In this issue:Vegan Organic Growing page 4

A vegetarian school in India page 5Eating out in Manchester page 8

Radical Manchester page 10

Christmas Day Rescue page 10A politically correct Christmas page 12

Hunting with dogs page 13Recipes page 14

No. 103 Winter 2004 £ 1A Forum for Vegan Opinion

Animal groups

Viva!, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS28QH. Tel: 0117 944 1000. Web:www.viva.org.uk. Email: info@viva.org.uk.Publishes the magazine Viva!Life quarterly. Theyare very animal oriented and are good forteenagers and young people.Animal Aid. Web: www.animalaid.org.ukPETA. Web: www.peta-online.org

Charities

HIPPO (Help International Plant ProteinOrganisation) is working around the world tohelp hungry people to obtain or produce theirown high protein food from plant sources,supporting projects run by local people in thedeveloping world. Donations/enquiries to:HIPPO, The Old Vicarage, Llangynog,Carmarthen SA33 5BS. Tel/Fax 01267 241547.Email: hippocharity@aol.comVegfam has for 30 years provided short andlong-term Relief to People who have been thevictims of drought, flood, cyclone or war.Website: www.veganvillage.co.uk/vegfamEmail: vegfam@veganvillage.co.uk

Family + children

Vegan Families Contacts List for familieswishing to bring up their children the vegan way.Send name & address and dates of birth ofchildren, and an SAE, to Family Contacts List, 7Battle Rd, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex TN377AA.Contact Network for measles, mumps, rubella,for families who would prefer children to catchchildhood diseases and gain natural immunityinstead of the MMR vaccination. To go on list tonotify of cases, call Lesley on 020 8861 1233.Vegan Family House Website of a veganfamily living in NE Scotland. Recipes, info onveganism and bringing up vegan children.www.veganfamily.co.uk

Fruitarian + raw food

The Fruitarian/Raw Food Centre ofLondon (100% vegan) in Barnet offers weekendworkshops and consultations on the raw energylifestyle, fasting, preparation of recipes, etc.Guidance for safe, reliable weight control andbodybuilding. Discussion of philosophy, ethics,reference to religion, ecology, etc. Ring 020 84462960 or 020 8441 6253 for details.Go Fruitarian (www.fresh-network.com) Fordetails send SAE to The FRESH Network, POBox 71, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4GU. Fruitarianism Our original and ultimate diet.Free information, send large SAE to JohnRhodes, Longcause Cottage, Longcause,Dartington, Totnes TQ9 6EY.

Magazines

The Vegan is published by the Vegan Society.(See page 18)

The Welsh Vegan is a quarterly magazine inWelsh and English. Annual subscription £1.25from Bronyr Ysgol, Montpellier, LlandridnodWells, Powys.Growing Green International is published byVegan Organic Trust. See page 18.Web: www.veganorganic.netThe Green Queen Twice yearly lesbian, gay,bisexual, vegan & veggie mag, welcomes shortstories, poetry, articles, opinion, book/filmreviews, campaign information. For the latestissue, please send £1-13 to K Bell, Green Queen,BM Box 5700, London WC1N 3XX.New Leaves is published by Movement forCompassionate Living. See page 18.Web: www.MCLveganway.org.ukVegan Voice is a quarterly Australian magazinefor those who want to spread the message ofrespect and love for all life. It promotes a non-violent way of living beneficial to the planet, allanimals and human health; gives a platform forlike-minded groups and individuals. Credit cardfacilities now available – approx £18 for 4 issues,a year’s subscription. PO Box 30, NimbinNSW2480 Australia. Web: http://veganic.netEmail: veganvoice@lis.net.auViva!Life published by Viva. www.viva.org.ukwww.realfood is a monthly online veganmagazine, full of news, reviews, recipes, anddetails of our campaigns. (Food fairs, veganbuddies, NHS menu charts.) To subscribe free forour magazine contact us at news@realfood.org.uk

Projects

Ancient Woodland Project a 29-acrewoodland near Scarborough, run by a VeganViews subscriber who wants to convert it backinto a native woodland. Details: Louisa 01723514525 or 07748 101117.Email: Ancientwoodlands@aol.comWeb: www.woodlandproject.org.uk

Religion + spiritual

A friendly network of vegetarians and veganscommitted to faith in Jesus Christ. Membershipis free. Kindness Unlimited, The Old Vicarage,Llangynog, Carmarthen SA33 5BS. Email:springoftruelife@aol.comJesus Top Secret Fascinating article showingthat Jesus was a vegan, and that he expresslycommanded his followers to observe a purelyvegetarian diet and to show love and kindness toall living things, and explaining why theseteachings were altered and suppressed. Send£1.20 in stamps to BCM Redeemer, LondonWC1N 3XX.Web: www.members.tripod.com/jbrooks2/Followers of the Way Founded by AntonyBates (1920-1996). A group of friends who arevegetarian/vegan, and pacifist in relation to war.They aim to cultivate the inner life and to expressthis through works of reform and creativity. Theyproclaim the Christ has returned and anticipatethe return of the prophets. Tel: 020 8948 2315.365 Sandycombe Rd, Kew Gardens, Surrey TW93PR.Spiritual Veganism The ultimate belief. Youare a spiritual vegan if you are a vegan whose oneand only concern is for the animals, and you

believe that those beautiful, intelligent, lovingcreatures, bred for an already overladen table,have the divine right to live. Spiritual Vegans,Kent House Kent Place, Lechlade, Glos GL73AW.Veg4Lent This campaign is active each year inpromoting the benefits of ethical vegetarianismamongst Christians. For further information onthis year’s initiative, see www.veg4lent.org, orcontact: Veg4lent, Pines Road, Liphook GU307PL. Tel. 01428 723747.

Printing + resources

Footprint Workers Co-operative, 40Sholebroke Avenue, Leeds LS7 3HB. Veryreasonably priced, very ethically based, all paperis re-cycled, eco-friendly inks. Tel: 0113 2624408. Web: www.footprinters.co.ukSunrise Screenprint, tel: 01356 660430.Web: www.menmuir.org.uk/sunrise. The ownersare vegan, environmental, and print on fair tradeorganic cotton T-shirts. Retail/wholesale andcustom printed.

Sport

Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club Opento vegans of any sporting ability. Details: PeterSimpson, 13 Peers Lane, Shenley Church End,Milton Keynes MK5 6BG. Tel 01908 530919.Web: www.geocities.com/vegetariancac/E-mail: Psimpson@vegcac-mkveg.fslife.co.ukThe Vegan Runners Group has vests andshorts available (black with green band, name onboth sides). Join VC&AC e-mail list.Independent of VC&AC at present but affiliatedto the sport’s governing bodies.

