11:00 am, September 21 2025
Backyard Comedy Club, Bethnal Green
Speaker: Professor Chris French
Poet: Lydia Daisy
We live in a weird world! And according to polls, over half the UK population believes some it may be down to paranormal phenomena.
Every ancient society we know of had some kind of supernatural belief system. Statistics suggest, even today, a steady increase in interest in this realm of enquiry.
But can belief in, and reported experience of, paranormal phenomena, actually be explained in terms of psychological factors?
Our guest speaker: Chris French
We welcomed back Professor Chris French, Head of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London. Chris talked about the remarkable field of anomalistic psychology: the psychology of strange experiences and behaviours.
Chris’s entertaining, insightful talk demonstrated the scientific backing for healthy scepticism.
There’s more in Chris’s book The Science of Weird Sh**: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal, available in Sunday Assembly London’s online bookshop.
Our guest performer: Lydia Daisy
Lydia Daisy’s enthralling performance captured both her despair and hope within a world where the only thing that makes sense is trying your best.
Hear some of Lydia’s poetry on her Instagram.
Our songs
As usual, there were four pop songs performed by our Sunday Assembly London band. They reflected today’s theme and today’s date.
- Bad Day – Daniel Powter
- Ghost Riders in the Sky – Johnny Cash
- Superstition – Stevie Wonder
- September – Earth, Wind & Fire (it’s about the 21st of September!)
Thank you to the volunteers who stepped up to become our impromptu singers alongside our band. A true Earth, Wind & Choir Day!
Autumn Awesomeness
Talking of choirs, would you like to join our next community choir: rehearsing on 22nd October and performing a song at our assembly on 2nd November? Or perhaps you like to make something for the Halloween Bake Off that’ll be taking place at our assembly on 19th October? Find out more about our assembly-adjacent activities here.
Thank you
What a great blend of attendees we had today too. From regulars who’ve been coming since Sunday Assembly London started in 2013, to first-timers, to visitors from Sunday Assembly Brighton and Sunday Assembly LA!
There’ll be even more intercity assembling at Sunday Assembly’s annual gathering happening next weekend in Glasgow. Details here.
About Sunday Assembly London
Sunday Assembly London is your regular and reliable stop for a welcoming, accessible and inspiring Sunday community, where you can hear talks and poetry, sing songs and make new friends.
Stay after for tea, biscuits, and chat in the Backyard Comedy Club. Then join us for a local meal, picnic, or a drink and card games at the pub.
→ Our next assembly: Hope Sings: The Choir with No Name, 5th October
← Our previous assembly: Fight the Good Fight: How to Have Conflict, 7th September