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CHECK OUT OUR NEW VEGAN CATERING FOR ALL GUIDE AND OUR NEW WHY VEGAN LEAFLET
CHECK OUT OUR NEW VEGAN CATERING FOR ALL GUIDE AND OUR NEW WHY VEGAN LEAFLET
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page i1
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page i2
The Vegan Society l Donald Watson House l 21 Hylton Street l Hockley l Birmingham l B18 6HJ l UK
Local rate 0845 45 88244 l Tel. 0121 523 1730 l Fax. 0121 523 1749 l e-mail: info@vegansociety.com
Editor Rosamund RahaProofreader Patricia TrickerInformation Consultant George RodgerDesign www.doughnutdesign.co.ukYOUth pages Design Johanna BestFront cover photo Californian Poppies by Roger MerenyiPrinted by Cambrian Printers on Recycled paper
© The Vegan SocietyRegistered Charity no. 279228
The views expressed in The Vegan do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or of the Vegan Society Council.Nothing printed should be construed to be Vegan Society policy unless so stated. The Society accepts no liabilityfor any matter in the magazine. The acceptance of advertisements (including inserts) does not imply endorsement.The inclusion of product information should not be construed as constituting official Vegan Society approval forthe product, its intended use, or its manufacturer/distributor. Contributions intended for publication are welcomed,but unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a SAE. Contributions will usually be edited.
The Vegan l Summer 2008 1
Global foodshortageshave gainedmassivecoverage inthe mediarecently. In The Guardianon Tuesday 15April, GeorgeMonbiotpointed outthat: “Thereis plenty offood. It isjust not
reaching human stomachs. Of the 2.13bn tonneslikely to be consumed this year, only 1.01bn, accordingto the United Nations Food and AgricultureOrganization, will feed people.” He also states that:“our [meat] consumption rate is plainlyunsustainable.”
The media are starting to acknowledge thatgrowing crops to feed ‘livestock’ is incrediblywasteful, because the conversion rate of plantprotein to meat protein is very poor. Jeremy Laurance,writing in The Independent on 16 April, also recognizesthis, saying: “It takes 8kg of grain to produce 1kg ofbeef, and large tracts of forest have been clearedfor grazing land that might have been used togrow crops.” Our Media Officer, Amanda Baker,continues to discuss this issue with journalists.She is even chatting to George Monbiot by e-mail!Check out our Highlights pages to see what elsethe Vegan Society has been up to.
We hope you like the new Vegan Catering for Allbooklet which is enclosed in the magazine andmanage to give some copies out to chefs andcatering managers as well as distributing as manyof our new Why Vegan? leaflets as possible.
Rosamund Raha
Editor
in this issue2 SPRING 2008 HIGHLIGHTS
3 FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
4 OUT & ABOUT
6 MACKA B
8 VEGAN WEDDING
9 CATERING BOOKLET LAUNCH
10 ANIMAL WELFARE ACT
12 NEWS AND INFORMATION
15 LAUNCH OF WHY VEGAN LEAFLET
16 SADHANA FOREST PROJECT
19 AGM AND COUNCIL STATEMENT
20 VEGETOPIA
22 RECIPES
24 SHOPAROUND
27 CURIOUS VEGETABLES / MEGAN THE VEGAN
28 GROW VEGAN
29 YOUTH PAGES
33 PRISON CATERING AWARDS
34 REVIEWS
37 EVENTS
38 LOCAL CONTACTS
40 LIST OF COUNCIL AND STAFF
41 CLASSIFIEDS
44 CROSSWORD COMPETITION
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 1
VEGAN SOCIETYSPRING 2008 HIGHLIGHTS
EDUCATION
Education Show, NEC, Birmingham
The Vegan Society held a stall atthe Education Show at the NationalExhibition Centre (NEC) on 28 Feb –
1 March, exhibiting to teachers,suppliers and buyers. We made some
great contacts and found out about lotsof ways to raise the visibility of our material
and information. Teachers were excited about the free CD-ROM, and we gave nearly 300 away, also telling them aboutour webpages and school speakers.
Contacts made at the show led to: n a link on TeacherNet: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/n a link on Free-eds: http://www.free-eds.co.uk/n a request from World Vision to write for their youth magazinen inclusion in an article in SecEd magazine by Susan Elkin.
We’ve given 24 school talks since the start of the Springterm, reaching around a thousand schoolchildren.
TRADEMARK
More Universities take the Trademark
Glasgow University, Nottingham University and PembrokeCollege, Cambridge, are now using our trademark.
Natural and Organic Products Show, Olympia, London
The Vegan Society Trademark team, Colm and Sandrine,were delighted by the number of people stopping at thestall to enquire about the trademark. So many companiesare interested in displaying the sunflower logo on theirproducts! Both days were very productive and Colm andSandrine had the opportunity to meet people from allkinds of companies. A lot of trademark packs werehanded out and some companies even registered for thetrademark on the day. These two days also gave the teamthe opportunity to meet existing trademark holders for thefirst time or to exchange views and ideas with them.
INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK
This Spring we have gained newtrademark holders in eightdifferent countries including ourfirst ever in Canada, Greece,Israel and the Czech Republic.
MEDIA
In Go Dairy-Free for The Planet, AmandaBaker cast the spotlight on the heavy eco-
burden of dairy cows. The article appeared as adouble-page feature in the April edition of Lifescape
magazine.
Amanda gave around 100,000 listeners a vegan treatwhen she was interviewed for BBC Radio Northampton’sDesert Island Dishes. She described a mouth-watering yet simple meal of mushroom and ale pie served withspring onion mash, sautéd kale and pumpkin, followed bybaked pears stuffed with spiced chopped nuts and driedplums with a malted chocolate sauce. This was broadcastlive at drive time (5:50 pm) on Wednesday 16 April, andthe presenters Richard and Annabel seemed mostappreciative!
Pat Reeves has been officially nominated by The VeganSociety as a contender for Cosmopolitan magazine’sUltimate Woman of the Year 2008 awards.
Do you know a vegan who has shown extraordinarycourage, been a fantastic friend through thick and thin,selflessly helped others, been a true innovator or isotherwise outstanding? Nominations are open untilAugust, so please let us know about any other UltimateVegan Women (and men!)!
Get in touch with Amanda for all things media-related –from advice on writing letters to your local newspaper tooffers of stories we can run in the national press! Contact media@vegansociety.com.
2 The Vegan l Summer 2008
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 2
OTHER SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
Hotel and Catering Show, Bournemouth
We were veryencouraged by theresponse we receivedat the Hotel andCatering Show in
Bournemouth on 10 and 11 March. The show was rightnext to the seafront, and after dipping our toes in thewaves we enthusiastically began the two-day event.
We spoke to many people from catering businesses andwere pleased to hear that most had encountered vegans.Nine catering colleges asked for information to help inspirethe next generation of chefs to make vegan food widelyavailable. Many caterers seemed to realize that they mustcater well for all of their customers or their reputation andprofits will suffer.
We were kept busy advising on recipes, ingredients andsuppliers and seventy people signed up for furtherinformation. The bonus was that we may have attracted afew new trademark holders.
Hospital Caterers’ AssociationConference, Birmingham
The Vegan Society was provided with anexcellent opportunity to speak to hospitalcatering managers and staff attending theHospital Caterers’ Association 60th
National Conference. Staff gave awaycopies of The Vegan Society’s Catering Guide
for Hospitals and Care Homes and many cateringstaff stopped to speak to us. The conference also gave TheVegan Society a chance to publicize its new award for thehospitals or care homes that provide the highest standards ofvegan catering. If you would like to nominate a hospital orcare home for the 2008 award please get in touch with ourInformation Department.
Many catering staff explained that they had encounteredvegan patients on their wards and showed a genuine interestin wanting to improve standards. It was not just cateringstaff who were interested in us: several businesses exhibitingat the conference took home information about ourtrademark! If you or another vegan you know is due tohave a stay in a hospital or care home please contact us for acopy of our booklet to pass on to catering managers.
Some environmentalists have been slow to acknowledge the impact of animal-derived foods on the environment
but there are signs that the major organizations are taking note.
In the spring edition of Earthmatters Friends of the Earth accept that meat and dairy consumption is a high-impact diet.
They invited their members to take part in a survey about eating meat and dairy products to help guide their future policy.
I know that some of our members have been doing a great job trying to encourage FOE to adopt a pro-vegan policy and we had an
advert in their magazine to help raise awareness.
The Worldwatch Institute, another influential organization, has also polled its members. They posed the question: ‘What do you think
is the best way to minimize the environmental impacts of eating meat and seafood?’ Out of 2398 votes 42% said: ‘It is impossible to
minimize the impacts; we must stop eating meat and seafood.’
We must all keep emphasizing the damage caused to the environment by eating animal products. Some people are promoting
technical ‘solutions’ to the problem such as changing the diet of cattle, genetically modifying animals to reduce methane emissions
and better manure management. Why waste time and money on such research when the simple answer is to adopt a vegan diet?
Farmers regularly have to adapt to new practices and there will be a bright future for farmers if they switch to producing vegan food!
FROM THECHIEF EXECUTIVE
Nigel Winter
The Vegan l Summer 2008 3
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 3
OUT AND ABOUTWITH OUR VEGAN CAMPAIGNERS
For complete listings of Vegan Society Local Contacts and Local Groups, see pages 38-40
4 The Vegan l Summer 2008
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
I have been quite bowled over by theresponse to my first column as
International Coordinator. I had notexpected such an outpouring of warmth and
friendship and am still barely halfway throughresponding. To all who wrote, phoned or emailed, I amgrateful for your confidence and will do my best to live up to it.
As the world grows smaller and the movement grows largerand more cohesive, it becomes ever more difficult to separatethe international from the multicultural and the local.Following last year’s Vegan Festival in India there has been anupsurge of interest in veganism both in India itself and in Indiancommunities elsewhere. The UK Jain community, for instance,is increasingly keen to work with the Society for a morecompassionate world and many Jains are finding the veganlifestyle an appropriate expression of ahimsa (striving to reduceharm) in the modern world.
An e-group for Jain vegans set up by Mahersh and Nishma Shah(of Shambhu’s Kitchen fame) rapidly attracted interest fromaround the world, leading to plans for a wider group encompassingvegans and sympathisers of any faith or none who either live inIndia or have family or other connections with India – do get intouch if you are interested.
Shankar Narayan who founded the Indian Vegan Society andorganised the festival last year will be staying with us in Londonbefore and after the Dresden World Congress (see Events page)and also visiting Birmingham, so anyone who would like to meethim while he’s in the UK please let me know. Meanwhile, thanksto an inquiry we passed on to Shankar last year UK memberSandra Ellis became part of the Sadhana reforestation project – seepage 16 for her lovely article on the subject.
From Africa, a member working for an NGO in Ethiopia haswritten describing that country as a paradise for vegans, sinceeveryone eats vegan two days a week for religious reasons andvegan food is abundant and delicious. Closer to home, anenthusiastic French vegan would like to organise a veganfestival in Paris in 2010. This will require a lot of work andsupport, though as usual the first step is getting a bunch ofisolated individuals in touch with one another and seeing theirenthusiasm grow. At least Paris is not so far away as Indiaand I do speak the language.
The multicultural approach to the Department of Health aboutanimal ingredients in medicines initiated by Nitin Mehta nowhas the assistance of GPs, pharmacists and other healthprofessionals from the Hindu, Jain and Muslim communitiesas well as the Vegan Society and an article has beensubmitted to the Journal of British Midwives about thepractice of injecting newborn babies with cow bile withoutadequate information to ensure informed choice. Other groups in the EU are following our progress withinterest since the Equality Act, which accords deeply heldbeliefs such as veganism the same status as traditionalreligions, is common to all member states.