Vegan communities

Brynderwen Vegan Community started inMay 2002 when a large four-bedroom house withterraced gardens in a semi-rural location on theoutskirts of Swansea was purchased. It has ahuge double garage with planning permission toconvert to further accommodation or part accom-modation, part workshop. Some people live atBrynderwen, others independently nearby. Ifyou’re interested in visiting or living at the houseor nearby contact Malcolm Horne, Brynderwen,Crymlyn Road, Llansamlet, Swansea SA7 9XT.Email: vegancom@btinternet.com. Tel: 01792792442. A small newsletter is available (sendSAE). www.veganviews.org.uk/brynderwen

Vegan shops

Vegonia Wholefoods sells only veganproducts. 49 High Street, Porthmadog, NorthWales. Tel: 01766 515195.Unicorn Grocery, 89 Albion Rd, Chorlton,Manchester, M21 0BN. Tel 0161 8610010. Web:www.unicorn-grocery.co.ukOne Earth Shop, 54 Allison St, Digbeth,Birmingham, B5 5TH. Tel: 0121 6326909. Veganowners. Star Organics, 84 Cranleigh Rd, Southbourne,Bournemouth. Tel/fax: 01202 418541. Organicfruit and veg, health foods and eco products. Boxscheme for local delivery. You can choose.2

27 Nov: Viva! Roadshow in BrightonVenue: Komedia, Gardner Street, Brighton,9.30am–3.30pm. Taste a whole range of veggiefoods, get all your questions answered, pick upgreat free info, watch cookery demos and sit inon helpful talks. There’ll be a wide range ofrecipe books available plus food from localshops and restaurants. If you know people whoare considering going veggie, tell them aboutthis event – free entry. Details: 0117 944 1000or see www.viva.org.uk/events.html

5 Dec: Christmas Without CrueltyKensington Town Hall, Hornton Street (OffKensington High Street), London W8. 10am-5pm. Admission £1, children free. Lots of stallsselling Xmas and other cruelty-freemerchandise. Vegan Food. Speakers. Web:www.animalaid.org.uk/events/00cwc.htm

11 Dec: East Midlands Vegan Festival11:30am–5pm at the Council House, OldMarket Square, Nottingham. Stalls, vegan food,recipes and advice. Organised by Veggies andHouse of Life. Web: www.veggies.org.uk

11 Dec: Sheffield Cruelty-Free Fair10am-4pm at Houlden Hall, Norfolk Row,Sheffield. Details: Tel: 0114 258 8869

E-mail: info@sheffieldvegansociety.org.ukWeb: www.sheffieldvegansociety.org.uk

29 Jan: Viva! Roadshow in SolihullVenue: Shirley Methodist Church, StratfordRoad, Solihull. 10am–5pm.

March: Animal Aid’s Veggie MonthContact Becky at Animal Aid on 01732 364546ext 29.

Watch out for other Viva! Roadshows!26 Mar: Manchester at Cross Street Chapel,Cross Street. 10am–5pm.30 Apr: Edinburgh at St George’s WestChurch, 58 Shandwick Place. 10am–5pm.14 May: Cardiff at St Davids Hall, The Hayes.10 am – 5 pm.11 Jun: Southampton at Southampton InstituteConference Centre, St James Building, AboveBar Street. 10 am – 4 pm.25 Jun: Newcastle at St James United ReformChurch, Northumberland Road. 10 am – 5 pm.23 Jul: Sheffield at St Marie’s, Houlden Hall,Norfolk Row. 10 am – 5 pm.10 Sep: Oxford at Wesley MemorialMethodist Church, New Inn Hall Street. 10 am– 4 pm.22 Oct: Canterbury at St Peter’s MethodistChurch, St Peter’s Street. 10 am – 4 pm.

3

So Christmas has come around oncemore to celebrate renewed hope withthe return of lengthening daylight andlooking forward to life enhancingSpring.

By Harry Mather

Feasting helps us get through the longnights but vegans shudder at the thoughtthat millions of birds will be slaughtered

to celebrate the birth of ‘Peace on Earth’. Theearth is plainly not at peace. Many humans arehappily slaughteringother humans either outof a need to assertthemselves, out of greed,or lust for power, orbecause they think othersare evil and should beexterminated. There aremany complex reasonswhy people kill eachother, but the reason forpeace is simple enough:respect for the ‘other’.

Albert Schweitzer, aprofound thinker, expres-

sed it as “respect for life”. He considered the‘other’ beings as having a “will to live”, just ashe himself had a “will to live” and we shouldtake this into account in our relations with otherbeings. Persuasion may turn enemies intofriends. Killing only leads to thoughts ofrevenge and to further killing.

As for the slaughter of animals for food atChristmas and Yuletide, vegans see it ascompletely unnecessary. Most of the festivefeast is vegan and replacing one main dish byanother is no big deal. For me, a nut roast inplace of the bird seems part of a vegetariantradition a century old. I hope our recipe page

will help to inspire you.And the books we reviewin this issue also giveplenty of tasty veganrecipes, though you mayalready have your ownfavourite. There is plentyof variety in veganmenus.

So enjoy yourseasonal feasting; all themore because you arepart of the bloodlessrevolution.

Editor:Harry Mather

Web site: John CurtisFront cover: Ruth Lewis

Layout: Knut Caspari

Contributors:Kelly BubbleGraham Cole

Shirlaine ForrestTim GausdenDavid Graham

Christina Mirizzi

Post address:Vegan Views,

Flat A15,20 Dean Park Road,

Bournemouth,BH1 1JB.

Email:info@veganviews.org.uk

Website:www.veganviews.org.uk

Sell Vegan Views:Sell Vegan Views to friends, local shops,bazaars or at meetings. If you order aminimum of five copies, each copy costs50 pence including postage within UK.(We can no longer accept returns.)

Printed by:Footprint Workers Co-op, Leeds. Tel:0113 262 4408. www.footprinters.co.uk

CopyrightIf quoting from this magazine, pleaseacknowledge the source and do notdistort the sense. The sign © shows thatthe author reserves copyright on thatarticle.

Vegan Views is independent of theVegan Society but shares its aims. Itwas started in 1975 by a group ofvegans who wanted to make contactwith others interested in creating a moreharmonious way of living based onveganism, and to communicate moreinformally than could be done in theofficial journal of the Vegan Society. Itrealises that many vegans feel isolatedfrom society and appreciate contactwith, and news and opinions of, othervegans.

We rely on readers’ contributions andwelcome letters, articles, news, events,drawings and constructive criticism –and try to print all that is relevant and ofinterest in the magazine. If you don’twant your letter published please makethis clear when writing.

We expect to publish quarterly, buthave no fixed publication date, so writeearly to be included in the next issue.

From the editor…

Events

Visit www.veggies.org.uk/calendar.htmfor the latest vegan and animal events. Veganrelated events are also at:

www.veganviews.org.uk

Christmas is comingYou’re all getting fat

Please to put a £In the VEGFAM hat

If you haven’t got a £Two 50s will do

If you haven’t got two 50sThen ask…

Friends, relatives,Like the real poor

Have To.

Early winter is a time to look back on thelabours of the past growing season, oursuccesses and failures, and to planahead for next year as this time of year(as I write in late October) is really thestart of the new gardening year.

By Graham Cole

It was a much wetter year, particularly inAugust. Potatoes got blight so tops were cutoff to stop it spreading to the tubers, and

still a heavy crop was had. Sweet Corn wasslower to ripen, but was harvested over a longerperiod than last year’s hot summer. RunnerBeans cropped well with extra moisture butcame in for some battering winds. For somereason I got patchier germination with theParsnips and Carrots. Grass cutting startedearlier in the spring but finished earlier due toso much rain making it too wet to mow, buthuge Sunflowers were had producing big seedheads. This year I grew the “Spaghetti Squash”,a tastier marrow type thing, and the good oldreliable “Buttercup” Squash has producedmany moderate-sized fruits for storage andwinter eating. The cooler rainy conditions alsobenefited the salad leaf crops and ChineseLeaves, the latter has given many helpings forraw use and stir-fries. Lastly, the first bunchesare being eaten from the “Strawberry Grape”which, in its south-facing wall position, isproducing about a dozen good sized bunches.

