Humanists Commemorate Remembrance Day
On Monday 11th November a group of Humanists commemorated Remembrance Day at the Parque Miguel Angel Blanco in Mazarron.
Readings were made by David Allen, Terry Constable, Anne Edwards and Martin Rushton. Then a wreath was laid at the commemorative cherry tree planted by the Humanists of Murcia several years previously. Finally the Last Post was played followed by one minutes silence.
After the event the participants were invited to coffee at the Copo de Oro café, at the Club´s expense.
Celebration of Darwin's birthday
The HUMANISTS of MURCIA celebrated Charles Darwin's 210th birthday on Tuesday 12th February 2019 at Cat's Bar, Camposol. 25 people attended and enjoyed an excellent presentation by Geoff Tate, who told of Charles Darwin's exploration of the Galapagos Islands - which lead to his evolution theory.
Geoff then expanded on this with slides taken on his own trips to the Islands, showing some of the amazing wildlife and geological features to be found there.
The company then moved on to Piccolo's restaurant, where even though full from an excellent lunch, people still managed to fill that extra bit of stomach space Homo Sapiens has evolved for special occasions, with birthday cake following a fine rendition of Happy Birthday Charles Darwin!
Summer Solstice 2019
Over 30 members of the Humanists of Murcia and their friends enjoyed celebrating the Summer Solstice on the beach at Bolnuevo on Friday 21st June.
Food and drink was all provided by the Members, except for roast chicken which was paid for by the Club.
Beach games included Giant Jenga and Petanca both of which were organised as informal knock-out contests.
Bowling the Equinox
A group of Humanists spent a pleasant evening in Lorca on 20th March 2019, in celebration of the Spring Equinox. After a prize-giving we all retired to a nearby restaurant for a meal.
Humanists Remembrance Day
About 20 people attended the fourth annual Remembrance ceremony at Parque Miguel Angel Blanco, in Mazarrón on Sunday 11th November 2018.
The ceremony was led by our Celebrant, Sue Macdonald and various others read poems and scripts. At the culmination a wreath was laid by our Chairperson Anne Edwards, at the cherry tree planted 4 years ago by the Humanists of Murcia
After the ceremony the group repaired to the Costa resturant in Mazarrón for refreshments.
AUTUMN EQUINOX TREASURE HUNT
Between 1030 and 1130am on 23rd September 2018, fifty-five people in fifteen cars left La Proa restaurant on an exciting adventure. Over the next three hours and covering over 50 kilometres, they were challenged to solve over a hundred clues and recognise ten special features from photographs.
The course climbed the mountain at Valdelentisco and down into Las Palas then on to La Pinilla and up to Cuevas de Reyllo. Then in Fuente Alamo some considerable confusion was caused by a temporary diversion barrier across the planned route! Some, skillfully, diverted and picked up the clues further up the course while others, cunningly, walked a few hundred metres to discover the missing clues.
Just a few stragglers, determined to solve every single clue, kept the hunters waiting a little while but most had arrived at the destination in time to start on the magnificent lunch provided by Maria at La Gran Ventica, Las Palas at the appointed hour. The adjudicating team worked frantically to determine the results which were announced as the starters were served. Hampers of goodies were
dished out as prizes and everyone was happy, even the losing team who received a box of tissues each to cry into on the way home. All went away in good spirits having had a demanding but enjoyable day.
The event was organised on behalf of The Humanists of Murcia by members Margaret & Deryck Davison who had travelled the route many times in the preceeding weeks perfecting the challenge. Just about half of the participants were already members of the humanist group and at the end of the day, many of the visitors were expressing interest in the group’s beliefs and activities.
Humanists are non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. Locally, The Humanists of Murcia, have regular programmes in their walking, gardening, philosophy and discussion groups. They use the solstices and equinoxes as a good excuse for a celebration in addition to many informal get-togethers such as summer lunches or games afternoons. For details of local meetings and events visit https://humanistsofmurcia.com and for more general information on Humanism see https://humanism.org.uk
Darwin Day 2018
The Annual celebration of Charles Darwin´s birthday took place on February 12th. It is 209 years since Darwin was born. This year´s entertainment was a film show by our member Deryck, of the RHS gardens at Wisley, and also film of a variety of beautiful local flowers and insects. This was followed by the third instalment of our member Annie´s talk on Charles Darwin´s voyage of the Beagle.We left him on the west coast of South America, and look forward to hearing about his visit to the Galapagos islands next year.
This was followed by lunch, after which we sang happy birthday and consumed the birthday cake.
