Frank Ward Humanist Funeral Celebrant

23/04/2026

Today is the, probable, Birthday and certainly the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, Poet and Playwright.

Our revels now are ended
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
William Shakespeare From The Tempest, Act 4 Scene

18/10/2025

Read what Humanists UK Vice President Bertrand Russell said to the fascist Oswald Mosley in 1961 after Mosley invited him to lunch.

He wrote:

'I have given some thought to our recent correspondence. It is always difficult to decide on how to respond to people whose ethos is so alien and, in fact, repellent to one's own. It is not that I take exception to the general points made by you but that every ounce of my energy has been devoted to an active opposition to cruel bigotry, compulsive violence, and the sadistic persecution which has characterised the philosophy and practice of fascism.

'I feel obliged to say that the emotional universes we inhabit are so distinct, and in deepest ways opposed, that nothing fruitful or sincere could ever emerge from association between us.

'I should like you to understand the intensity of this conviction on my part. It is not out of any attempt to be rude that I say this but because of all that I value in human experience and human achievement.'

🎤💥

14/09/2025

Tomorrow, the Assisted Dying Bill will be debated in the House of Lords, having passed the House of Commons a few months ago. We asked Nathan Stillwell, our Assisted Dying Campaigner, some questions about the challenges it can expect to face, and what this legislation means to ordinary people.
Link in comments.

14/09/2025

14/09/2025

A large number of speakers. Will they pass the legislation, change it negatively- or throw it back?

Lasting a marathon seven hours without pause, nearly 95 members of the House of Lords spoke during the first day of debate. With 190 peers expected to speak in total over the two days, this will be the longest debate with the most speakers of any Private Members' Bill in history.

01/12/2024

Today is the 110th Anniversary of the death of my Great Uncle after whom I and my Father were named.

He died in the opening moths of the First World War.

He was Francis Westmore born in Kent - My Great Grandfather was a Marine Engineer who got about a bit.

He was a Corporal in the Lincolnshire Regiment and died of his wounds on 1st December 1914. Both of his parents had already predated him, My Great Grandfather was lost at sea in December 1894 and My Great Grandmother, Ellen died the following year so Francis was an orphan and became a regular soldier.

He is commemorated at Merville Communal Cemetery in France.- and sadly I have not visited. He is, sadly one of those who is "commemorated" his body may be elsewhere.

12/11/2024

19/08/2024

25/04/2024

Just until midday today April 25th to donate and get Match Funding.

You know you want to!

We will help 100 women beekeepers in Makoni district, Zimbabwe to raise, plant and nurture 15,000 trees. Set up profitable …

24/04/2024

Match funding to double donations to Bees for Development who do amazing work.

Please give.

We will help 100 women beekeepers in Makoni district, Zimbabwe to raise, plant and nurture 15,000 trees. Set up profitable …