10th October at 19:00 – Social: Cafe Social and Discussion Group
After a long break we’re hoping to restart our discussion group. We’ll start at 19:00, but feel free to turn up a bit earlier to get a drink and some food. Finish time is open – we’ll see how things go, but of course you are welcome to pop in or leave whenever is best for you. The topics are to be decided nearer the time. We hope to book Cafe Momus, but that is to be confirmed.
Tuesday 22nd October at 19:30 – Talk: ‘The Incoherent Truth: Plymouth & South Devon Freeport‘
The Earl of Lauderdale noted a paradox in 1804: that private riches and public wealth vary in opposite directions i.e. the development of rampant private ownership tends to result in a decline in what citizens value and rely on as a ‘natural’ resource.
Two centuries later and the Lauderdale Paradox has never been more relevant.
The most recent UK ‘fix’ for social inequality has been ‘Levelling Up’. One of its solutions has been the creation of 12 freeports around the UK. The freeport mission has been– with little apparent irony – to offer up great swathes of the common estate (marine, moor and protected landscape) to opportunity for private firms, paid for by public funds. Plymouth & South Devon Freeport is one of these schemes.
With a history of lack of transparency, and councils that evade scrutiny from both councillors and public, Jim Funnell asks why we are being expected to shoulder the risks, costs and hidden agendas when the potential gains simply don’t seem to add up.
You can find on Jim X (Twitter) as @jimfunnel1.
Venue: The B-Bar, The Barbican Theatre, Castle St, Plymouth PL1 2NJ (accessibility information can be found here www.accessable.co.uk/plymouth-city-council/access-guides/barbican-theatre )
This event is free and all are welcome, although a voluntary contribution (in cash please) to help cover speakers’ costs would be appreciated.
Friday 25th October – Social: Theatre night
‘Paradise Lost (lies unopened beside me)’ is on the Theatre Royal at the end of October. It’s one-man show retelling the poem, combining theatre, comedy and movement (review here). Several of us already have tickets booked for Friday 25th October. If you’d like to join us you can book here https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/paradise-lost/
Sunday 3rd November – Social: Sunday Brunch
Join us for Sunday Brunch at Boston Tea Party on Vauxhall Street in Plymouth City Centre, starting at 10:30. We usually get a really good turnout for these, so it’s a great opportunity to meet and chat with fellow humanists. Stay as short or long as you like, but please let us know if you’re coming along so we can get a large enough table, as space in the venue fills up fast.
Tuesday 26th November at 19:30 – Talk: Andrew Copson
Details to be confirmed, but we are hoping Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, will be coming to speak to us in September.
Venue: The B-Bar, The Barbican Theatre, Castle St, Plymouth PL1 2NJ (accessibility information can be found here www.accessable.co.uk/plymouth-city-council/access-guides/barbican-theatre )
This event is free and all are welcome, although a voluntary contribution (in cash please) to help cover speakers’ costs would be appreciated.
Friday 6th December at 19:00 – Social: Xmas Buffet
Our traditional Xmas buffet. We plan to be downstairs in the Cellar Bar in the Fortescue. There’s always good company and good conversation, so hope to see you there. (Note that the Cellar Bar is down a set of steps.) Please let us know you’re coming by email or joining the Facebook event so we have an idea of the numbers to cater for. Also, please note we will need to charge a small amount (£7 or £5 for paid up members) to cover the food etc. You’ll be able to pay on the day. Any excess money raised is to be donated to a local charity (tbd).