Seasonal TasksIn the fruit garden, blackcurrant bushes can bepruned – aim to remove about a third of olderwood by cutting low to the ground. Some of theyounger shoots on those pruned branches canbe inserted in the ground in a sheltered spot ascuttings to produce new plants by the end ofnext summer. Order and buy fruit trees andbushes and get planting whilst the ground isstill relatively warm.

The veg garden sees us starting to harvestBrussels, Leeks and Parsnips after a frost as thismakes them ”sweeten up”, as a kind of anti-freeze is produced in the plant tissues. Garliccan be planted in winter to give them a longgrowing time, resulting in a good size whenharvested next summer. Keep compost binscovered to keep some heat in and rain out –black polythene or empty compost bags do agood job. Where Runner, Climbing FrenchBean and/or Sweet Peas will be grown, a trenchof a spade’s depth can be taken out and kitchenplant wastes can be buried along it duringwinter.

November is about the best time to planttrees and shrubs – the soil is moist and warmand the plants will have ample time to settle inand make new roots before top growth starts inspring. New trees need to be tied to a stake afterplanting to prevent wind rock – knock inposition next to the planting hole so as not todamage the roots before placing the plant in thehole and back-filling with soil. Use an old

nylon stocking or rubber tie that does notdamage the bark, and check previous ties tomake sure no biting into wood is happening. Itis also a good time to transplant anything,digging up carefully and putting in a newwaiting hole.

Collecting LeavesDO use all leaves that fall in autumn. DON’Tuse evergreen leaves such as holly, laurel andconifers. Leafmould is easy to make, cuts outbonfires, saves using peat (it’s better than peatnutritionally), is free, easy to handle and goodfor the soil. It rots down with the slow action offungi rather than the quicker-acting bacteriaresponsible for composting. Collect the leavesand put them in black plastic bags – tie the topand put a few holes in the sides using a forkwhen filled. Alternatively, use wire netting in ashady place to keep the leaves in a pile. Water ifdry to help them to rot, and ignore them for ayear or two.Uses: Newly fallen leaves can cover bare soil.Young leafmould (1 year) can be used to mulchshrubs, fruit, trees, herbaceous plants andvegetables; cover bare soil with it over winterand in the following spring, dig it in since it actsas a soil improver. Old leafmould (2 year+) canbe used in the same way as young leafmould,but can also be used in potting mixtures withsharp sand, loam and/or B&Q Organic Peat-Free Multipurpose Compost (free from animalingredients).

ApplesLate autumn is the best time for planting barerooted trees. I am in the process of putting in arow of cordon apples, which is a way of takingup less space and getting more varieties. Prunethe fruiting side spurs on a single main stemtilted at 45 degrees, with the row tied to postand wires running north-south. These are theones I have chosen from Deacon’s Nursery (Isleof Wight), Agroforestry Research Trust(Devon) and a local enterprise at good pricesfor rare old varieties: Fruitwise (Hampshire)…Laxton`s Epicure ready late August, doesnot keep long, for quick eating!Ribston Pippin a personal favourite, ready

November, keeps into New Year.Mother October-December eating.Adam’s Pearmain December-March.Ashmead’s Kernal russeted, tasty, oldvariety, December-March.Orleans Reinette another excellent-flavoured old kind, December-March.Margil can keep until Spring, small tree,January-April.Court Pendu Plat our oldest recorded apple,late flowering, December-April.Winter King (Winston) picked late andkeeps until March.

Finally, I went to a very enjoyable localApple Day where we could try and buydifferent varieties, and fresh apple juice plus afew bargain-priced trees. Also music, song anddance! We have a long apple history and cangrow many varieties all over Britain, includingup in Scotland if the right (and local) types arechosen, find some space for some this winter.

ContactsDeacon’s Nusery, Moor View, Godshill, Isle ofWight, PO38 3HW. 01983 840750. Email:deacons.nursery@btopenworld.comAgroforestry Research Trust, 46 HuntersMoon, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6JT.(01803) 840776. Web: www.agroforestry.co.ukFruitwise: www.fruitwise.net

4

Vegan organic growing: Looking back, looking forward

3 varieties of Winter squashes: ‘Buttercup’, ‘Spaghetti Squash’, and ‘Triple Treat’.

Song to the windThe winter sun lies low,All around there’s ice and snow.

The air is cold, the clouds are grey.Birds have flown across the skyTo warmer shores far away.

North wind take me from this frozen land,I long to sail across the seasI dream of golden summer sandAnd a warm and gentle breeze.

Take me from this faded lightTo a place where water flows,Where morning sun shines brightAnd luscious gardens grow.John Sephton

If you’re looking for rechargeablebatteries to replace disposable ones,the best ones to go for are NiMH (NickelMetal Hydride). These generally can berecharged over 500 times, so are muchmore environmental and work out to bemuch lower cost than the throw-awayones.

By John Curtis

Older technology rechargeables calledNiCad (Nickel Cadmium) tend to costless but are best avoided. They have

significantly lower capacity so don’t lastanywhere near as long between charges. Theycontain cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, so areenvironmentally bad news. NiCad batteries canalso lose capacity if you don’t fully dischargethem before recharging them, but NiMH don’tsuffer from this problem – you can top them upbefore they’re flat.

If you need any of the standard-sizedrechargeable batteries (AAA, AA, C, D or PP3)or a battery charger, have a look atwww.battery.ukf.net who deliver by post. Forhigh-capacity batteries, they are much cheaper

here than in any shop or website that I’vefound, and they only sell high capacity ones(high-capacity C & D cells are very difficult tofind elsewhere). Richard, the person who runsit, is an environmentalist and an anti-consumerist. He tells me that he’s almostvegan, and that his son is fully vegan. Thebatteries they supply don’t come in the normalwasteful cardboard + plastic packaging butcome loose. The website doesn’t look veryprofessional, but in August, I sent my chequeoff for some batteries and a charger and fourdays later they arrived. The website also has theaddresses that you can send any old and deadNiCad rechargeable batteries to for safedisposal. Never put NiCad batteries in the binsince cadmium is very toxic.

The website claims that the whole of thebattery industry is a con and based onconsumerism, and that C and D cells inparticular are designed to under-perform. Iagree. My own investigations are that the D-cells available from www.battery.ukf.net havenearly four times the capacity (so runequipment for nearly four times longer betweencharges) than the D-cell rechargeables you getin places like Argos, Halfords, B&Q and nearly

all internet shopping websites, and only costslightly more. AA batteries have recentlybecome widely available in high capacityversions, probably because they are often usedin digital cameras that drain batteries veryquickly, so the rechargeable batterymanufacturers have had to get their act togetherand sell decent-capacity batteries. High-capacity NiMH AA batteries generally lastlonger for a single charge than disposable high-capacity batteries (the alkaline ones such asthose by Duracell and Energiser) in high-drainequipment such as digital cameras. This isbecause alkaline batteries don’t work asefficiently for high-drain applications, but theseapplications are where NiMH rechargeablebatteries perform very efficiently. The AAbatteries from www.battery.ukf.net have similarcapacity to the highest capacity versions thatyou can get elsewhere, but at a significantlylower cost and without all the wasteful andunenvironmental packaging. It’s also nice toknow that you’re supporting someone whocares about the environment.

We have returned to the TibetanChildren’s Village of Patlikuhl inHimachal Pradesh State, India. We arepresent as representatives of a FrenchAssociation, Tsampa Equita, whichsponsors these children.

By Clementine

And, as last year when we made our firstvisit, this boarding school is entirelyvegetarian. But this year we found out

that this vegetarianism, contrary to what wethought, only happened a few years ago. Thereare more than 685 children aged 6 to 18 andmore than 200 of them are either orphans, orseparated from their families who are in Tibetto whom they cannot be reunited. All havecome from very poor Tibetan families and(almost) all are adopted.