That’s all I have space for this time, so Russia, SouthAmerica and New Zealand will have to wait for next time –but do get in touch if you have an interest in veganismthere or anywhere else in the world. I’ll be delighted tohear from you!
Vanessa Clarke, International Coordinator
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 4
The Vegan l Summer 2008 5
The first Activists’ Day of 2008 was held in a packed room
at the Society’s Office. If the feedback was anything to go by
the variety of talks given by the various speakers went down
extremely well, as did the food provided by Veggies Catering
Campaign. There are plans for other such days around the
country. At the time of writing neither venues nor dates
have been fixed but it is hoped to have one in June or early
July in London and one in York on Sunday 23 November to
fit in with the AGM, which will be held in that ancient and
beautiful city on Saturday 22 November. There may also be
others. If you want details of Activists’ Days please contact
me, preferably by e-mail. Remember that such days are not
only for existing and potential Local and Group Contacts but
also for any members who want to be more active in
promoting veganism in whatever way they can.
School Speakers’ Training Days are organized separately, so if
you want details of them you need to contact our Education
Officer, Rob, at the Office (youth@vegansociety.com). Some
Local and Group Contacts are also on our list of authorized
school speakers whilst others find that doing one thing or
the other is quite enough.
Several members have told me recently that they have
considered applying to be a Local Contact but haven’t got
time to do everything. Nobody has! But it doesn’t matter,
because Local Contacts do whatever they can with whatever
time and skills they have. If you’re one of those who is
hesitating and is not sure of what you could do to help, please
ask me for a list of suggestions. The only things that Council
has decided are essential are that Local Contacts send an
annual report (by e-mail is ok), deal with any enquiries or refer
them to me or to the Office as appropriate, promote the
Vegan Society in whatever ways they can and attempt to
recruit members for the Society if/when the opportunity arises.
This does not mean they have to walk round the streets
giving out leaflets but if they meet anyone who is vegan they
tell them about the Society and encourage them to join.
They are not expected to be experts in vegan nutrition nor to
be able to say off the top of their head whether a particular
brand of toothpaste is vegan. (However they are expected to
know that vegans should ensure an adequate intake of B12,
i.e. 3 micrograms per day from fortified foods or 10 mcg
from a supplement.)
Similarly Groups are organized in different ways and do
different things, according to the wishes and expertise of
their members. Some are purely social, meeting once a
month for a meal in a restaurant or member’s house.
Some put on library displays, give cookery demonstrations,
arrange sponsored events to raise funds ….. even organize
free food fairs and vegan festivals. Those in urban areas
where there is a concentration of members tend to do the
most, but wherever they are based they make a huge
difference for animals, people and the environment.
So please get in touch wherever you live if you’d like details
about what being a Local Contact involves, to get your group
listed in the magazine and on the website or for help with
expanding an existing group or starting a new one, including
contacting members in your area on your behalf if appropriate.
By the time you read this thebluebells will be a distantmemory and summer will beon the way. The next really bigevent is the Bristol Vegan Fair,once again covering two days,and I hope to see lots of youthere on 31 May and 1 June.
Patricia TrickerLocal Contacts’ Coordinator
LOCAL NEWS
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 5
MACKA B
Macka B is a well-established and
internationallyrenowned reggae
star. Britishborn, he hasrecorded 17albums and
toured the world. He has just cut a
new track all aboutvegan food. Here he
talks to Rob Jacksonabout what
veganism meansto him.
When and why did you becomevegan?
I stopped eating meat when I was 17years old. I continued eating fish (Iknow it’s still meat) and dairy productstill about ten years ago. The decisionto stop eating meat was to lead ahealthier lifestyle, adhering to my faithand out of compassion for theanimals. I try not even to kill flies.The decision to become vegan was afamily one. We all came to theconclusion that fishes were animalstoo and that man does not need dairyproducts to survive. Even a calfdoesn’t drink milk for the whole of itslife. With a lot of Black people beinglactose intolerant cows’ milk can bevery detrimental to our bodies. So allseven of us – me, my wife and 5children – are all vegans and feel goodabout it. It is very well documentedthe negative effect that meat has onour bodies. People just neededucating about the alternatives.
How does veganism fit with yourother beliefs?
Rastafari is a way of life that veryrigidly adheres to the laws of nature.The ‘Ital’ diet of I-and-I, the brethrenand sistren of Rastafari, is essentiallya vegan one. Most Rastafari donot eat the flesh of dead animals.It has been said that the body is atemple and so it should beprotected and cared for as such.All things in nature – fruits,vegetables, herbs, spices – havebeen provided for I-and-I by theAlmighty and should be heldsacred as life itself. I am of theRasTafari faith and most Rastasbelieve in a natural diet, eatingfrom the earth. It is called ‘Italfood’. Some Rastas do eat fleshand fish but a lot of RasTafari areItal, even cutting out salt fromthe diet.
Rob Jackson
6 The Vegan l Summer 2008
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 6
The Vegan l Summer 2008 7
Do you cover veganism a lot in yoursongs? Tell us about ‘Wha me eat’.
‘Wha me eat’ is really an answer to thequestion that I am asked over and over andover again – ”What do you eat?” Wheneveryou tell people you don’t eat meat, fish ordairy they think there is nothing else in theworld to eat. So I am showing them thatthere are many, many things a vegan can eat.It’s all about education. ‘Wha me eat’ issoon to be released and when I do it live at aconcert the people always go wild, vegansand non-vegans, which is a joy to see.
Do you have many vegan fans?
I get e-mails from vegetarians and veganswho support the work I am doing. I wouldlove to do a video for ‘Wha me eat’ and getthe message to the masses who are beingmanipulated into doing and eating what theythink is ‘normal’.
To find out more about Macka B visitwww.mackab.com
Do you find touring difficult as a vegan? Is the rest of your band vegan?
Touring can be difficult although it is improving with people gaining moreknowledge about the vegan lifestyle. I have been to some places where peoplethink if you don’t eat meat you must be sick. A lot of times I take my own foodjust to be sure. Only one other person in the band is vegan, but sometimes all ofthe band have to eat vegan because that is what is provided and they are all rightwith that: it gives their body a break and of course everybody loves good veganfood.
THE VEGAN SOCIETY registered charity number 279228
In 1974 The Vegan Society launched an appeal for a fund to help elderly vegans.
The aim was to fund a retirement home for elderly vegans.
NOTICE is given that money and other property given for this purpose can not be used for that purpose because there was
insufficient money for the Society to establish a home. Despite much effort it was not possible to find another organisation that
was willing to share the costs and operate to the Society’s required criteria.
The donated money has remained in an account gathering interest.
If you gave money or other property for that purpose you are entitled to claim it back. If you wish to do so you must
tell Nigel Winter, Company Secretary of The Vegan Society, Donald Watson House, 21 Hylton Street, Hockley, Birmingham B18
6HJ within 3 months of 30 May 2008. If you wish the money or other property to go to a similar charitable purpose and to
disclaim your right to the money or other property, you must ask the person named above for a form of disclaimer.
If you do not either make a claim within three months or sign a disclaimer, the Charity Commission may make a Scheme
applying the property to other charitable purposes. You will still be able to claim the return of your money or other property
(less expenses), but only if you do so within 6 months from the date of any Scheme made by the Commissioners.
Date of the notice: May 2008
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 7
OUR VEGAN WEDDINGVerity Hunt-Sheppard
On the seventh day of the seventh month in the year2007 I married the man of my dreams at St John
the Baptist Church in Leicester. Our wedding was verymuch a traditional one: a church service followed by areception. We had a pageboy, flower girls and mylovely sister as abridesmaid, a three-tierwedding cake, cateringfor the guests and anevening disco. Howeverunlike most traditionalweddings ours was bothinexpensive and vegan!
At the time of our
engagement my fiancé and
I had been vegan for just
under a year and we
ummed and ahhed over
how vegan our wedding
should be. Whether we
should provide mixed
catering or not was the
biggest question. In the
end we decided to stick to
our beliefs, confident that
those who loved us and
valued our friendship would
understand and probably
expect nothing less! It was
the best decision we made.
Initially we wanted a local
caterer, but the ones we
contacted weren’t
confident of providing
vegan food or were outside
our budget, so we
contacted vegan caterers
Veggies who are based in
Nottingham. We had both eaten Veggies’ food before since
they cater for many vegan fairs and festivals and are
famous for their burgers! In addition they are happy to
travel. As ours was an afternoon wedding we decided on an
afternoon buffet, consisting of samosas, bhajis, savoury rolls,
pasties, sandwiches, various salads and a selection of cakes.
Veggies’ prices were excellent too and well within our budget.
Our three-tier wedding cake was made and decorated by
my mother: all we did was adapt a traditional fruit-cake
recipe and hire a professional cake stand to display it on.
Once the food was fully vegan, veganizing the rest of
the wedding was easy.
Some main brand beers
such as Budweiser and
Grolsch are vegan so our
vegan guests didn’t miss
out at the bar and the
bar provided a list of their
wines and details of the
suppliers in advance so
we could check for vegan
ones before the big day.
I avoided silk in the
clothing of the flower
girls and pageboy and my
own dress – a beautiful
second-hand one from a
theatre department –
and I wore the veil my
mother had worn at her
wedding.
My wedding day was,
hand on heart, the best
day of my life. I still
cannot believe how well
everything went and
what a wonderful time
we had. Our decision to
have vegan catering was
not only respected but
praised by our impressed
guests. Many couldn’t
believe that vegan food
could be so delicious
and I know some of our
friends are now eating more vegan food as a result.
One non-vegan guest told me that she had never felt so
satisfied at a buffet.
The response to our vegan wedding was definitely positive
and I don’t believe it was much more difficult to arrange
than any other wedding.
8 The Vegan l Summer 2008
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 8
NGTURN EVERY MEAL OUT INTO APROMOTION FOR VEGAN FOOD!
VEGANCATERING FOR ALL
Do your local eateries
struggle to provide
delicious vegan meals?
If so, give them a free
copy of our
comprehensive vegan-
catering guide for
baffled chefs!
A copy of the catering
guide is included in this
magazine, but if you
need more free copies to
pass on to chefs, please
contact us at
info@vegansociety.com or
phone 0121 523 1735/6.
FEEDBACK CARDS
You can also ask for copies of our new feedback cards.
After your meal, simply fill in the card and hand it to
the restaurant in order to provide feedback.
If you would like to take it further, pick a time when
the restaurant is quiet and go in
and talk to them about
improving their vegan choices.
The Vegan Society catering
guide can provide useful
information and back-up.
For free copies of the feedback
card, please contact us at
info@vegansociety.com
or phone 0121 523 1735/6.
The Vegan l Summer 2008 9
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 9
Claire Barnes
The Animal Welfare Act has already been touted as
one of the most fundamental pieces of animal
legislation for nearly a century. However 2005 was
hailed to be the year that saw the end of hunting
with dogs when a ban came into force, but already
many illegal hunts have been reported without
subsequent arrests or in fact any action taking place.
Thus we are left to
wonder if the Animal
Welfare Act will tell a
similar story. Will it
live up to all the hype,
or will it be just
another piece of
legislation that does
not go far enough in
protecting animals and
is routinely ignored?
The Animal Welfare Act
was passed in 2006 and
came into force in England
and Wales on 6 April
2007. It brings together
more than 20 pieces of
legislation relating to both
farmed and non-farmed
animals and extends a
duty of care to non-
farmed animals. It makes
owners responsible for
taking care of the needs of
their animals, including
providing a suitable
environment and diet and
protection from pain,
injury, suffering and
disease. However many
animal-welfare
organizations within the
UK feel that the Act is not tough enough. They are of
the opinion that proper enforcement may prove to be an
obstacle, making it unlikely that the new legislation will
have any real effect on animal suffering in the UK.
