Lancashire Humanists

11/06/2026

The 19th Century saw a lot of changes in British law and culture. A number of factors led to challenges to religious power, plus legal reforms that weakened the constitutional powers of the Church of England. Those behind these changes, were not all non-believers but there was a more vocal element to this idea.
Amazingly it was only 200 years ago that the requirement for public officials to be members of the Church of England was removed by law. After almost 300 years of the Church of England, members of the Catholic Church were finally allowed to take seats in the Westminster Parliament.
Other powers that were changed in this century included, abolishing the system of tithes under which the Church had claimed as payment for its services. Civil marriages were introduced and the payment of church rates was made voluntary instead of compulsory. It was also late in this century that Members of Parliament were finally allowed to Affirm, rather than have to take a religious oath.
Meanwhile, almost a hundred years before the founding of Lancashire Humanists, we had groups meeting across the North West who were Secular Rationalists. The examples in the pictures show that some of these groups were in Bolton, Burnley, Warrington and Leigh. By the end of the century the National Secular Society had been formed and branches were being established.
We are proud that Lancashire Humanists are an affiliated group of the National Secular Society.

09/06/2026

Day 2 of the characters and events, from the history of Humanism in Lancashire:
Teresa Billington-Greig (1876–1964)

Teresa Billington-Greig (1876-1964), who was a suffragette born in Preston. Information has suggested that she was born at 197 Friargate to a family of Drapers. However, 197 Friargate is not a valid address these days and old maps show different numbers that are used today – it could be a problem of interpreting the hand writing on the old census forms. It would be great to identify the specific house that looks like it is possibly near 58 Friargate, under the current numbering.

During her childhood the family moved to Blackburn.

In 1906 it was reported that she unveiled a "Votes for Women" banner from the Ladies Gallery during the debate in the House of Commons and the group were subsequently expelled from the building. A couple of months later she was arrested after a disturbance outside of Chancellor of the Exchequer's home, and as a result was the first suffragette to be incarcerated in Holloway Prison.

Her parents were Roman Catholic, however she became an agnostic whilst a teenager. As a teenager, she wanted to gain an education, but this meant that she had to leave home at 17 and live with an uncle in Manchester, where she studied and qualified as a teacher. She later joined the Municipal Education School service where her objection to teaching about the Bible led her to consider a formal protest.

Some of the above text was extracted from a detailed and interesting article about her life in Wikipedia – it is well worth a full read. She comes across as a determined woman, who lived an interesting life.

08/06/2026

Last month we had Maddy Goodall from Humanists UK, give us a presentation on the history of Humanism in Lancashire.

There was a lot of information that went back a couple of hundred years or more, but I am unpicking her slides to present some of the characters we were introduced to, and some of the various meetings that happened - due to the time period involved many were not called Humanist, but rather Freethinker, Rationalist and Secular.

So to start the ball rolling I have put together a few pictures and notes on the first character we were introduced to:

19th Century poet – well known at the time. William Billington (1825 – 1884).
Samlesbury War Memorial Hall - Built on the site once occupied by a small hamlet called Yew Trees, the birthplace of William Billington. In 1839 the family moved to Blackburn.

From 1875 he was a publican. He liked to debate religion and politics, and his beershop in Bradshaw Street, Blackburn, was a centre for his debating; known as "Poet's Corner". Known for his atheist views and for mixing with a group who shared these ideas.

Also published Freethinking journals on these thoughts (e.g. History of the Devil, under the pseudonym Barnus Black). He was also known to heckle preachers or public speakers “whose doctrines he could not, or professed not to be able to swallow”

07/06/2026

Another dialogue event that may be of interest to those who enjoy interbelief discussion is taking place in the Oasis Centre, where we used to have our monthly meetings.

Only a short walk from Preston centre.

07/06/2026

Another interesting evening is planned on Sunday 14th June, organised by Building Bridges Preston. An opportunity to share what we have in common and focus on what is the best of humanity.

Last time we had some Humanists there and I would hope we can get a few this time too. Come along and enjoy the evening. Food is provided and so a small donation is requested to cover the cost.

29/05/2026

24/05/2026

https://www.nebriefing.org/

Anyone interested in preserving the environment, then have a look at where the documentary is being shown near you. Usually the showing will have time afterwards to engage with local activists and politicians.