We have been lodged for several days in alittle blue house that receives visitors, situatedin the very yard of the school. The SchoolPrincipal, a charismatic and warm hearted man,entirely devoted to the cause of “his” children,joins us in our room. Today he explained to ushow the school became vegetarian:

“The slaughter of animals destined for foodtook place just behind the school, along theriver. The children could easily see whathappened. They were horrified, terriblyshocked at the scene: the spurting blood, theshrieking animals and the slaughtered sheepoften struggled wildly for a long time… Threeyears ago, the children refused to accept thissituation any longer, and they decided no longerto participate in this massacre. They have

decided to say “no!”. First they decided todiscuss this with their ‘mothers’ (womenresponsible for their physical and generalwelfare). They referred to the administrativepersonnel and the affair came up to me. At thefirst, I said “no, no question”. I was thenpersuaded that, without meat, the childrenwould have deficiencies and be ill. But theycontinued to protest; and insisted that thespiritual Buddhist heads themselves favouredvegetarianism. One of them had thus said that,in contrast to Tibet, it is easy to be vegetarian inIndia, where vegetables, fruits, cereals andpulses are plentiful. Then, since Buddhismpreaches respect for all life, and that exile hasbrought the Tibetans to India, why not take thisstep?

The children endlessly insisted for twomonths: “We want to be vegetarian! We nolonger want animals to be killed for us”. In theend, we organised a vote by hand in the yard,only 14 voted against this decision! I thereforeaccepted their decision. Vegetarianism wasadopted, at first as an experiment. I was stillworried they would be ill, but Tibetan doctorsadvised us with menus. We continued withoutdifficulties in this path, for it is true that in Indiathere are plenty of vegetables and fruits! Whenwe get back to Tibet we will see how we canarrange things. In any case, we have taken thisdecision three years ago and all is going well,there is no problem.

“Our vegetarianism each year saves 150sheep and 150 chickens” insists the Principal.[This shows how little meat was eaten in thisschool, compared to the West.]

The Principal, the staff and the children

today are proud of their vegetarianism, which isin accord most perfectly with the all-pervadingideology of Tibetan Buddhism: compassion toall living beings, human or animal. AVegetarian Resource Club was formed in theschool, non profit making, whose object is torespect the words of the Dalai Lama and tofollow the simple Buddhist life, to create a dietthat excludes meat for life, to put in its place adiet agreeable for the children and a vegetarianzone for other schools, to stay protected fromterrible illnesses… Once a year, it publishes anewspaper in English, the VegetarianMagazine, with testimonies, poems, recipes andinformation about vegetarianism. TheVegetarian Resources Club is maintained bymodest gifts from outside and the support of theschool management. Today, other schools havebeen inspired by this innovation, which isremarkable in more than one way; it is thechildren themselves who have initiated theirvegetarian diet, and moreover, their ideas weretaken into account!

Our thanks to the children of this school forthis lesson in courage and persistence; to thepersonnel and the principal, who took note andreally listened; to the staff “mothers” and thecooks, who each day prepared hundreds ofbalanced meals outstanding in freshness andtaste, without spilling one drop of blood!Published in Alliance Vegetarienne No. 78,Toulouse, France.Contact: Vegetarian Resource Club (you canwrite to them in English), TCV School,Patlikuhl, P.O. Katrain – 175 129, DistrictKullu (H.P.), India.

5

A vegetarian school in India

Rechargeable batteries

Spicy VeganWritten by Sudha Raina – a Collection ofDelicious, Spicy, Original Indian Recipes.£10.99. ISBN: 1 84401 2492. Published byAthena Press, Queen’s House, 2 Holly Road,Twickenham TW1 4EG. www.athenapress.comSudha Raina is from India and enjoyed cookingfrom an early age. Married to a banker, she hashosted large parties at their home in India andUK, to the delight of her guests.

She has drawn on a lifetime’s experience ofcooking for vegans and vegetarians and hasbeen inspired by Vegan Views reader KathHepburn to put her recipes into a book.

There is good information about a balanceddiet, the nutritional value of the ingredientsused and an explanation of the spices, also ofthe methods of cooking.

You will find many Starters and Snacks,Salads, Vegetables, Pulses, Breads & Pancakes,Rice, Pickles & Chutneys, Sweets, Drinks, alsosuggested menus.

This book is unusual in that most Indiancookbooks are vegetarian but not vegan. Sudhabelieves deeply that people should havecompassion for animals, and hopes that thisbook will convince them that vegan food is notboring and it will also be of interest to anyonewho loves spicy food.

A paperback with black and white pictures, itseems a cornucopia of variety and tasty food. Ifyour diet needs more spice, look no further. Harry Mather

The Animals Diary 2005Written by Mark Gold. £5. ISBN: 1 897766 904.Published by Jon Carpenter Publishing, AlderHouse, Market Street, Charlbury OX7 3PH.Credit Card Orders 01689 870437.

Another Diary by Mark Gold with pictures byAnimal Aid. A week to every page, andinspiring information on each other page, plus afew recipes and a directory of relevant organi-sations. Worth having for the information aboutmatters of health and the environment, such asthis quote from Vandana Shiva:

“The livestock of Europe requires an areaseven times the size of the EU to meet theirfeed requirements.”

A Vegan Taste Of Thailand andA Vegan Taste Of Eastern Europe

Both written by Linda Majlzik and publishedby Jon Carpenter Publishing, Alder House,Market Street, Charlbury OX7 3PH. Bothpriced at £5-99 including post. Credit CardOrders 01689 870437. The ISBN no for thebooks is: 1 897766 92 0 and 1 897766 93 9.Linda Majzlik continues her gastronomicjourney round the world and presents two morecook books to add to the large collection ofthose which have already appeared.

In the Eastern European Book you can findrecipes for Hungarian Goulash, RomanianGhiveci, Bulgarian Musaka, Stuffed CabbageLeaves as Main Courses, plus Soups, accompa-niments (like dumplings), sauces, snacks,breads and salads, also information on whatyou should have in your store cupboard.

The Thailand Book has a similar layout withemphasis on Rice, Noodles, Curries, Tofu andFruity Desserts.

Though you may not be able to travel towarmer climes this winter, you can savour thetaste of their food. These cookbooks do nottempt you with glossy pictures. On the otherhand they are reasonably priced and full ofinformation to help you with the practicalities.So give some readymade meals a miss and tryyour hand at tasty cooking. There is so muchvariety in the vegan world!

The WellWritten by Kathleen Kinder. ISBN 1 84375 083X. Published by UPSO, 5 Stirling Road,Castleham Business Park, St. Leonards on Sea,TN38 9NW. Email: info@upso.co.ukWeb: www.upso.co.ukA man has a row with his wife during a violentstorm. When he runs after her he finds the coverof the well in the yard has been smashed by afalling tree. Has she fallen down the well? Theauthor (a vegan and Vegan Views subscriber)uses the novel to interpose her views on ourrelationsips with animals.

She has also written The Raven and the Doveand The Wicker Cage.

Recommended Books…Animal-Free Shopper 6th Edition £4-99 +£1-50 P&P from The Vegan Society. Web:www.vegansociety.comSpecious Science by C. Ray Greek, MDand Jean Swingle Greek, DVM Authors ofSacred Cows and Golden Geese. How Geneticsand Evolution Reveal Why Medical Researchon Animals Harms Humans. ISBN 0 8264

13986. US$ 26.90.Vegan Stories Vegans around the world telltheir stories of how and why they went vegan.Collected by Julie Rosenfield. £5-99 excl. p&pfrom The Vegan Society. Julie’s Vegan Londonwebsite: www.veganlondon.freeserve.co.ukPlant Based Nutrition and Health byStephen Walsh Ph.d. Published by The VeganSociety. 240 pages. £7-95 + p&p. ISBN0907337 26 0 paperback.