I spoke to Jasmijn de Boo, chair of the political party
Animals Count, regarding her thoughts on this matter. She
said, “The Animal Welfare Act may contribute to people’s
awareness of a duty of care. It may be used as a
framework to test the boundaries of what constitutes
‘cruelty’ and ‘suffering’ and it may ultimately result in less
suffering. However without proper enforcement too many
animals will still suffer.”
Although the Animal
Welfare Act has been
passed as law it is
important to point out that
it will not be enforced in
the way one might assume.
So far the Government has
granted no extra funding to
enforce the new legislation
and local authorities have
been advised to use licence
fees to offset any
prosecution costs incurred.
In view of the fact that
local authorities have no
statutory duty to enforce
the Act it is likely that the
job of enforcement will
ultimately fall to the RSPCA
and other animal-protection
organizations in the UK –
using their already
stretched budgets that
mainly rely on donations.
It seems probable that lack
of funding could prove to
be an obstacle to the Act,
preventing it from making
any real difference to
animal suffering in the UK.
Jasmijn commented,
“I think that it is ludicrous
that animal-protection organizations are responsible for this
and I believe that government funding (tax) should be
used instead to enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT – AN END TO ANIMAL CRUELTY IN THE UK?
“The Animal Welfare Act
may contribute to people’s
awareness of a duty of care.
It may be used as a
framework to test the
boundaries of what
constitutes ‘cruelty’ and
‘suffering’ and it may
ultimately result in less
suffering. However without
proper enforcement too
many animals will
still suffer.”
10 The Vegan l Summer 2008
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 10
Enforcement of any other
law focused on humans is
done by government.
Why are animals a
different matter. Another
challenge facing the Act is
one of interpretation. It
seems that under it
owners themselves and
other untrained people
will largely be expected to
decide what constitutes
suffering. And so our
understanding of animals’
needs and their capacity to
suffer may further nullify
any difference that the law
can make. I spoke to
Ginger Cullifer, an animal-
rights activist, who said,
“As long as humans have certain perceptions of animals
as being inferior, less knowledgeable, without feelings
and lacking the ability to reason, the ridding of animal
cruelty is entirely unlikely.”
What penalties can an animal abuser deemed to be
breaking the law expect to face? They will vary but
the most serious offenders could incur a fine of up to
twenty thousand pounds and/or fifty-one weeks’
imprisonment. However if past events are anything to go
by our legal system is often lenient when it comes to
animal cruelty offenders. This was highlighted by the
media when they reported the case of a girl who early in
2007 pleaded guilty at Swansea magistrates’ court after
RSPCA inspectors found two dogs starved to death.
She admitted to being absent from her home for long
periods but said that she thought a friend would take
care of her animals. The sentence she received was a
lifetime ban on keeping animals plus a six-month
supervision order and 120 hours of community service.
What’s more revealing is that in the same month four
animal-rights activists received a more unsparing
sentence of up to four years in gaol because their
behaviour had been deemed to be intimidating. Jasmijn
comments, “I think the penalty system is still too low in
cases of severe cruelty.”
It is clear that the Animal Welfare Act faces many
obstacles and in itself may not end animal cruelty.
However do we have to
rely solely on legislation to
ensure a better future for
our animals in the UK?
Jasmijn believes that there
are many things that we
can all do to improve the
situation, and it seems
that charity really does
begin in our own back
yard or kennel. We must
take responsibility for our
own actions, analyze how
our behaviour affects
animals and make changes
accordingly. For example
it is better to adopt an
animal from a shelter than
to buy from a pet shop or
breeder.
It was Mahatma Gandhi
who said, “The greatness
of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the
way its animals are treated.” The Animal Welfare Act
may prove to be a step in the direction of a
country free from animal
abuse but it
doesn’t
have to
be
the
last.
CT K?
“We must take responsibility
for our own actions, analyze
how our behaviour affects
animals and make changes
accordingly. For example it is
better to adopt an animal
from a shelter than to buy
from a pet shop or breeder.”
The Vegan l Summer 2008 11
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 11
NEWS AND INFORMATION
12 The Vegan l Summer 2008
n VEG CHAT MIDLANDS
A brand-new Midlands on-line forum hasbeen launched. Veg Chat Midlands providesvegetarians & vegans across the region withan excellent means of communication.Members can chat about food, friends, TV,books, sport or just vegetarianism/veganism.There is also a section to discuss campaigning& veggie/vegan promotion. Chat aboutanything at all with like-minded people andmake new friends in your area. You canremain totally anonymous if you wish:http://vegchatmidlands.freeforums.org.
n VEGAN RUNNER
James Meldrum from Liverpool ispossibly the fastest vegan runner in theUK (unless you know of a faster one?).He competed in the Morecambe 20-mile road race on 2 March. About 300runners finished and James came firstin one hour fifty-two minutes on behalfof the Vegan Runners UK club. Jameswas using this event as part of histraining for the London Marathon on13 April where again he will bewearing the vest of the Vegan Runners.The photo was taken during theStockport 10 miles on 9 Decemberwhen he finished sixth out of 600entrants. James normally trains withthe Liverpool Harriers.
If you want to know more about VeganRunners please contact Peter Simpsonon veganrunners@talktalk.net or 01908503919 / 07967 589663, or check outtheir website –www.veganrunners.makessense.co.uk.
n VEGAN PLEDGE
With a New Year, New You! message Vegan Campaigns supported 25Londoners to become vegan for a month. An estimated 137 animalswere saved! Half the participants plan to stay vegan and almost allthe rest are now vegetarian or are cutting down on animal products.
Meetings were held at the beginning and end of the pledge periodwhere participants could ask questions and discuss aspects of thepledge while enjoying a wide variety of delicious vegan food. Duringthe pledge period participants received information and support by e-mail and phone and were invited to London Vegans’ regular‘second Sunday’ lunch.
Free before-and-after health checks were provided by GP Dr MikeHooper, who commented afterwards: “It’s surprising how quicklybecoming vegan improved people’s health. Most participants lostweight, their average Body Mass Index and Waist-Hip Ratio reducedfrom an ‘at risk’ level into the ideal range and there was an overallreduction in blood pressure.”
Vegan Campaigns were so pleased with the results that they hope todouble the number of participants next year and would love to seethe idea catch on nationally. If you would like to organize a VeganPledge in your area, do get in touch!
For further information see www.vegancampaigns.org.uk.
n VEGAN VITAMIN K FOR NEWBORNS
Babies are routinelyinjected with vitamin K atbirth to protect againstrare but serioushaemorrhage (includingbrain haemorrhage). In the past the injectionwas vegan but it nowincludes a carrier madewith cow bile.
There is, however, at least one oral vegan version availableon a named-patient basis. This means that it must beprescribed and ordered through a doctor.
If you wish to use this product, do allow time for it to besourced and prescribed. If your doctor is unaware of this,your local or hospital pharmacist should be able to help.
We must stress that we cannot give medical advice butcan only pass on information about the availability ofproducts. Please feel free to ring the Vegan Society on0121 523 1735/6 if you have any queries.
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 12
n CALLING ALL VEGANS!
We are looking for new ways tospread the vegan word.
We need real-life vegan stories tohelp us get more local media
coverage. So if you have doneanything newsworthy, from running a
street stall to running a marathon, or if youcan describe the benefits of veganism through a personal story,our Media Relations Officer, Amanda Baker, would like to hearfrom you.
Have you ever been ‘famous for 5 minutes’ or, had a letterpublished in your local paper, or do you work in the media?Share your ‘media experiences’, and help your fellow vegans gettheir voices heard too!
If you have either a story or a media experience to share, pleasecontact Amanda Baker on: 0121 523 1737 or e-mail:media@vegansociety.com.
n LIFESCAPE SPECIAL OFFER
Get five issues of Lifescape magazine delivered to you postfree for £15 and a third of your subscription will go tothe animals at the vegan-owned Hugletts Wood Farmsanctuary – www.huglettswoodfarm.org.
A glossy magazine with a conscience, Lifescape is editedby vegans and dedicated to everything that is eco-
friendly, fair trade, crueltyfree and organic, withregular features onveganism and animalissues as well as oncruelty-free food,fashion and beauty –www.lifescapemag.com.
To take advantage ofthis offer, send yourname, address and £15to Lifescape Magazine,Dept VS, 353 ShenleyRoad, Borehamwood,Herts, WD6 1TN.
n VEGFAM NOW HAS A WEBSITE!
Those of you who have long wished that Vegfam (one of the charities thathelp to feed the world without exploiting animals) would get a proper websiteup and running will be pleased to know that there now is one.
Check it out at www.vegfamcharity.org.uk.
n VEGAN VENTURES COURSE AT THE CORDON VERT SCHOOL
Are you under the age of 26? Would you like to learn tocook some yummy vegan meals in a fun and excitingenvironment? The Vegetarian Charity is running anotherVegan Venture Cookery Workshop at the Cordon VertSchool. The day is full of inexpensive and simple recipes,aimed especially at young people who may be living awayfrom home for the first time.
Our Education Officer, Rob Jackson, attended one of thesecourses last year and found it very rewarding: “I learnedsome new and inventive recipes and got chatting to a lot ofinteresting people. The chefs were enthusiastic and really athome in the sometimes hectic surroundings, though ofcourse the best part of the day was eating all we hadcooked!”
The course is to be held on Saturday 30 August at theVegetarian Society headquarters in Cheshire. It is completelyfree but the number of places is limited.
n SHOPPERS CARE MORE ABOUT ANIMALS THAN CLIMATE
The Co-op hasconducted what theyclaim is the biggestpoll of consumerethics ever undertakenand found that animalwelfare and fair tradeare far biggerconcerns to UKconsumers thanclimate change.
The supermarketgroup analysedresponses to adetailed four-pagequestionnaire from
more than 100,000 members and customers. Only 4% ratedclimate change as their top ethical priority compared with 21%who thought that animal welfare was the most important issueand 14% who rated fair trade as their key concern.
The Vegan l Summer 2008 13
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 13
n LONG-DISTANCE VEGAN
I survived and completed the Paris Marathon, and ran it in atime of 4 hours, 11 minutes and 52 seconds. I was quitepleased with my time, though I did initially aim for a sub 4 hourtime when I started my training, but during the race, I sloweddown during the second half (I guess if I trained harder in thepreceding months, I could have achieved this). This was my 4thmarathon, with my previous 3 being: Edinburgh, and Loch Ness(in 2005), and London (in 2006).
My time for the BUPA Great South Run was: 1:25:36. It wasonly a 10 mile race, and not a half marathon, like its sister race,the BUPA Great North Run. Through my races, I have raised afew thousand pounds for local and national animal welfarecharities, e.g. Cats Protection, and Scottish SPCA. For this one, Iraised over £500 for my local Cats Protection Shelter, coveringArbroath and District.
For the rest of the year my targets are: Dunfermline HalfMarathon, Glasgow Women’s 10k, Dundee Half Marathon, andthe Great Scottish Run 10k in Glasgow.
I run as a hobby, and have recently bought a bike, and amentering some duathlons also. My times are certainly notexceptional, but for a 43 year old female, who stoppedparticipating in regular sport after I left school, I think I doalright. Being on a vegan diet also helps fuel my fitnesstremendously, especially in terms of weight control, andgenerally feeling energised.
Liz Begg
n A NOTE FROM THE FINANCE OFFICERRE: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
Dear Members who pay by standing order,
It is possible that you are paying either too much ortoo little:
Full price of membership is £21. Low waged (under £8000 per year) is £14. Add an additional member (same address) for just £7.
You will need to contact your bank directly to amendthe amount as we are not able to do this.
