Monthly Events
Our group runs diverse events throughout the year. They are enlightening, stimulating and an opportunity to engage socially and in lively discussion with like minded, open-minded people.
Details are also published on the East London Humanist Meetup site. The best way to keep informed is by signing up to Meetup. Its free, easy and without any obligation or hassle. You will automatically received details of events when they are posted.
WANSTEAD FESTIVAL
CHRISTCHURCH GREEN WANSTEAD
SUN 13 SEPTEMBER 2026. 11.00 – 18.00
Join the throng at this fantastic popular annual FREE community event featuring over 100 stalls, food, drink and live music.
Christchurch Green is a beautiful East London oasis adjacent to the independent shops, restaurants, bars and pubs of Wanstead High Street.
Each year our group’s large, fun, interactive stall attracts a lot of interest and great conversations. Please drop by for a chat or, better still, stay for an hour or so to help out!
Christchurch Green, E11 2RH, is a five minute walk from either Wanstead or Snaresbrook Tube Station on the Central Line. It is served by numerous buses, including: 145;66;308;101;W12
EMERSON, HUMANIST PIONEERS AND THE GARDEN CITY MOVEMENT
GUIDED WALK AND TALK
TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 14.00
Discover fascinating overlooked history on a guided tour of a beautiful corner of East London.
East London has for centuries been a hotbed of radicalism, non-conformism, and of the non-religious ethical movement. Feminist trailblazer Zona Vallance (1860-1904), born in Stratford, E15, helped found the East London Ethical Society in 1890. It promoted ‘a moral life independent of religious dogma’ and was a forerunner of Humanists UK.
American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an important influence. The ‘Ethical Church’ in Forest Gate, E7, also known as the Emerson Ethical Brotherhood, met at Earlham Hall on Earlham Grove roughly between 1902-1922.
Celebrating and enjoying the natural world in the here and now was key, with the ‘Church’ organising weekly Sunday outings to Epping Forest. This was a time when 6 day weeks were standard and urban conditions were particularly grim for most.
The radical and progressive Garden City movement sprang from this background. Letchworth and Welwyn Garden are prominent examples. They have influenced developments worldwide from New Jersey to Adelaide and beyond.
The guided walk and talk will look at the largely forgotten example of Valentines Park and the beautiful arts and crafts buildings on its border. The walk and talk will led by two experts, including local historian Dr Colin Runeckles and Maddie Goodall, head of Humanist Heritage.
Valentines Park holds the international Green Flag award, along with the Peoples Choice award. It has a beautiful walled garden and cafe, along with the magnificent 18c Valentines Mansion. The park entrance to access the starting point is approx 5 minutes walk from Gants Hill on the Central Line. This unique station is itself a 1930’s architectural masterpiece taking its inspiration from the Moscow Underground.
You can read full details of the meeting point, talk and tour and buy tickets using link to be published shortly (Tickets to be released from 1 September)
