1 IMPERIAL COLLEGE HUXLEY SOCIETY
2 Chairman’s Report, presented to A.G.M., 16th March, 1965.

4 The Imperial College Huxley Society, or Huxley Group, as it has become 5 affectionately known among many members, has had a fairly successful year, 6 considering the abortive circumstances prevailing at the beginning of the 7 academic year. Mr. Dennis Reardon, who was to have become this years Pres- 8 ident, unfortunately failed his exams, and even mors unfortunately for us, 9 failed to make any arrangements for anyone else to carry on. The result of 10 this was that we began the year with no meetings organised. Alas, no 11 arrangements had been made for a fresher’s day stall, which meant that a very 12 poor impact was made, possibly the cause of such ill-attendance.

13 During the year, fourteen meetings were held, two of these still to come: 14 these are detailed later. Of these, the most successful was undoubtedly the 15 General studies meeting, in walca Miss Marghanita Laski spoke to a packed 16 lecture theatre, on ‘Atheism & Religious needs.” The majority of the other 17 meetings, including a joint meeting with the University of London Humanist 18 Society, to which we are affiliated, took place in the comfortable surroundings 19 of the Top Lounge. Coffees, prepared by Miss Janet White, lubricated some 20 enjoyable discussion, after some very good talks. Unfortunately, attendance 21 usually only wavered around the dozen mark, but it is worthy of note that not 22 one of the speakers complained about this, all of then valuing the opportunity 23 to get to grips with the audience, and have an exchange of views with the 24 student Humanist population.

25 Two joint meetings with other Imperial College societies were planned; one 26 of these, on the subject of Abortion, with the Catholic society is yet to be 27 held. The other, with I.C. Communist society, on ‘The needs of the State, 28 versus the requirements of the individual.’ proved to be very popular. It 29 is, indeed, a pity that Tuesday nights, selected for most of our meetings, 30 this term, happened to coincide with meetings of many other societies, includ- 32 ing the Communists, from which we drew a lot of support.

33 Owing to a generous supplementary grant from S.C.C., of £7, the Huxley 34 Group was able to send delegates to this years University Humanist Federation 35 conference, on ‘Crime & Punishment,’ held at Leicenter at the New Year. 36 The affair proved to be a very enjoyable and stimulating occasion.

37 I as loathe to single out any one of this years committee for special 38 recommendation, as, without fail, they have all served well. However I 39 feel that I must mention Mr. Christopher Cooper, who as Assistant Secretary 40 has proved to be most invaluable as the Chairman’s contact with the committee, 41 and the rest of the Society. I hope a similar arrangement can continue 42 next year.

43 For next years committee, I would advise that a wider range of topics be 44 chosen for meetings, with more general appeal. But, by far more important, 45 is advertising the Society, and to be able to do this effectively on Fresher’s 46 day, means planning ahead for the full future meetings.

47 I thank the Society for the support it has given in the past year, and wish 48 luck to its further continuance, next year.

50 GT