Alternatively, if you would like to change to payingby Direct Debit, please contact me for a form on0121 523 1732, or by e-mail at:finance@vegansociety.com or by post at the usualaddress. It is possible to pay monthly or quarterlyfor membership and don’t forget to gift aid it!
Don’t forget that the revenue from your paymentshelps to cover the Society’s overheads and runningcosts. It enables us to attend fairs and exhibitions,to produce information leaflets and ‘The Vegan’Magazine, as well as to promoting veganism at everygiven opportunity!
Thank you for your continued support – we couldn’tdo it without you!.
Fiona SylvaFinance Officer
n BRITAIN’S BEST DISH 2008
If you are a keen amateur vegan cook with an original starter,main course or pudding, then why not enter ITV’s Best BritishDish competition? You could win £10,000 plus the opportunityto get great publicity for vegan food. Applications must be inbefore 7 June and phone calls are expensive so we recommendthat you e-mail them if possible to bestdish@itv.com.
n MISS THE CHICKEN!
If you are looking for a bit of fun, why not play a gamecalled ‘miss the chicken’? It is played online atwww.hiltl.ch/werbung-online_en.php. The object of thegame is to shoot as few cartoon chickens as possible.Thirty shots are fired automatically and you move yourmouse or cursor to miss the chickens because every oneyou hit earns you minus points.
14 The Vegan l Summer 2008
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 14
YOU’VE SEEN OUR WHYVEGAN? BOOKLET, NOWSEE THE LEAFLET!
The Vegan Society has produced a
one-page Why Vegan? for members
to use when leafleting. These leaflets
are cheaper to produce than the
booklets and so they can be posted
though people’s doors and used in
other places where they may or may
not be read.
Contact us at info@vegansociety.com or on
0121 523 1735/6 for a free supply.
WHY VEGAN?
The Vegan l Summer 2008 15
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 15
Sadhana Forest, Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India – a wonderful
place to spend two weeks, two months or two years.
Please come and visit – and perhaps volunteer at – this
amazing vegan ecological reforestation project!
Ifirst heard about Sadhana when it was advertisedas a place to visit after the 2007 International Vegan
Festival in India. At the time I was looking for a newvolunteer project, and having already spent twowonderful years volunteering in Bangalore thought Iwould try another country for a change. But somehowI kept going back to projects in India and realized Iwould have to follow my heart and return there.So, excited by the idea of living in a vegan community,I arrived here at Sadhana on 13 February 2008 andhave settled in well, even getting used to startingwork at 6.30 am – no easy task for an ‘owl’!
Sadhana Forest is an amazing reforestation project the aim
of which is to restore the very rare Tropical Dry Evergreen
Forest (TDEF), of which there is only 0.01% left in the world.
It is endemic to Tamil Nadu and some parts of neighbouring
Sri Lanka. The ancient, dense forest was felled mainly by
British and French colonists approximately 200 years ago,
which left all the topsoil bare and exposed to the
elements. The heavy rains during monsoons completely
washed away the topsoil and deposited it in the sea – the
Bay of Bengal – a few miles away. Subsequent monsoons
began eroding the subsoil, creating deep canyons and
gullies throughout the land.
In December 2003 Aviram and Yorit Rozin were given
stewardship of 70 acres of degraded land at Sadhana, within
the boundaries of Auroville, and their primary task was to prevent
further erosion and begin a major water-conservation scheme.
16 The Vegan l Summer 2008
VOLUNTEERINGAT THE SADHANA FOREST PROJECT IN INDIA
Sandra Ellis
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:26 pm Page 16
They have been very successful in raising the water table
by six metres and to date over 17,700 native trees and
shrubs have been planted, with over 95% survival rates –
very impressive in such a hot, dry climate.
So what does a volunteer do? Well, we all share in the
planting and watering, water-conservation bunding,
cooking and cleaning, and indeed any other tasks that
arise.
We start work in the forest at 6.30 am and break at 8.30
for breakfast. From 9.30 to 11.30 the work is mostly in
the vegan organic vegetable garden. Tools are usually
stored safely away by 12 and lunch is at around 12.30.
After that your time is your own, and there are many
diverse activities in nearby Auroville township. About 12
km away from Sadhana there is sunbathing and swimming
at the beautiful sandy beach on the east coast, ideal for
sun-worshippers. As a professional gardener my primary
role is to set up a kitchen garden to enable us to grow
more of our own food and so spend less on buying local
organic produce. One of the nicest things for me is that
many musicians and singers stay here so there is always
music: impromptu jamming sessions or songs throughout
the day!
Volunteers come for a minimum of two weeks and can
stay for as long as they wish! I plan to stay until the end
of July and hope to return in the future. We live in
thatched huts made of natural local materials and sleep on
raised platforms in the huts. Some huts are communal,
some for couples or families.
There are dry composting toilets using fine sawdust and
compost heaps for kitchen waste. Aviram also installed
two large solar panels to provide electricity, with bicycles
to produce power on cloudy or rainy days! Long-term
volunteers are especially welcome and after the forest
work you might find that your other skills can be used to
benefit the forest. Accommodation is free and food is
the only thing you pay for – 100 rupees per day,
approximately £1.10p. This is very cheap for a wonderful
and possibly life-changing experience! Within the past
year we have had 408 volunteers from over 35 countries,
a great opportunity to make new friends! Please
consider volunteering at Sadhana this year or next. Late
July to November is the main tree-planting season and all
help is most welcome, at any time of the year.
If you cannot visit but would like to support the amazing
environmentally important work here, donations are very
welcome. The charity is registered in the UK so if you are
a UK taxpayer you can make a donation under the Gift
Aid scheme, and you can do so safely online via
www.aviuk.org.
I am sure you will be inspired by all that Yorit and Aviram
have achieved in just a few short years.
The Vegan l Summer 2008 17
For more information please look up Sadhana
Forest on its new website – www.sadhanaforest.org
– or for more information on the international
township at Auroville – www.auroville.org.
You can also telephone Sadhana for more
information on 00 91 413 2902655 or 2677682,
but please remember that we are five and a half
hours ahead of UK time!
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 17
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 18
VEGAN SOCIETYANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008
The next Annual General Meeting of The Vegan Societywill be held on Saturday 22nd November at the PrioryStreet Centre, 15 Priory St., York YO1 6EZ
PROPOSALS FOR RESOLUTIONProposals for resolution, to be considered by Council forinclusion on the AGM Agenda, must be received at theSociety’s office (The Vegan Society, Donald Watson House, 21Hylton Street, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 6HJ) not later thanFriday 25th July.
For your guidance Ordinary Proposals should:n be proposed and seconded by paid-up full (not supporter)
membersn in the interests of economy and clarity, not exceed 200
words, including any supporting materialn propose some form of actionn propose one single action i.e. they must not be composite
proposalsn not simply comprise a statement of opinionn Members considering submitting Special Proposals (those
seeking to change the Memorandum or Articles of Association) are advised to contact the Company Secretary (Nigel Winter) or the Chair (George Rodger) c/o the Society’soffice. Special Proposals must not exceed 200 words.
n Proposers are requested to limit their proposals to two.
NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCILThe Vegan Society needs high calibre individuals on its Councilof Trustees. Being a Trustee is a practical unpaid post, andrequires skill and ability to be effective. Trustees are ultimatelyresponsible for the charity, and are also directors of the VeganSociety as a limited company.
Each candidate must:n have been a full (not supporter) member of the Society for
12 months or longer (as at 22nd November 2008)n not be disqualified under company or charity law from
being a trustee/directorn submit a written nomination duly signed by a proposer and
seconder who are paid-up full membersn submit a profile of him/herself stating in 100-200 words
his/her full name (and any previous names), skills, experience, views and intentions if elected.
Candidacy is open to all members of the Society meeting the criteria outlined above. Members with relevant professional skills and qualifications are particularly invited to consider nomination.
Essential Trustee qualities are a co-operative and team-spirited work ethic, an understanding of good governance (see governancehub.org.uk and www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/cc60.asp) and a strategic way ofthinking to advance veganism.
Ideal attributes that Council will find helpful to move the Society and veganism forward include any of the following: business acumen (in particular project management and business planning), campaigning strategy, financial skills(including accounting and bookkeeping skills), fund-raising,charity law, journalism, TV or radio production, medicine,applied or clinical psychology and human resources expertise.
Having time to give is a key factor with up to 12 meetings ayear and time between to contribute to governance andstrategy via email/post/telephone.
Candidates need a clear understanding of the differencebetween the role of staff and trustees. Being a Trustee is aboutstepping back and nurturing an environment in which staff andvolunteers can get on and fulfill the Society’s strategy effectively.
A Council of Trustees is there to provide oversight, policy andstrategy.
Past minutes of Council meetings can be read here:http://www.vegansociety.com/forum/You will need to register to access the minutes.
We look forward to your applications for standing for election.Please attempt to address the above needs of Council that arerelevant to your abilities in your personal statements, as wellas giving a glimpse of your personal vision for the future ofpromoting veganism.
If you feel your skills are more directly suited to practicalveganising activities, please instead volunteer to staff to helpthem.
Nominations to The Vegan Society, Donald Watson House, 21Hylton Street, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 6HJ not later thanFriday 25th July.
For further details, ask for a ‘Prospective CandidatesNomination Pack’ by sending an A5 SAE marked ‘PCNP’ to:Council Elections, The Vegan Society, Donald Watson House,21 Hylton Street, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 6HJ or byemailing info@vegansociety.com
The Vegan l Summer 2008 19
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 19
Matthew Cole and KarenMorgan discuss ‘promotingethical veganism throughacademic research andteaching’ on their newwebsite –www.vegatopia.org.
Why is veganism utopian?
Many, perhaps all, vegans have at
some time or other daydreamed about
living in a vegan world, a utopia free
of cruelty, liberated from violent and
bloody traditions. A vegan utopia, or
‘vegatopia’, would be a world in which
compassion was extended to all human
and non-human animals. It would also
be a world in which our energies could
be directed towards increasing the sum
of human and non-human animal
enjoyment and pleasure instead of trying
to hold back the tidal wave of torture
and killing inherent in the mechanized
meat and dairy industryi. The scale of
this task is daunting but also inspiring.
It reminds us that veganism is utopian
in the sense that it challenges the
existing social order and has the
potential to transform the way humans
relate to non-human animals as well as
transforming our shared environment.
Ethical veganism and compassion
The decision to become and remain a
dietary vegan is undoubtedly morally
significant in itself and contributes
to reducing the sum of real and
potential suffering in the world.
But if it remains a largely private and
individual matter it can take us only
some of the way towards vegatopia.
If we have an ethical commitment to
veganism we have a responsibility to
attempt to extend its reach, to encourage
others to help us along the way. It is
the potential for extending our sense of
compassion, without limit, towards all
human and non-human animals that is
distinctive about ethical veganism.Whichever of the various arguments for
going or staying vegan motivates our
decision, it is the moral value of
compassion that is central. But compassion
ought not to be confused with
sentimentalism, because compassion
makes demands on us to act, to work
for as great as possible a reduction in
non-human and human animal suffering.
We are in a poor position to argue for
a more compassionate future if we are
not prepared to put in the practical
and emotional work that compassion
demands.
Why we created vegatopia
Our new web resource for the academic
study of veganism, www.vegatopia.org,
is therefore inspired by a sense of
responsibility to work to oppose sources
of violence against and exploitation
of all animals. Our positions as
professional sociologists working in
universities grant us access to
information and research opportunities
and allow us to engage with students
and colleagues. As vegans working
within academia we feel a responsibility
to use these opportunities to further
the case for ethical veganism. The
website is therefore an extension of
our existing commitment to promoting
ethical veganism through research and
teaching. We hope that the website
will encourage and inspire other vegans
working in academia, whether students,
lecturers or research staff, to join us.
