PROFILE - ALLAN HAYES

Allan has lived in Leicestershire for forty-five years and in Evington for the last seven years. He says that he loves living here, getting the local Evington news and also feeling part of the City. A husband, father and grandfather, Allan retired in 1989 having been a lecturer in mathematics at the University of Leicester.

In May this year, Allan became the Lord Mayor's Chaplain. He eventually agreed to the role, but the decision wasn't easy because Allan is not the usual person a Lord Mayor might choose, as he is a humanist and not a clergyman. But he is:

President of the Leicester Secular Society;

A Trustee for both the British Humanist Association and the Sea of Faith Network;

A Humanist Representative on the Leicester Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education;

Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Now he is Chaplain to the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Colin Hall.

Allan has a lot to offer this role. He is a kind, gentle man who has worked with many different groups in the City and is keen to broaden the recognition of what 'One Leicester' involves, to include everybody. He thinks that people who are not in a faith community are overlooked. As 20% of children in primary schools are classified as having 'no religion' and 20% as 'not known', and this statistic must reflect the adult population, a lot of people are left out. He says groups like the Secular Society have contributed a lot towards making Leicester a fairer city. He would hate to see Leicester divided along religious lines. He speaks approvingly about the work done by the Council of Faiths but makes a strong argument for including everyone and he eloquently articulates his concerns about Faith schools and the new initiatives regarding free schools and academies.

As Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, Allan's role is to advise the Lord Mayor about local customs and practices and how to relate to the various groups. Recently he accompanied the Lord Mayor to the Bangladeshi Youth and Cultural Shomiti (BYCS) on Myrtle Road. He was impressed with the attitude of the organizers and the work being done and said that the atmosphere was 'inspiring'. He is passionately concerned that people should get to know one another and will be encouraging contact between groups and organizations.

If any local people are interested in setting up an Evington based group to discuss issues concerning One Leicester and inclusion, please contact Allan via 241 8747 or allan-hayes@ntlworld.com.

Helen Pettman

Allan will be tutoring a WEA course on 'Humanism and Secularism in a diverse society' at Vaughan College, St. Nicholas Circle. 8 meetings starting Tuesday 21st September 10.30 - 12 noon. £39. Free for those on means tested benefit. Tel. 251 9740 or e-mail amiles@wea.org.uk for enrolment of further information.