An up-to-date review of current scientificresearch on vegan nutrition. Using soundscience he is able to show the health benefits ofa vegan diet, and to inform vegans about thebest nutrition they can follow. The points madein various chapters are explained in simplelanguage and each chapter ends with a clearsummary of the practical points. There is clearguidance on the often raised topics of calcium,iron, vitamin B12 and fatty acids (e.g. omega3’s).Vegetarian Britain 2005 3nd Edition outsoon. Over 500 pages of restaurants, cafes,accommodation and health food shops. £9-95 +£2 p+p from Vegetarian Guides, PO Box 2284,London W1A 5UA. Also Guides to Europe £9-99, France £6-99, London £6-95.www.vegetarianguides.comWhere To Eat Vegetarian RestaurantGuide Compiled by Daryl Burton. Published2004 by Grapevine Guides Ltd. £9.95. ISBN 0954724305. Web: www.grapevineguides.co.ukA well laid-out and informative guide to eatingout for vegetarians in England, Scotland andWales (not Ireland).

6

Correction!In Vegan Views no. 102 on page 15 line 16unnecessary should read necessary. Andpage 15 two lines from the bottom ‘Fl’should read ‘Flu’.

Apologies, we hope no one was misled.

Good news!I received some good news the other day. Afriend of mine whom I have known since 1952rang me up to ask me where I got my Soya Milkfrom at wholesale prices. The reason why hewanted to know was that his daughter and herhusband had just bought a shop to sell groceriesand they have more enquiries for Soya Milkthan they have for milk. They were surprisedabout this as they do not have Soya Milkthemselves. How about that! I hope to put themin touch with Plamil.Bob Cramp and family

Kale is more healthy than broccoli!Thanks for two replies to my letter aboutMacular Degeneration and Kidney Stones. Ihave since learnt that Aspirin is not good as itaffects macular vision. Kale is excellent to helpeyes (21,900 in 100 grams of carotenoid,Lutein, Zeaxanthin), raw spinach (10,200),Broccoli (1,900) Collard Greens (16,300),Brussel Sprouts (1,300). Lutein and Zeaxanthinare the only carotenoids found in the macular.Dietary habits show that people who ate a dietrich in carotenoids (powerful antioxidants) hada lower risk of MD.

Buckwheat sprouts, cherries, raspberries,cranberries, rosehips, blackberries, mangoesand orange bell peppers are rich in betaca-rotene, (they help the eye be filter) carotenoids.

Food high in the carotenoid lutein are squash,celery, cucumbers, spinach, zucchini, green bellpeppers. Gingko Biloba 3 times a day andbilberry 3 times a day containing nutrients andphytochemicals are believed to inhibit MD.Blueberry with lutein is available in mostHealth Food Shops.

Kidney Stones: try Chinese Golden MoneyTea or Parsley Piert, minus the gelatine ofcourse. Try not to eat strawberries, rhubarb,magnesium citrate & potassium citrate incombination.

If anyone is interested, Aloe Vera is excellentfor healing wounds on animals eg. horses withsweat hitch burns. Contact: C. Elstrob 01609882819.

My brother Dr. Michael Fox has written twonew (paperback) books “The Healing Touch forDogs” and “The Healing Touch for Cats” “TheProven Massage Program” – Newmarket Press.

Anyone who wants a cheap weekend inDerbyshire (Friday eve to Sunday) write to boxno 304 c/o Vegan Views, leaving landline andaddress.

Michael Elliot Trust Donkey Sanctuary, PeakForest Derbyshire 01298 79775 (donations onentry) is a peaceful place to be.Best Wishes, Love & Light,Susan Fox

B12 adviceIn the VV102 article “The nature andimportance of our prehistoric diet”, the authorAllan Withnell writes that our B12 needs are “1to 2 micrograms per day … daily dose isunnecessary because … the body can store thevitamin – sufficient to last four to five years.”and “Vegans have been known to consumesolely plant foods for over twenty years withoutany signs of vitamin B12 deficiency and so itmay well be that the bacteria in our own gutcan produce adequate quantities.”

Although 1 to 2 micrograms of B12 per dayis enough to prevent serious illness – perniciousanaemia that can result in nerve damage andeven death – more is needed for improvedhealth benefits. These include increasedresistance to heart disease and, for pregnantwomen, reduced birth defects of their babies.Some vegans may have lived on plant foodsonly without using B12 fortified foods for overtwenty years without B12 deficiency as theauthor stated, but others have become deficient,so it’s not worth taking the risk – perniciousanaemia is a very serious illness.

For improved health, the UK Vegan Societyand many other vegan organisations around theworld now recommend that vegans take at least3 micrograms of B12 per day. Since the bodyabsorbs larger amounts less efficiently, thisshould be spread fairly evenly across two orthree meals (1 microgram at each of threedifferent meals in a day, for example). If youonly take B12 once per day then you need totake more due to poorer absorption – 10micrograms is recommended (probably asupplement since you are unlikely to get thismuch in a single meal from B12-fortifiedfoods). Alternatively, take a supplement with atleast 2000 micrograms if you take it just once aweek. Supplements should be chewedthoroughly before swallowing to ensure goodabsorption. The UK Vegan Society sell B12supplements that are vegan by mail order – seewww.vegansociety.com, or phone 08454588244. You can also get them from somehealthfood shops, but check first that they arevegan.

In the UK, some (but not all) yeast extracts,plant milks, margarines, soya-based ‘meats’and breakfast cereals are fortified with B12.Check the labels to ensure that they arefortified; if they aren’t, switch brands to thosethat are. Even though there are plenty of B12fortified foods, many are only lightly fortifiedor are only eaten in small quantities, so it canstill be difficult to get enough B12 fromfortified foods alone. However, Plamil milks(both Soya and White Sun but not the organicvariety) and Meridian yeast extract (the regularrather than the low-salt variety) are fortifiedwith B12 at significantly higher levels thanother brands, so are excellent choices; switch tothese if possible.

B12 is not available from natural vegan foods– it must be obtained from B12-fortified foodsor supplements.

For more details on B12, see www.vegan-society.com/html/info/b12sheet.htm or ask theVegan Society for a printed information sheeton B12. The Vegan Society has also published abook by Stephen Walsh about B12 and vegannutrition in general called ‘Plant BasedNutrition and Health’.John CurtisSteven Walsh was interviewed in Vegan Viewsno. 97, where he discusses B12.

Dear fellow VegansI (animal rights based vegan woman withstrong environmental and social, “third world”,affinity) still seek a vegan/organic place tovolunteer (in exchange for vegan/organic food+ bed) e.g. vegan/organic animal sanctuary-nursery-hor t icu l ture-gues thouse-cafe ;practical/physical work for a long period bymutual satisfaction. Don’t hesitate to contactme for more (personal) details.Alexandra (vgnwmn@yahoo.co.uk)

Send her a card!Serena Coles was one of the team withKathleen Jannaway, Eva Batt and JackSanderson who, in the early 1970s workedsuccessfully to raise the Vegan Society profile.In particular, she gave inspiring lectures atWorld Vegetarian Congresses and supportedKirsten Jungsberg of Denmark to start theVegan International Congresses. When a newCouncil was formed in 1984, she ably presidedover their meetings. In the 1990s contact withher was lost and a year ago the staff of theVegan Society was unable to contact her, partlyowing to hostility of her relatives.