20 The Vegan l Summer 2008
“As vegans
working within
academia we feel a
responsibility to use
these opportunities
to further the case
for ethical veganism.
The website is
therefore an
extension of our
existing
commitment to
promoting ethical
veganism through
research and
teaching.”
SHOW ME THE WAY TO
VEGATOPIA!Dr Matthew Cole & Dr Karen Morgan
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 20
We also hope that the website can
become a valuable source of
information for vegan organizations
and for individuals wanting to find
out more about veganism.
What does vegatopia offer?
At the core of the site is a huge
bibliography on all things vegan.
We recently completed work on
cataloguing the library of The Vegan
Society at Donald Watson House, and
as a result of this being combined with
material gleaned from our own
research over the years the website
already contains categorized academic
references to more than 1000 sources
relevant to veganism. Subjects covered
include activist literature, sociological
and psychological studies of vegans,
nutritional studies, cookery books,
philosophical and spiritual arguments
against eating animal products,
lifestyle guides to being vegan and
much more besides. We also have
an archive of media resources,
lectures and conference papers on
veganism and run a research forum
where we invite discussion of ideas
for future academic work on
researching and promoting ethical
veganism. As part of our belief in
the importance of connecting
academia with the wider community
the website also archives public
statements on vegan issues, for
instance letters to editors in response
to relevant press reports, and provides
links to other organizations promoting
veganism. We very much encourage
active participation in vegatopia and
welcome contributions, suggestions
and (constructive!) criticisms.
We hope that raising the profile of
veganism in and through academia
can move us all a little closer to the
utopian vision of a compassionate
vegan world.
For more information log on to
www.vegatopia.org or contact
Matthew and Karen at
matthew.cole@vegatopia.org and
karen.morgan@vegatopia.org.
iAs Peter Singer puts it in Animal Liberation
(1974), consideration of the interests of human ornon-human others includes their interests inpursuing pleasure as well as avoiding pain.
The Vegan l Summer 2008 21
“Subjects covered
include activist
literature,
sociological and
psychological
studies of vegans,
nutritional studies,
cookery books,
philosophical and
spiritual arguments
against eating
animal products,
lifestyle guides to
being vegan and
much more
besides.”
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 21
RECIPES
22 The Vegan l Summer 2008
ASPARAGUS BRUSCHETTAServes 4
A rich white sauce and delicate asparagus on crusty bread, perfectas an appetizer or light supper.
250ml soya milk1 small white onion, peeled and halved1 bay leaf25g vegan margarine25g plain white flour1 tsp mustard powder2 tsp white wine vinegar1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped12 slices crusty baguette, sliced and toasted36 medium asparagus spears, steamed until tender
Place the onion and bay leaf in a saucepan with the milk, and heat.Leave to stand for 5 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse themilk. Remove the bay leaf and the onion and discard. Set themilk aside while you make the roux.
For the roux, melt the margarine in another saucepan. Add theflour and stir well with a wooden spoon until the mixture is theconsistency of wet sand.
Gradually add the soya milk in small amounts, stirring well witheach addition to ensure a smooth consistency.
Continue to cook, stirring until the sauce thickens.
Mix the mustard powder and vinegar together until smooth.Add to the white sauce with the parsley and stir to mix.
Spread the sauce on the warm toast (1-2 tbsp per slice).
Arrange three spears of asparagus on each slice of the toast.
Serve immediately.
OKRA AND BABY CORN SOUPServes 2
This light soup is naturally thickened by theokra.
1 tsp olive oil1 small red onion, finely sliced4 slices fresh ginger root2 cloves garlic, finely sliced400ml vegetable stock40g (3 cobs) baby corn, thinly sliced25g (3 fingers) okra, thinly sliced
20g Fresh or frozen peas
Place the oil in a saucepan. When hot, addthe onions and ginger and cook over a lowheat, stirring continuously, for 2 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook for a further 30seconds.
Add the stock, the baby corn and the okra.Bring to the boil and simmer for 6 minutes.
Add the peas, return to the boil and simmerfor 3 minutes.
Serve immediately.
Helen Edwards
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 22
Cut the limes in half. Carefully squeeze the juice from thelimes, reserving the peel for later. Place the juice in a smallsaucepan, making up the volume to 30ml (2 tbsp) with water ifnecessary. Add the sugar and bring to the boil. Simmer untilthe sugar has dissolved and the syrup has thickened slightly.Allow to cool.
Blend the silken tofu with a stick blender until completelysmooth.
Add the lime syrup to the tofu and mix well. Place in the fridge
to chill.
Remove any remaining flesh and pith from the inside of the limepeel halves, using a grapefruit knife or small sharp vegetableknife.
Fill the lime halves with the lime tofu cream.
Melt the chocolate and the water in a small saucepan over avery low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Pipe or drizzle the chocolate sauce over 4 serving plates.
Cut the papaya in half vertically and then cut each half into 4wedges. Remove the seeds and discard.
Rub half a teaspoon of icing sugar onto the cut surfaces of eachof the 8 papaya wedges.
Place the wedges onto a hot non-stick griddle (or frying pan)and cook for 2 minutes on each cut side.
Arrange 2 papaya wedges on each plate, with the chocolatesauce, and add a cream-filled lime half.
Serve immediately.
GRIDDLED PAPAYA WITH LIME CREAMServes 4
You can prepare the lime cream the day before to make this a quick dessert to prepare for a dinner party.
2 limeswater as required30g granulated sugar120g firm silken tofu20g dark chocolate 2 tsp water1 medium ripe papaya4 tsp icing sugar
The Vegan l Summer 2008 23
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 23
24 The Vegan l Summer 2008
SHOPAROUNDVerity Hunt-Sheppard
n MUNCHY SEEDS
Munchy Seeds are deliciously nutritiousmixes of dry roasted sunflower,
pumpkin and sesame seeds,available in seven varieties.
They can be eaten straightfrom the pack as a healthysnack or used as adelicious addition toalmost any dish.Naturally packed with
goodness including Omega3, 6 and 9, Munchy Seeds
are free from artificialcolourings and preservatives and
are available in 40g snack packs aswell as a range of tubs.
For more details visit www.munchyseeds.co.uk or telephone01728 833004.
n TRUELOVE ORGANICS
Fall in love with Truelove Organics’incredible organic raw chocolate:you will never believe that it’s sugarfree! It’s made from luscious rawingredients such as cacao powder,cacao butter, agave nectar, maca andgogi berries. Choose from boxedchocolates, solid chocolate hearts and petitfours available in plain, orange, mint, goji, fruit &nut, goji & orange, goji & plain, coconut, andlemon.
To win a box of these luscious treats simply send apostcard with the words ‘Truelove Organics’written on it to the Vegan Society by the 30 June.And if that wasn’t generous enough the folks atTruelove Organics are also offering a 10% discounton any chocolates purchased before 30 June. Just enter the discount code VEGAN 001 when
ordering through the website.
For more details visit www.trueloveorganics.comor telephone 0870 919 4237.
n TISSERAND
Tisserand’s range ofproducts containstherapeutic essential oilblends. Choose fromtheir gorgeous range ofbath soaks, hand andbody lotions, skin-kinddeodorants, soaps,perfumes, body oils andskin treatments. You’llfind everything you needto care for your body fromtip to toe. Treat yourselfto their new wild rose andlemon leaf range forbeautifully scented summer
skin.
Tisserand is offering a 15% discount on all webshoporders until 30 June. Simply enter the code ZGQK5Gat the checkout when you order. You can place asmany orders as you like until 30 June and still receivethe same discount!
For more details visit www.tisserand.comor telephone 01273 325666.
n RAW MAGIC!
Kate Wood of Raw Living is themagic behind the brand-new bookRaw Magic: Recipes for theRevolution. You can purchasecopies from the lovely Shazzie atDetox Your World. Raw Magic ispacked with 160 recipes includingMany Ways Mayonnaise, SuperSexy Curry, Call The Police Puddingand It Just Gets Better Biscuits.The book is filled with stunningfull-colour photos for you to droolover too!
For more details visit www.rawliving.eu or contact Detox Your Worldat www.detoxyourworld.com or 0870 011 3119.
Five lucky winners will receive a signed copy of Raw Magic. Send apostcard with the words ‘Raw Magic Competition’ on it to the VeganSociety office. (N.B. Some recipes in Raw Magic contain beeproducts which can be substituted.)
Discount
Giveaway
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 24
The Vegan l Summer 2008 25The Vegan l Summer 2008 25
n BATEMAN’S BREWERY
With the warmweather here it’s time tokick off your shoes, pullup a chair and sit backwith a nice bottle of beer.
Bateman’s Brewery hasjust added four new
ales to theirselection of veganbeers which alreadyincludes Dark Lord,Rosey Nosey andSummer Swallow.Now you can sup onXB English Ale,Golden Ale, IndiaPale Ale and Treble XAle too. Bottomsup!
For more details visitwww.bateman.co.ukor telephone 01754880317.
n EARTH & WEAR LTD
Earth and Wear’s NoSweat range is made
in Indonesia byworkers who are
all members oftrade unions.Their funkyfootwear is100% veganwhile theirhand-dyedhemp hi-tops
are made from100% organic
hemp. Availablein 17 different
colours, thesegorgeous hemp boots are
just the ticket for summer.
Earth and Wear are offering a 10% discount for readers:just use the promotional code VGN058 on their webshop or quote it if you phone them.
For more details visit www.earthandwear.com ortelephone 0845 257 5725.
n FRY’S
Fry’s have extendedtheir fantastic range
of meat-freegoods. Their Veg
Express sausagerolls consist of
a braaicountry
herbsausage
withwholegrain
mustard encased in alight, crispy puff pastry while Fry’s
Veg Express cottage pies consist of Fry’sveggie mince, gravy, fresh peas and carrots, all topped
with creamy mashed potato.
Fry’s products are free from nuts, genetically modifiedingredients, cholesterol, hydrogenated fats, artificial flavours,colours and preservatives.
Fry’s Veg Express sausage rolls are £2.99 for a box of four andVegan Express cottage pies are£2.99.
For more details visitwww.beanieshealthfoods.co.uk or
telephone 01489 574593.
All Shoparound products have been authenticated as
Giveaway
Discount
n FREERANGERS
It’s all happening at Freerangers: theirbrand-new Rosie Shoe is sure to drawattention for all the right reasons.Covered in a pretty rosebud print,these slip-on shoes feature a paddedinsole and a flexible shock-absorbing
sole – a real treat for your feet. The Rosie Shoe costs £74 + p&p.
If you feel your skin has faded away beneath your winter layers youcan now give it a golden glow with Freerangers new Self Tan Lotion.Just use a small amount on a regular basis to build up your preferredsummer shade.
Self Tan Lotion is £14 + p&p.
For more details visit www.freerangers.co.ukor telephone 01207 565957.
Freerangers has a bottle of Self Tan Lotion to give away to the firsttwo people to write in. Mark your entries ‘Vegan MagazineCompetition Entry’ and send them to Freerangers, 87 Derwent Street,Chopwell, Tyne & Wear, NE17 7HZ.
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 25
26 The Vegan l Summer 2008
SHOPAROUNDVerity Hunt-Sheppard
n MOONCUP
Mooncup has been rated ‘Best Buy’ ofall sanitary products, including tampons,disposable and washable pads and othermenstrual cups, by the Ethical Consumermagazine.
Mooncup is a medical-grade silicone reusable menstrualcup distributed in over 30 countries worldwide. Withproper care one Mooncup will last for up to ten years,drastically reducing landfill. It’s available from health-foodshops and some branches of Boots.
For more details visit www.mooncup.co.ukor telephone 01273 673845.
n PENNANGALAN
If you’re looking for some far-out funky footwear thenPennangalan is right up your street. You’ll find platform, minx,gladiator, commando, flare, corset, ramp and fetish boots.