Summer Solstice 2018 Celebrations
Thirty-five members and friends of the Humanists of Murcia met on the beach in Bolnuevo to celebrate the Summer Solstice (a bit late).
Everyone brought food to accompany the usual fried chicken and bread provided by the Treasurer.
Before the meal started, games of Petanca and Giant Jenga (provided by Deryck), started, couple against couple. After intense competition, Diane and Liam won the final of the Petanca, while (amazingly) Jon & Joan narrowly beat off last year’s finalists Tom & Jan.
Along with the games, which gathered a large audience of passers-by, a student band and Spanish hen/stag party stopped to chat.
The feasting began with salads, sausage rolls, potato salad, chicken, and proceeded to a montón of puddings. A great evening of food, games and friends.
Thanks to Ann/Martin and Audrey for the tables, Vince, Liz and Rik for judging and Jon & Joan for organising the show.
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Winter Sostice Celebration 2017
In celebration of the passing of the shortest day of the year, and the start of the journey back towards longer summer days, we held a “Pot Luck Lunch” at Cortijo Raja, Morata. Luckily the weather was excellent and we were able to dine Al fresco.
The group included members, family and friends, and the large selection of festive fare which they brought provided an ample lunch for all.
Ruma´s general knowledge quiz provided some exercise for the brain after the meal.
Humanists of Murcia Remembrance Day Event 2017
The third annual act of remembrance took place on Saturday November 11th.in the Parque Miguel Angel Blanco in Mazarron. This park is a memorial to Miguel Angel Blanco, who was a local politician in the Basque Country, whose murder by terrorists in 1997 caused an outcry, and even caused some ETA members and supporters to rethink their violent campaigns. It is therefore particularly fitting that our commemoration should take place there.
The Act of Remembrance was led by the group´s celebrant, Sue McDonald, and four members gave their reflections on war and our reactions to it, or read appropriate poems.
The two minute´s silence was followed by the laying of a wreath at the base of our commemorative cherry tree with it´s memorial stone.
The morning was rounded off by coffee and cakes at the Calle Delicias cafe
Autumn Equinox Celebration 2017
A high quality old fashioned afternoon tea was the focus of our equinox celebration.
Dainty sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, croissants and delightful little cakes were all served on elegant English china, transporting the lucky participants to another time and place, as well as amply satisfying their appetites.
Pleasant surroundings and plenty of opportunity to chat with friends old and new provided a thoroughly relaxing afternoon.
The next events on our calendar, at which you will be very welcome, are the Darwinian gardeners trip to Bodegas Cerdas at Hondon on Saturday Sept. 30th, the first easy walk of the new season at Totana, and the Philosophy group meeting on October 10th. For further details please contact us via the website Humanists of Murcia.com
If you would like to arrange a non religious funeral, wedding or naming ceremony, you can contact us via the website, or speak directly to our humanist celebrant on 634025711
First Games Evening 2017 Season
The first games evening of the 2017 Autumn season was held on Wednesday 27th September at Anne Busche´s house at La Majada.
Several members and their friends attended and enjoyed an evening playing RummyCub, Mexican Train and Triangular Dominoes.
Summer Solstice Celebration 2017
The shade under the trees at Bolnuevo beach once again provided the venue for our celebration of the summer solstice. As usual, food took centre stage, with various salads provided by those attending to accompany roast chicken, and several dishes for the non meat eaters, followed by trifles, apple crumble, several kinds of cake, and the biggest fruit salad in the world.
Despite having eaten more than an elegant sufficiency, the evening continued with the petanca and Jenga tournaments. The hero of the hour was Tom, who managed to be a finalist in both competitions, which drew to a close as the sun went down, as it must, even on the longest day of the year.
Humanists of Murcia Vernal Equinox Lunch
Thirty humanists assembled for lunch at the Boca Pizza restaurant in Puerto on 21st March 2017. After an excellent meal the entertainment began with the modelling of entries for the hat competition. The brief was to decorate a hat, in any style of choice, to reflect the meaning of the Equinox, and we were rewarded with a wide variety of imaginative designs.
Spring flowers, both real and artificial, suns and moons, day/night , 23.5 degrees, and rabbits ears with carrots, were all in evidence, and showed off the skill and enthusiasm of our members.
The worthy winner, judged by ballot, was a hat decorated with a clever combination of a spring, a horse and an ox, made by Deryck. His prize of a chocolate egg was immediately recycled into being the prize for his word puzzle quiz, which he said was straightforward but most people found quite hard.
Altogether an enjoyable afternoon with the Equinox thoroughly celebrated.