Happily, Kirsten has been able to trace herold friend at a Nursing Home in Purley, Surrey,with Alzheimer’s with no vegan food andsupport. Croydon vegans will bring support,but we hope other readers will send her aChristmas Card. Serena Coles, New AmberleyLodge, Downlands Road, Croydon, Surrey.Harry Mather

7

New Campaigning WebsiteLeicester & Rutland Youth Contact SamMcCreesh has set up his own campaigningwebsite: www.campaigningforanimals.co.uk

The CFA website aims to promote wayspeople can help animals in their everydaylives by making a few simple changes suchas buying non animal-tested products &adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet. Pleasehelp promote this site by adding a link to iton your website – if you do this Sam will adda link to your site in return. If you have anyfavourite vegan recipes, or links to veggie &vegan recipe pages, please email them toSam for the new recipe page. You can alsosubmit events for the online InternationalEvents Diary. Any ideas and comments aboutthe site are most welcome – please emailinfo@campaigningforanimals.co.uk

Any suggestions or contributions towardsa new vegan page would be gratefullyreceived.

There’s a lot going on in Manchester.Some would say it’s ahead of Londonon the vegan and ethical front.

By John CurtisPhotos by Shirlaine Forrest

Ethical Consumer magazine is based inManchester. In nearby Altrinchamthere’s the Vegetarian Society which

also has a vegetarian cookery school. TheVegan Organic Network together with itscharity wing the Vegan Organic Trust wasfounded by people living in Manchester, andtoday this organisation is mainly run by severalvolunteers from their homes in the Manchesterarea. Back in May this year, Manchester hostedthe first ever North West Vegan Festival; OK,so London beat them by many years on thisfront. One thing that Manchester lacked for along time was an active local vegetarian &vegan group, but that sprung up a few years agoand it’s called ManVeg. There’s much more toManchester than this, but we won’t talk aboutfootball here, we’ll instead talk about eating-out and shopping vegan.

My thanks to Brian Rogers of Manveg, forhis help with this article, and for askingManveg members to send in their opinions onthe many veggie cafés and restaurants in theManchester area. Manveg hold monthlymeetings in the centre of town and various adhoc events, organised through a lively emailgroup. Details: www.ivu.org/manveg

The photos used in this article were takenwith a digital camera so the use of photographicfilm is avoided. (All film contains gelatine, theanimal-based curse of conventionalphotography.)

The Bean Counter, 535 Wilbraham Road,Chorlton, Manchester. Tel: 0161 882 0700.• Went about this time last year. Didn’t find itparticularly vegan-friendly so haven’t beenback. Staff didn’t seem clear about which itemswere vegan and which weren’t so didn’t inspireconfidence.[GH] • In the heart of radical Chorlton.[DG] Diamond Dogs, 52 Beech Road, Chorlton,Manchester. Tel: 0161 882 0101.• We go here regularly. Lovely food – abouthalf (or more?) vegan. Very vegan aware. Notcheap but they do use organic products andmake everything from scratch. No tinned beanson their vegan breakfasts. They are homemade.Very child friendly and happy to serve halfportions and give extra plates to sharefood.[GH] • Went there in the evening a year ago withthree other vegans, and we all had differentcourses and shared them. Two were excellent,and the other two good. Good choice forvegans, nice decor, friendly staff.[JC]Earth Café, 16-20 Turner Street, Manchester.0161 834 1996. www.earthcafe.co.uk• Earth – could be described as a Vegan Oasis in

the middle of a carnivorous city. All food isvegan and the only dairy product is milk withintea or coffee if so desired. Most of the food isorganic. Menu changes daily and a full mealcosts around £5.40 with choices of vegetableand fruit smoothies and cakes. Not too far fromMarket Street so no buses to catch if justwanting to shop in the city centre. Situatedbelow a Buddhist centre and has a peacefulambience.[Diane] • This is my favourite. Menu all vegan but Ithink you can get dairy milk in your tea if youask for it. Menu changes every day and isvaried and healthy and there is always a fab

selection of salads. Food is always tasty and thecoffee and walnut cake is out of thisworld.[GH] • The only completely vegan restaurant. Alsobookshop and meditation rooms.[DG] • Earth Café is a favourite amongst Manchestervegans, and deservedly so. Alongside anextensive juice and salad bar, Earth offers anever changing variety of hot dishes includingpeacock pie, vegetable wraps, Thai curry,soups, sandwiches, and the highly addictivespinach and mushroom quiche. All this set in arelaxed and unpretentious atmosphere, a perfectbreak from the rush of the city centre. Whilst

Unicorn celebrated its 8th birthday inSeptember. It was a Sunday and theshop was vibrant; full of music,dancing & laughter and there is goodreason to celebrate. We’ve shown youcan prosper as a good food store, anethical alternative to the mightysupermarkets.

By Kelly Bubble

About 10 years ago after a collegeplacement at Daily Bread WorkersCo-operative, Adam (one of our

founder members) had an idea, quite simplyto set up the kind of food store where hewould like to shop. After a lot of hard graftbetween a handful of determined people(who fortunately dismissed others’ claimsthat it was a crazy idea which wouldn’t work)Unicorn opened.

The way we trade is informed by our‘Principles of Purpose’; secure employment,equal opportunity, wholesome healthyconsumption, fair & sustainable trade,solidarity in co-operation. We seek to offeran alternative model of trade where theprinciples are intrinsic to the daily runningrather than ‘an add on’ and so far this hasbeen a success story.

In the early years we had a basic shop &

we have grown to fill the space. From aturnover of £4,000 to nearly £2 million ayear, from 4 members to 30. The organic fruit& veg area has always been a winner, muchcheaper than from the supermarkets & countsfor about 30% of the sales. We also have ahuge range of grains, pulses, nuts & seeds wepack ourselves, things people use to cook.We have a popular deli, great organic beer &wine range, daily fresh organic bread andhundreds of other grocery lines. The focus isalways local, ethically sourced, organic andwholesome.

We always have lots of information aboutwhere products come from and relatedcampaigns, this helps customers broadentheir understanding and make a moreinformed choice. It would be great to seesimilar shops open up all around the country,taking some supermarket share & livening upthe local economy. There’s a shop that’s soonto get off the ground in Derby called SoundBites (www.soundbitesderby.org.uk) which aformer member is involved in.