Pennangalan also stocks other brands of vegan footwearsuch as Mad Fish boots and shoes. For more details visitwww.pennangalan.co.uk or telephone 01753-678076.
Pennangalan is giving away a free pair ofits vegan boots and you get to choose thestyle and size. Send a postcard to theVegan Society office marked ‘PennangalanCompetition’.
If that wasn’t generous enough you can geta 10% discount on Pennangalan purchasesthrough its web shop until 30 June. You will
need to enter the discount code VeganSocwhich will show on your final bill.
n SKIN BLOSSOM
Skin Blossom is a new organic skincarecompany which believes that everyone isentitled to beautiful, healthy skin. Giveyour mitts the pampering they deservewith Skin Blossom’s Care and Protecthand cream. This easily absorbed creamcontains plant oils, shea butter and rosegeranium to soothe and nourish dryhands. Skin Blossom Care and Protect handcream is £5.25 for 60ml.
For more details visitwww.skinblossom.co.ukor telephone 0208 332 7622.
n FOREST SECRET SKINCARE
Need a beauty boost?Forest Secret Skincare newiRejuvenate 2-stepprogramme should do thetrick. Step one is theLifting Pro-Youth Face Oilwhich contains lupin seedextract, organic argan oil andorganic rosehip. Step 2 is theRegenerating Skin Serum whichcontains organic aloe vera gel, chlorellapeptides and aguns castus extract.
iRejuvenate Step 1, Lifting Pro-Youth Face oil and iRejuvenateStep 2 Regenerating Skin Serum cost £36 each.
For more details visit www.forestsecretsskincare.comor telephone 0208 242 4746.
Discount
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 26
When the American cartoonist Elzie Segar cast around for acharacter to woo his newly-created Olive Oyl he came upwith Popeye the Sailor Man, famous ever afterwards forbeing ‘strong to the finich, ‘cos I eat me spinach.’
Popeye preferred his spinach in thecan. I would rather lightly sizzle theleaves in a saucepan with no morewater than the leaves were washed inor, better still, eat it fresh and raw in amixed salad.
Spinach lost many of its friends whenit was served as recommended by this1930s Illustrated Garden Encyclopaedia:“The leaves are gathered, boiled andpassed through a sieve before serving.”That’s a terrible fate to befall whatthe Persians (who grew it first)described as the ‘prince of vegetables’.
The Arabs, who named it isfanakh, almost certainly carried it intoEurope when they crossed the Straits of Gibraltar into Spain.Perhaps it was here that the Crusaders first found the plant andbrought the seed back to these shores.
In the Middle East spinach grew as a tall, spiny plant not unlike alettuce that had bolted and was running to seed. Under its newnorthern climate spinach thrived, growing into the richand succulent vegetable we know today.
Is it any good for you? Did it make Popeye strong?Spinach is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, bothantioxidants that help combat free radicals, themolecules that can be especially damaging tothe proteins in the lens of the human eye. If itdid nothing else for Popeye it helped hiseyesight.
Bill Laws is the author of Spade, Skirret andParsnip – The Curious History of Vegetables (Sutton Publishing).
CURIOUS VEGETABLES:SPINACH
Bill Laws
The Vegan l Summer 2008 27
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GROW VEGANIta West
FLOWER POWER IDEAS
From the front door of my cottagein County Limerick I look onto a
flowerbed 10m in length and 2mdeep backed by a south-facing stonewall just over 1m high. There’s alittle corner in my heart where I storea huge amount of affection for thisflowerbed because in the first placeweeds never thrive in it – it’s too fullfor them to attempt to take over –and secondly and most importantlyalmost every plant in it was free.Even if you can’t obtain free plantsyou can use my ideas to design yourown beds. Remember that everyflower under the sun can be grownwithout animal inputs or chemicals!Add a little seaweed meal to yourflowerbeds in early spring as a soilconditioner.
What’s in this bed? There are twospiraea Snowmound and two cotoneasterthat give the bed height and structureand clothe the wall to a certain extent.When covered in its millions of tinywhite flowers the Snowmound is a purepleasure to look at. Columbine Grannies’Bonnets and Petticoats dominate thebed from late April to the end of May.These were raised from seeds given by afriend and have now set seed themselveselsewhere. There are two hardygeraniums Johnson Blue and WargravePink, both obtained as cuttings from anold friend now passed away. When theyappear in early April they are a livingmemory to her.
Alchemilla vulgaris or lady’s mantle –where would we be without it? It seedsitself here, there and everywhere. I dig upthe small plants when they’re about twoyears old and transfer them to other beds.
The folklore says that the drop of dew inthe centre of the leaf is magic, and ofcourse the plant itself is a much-usedherb. When a friend turned up with acutting it reminded me of the first houseat which I’d grown lady’s mantle. At thattime I didn’t know the plant at all andspent the next summer waiting for thepale-green fronds to develop into flowers:only when it had all died back in theautumn did I realize that the delicatefrothy bit sticking up was the flower. It really is impressive in large clumps butdon’t be disappointed with the flower –just accept it.
The majestic leaves of montbretia standunadorned at the back of the bed untilthe spiral of orange flowers starts tomake an appearance. Sitting in a pot tosee if it will thrive is a peony that Irecently received as a birthday present.Nasturtiums appear in the gravel in frontof the bed and climb through everythingelse. Their variegated and unvariegatedleaves and bright red and yellow flowersset off the bed until the first frostcomes and makes a mush of them.
I hate clearing that up but they comeevery year for free. Last year I ate oneof the seeds, something you want toexperience only once in a lifetime.
The Michaelmas daisies, a cutting that Icould not refuse, grow up through lastyear’s cut-back woody stems. They lookall pale and green and delicate untilthey grow so tall that I have to stakethem, and their purple flowers will bethe last ones in the bed until thesnowdrops appear next winter.
Looking back on what I’ve written I cansee why this bed is no problem: everybit of bare earth is covered, there are noannuals that create gaps in the springand nothing in it is ever bothered byslugs, although I do spend a lot of timepicking snails off the Snowmound. Theydon’t seem to do any damage; perhapsthey just like climbing it.
Joining Vegan-Organic Network is anexcellent move for the vegan-organicgardener. The twice-yearly magazineand how-to-do-it advice sheets arepacked with helpful information.Remember there is a world of differencebetween vegan-organic (stockfree) andconventional organic. Support VON andhelp get real vegan-grown food in theshops.
Contact VON80 Annable RdLower BredburyStockport SK6 2DF.0845 223 5232 (BT local rate, 10am to 8pm) or info@veganorganic.net.
Visit the VON website and joinonline at www.veganorganic.net.
Grow Vegan PuzzlerName a variety of geranium
Send your answers ona postcard to: The Vegan Society(address details on page1) by 16th June 2008.The winner willreceive a copy ofPlants for a Future byKen Fern.
Answer to the Spring Grow Vegan Puzzlerwas: Berlicum (carrot)
Winner: Justine Bourne from Hove
28 The Vegan l Summer 2008
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The Vegan l Summer 2008 29
AN
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 29
24 The Vegan l Summer 200830 The Vegan l Summer 2008
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For the Ongoing Excellent OverallCare of Vegans by ensuring equalopportunities in both their dietaryand prison shop requirements:
HMP Lowdham Grange (CateringManager Graeme Mann)
For providing nutritious and variedvegan foods and helping to ensure thatprisoners’ vegan prison shop purchaseswere met via Suma.
For their Excellent Overall Care ofVegans by ensuring equalopportunities in both their dietaryand prison shop requirements:
HMP Winchester (Head ofCatering/Canteen Services SandyPowell and Catering Manager WillySheekey and team)
Winchester were nominated by a prisonerwho said, “Winchester have done anexcellent job of providing vegan mealsin a nutritional and imaginative way.”
For the Ongoing Excellent Care ofVegan Prisoners:
HMP Bronzefield (Catering ManagerJamie Gibson)
Jamie Gibson won an award for thecare of vegans in 2006 and his standardremains high. Two prisoners nominatedhim to receive another award this year.
For their Excellent Catering forVegan Prisoners:
HMP Onley (Sarah Brown and Holly Hill)
A prisoner nominated them for an award.He felt that every effort was made toensure he was given equal opportunities.
.
PRISONCATERING AWARDS
The Vegan Society in
partnership with the
Vegan Prisoners Support
Group (VPSG) gave out
the 2007 prison awards
on March 12th and 13th
at a prison catering
workshop. The standard
of nominated prisons
was high, making the
decision a difficult one.
After hours of deliberation,
the following prisons
were given awards:
For their Ongoing ExcellentCatering for Vegan Prisoners:
HMP Downview (P/O CatererEverton Cummings and team)
Everton Cummins won an awardfor the care of vegans in 2006 andhis standard remains high. He isalways available to listen to vegansuggestions, to show inmatesround the kitchen and to showthem the products he uses. Oneprisoner said the vegan food wasthe best she had come across inprison.
For their Excellent Catering forVegan Prisoners:
HMP North Sea Camp (CateringManager Bob Betts and team)
A vegan prisoner nominated thisprison for all their efforts inensuring equal opportunities. He said, “The food here is superband I can’t fault them in any waywhatsoever.”
For their Ongoing Excellent Careof Vegan Prisoners:
Isle of Wight Prisons (DavidClough Head of Catering andstaff)
David Clough and his team haveover 100 vegans to cater for atthree prisons and their standardremains high. In fact they havealso recently won a four-star prisonservice rating which they fullydeserve. They work closely withprisoners to meet their needs.
The Vegan l Summer 2008 33
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 33
34 The Vegan l Summer 2008
ReviewsSTRIKING AT THEROOTS: A PRACTICALGUIDE TO ANIMALACTIVISMby Mark Hawthorne
Foreword by
Bruce Friedrich
Published by
O Books
RRP £9.99
280 pages
Reviewed by Ray Dann
This book is not just a guide to activism as
the title may suggest: it offers some
background on the issues of concern to
the animal rights’ movement and notes
successful campaigns in various countries
across the world. It also tells the stories
of various people and how they were
originally brought into the animal
advocacy community, some of them
starting off quite unwilling to acknowledge
that non-human animals are sentient.
This offers an insight into just how
effective the various forms of activism
(letter-writing, leafleting, demonstrations,
food as outreach, sanctuaries etc.) can be
and more importantly why they may be
successful.
The book is divided into eleven chapters,
each dedicated to the discussion of a
specific form of activism. The most
effective ways of carrying out the tactics
and their suitability for different causes
and different people are dissected. At the
end of each chapter is a summary and list
of useful resources and contacts.
Striking at the Roots is easy to read for
both seasoned campaigners and
newcomers to the animal rights’
movement and is useful to anyone
interested in animal advocacy because of
its democratic approach to the subject.
MAKING A KILLING: THE POLITICAL ECONOMYOF ANIMAL RIGHTSby Bob Torres
Published by AK Press
Cover price $11.00
ISBN number
978-1904859673
Reviewed by Sandrine Revert
Bob Torres, an American
professor of sociology and
a vegan, analyses the
deeply rooted prejudices that make humans treat
animals as commodities. Drawing from various
ideological schools of thought such as Marxist political
economy and social anarchism, which he has himself
embraced, he explains that because of capitalist society,
which values property and commodities, social relations
are structured on hierarchy, domination, oppression and
exploitation of the weakest. As such, animals, which
are legally acknowledged as nothing more than
property, become “superexploited living commodities”
whose lives have only monetary value. Without
restructuring our social relationships to one another we
cannot respect nature, of which animals are a part.
Torres points out various problems within today’s
animal rights’ movement. He questions Peter Singer’s
contribution to animal rights and condemns the
violence used by the ALF and the consumerist attitude
of groups such as PETA.