National Emergency Briefing | The UK’s leading climate and nature experts brief MP's on the risks, impacts and solutions to the climate emergency

13/05/2026

Humanists Pub Social
Wednesday 20th May 2026
7.30pm at The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

“Once more unto the pub, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead”.

Well, it’s not quite Shakespeare but we are once again returning our monthly pub gathering to Lancaster.

Last time there was Christmas/New Year celebrations being prepared in the square across from the pub, which made access by car more challenging. This time we hope it will be easier and look forward to perhaps seeing yet more new faces.

Our efforts over the last 18 months to grow the group by hosting pub events around different parts of the county have seen substantial growth in our followers (up 20% on mailing list and on Facebook). We have seen lots of new faces coming along and enjoying meeting up with fellow Humanists (perhaps for the first time).
So, if you would like to join us again, or take the plunge for the first time, then please email me via [email protected], to confirm that you are attending. If you want to bring someone with you, then please confirm that too – so that I can reserve the necessary space with the pub.

Most of us will be eating (we usually each pay our share at the till when we are leaving), but anyone is welcome to simply join us for the company and chat.
Any changes to your plans at short notice, then please text via 07904 425047.

If you would like to come along and need a lift, then let me know. We will see what we can do and hope to make it possible.

26/04/2026

NSS to host discussion on British attitudes to secularism
Free online event on May 14th will explore new More In Common research on Briton's views on religion and society

The National Secular Society will present new research on attitudes in Britain to religion, society and politics at a free online event next month.
NSS-funded research examined British attitudes on a wide range of issues relating to religion, including the established Church, faith schools, religious charities, free speech and extremism.
The research was conducted by More In Common, a think tank which aims to build a more united, inclusive, and resilient society. Its mission is "to understand the forces driving us apart, to find common ground and help to bring people together to tackle our shared challenges".
At this online panel discussion on May 14th, NSS representatives will be joined by More In Common's Andrew Fowler to walk through the findings and discuss what they reveal about the need to rethink the state's approach to religion.
NSS chief executive Stephen Evans, who will be on the panel, said: "At a time of rising extremism and concerns about community divisions, this research could not be more necessary.
"Despite widespread unfamiliarity with the word 'secularism', the research indicates the public broadly support secularist principles, such as equality for people of all religions and beliefs and the need to rein in extremist or harmful aspects of religion.
"We encourage all those interested in community cohesion and fostering a pluralistic and harmonious society to join us for this event, in which we'll explore More In Common's findings in depth and what they mean for policymaking on religion and society."
Book your place: Britons and Secularism online talk: Thu, 14th May 2026 19:00 - 20:00
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rYPFfX53RDicvL7_c7vyYQ #/registration

17/04/2026

An upcoming online interfaith event that may interest you is via the details in the link below. You will need to email them to receive the Zoom link for the event:

(edit, the link didn't work to the document, so I have cut and pasted the relevant details)

One God-Many Masks?

7pm UK Sunday 26 April 2026

BELIEF IN DIALOGUE
Online Interfaith Forum
Registration:
Please email [email protected] with your name and ‘One God – Many Masks’ in the subject line.

Honest Questions and Frank Answers:
Discussions among Britain’s Religious and Nonreligious Communities

Programme (UK times)
7:00pm– Welcome and introductions by Joseph Williams, Moderator
7:05 – Is your path the only way to reach God? (Each panellist up to 5 minutes.)
7.25 Q&A and broader discussion about One God – Many Masks?
8:15 Brief closing comments and reflections from each panellist
8:25 Conclusion by Joseph Williams, Moderator
8:30 Adjourn, with the option to stay in the meeting for further informal conversation

Panel Participants
Lat Blaylock – Member of Church of the Martyrs Anglican Church, Leicester, England

Sundar Madhava – Teacher of Hinduism at the Krishna Avanti Hindu school, Leicester, England

Farah Morley – Muslim Author, Artist, Designer and Speaker, Cardiff, Wales

Jeremy Rodell – Dialogue Officer for Humanists UK, London

Moderator: Joseph Williams – Civil Servant, Leeds, England