How we spend our pound is reallyimportant & if we can spend it wisely gettinglovely, unprocessed food it’s going to be verynourishing all round.Unicorn Grocery, 89 Albany Road, Chorlton,Manchester M21 0BN. 0161 861 0010.www.unicorn-grocery.co.uk

8

Eating out in Manchester

Spotlight on Unicorn Grocery

many vegan and vegetarian restaurants servehealth food, Earth succeeds where so many oftheir contemporaries fail; providing healthyfood with an emphasis on taste and quality.Recommended dishes include spinach andmushroom quiche with coleslaw and tzatziki,

coffee cake with whipped cream and theirdelicious Banana Latté.[SF] Greenhouse, 43 Oxford rd, Altrincham.• Long established vegetarian cafe and shop.Pleasant dining room with prompt service.Many varied and tasty salads, soups, baked

potatoes, etc. Open daytimes only Monday toSaturday; best to check opening times.[PW] The Greenhouse, 331 Great Western St, Ru-sholme. 0161 2240730. www.dineveggie.com• Situated in the multi-cultural area ofRusholm.[DG]Greens, 43 Lapwing Lane, Didsbury. 0161434 0259. • Not very vegan friendly and staff not aware ofwhat is vegan on the menu in my experiencethough taste is good once you have sent it backa couple of times for them to remake it withoutthe drizzle of sour cream making itunvegan.[GH] • Haute Cuisine. City Life Award for bestrestaurant of the year in the NW.[DG] Herbivores, Burlington Rooms Basement,Burlington Street, Manchester. 0161 275 2408.• Next to Main Library, Manchester UniversityCampus. Good food, good value. Feeds thestarving students.[DG] Mistys, Unit 3, Longsight Shopping Centre,531 Stockport Rd, Manchester. 0161 2563355.• Very vegan friendly and cheap, honest, tastyhomemade food. Sometimes not very clean-feeling and too smoky for us.[GH] • Excellent food. The only vegan/vegetariancafé in a working class area.[DG] On the Eighth Day, 107-111 Oxford Road,Manchester M1 7DU. 0161 273 1850.Web: www.eighth-day.co.uk• Vegan friendly and generally tasty. I haven’tbeen in the evening, just daytime. Sometimescan hit a bad time when they have run out ofeverything. Willing to split portions forchildren.[GH] • Very popular and reasonably priced. Food is abit too basic for me, but if I were still a student,I think I’d like this place. No criticisms abouttheir shop though – it’s excellent.[JC] • Long established nearly vegan cafe and shop.The basement eating area has minimalist decorand friendly staff. Self service with both avaried and fixed menu. Open till about 7pmeach weekday, closing earlier on Saturdays.Turns into a restaurant on some evenings with adifferent menu (best to check opening times asthese can alter).[PW] Oklahoma Café, High Street. 0161 834 1136.• Popular café – good menu.[DG] V2Go, Arndale Centre, City Centre and V2Go,Trafford Centre. www.v2go.co.uk• Haven’t been to the Arndale Centre one but Iimagine it is much the same as the TraffordCentre one. The first time we passed we didn’tsee the separate vegan menu so just assumed itwas one of those veggie places where you arehard pressed to get anything vegan. The nexttime we passed we asked and there was a wholemenu of fast food-type stuff like burgers andfelafel and such. Great to be catered for at aplace like the Trafford Centre but a bit too fastfoody for us to go very often. And a lot ofpolystyrene waste. No soya milk for tea but themanager said he was working on that. Ingeneral he was very keen to please.[GH] 306, 306 Oxford Road. 0161 273 8822• Near St. Mary’s Hospital, Whitworth ArtGallery and Pankhurst Centre.[DG]

Eighth Day was founded in 1970. Ourofficial name is On the Eighth Day Co-operative Limited, but as that is such amouthful we trade under the simplerversion!

By Tim Gausden

It was originally an art gallery and craftexchange – it was a very political concept,and all of the founder members were

vegetarian. The name Eighth Day was a bit ofa joke. On the seventh day God rested, on theeighth day she made something a bit better!They were out to invent an alternative tocapitalism. The idea was to get fair exchangefor crafts people and artists. It only lasted inthis form for around 12 months though sincethe building under them burnt down. They re-opened in a new location in Oxford Street,our current site, in 1971 as a wholefood shopand café, and they also sold loose herbs andclothes on the first floor.

It is the nature of workers co-ops thatpeople set up something, then other peoplejoin and move it in other directions, andsometimes the founder members feel thatwhat has become of it isn’t what they wanted,which can be difficult to come to terms with.By around 1978, the last of the foundermembers had moved on. I’m now the onewho’s been here the longest – I’ve beenworking here since 1984.

We now employ around 35 peopleincluding part-timers (e.g. students). We havearound 11 co-op members – you have to be afull-time worker to be a co-op member. Wealso have some full-time workers who are notco-op members – not all want to be. Althoughwe don’t insist that workers are veggie, thevast majority of us are, and quite a few arevegan. They tend to be customers who ask usif they can work here because they think it’s agreat place.

We attempted to sell our shop goods overthe internet through our website, but we’venow given up on this. We found that we wereconstantly packing things and running to thepost office. It really couldn’t justify a full-time worker. We’ve also given up packingwholefoods from bulk (as Unicorn do). Wethought that it was better to concentrate ourresources on retailing, since we don’t haveenough space in our new building. Wehaven’t packed for seven years.

Our original building had serious structuralproblems, and we eventually had to have itdemolished and re-built. This was anincredibly stressful period for all of us, buthas proved to be really worthwhile. The top ofthe building is flats which are independentfrom us. We have the basement, which housesthe café, and the shop is on the ground floor.Since moving in 15 months ago we have beenable to create a whole new café menu, whichis at least 75% vegan everyday, and developthe product range in the shop. As a result wehave increased the customers and the turnoverby more than we ever hoped. The shop hasjust won the Best Retailing Team and Visionin Organic Retailing awards at the HarrogateNatural Products show, whilst our nutritionistUrsula was highly commended for individualexcellence and the Café won the Healthy andSustainable Eating award at the ManchesterFood and Drink Festival, so our efforts arebeing recognised nationally, which is great.

There was a big expansion of co-ops in the70s, since a change in the law encouragedthem to set up. Most have now gone out ofbusiness. There was another big surge in the80s. The government pumped a little moneyinto the sector during the 90s. The currentgovernment has this Social Enterprises idea,which might bring new interest in co-ops, butthe Government doesn’t seem to know whatco-ops are. Italy and Spain have lots of verysuccessful co-ops. 9

Spotlight on the Eighth Day

In 1968, my wife Jane and I and our fivechildren moved from London to SouthChorlton, Manchester with a new job. Italso gave us plenty to do outsidework…

By David Graham

We organised meetings every Mondayevening in our house to discuss themost compelling issues in

Manchester as well as how to construct apermanent infrastructure based on cooperativeideals. The group was called the CommunityResearch Action Group, CRAG. “Research” inthe title presented us to others as being impec-cably proper! As more and more activists wereattracted to the discussions so did the ideas fordirect action, and a framework for permanencedeveloped. Writers in Peace News often made adistinction between community and nationalpolitics, viewing the former as the most useful.Our idea was to attempt to create an AlternativeCommunity in Chorlton by using protest, directaction, and by building alternative projects. Wewould form housing cooperatives, a freeschool, food coops, nurseries, bookshop andcafés. We needed a physical infrastructure todemonstrate that, without opting out of society,we could show that there were more satisfyingand fulfilling ways of living and working.

In CRAG we asked “what is the mostoppressed group in Manchester?” It wasn’t theAsian community or the Afro-Caribbeans,neither was it the Jewish community. It was thegypsies and travellers, they were being perse-cuted. Everywhere they stopped they were“illegal trespassers”. There were no legal sitesfor them. They were brutally towed from onesite to another and from one county to another.CRAG and activists from MANVAG(Manchester Non-Violent Action Group) and

Manchester University formed a gypsy liaisongroup which could mobilise 20 to 30 peoplethrough a telephone tree within an hour, to go tothe site of any eviction in the North West. Weoften succeeded by persuading union officialsto instruct their members to refuse to carry outthe eviction. When this failed other tactics, suchas throwing away the keys of the lorries orpuncturing their tyres were used. It wasimportant that this intervention was always atthe request of the travellers and not imposed onthem. CRAG played an important part ininvolving the local National Council for CivilLiberties in defending gypsies and travellers inthe situation and in court.