Drawing extensively on the work of anarchist thinker
Murray Bookchin, Bob Torres urges the reader to
challenge hierarchy, domination and oppression of both
humans and non-humans. He advises the reader to
embrace social anarchism and veganism in order to
embody the change we want to see in the world and, in
order to be more efficient, to form what he calls affinity
groups and educate the public in order to recreate a
society based on freedom, creativity and cooperation.
This is an inspiring book and food for thought and
action for any animal rights’ activists out there and
anyone willing to challenge the order of things.
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 34
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL I wish to become a member and support the work of the Vegan Society.
I wish to renew my membership.
Membership No. (if known)......................................................................
Name:................................................................................Address:..........................................................................................
Postcode:........................................Tel:..........................................................Email:..................................................................
Date of Birth: (for security purposes)........../.........../..........Occupation:.....................................................................................
Please tick this box if you are a dietary Vegan. This entitles you to voting rights in the Society’s elections if aged 18+.
Please treat my membership subscription as Gift Aid. I have paid UK income or capital gains tax equal to the amount the Society reclaims.
My income is less than £8000 per year and I qualify for the low income discount of 33%.*
I wish to enrol other members of my household for an additional £7 each.**
A copy of the Society’s rules (Memo & Articles of Association) can
be viewed on our website or at our office. Alternatively you may buy
a copy for £5.
Please give full names of additional members and specify if dietary vegan and / or under 18. (If more than four additional members please attach separate sheet.)
Individual £21
* Less £7 low-income deduction (if applicable)
** Add £7 per additional household member
Under 18 years old £7
Memo & Articles of Association £5
Overseas: Europe +£5 / Rest of World +£7
Donation
Total:
Cheque / PO payable to The Vegan Society
Credit / Debit card (enter details below)
Direct Debit (phone for details)
Website: www.vegansociety.com
Payment may be made by
credit card, sterling
International money order
or sterling cheque drawn
on a British bank.
Membership How to pay
Please debit my Visa / Mastercard
Access / Visa Delta / Connect / Switch
Solo card number
Name on card:.........................................................................Signature:..................................................................
Today’s date........./........./.......Start date:......../........Expiry date......../........Switch Issue No.:.....................
ccccccccccccccccccc
21
THE ASIAN VEGAN KITCHENby Hema Parekh
Published by Kondansha International Ltd
ISBN 978-4-7700-3069-6
Price £10.99
Reviewed by Clare Persey
This beautifully illustrated book features recipes from across Asia including Japan, India and
Korea, each country having a special section in the book. Author Hema Parekh, who has
been teaching Asian cooking for almost two decades, takes traditional recipes that have
been enjoyed for years and tweaks them so that they are suitable for vegans.
The results of Hema’s innovation are highlighted with over forty full-colour photos in the middle of the book: the dishes
look appetizing and delicious. With such fare as tofu teriyaki steak, chow mein, tempura, poori, sushi, spring rolls,
green curry and wontons, the book offers the opportunity to learn some exciting Asian cuisine.
The recipes are described as simple to make and while the method for each dish tends to be reasonable many have a
long list of ingredients which could be off-putting, so be prepared for drawn-out shopping lists in an otherwise
tempting book.
The Vegan l Summer 2008 35
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Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 36
n MAY
Bristol Vegan Fayre (organized by Yaoh)
Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June, 11am to 9pm
The Bristol Vegan Fayre enters its sixth year – live bands, talks and stalls in
the centre of Bristol as thousands of people come together to celebrate
the best of the vegan lifestyle www.yaoh.co.uk
n JUNE
Redditch Green Fair (organized by the Redditch Alliance of Greens)
Saturday 7 June, 10.30am to 3pm
Redditch town centre
The 3rd annual independent green fair in Redditch will promote
sustainable eco-friendly living by bringing together a range of `green`
companies, campaign groups and organizations. Includes a free vegan
food sample stall by Redditch Veggies & Vegans, a Viva stall and a
Vegan Society stall. Tel. 01527 458395, www.redditchgreenfair.org.uk
n JULY
The Incredible Veggie Roadshow (organized by Viva!)
Saturday 5 July, 10:30am to 4:30pm
The Council House, Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2DT
Food tastings, cookery demonstrations, talks, free diet and health
advice, stalls, beauty products, information and campaign news,
competitions and more.
E-mail info@viva.org.uk, tel. 0117 944 1000, www.viva.org.uk
38th International Vegetarian Union World Vegetarian Congress
Sunday 27 July to Sunday 3 August
Kulturpalast, Dresden (Germany)
Special centenary event 100 Years of Food Revolution, jointly organized by
the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) and the Vegetarier-Bund
Deutschlands e.V. (VEBU)
Tel. (UK) 0207 928 7459, e-mail europa@ivu.org,
www.ivu.org/congress/2008
n AUGUST
Vegan Camp
Saturday 2 August to Saturday 16 August
On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and close to the Forest
of Bowland, North Yorkshire
The 28th vegan camp, 600-1100 visitors over two weeks, programme of
voluntary activities, camp on-site or visit during the day
E-mail www.vegancamp.co.uk
n SEPTEMBER
London Vegan Festival
Sunday 7 September
Kensington Town Hall, Horton Street, London W8
90 stalls, speakers, music, entertainment, vegan food, workshops and
good vibes! Tel. 0208 670 9585, www.vegancampaigns.org.uk/festival
The Incredible Veggie Roadshow
Saturday 27 September, 10.30am to 4.30pm
Portsmouth Guildhall, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AB
FREE entry
Food tastings, cookery demonstrations, talks, free diet and health advice,
stalls, competitions, beauty products, books, vegan food products,
information and campaign news
n OCTOBER
World Animal Day
Saturday 4 October
www.worldanimalday.org.uk
n NOVEMBER
World Vegan Day
1 November
www.worldveganday.org
West Midlands Vegan Festival (organized by Midlands Vegan
Campaigns)
Saturday 1 November, 11am to 5pm
Wolves Civic, North St, Wolverhampton, WV1 IRG
Celebrate World Vegan Day in style: 40+ stalls, food, speakers, films, a
cookery demo, information, campaign news and lots more. Tel. 01527
458395, www.midlandsveganfestival.org.uk, mvc94@yahoo.co.uk
Vegan Society AGM (for Vegan Society members only)
Saturday 22 November
The Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory St, York, YO1 6EZ
Food from Veggies will be available on arrival and throughout the day.
Tel. 0121 523 1730, e-mail: info@vegansociety.com
n DECEMBER
East Midlands Vegan Festival
Saturday 13 December, 11am to 5pm
The Council House, Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2DT
The festival features vegan food, clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, gift and
campaign stalls and live music. www.eastmidlandsveganfestival.co.uk
eventsUpdated diaries and events information can be viewed at www.vegansociety.com
The Vegan l Summer 2008 37
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 37
THE VEGAN SOCIETY LOCAL CONTACTS
Local Contacts are Vegan Society members who actvoluntarily as a point of contact for those interested inthe Society’s work. They are not officialrepresentatives of the Society and their levels ofactivity and knowledge vary according to theirindividual circumstances.
Some Local Contacts run groups, in which case detailsare below their names. Groups not run by LocalContacts and non-geographic groups are listedseparately and Youth Contacts are listed on p. 29.
For details of group activities please check the websiteor get in touch with the Contact.
Veg*ans = vegetarians & vegans.When writing to a Contact please enclose a sae.If you’ve been a full member of the Society for at leastsix months and would like to be a Local Contact pleaseget in touch with the Coordinator, Patricia Tricker (see under Yorkshire, no phone calls before 8 pm please).
VEGAN SOCIETY LOCAL CONTACTS & GROUPS
38 The Vegan l Summer 2008
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The Vegan l Summer 2008 39
CONTACTS & GROUPS
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 39
40 The Vegan l Summer 2008
PATRONS
Freya DinshahManeka GandhiRebecca HallDr Michael KlaperMobyGordon NewmanCor NouwsWendy Turner-WebsterBenjamin Zephaniah
COUNCIL
Vanessa Clarke (InternationalCoordinator)Graham Neale (Vice Chair)George Rodger (Chair)Jagdeesh SinghSubra Sivarajah Patricia Tricker (LocalContacts Coordinator)Stephen Walsh (Treasurer)
STAFF
Chief Executive OfficerNigel Winter
Head of Marketing & ITDave Palmer
Head of InformationServicesRosamund Raha
Information OfficersVerity Hunt-SheppardClare Persey
Business DevelopmentOfficerColm McBriarty
Trademark AssistantSandrine Revert
Office Manager / FinanceOfficerFiona Sylva
Education OfficerRob Jackson
PR/Media OfficerAmanda Baker
Sales AssistantPaul Xuereb
VolunteersPhilippa LennoxDean BracherRobert EmbersonRow KattWendy AtwoodLenka PaganJohn Davis
VEGANISM may be definedas a way of living whichseeks to exclude, as far aspossible and practical, allforms of exploitation of, andcruelty to, animals for food,clothing or any otherpurpose. In dietary terms itrefers to the practice ofdispensing with all animalproduce — including meat,fish, poultry, eggs, animalmilks, honey, and theirderivatives.
Abhorrence of the cruelpractices inherent in anagricultural system based onthe abuse of animals isprobably the single mostcommon reason for theadoption of veganism, butmany people are drawn to itfor health, ecological,resource, spiritual and otherreasons.
If you would like moreinformation on veganism afree Information Pack isavailable from the VeganSociety.
THE VEGAN SOCIETY wasformed in England inNovember 1944 by a groupof vegetarians who hadrecognised the ethicalcompromises implicit inlacto-vegetarianism (ie dairydependent). Today, theSociety continues to highlightthe breaking of the strongmaternal bond between thecow and her new-born calfwithin just four days; thedairy cow’s proneness tolameness and mastitis; hersubjection to an intensivecycle of pregnancy andlactation; our unnatural andunhealthy taste for cows’milk; and the de-oxygenationof river water throughcontamination with cattleslurry.
If you are already a vegan orvegan sympathiser, pleasesupport the Society and helpincrease its influence byjoining. Increased membershipmeans more resources toeducate and inform.
LISTINGS
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 40
CORNWALL
Award-winning organic vegan &vegetarian B&B in Lostwithiel, Cornwall.Please contact Julie Tamblin on
www.learnenglishincornwall.co.uk
CUMBRIA
DEVON
DORSET
HAMPSHIRE
NEW FOREST - The Barn Vegan/VegetarianGuest House. En Suite rooms, eveningmeals. Perfect for walking/cycling etc 0238029 2531 or www.veggiebarn.net
ISLE OF WIGHT
LANCASHIRE
CRAZI-CARROTS.De-tox, relax or learn a skill in Lancashire.Healthy, creative & vegan weekends.Yoga, massage or just relax.Ensuite & comfortable B&B.Tel. 01204 704600admin@wellbeingworkshopsworldwide.com
SCOTLAND
SUSSEX
WALES
YORKSHIRE
WHITBYB&B FALCON GUESTHOUSE.Vegan/vegetarian Quiet location, sevenminutesí walk from centre and harbour.Lounge and sunny breakfast room.Teamaking facilities. No smokingthroughout. Ample breakfast, withorganic fare. £20 p.p.p.n. (for couple). Tel 01947 603507
Alpujarras - Andalucia Attractive, wellequipped townhouse. Sunny roof terrace.Wonderful views, birds, walks, mountainvillages. Wholefood shops, Restaurantsserving veggie food. Sleeps 2-6. (10%discount for Vegan supporters) 01736753555 Email:
The Vegan l Summer 2008 41
(UK) HOLIDAYS
people animals environment
Donald Watson House21 Hylton StreetHockleyBirmingham B18 6HJ
Tel: 0845 45 88244 Fax: 0121 523 1749info@vegansociety.comwww.vegansociety.com
THE VEGAN DISCOUNT CARD
DISCOUNT CARD
HOLIDAYS ABROAD
CLASSIFIEDS
ADVERTISEMENTS TO BE
SUBMITTED BY
13TH JULY 2008
FOR INCLUSION IN THE
AUTUMN 2008 ISSUE
OFTHE VEGAN
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 41
Andalucia - remote mountain village 40mins sea - walking, wildlife - from £100per week - 2 persons - £180 4 persons.Tel 01202 431867 www.orgiva.org/alfornon
Legassi Gardens. Holiday apartments,Accra, Ghana. Vegan cafe, drumming,dance, yoga, massage and heritage tours.From $35 per night per appartment.legassigardens@hotmail.com
Kerala & South IndiaVegan and vegetarian cuisine, eco-friendlyresorts & hotels, beaches, backwaters,wildlife, trekking & camping.Brochure: 01892 722440Fax: 01892 724913E-mail: info@keralaconnections.co.ukwww.keralaconnections.co.uk
WEST CORK-vegetarian self-cateringapartments for singles, couples andfamilies in peaceful wooded surroundings.Organic vegetables & vegan wholefoodsavailable. Green Lodge, Trawnamadree,Ballylickey, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. Tel: +353 2766 146, 00353 0861955451.Email: greenlodge@eircom.net or website http://homepage.eircom.net/-greenlodge
South of France- at the edge of thebeautiful Cevenne. Self-cateringvegetarian/vegan gite. Nestled in quietand peaceful wooded hills, ideal forwalking, mountain biking, painting,writing. Local attractions including asteam railway and a gorgeous grotte. Tel:0033 4 66 61 02 38 e-mail:
www.veggygite.com
VEGAN VIEWS - informal quarterly forVegan Opinion. Sample copy £1. 4 issues£4 inc p&p. Harry Mather, Flat A15, 20Dean Park Road, Bournemouth BH1 1JB
SUNSHINE AND SHADOW. Autobiographyof Wilfred Crone, well-knownvegan/fruitarian. £7.50 inc P&P. HarryMather, Flat A15, 20 Dean Park Road,Bournemouth BH1 1JB
VEGAN VOICE magazine promotes anonviolent lifestyle beneficial to the planetand to all animals. For the latest onveganism and animal rights, subscribenow to Vegan Voice, Australia’scelebrated and singular quarterlymagazine! www.veganic.net
Single? Online dating for vegans,vegetarians, environmentalists and humanitarians. Meet your like-mindedmatch in your local area.www.ethicalsingles.com
Brittany, France - ‘La Sittelle’. Gardener(s)required to help with upkeep of 5,500 sq metres of land overthe summer months. Free accommodation plus meals to anyonewho can help with a couple of hoursgardening each day. Week long stays overthe Summer months.
DIVINE FROG web services. A veganbusiness. Website design,implementation, development,maintenance and hosting. Please contactIan : Tel : 07981 057697 Email : i.nicoll@divinefrog.co.ukwww.divinefrog.co.uk
‘Jesus was a vegetarian’www.donateatus.org
KINDNESS UNLIMITED is a fellowship ofChristian vegetarians and vegans of anydenomination or none. For details pleasewrite to Kindness Unlimited, the OldVicarage, Llangynog, Carmarthen SA335BS or email KindnessU@aol.com
The Christian Vegetarian Association(CVA) believes that a plant based way oflife represents good, responsible ChristianStewardship for all God’s creation. Forfurther information on our work or to joinus visit www.christianvegetarian.co.uk or
PUBLICATIONS
DISCOUNT CARD
REFERENCE CODE
This card entitles thebearer to discounts ata range of outlets,restaurants and hotels.A full list of discountsis available fromThe Vegan Society.
Ref:FDB 008
VALID FROM
UNTIL
THE VEGAN
may 2008
august 2008
ORGANISATIONS
INTERNET SERVICES
DISCOUNT CARD
HOLIDAYS ABROAD
PERSONAL
JOB VACANCIES
CLASSIFIEDS
42 The Vegan l Summer 2008
FRANCE (Brittany 56) ‘La Sittelle’Vegan B&B 22E pp Enjoy a warm
welcome & good food in ourcomfortable old farmhouse.Relax in
peaceful gardens, walk/cycle inbeautiful countryside or explore the
many places of interest.Nearby lake forswimming, sailing; canal for
canoeing.Dinner optional.Easy accessSt Malo/Roscoff/Dinard.Members 10%
Discount. TEL: 0033 297 93 00 61 or Email hils46@yahoo.co.uk
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 42
FREE YOURSELF FROM LOW ENERGYLEVELS, FATIGUE AND ILL-HEALTH! I offerpersonal health and nutrition consultations(in-person/by telephone/email), group andindividual fasting/detox supervision,iridology, health books and a home-studycourse in Natural Health. Contact me foryour free brochure - www.vibrancyUK.com (01626) 352765
Sanctuary In Desperate Need
Hillfields Animal Sanctuary, near
Bromsgrove West Midlands, has 300
mouths to feed. The owner is
battling against almost impossible
odds and desperately needs help,
both practical and financial. Please
contact
Web site
www.hillfields-sanctuary.co.uk
Save A Life- Adopt A Goat
The ideal gift for the person who haseverything. We take into care those
who have suffered from neglect,abuse and abandonment. Providing aloving home for the rest of their days
Buttercup Sanctuary for goats,Maidstone, Kent, ME17 4JU
Tel: (01622) 746410Registered Charity: 1099627
www.Buttercups.org.uk
PRACTITIONERS
The Vegan l Summer 2008 43
“VEGAN VENTURE” THE MAXWELL LEE MEMORIAL WORKSHOP
Applications are invited from vegetarians/vegans aged 16-25years for a vegan cookery day to be held at the VegetarianSociety near Manchester on Saturday, 30 August 2008.
This course, with specially designed nutritious meals for youngpeople by the Cordon Vert School, will be totally funded by TheVegetarian Charity in memory of the late Maxwell Lee.
Maxwell became a vegetarian at the age of 12 for moral reasonsand then a vegan in 1985. His commitment to the VegetarianSociety spanned 50 years in various roles. He was HonoraryGeneral Secretary of the International Vegetarian Union for 17years and later President of the European Vegetarian Union aswell as being involved in setting up The Vegetarian Charity ofwhich he was Chairman from 1985 until his untimely deathin 2005.
Please inform us where you saw this advertisement
Application forms from:
Grants Secretary, PO Box 473, Crewe, CW3 OWU
or e-mail vegetariancharity@btinternet.com
If you are a vegan or vegetarian, keen on the non-exploitation of animals and theenvironment, an appropriate Overseas Aid Charity to support is
VEGFAMRegistered Charity No.232208 Inland Revenue Ref. XN8555 & XAD67AG (Gift Aid)
VEGFAM “FEEDS THE HUNGRY WITHOUT EXPLOITING ANIMALS” The Fragile Environment cannot support TWO populations – Humans and their Food Animals.
Since 1963, VEGFAM has been raising funds to alleviate hunger, thirst, malnutrition and starvation, helping people in over 40countries, by financing sustainable, self-supporting plant food projects and safe water supplies.
VEGFAM helps people to help themselves by providing funds for seeds and tools for vegetable growing projects, fruit & nut tree planting, irrigation and water wells.Emergency feeding in times of crisis and disaster.
Food security prevents malnutrition and starvation. Using plant foods is a far more efficient and sustainable way of addressinghunger overseas.
VEGFAM is professionally operated, entirely by volunteers, so as much as possible is spent on famine relief projects.
GENERAL DONATIONS paid into a/c No. 65023307 00 will be apportioned between: Projects (90%) Administration Expenses (9%) Office Building (1%)
The Co-Operative Bank plc, 242 High Street, EXETER, EX4 3QB Sort Code 08-92-90
SUPPORTERS ARE INVITED TO PAY DONATIONS DIRECT INTO THE ABOVE BANK ACCOUNT, ONLINE, OR BY POST TO THE ADDRESS BELOW.
For more information (Project News, Bankers Orders, Gift Aid, Legacies), please send an SAE to:VEGFAM, c/o Cwm Cottage, Cwmynys, Cilycwm, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0EU.
Telephone 01550 721197 Facsimile by arrangement.Online Giving: http://www.charitychoice.co.uk/vegfam Website: www.vegfamcharity.org.uk
Thank you for your support.
Summer 2008 6/5/08 4:27 pm Page 43
Kate Sweeney & Vega
44 The Vegan l Summer 2008
CROSSWORD
QUICK CROSSWORDset by Kate Sweeney
Solution to The Vegan Prize Crossword 51 (Quick:left/Cryptic:right)
The winner of the Cryptic crossword is: Carolyn Griffin
The winner of the Quick Crossword is: Dr H.G.A. Hughes
Across
1 Esential oil with antiseptic and antifungal properties (3,4)5 Any protective covering to insulate or enrich the soil
around a plant (5)8 Small rounded bread buns (5)9 Food eaten off the premises (US) (7)10 More sugary (7)11 Strain, sift (5)12 Lump, blob (of food) (6)13 Small storage cabinet (6)17 More (5)20 This has a fibrous husk and white ‘meat’ (7)22 Break down (sugar into alcohol) (7)23 Pizza originated in this country (5)24 This is used to 22 Across or raise dough (5)25 Sanitary practice important in the kitchen (7)
Down
1 Open pies with fruit fillings (5)2 Any of several plants e.g.Valerian believed to have wide
medicinal powers (7)3 Rice dish (7)4 Restaurant or cafe (6)5 Creates (5)6 Fruit and vegetables may be sold like this; free (5)7 With the highest temperature, most intense (7)12 Cook in a lot of fat (7)14 Using the tongue to taste (7)15 Dry in the open air e.g. tomatoes (7)16 Drop scone, griddle cake or _ _ _ _ _ _ pancake (6)18 Dry land, _ _ _ _ firma (5)19 Awake, attentive (5)21 Herb (5)
Across
1 Lady of Tennyson’s poem is a tear-jerker (7)5 Six vehicle clergyman (5)8 Cap embedded in amber et cetera (5)9 Speciesist species and mink struggled (7)10 Endless call back precedes unfinished query for varnish (7)11 Labyrinth sounds corny (5)12 Mother Carey’s hen or free seabird? (6)13 A hundred voles disturbed spices (6)17 Pallid sticky pie (5)20 A canoe I cast adrift to get to large south Pacific island
group (7)22 Engage five in love intrigue (7)23 Penny for new pylon backing sedentary coelenterate stage (5)24 Bottomless pit abbey uses oddly (5)25 Oar gone wrong herb (7)
Down
1 Profit, we hear, is up by fifty (5)2 Rip coat off fruit (7)3 Latvian high church greens (7)4 River I get soy sauce from (6)5 Vegan loses Georgia over Missouri uprising causing spite (5)6 Cooking hot ingredient (like Indian) initially sounds cool (5)7 Compensate communist replacing head of green salad plant (7)
12 Irk papa goulash pepper (7)14 Sleek piebalds devoured vegetable dish (4,3)15 Plain pod article in Roman house (7)16 Marco carries me to large Southeast Asian fruit (6)18 European region, hotel and house of cabbage (5)19 You old records produce high pitched barks (5)21 Soya milk brand in polar circulation (5)
CRYPTIC CROSSWORDset by Vega
Please send in solutions to either crosswordalong with your name and address by16th June 2008PPrriizzeess nneexxtt iissssuuee:: QQuuiicckk:: A pack of our new blackcurrantflavour Veg1 and a Vegan Society WalletCCrryyppttiicc:: A box of twelve beautifulhandmade soaps
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