Activists from these groups also played asignificant role in other projects seen asempowering the most oppressed groups, suchas the Claimants Union, the Soup Run for thosesleeping rough and Homeless in Manchesterwhich worked mainly with single men onschemes such as ‘Open Christmas’ providingshelter, activities and welfare advice,something now commonplace but theninnovative.

What then of the permanent infrastructure?Soaring house prices put paid to some of ourplans for Chorlton. However in the 1970s westarted the first Free School in Moss Side,Grapevine vegetarian/vegan café in 1973(named after the visit of the US agriculturalworkers union), CRAG members opened GrassRoots Community Bookshop, a HousingAssociation was started in Chorlton; our ownhome became – for a short time – a community.

CRAG campaigned for school pupils’ rights;this lead to the formation of the National Unionof School Students (NUSS). Pupils at WilliamHulme Grammar protested against the school’scadet corps; at Parrs Wood in Didsbury threepupils were suspended for their role in ademonstration for free speech and wanting

greater powers for the student council. Butwhile the NUSS foundered on the problem ofhow to define pupils’ rights in a practicableway, it did contribute to a wider shift in theculture of schools in which teachers wouldbecome more accountable for their actions.CRAG initiated the movement against corporalpunishment which led to STOPP (Society ofTeachers Opposed to Physical Punishment)which outlawed pupils being hit in school.

We worked closely with council tenants andpublished a newspaper called ‘CommunityNews’. As well as squats and housing associa-tions, the physical infrastructure which activistsbuilt also included the Moss Side Free Press,Green Door Bakery (in Longsight), and infor-mation and social centres such as theManchester Alternative General InformationCentre (MAGIC); the Gay and Lesbian Centreand the Women’s Centre. The local alternativepress also provided an important source ofdebate and helped to define the boundaries ofthe community. The monthly magazine MoleExpress covered the alternative political andcultural scene in Manchester. Financial supportfor the various projects came from the incong-ruously named CLAP (Community Levy forAlternative Projects) which CRAG initiatedand was promoted by Peace News. CLAP was aregionally organised scheme where those inwork could provide a percentage of theirincome to a fund which was then dividedbetween community projects. Alternativebusinesses such as On the Eighth Day café gavea percentage of their profits to support otherprojects on the local scene. The Potlatch, socalled after Native American tribal gatherings,became the annual forum for left/anarchistactivists.

Something that can be called a British directaction movement began at the end of the 1960swith the non-violent action groups loosely

On Christmas Eve, I discovered thatthe turkeys I thought had gone toslaughter were still in their shed. OnChristmas Day, we prepared a run forthe birds and then went to collect them.Unfortunately, two had already beenkilled but we got the remaining ten.

By Hen HeavenDrawing by Jamie Coglan

There is NOTHING better than rescuingturkeys on Christmas Day! We were sopleased with our efforts that we went

back and rescued 17 hens. Altogether HenHeaven took in 106 birds (ducks, geese,bantams, hens, cockerels and turkeys) overChristmas and another sanctuary theremaining birds – about 150 lives were saved.The turkeys experienced sunshine for the first

time in their lives on New Year’s Day. Ourlongest serving turkey residents are enjoyingtheir fifth Christmas alive.

Christmas is a time of mass murder. I’mthinking of all my turkeys’ brothers and sistersbeing so wickedly killed just so that peoplecan eat them.

As the turkeys lived here and gained inconfidence, their individual charactersemerged. And they crave play stimulation.This need is completely ignored in the terribleconditions in which they are reared forChristmas. Each morning they greet me at thebarn door – each in its individual voice, saying‘Hello’. They all have a very wide vocabularyand talk to each other constantly.

When one of the stags died… all the henturkeys looked at him and then picked upstraw in their beaks until they covered his headand body. In their own way they buried him.

Hen Heaven, Squirrels Farm, StonepitLane, HENFIELD, W. Sussex, BN5 9QU.

A christmas day rescue

Radical alternative Manchester

based around the readership of PeaceNews. Direct action against nuclearenergy in the late 1970s, Greenhamand other Non-Violent Direct Action(NVDA) in the peace movementfollowed in the 1980s, and wasrenewed after a fairly low-key periodin the late 1980s in the Earth First!Network in the 1990s. What thesegroups had in common, apart fromoverlaps in personnel, was a form ofleftism that was anarchistic, but notdoctrinaire. We rejected excessivehierarchy and stress on discipline andideological correctness and believedthat non-violent direct action againstoppressive institutions combined withbuilding alternative autonomouscommunities provided the most justifiablemeans to bring about political change. Weconsidered ourselves non-violent revolutio-naries and wanted to go further in changingsociety than the single issue Committee of 100.(This was the radical direct action movementwhich occupied nuclear bomber bases. It wasformed because the organisers of the DirectAction Committee Against Nuclear War wereoften imprisoned. It was thought – mistakenly –that a committee of 100 people would spreadthe incarceration. It didn’t!) But also believedthat revolution could not be brought aboutthrough seizing the state but had to be builtthrough practical projects.

It wasn’t sufficient to have an anarcho-socialist theory. We argued that Feminism,ecology, challenging state authoritarianism, anda belief in local forms of democracy were whatloosely defined our shared ideals, but themeanings of all these were argued over andchanged over time too. This was certainly not ahomogenous tradition. The question of what todo was further complicated because being inthese movements, generally meant buying intoa whole alternative way of life, living in sharedhouses, buying the right goods, and doingpolitics, full-time, in public and in private. Inthe 1970s and in the 1990s most activists wereon the dole. No surprise then that activism hastended to go in cycles, with those most likely tobe involved being those most free to live thislife, 20-30 year olds with a degree and nochildren.

Longsight, East Manchester also providedopportunities for this kind of politics. Activistsoccupied houses around Hamilton Road thatwere threatened with demolition and workedwith local residents to prevent the area beingredeveloped in the way that Moss Side andHulme were. As a result, parts of Longsightwere declared a Housing Action Zone by thecouncil and Birch Housing Association wascreated by activists. The housing issue was notowned by the direct action movement. Therewere many other tenants’ rights groups andcampaigns involving a wide range of groups onthe left in Manchester. The alternative groups inthe early 1970s put most of their energy intotwo kinds of political action: buildingautonomous alternative institutions inManchester and taking direct action to exposeand challenge oppression.

While the Chorlton and Longsight activistsin CRAG and MANVAG were the core of the

anarchistic direct action movement, many inthese groups were also involved with othergroups on the left. Steve Cohen, a radicallawyer, was in the International Socialists butalso worked with the gypsy liaison group anddefended British Withdrawal form NorthernIreland Campaign (BWNIC) activists success-fully when they occupied the army careersoffice in Preston. He was particularly involvedin the anti-deportation campaigns and courtcases of the 1970s. The women’s movementgrew in strength in Manchester throughout thisperiod.

By the end of the decade there was lessoptimism about achieving transformationthrough the alternative society, or in feminismby a separate women’s culture. In the 1980sinternational action became a focus for a lot ofpeople. We began to print the communiqués ofrebel organisations. This was new, becauseprior to that we had always been into non-violence, even though Peace News had notcondemned liberation struggles. But it wouldbe too simplistic to write this kind of politicsoff as a failure. Many of the stronger features ofthe left in the 1980s owed much to the directaction milieu. Greenham and peace movementNVDA built on the foundations of 1970snetworks the local alternative projects carriedon, or became more mainstream, as they gainedfunding and the wider alternative cultureprovided the base for the green direct actionnetworks that emerged in the 1990s.

Comparing the direct action networks of the1970s with those active in Manchester since1990 helps in understanding what has beeninherited by later generations of activists withsimilar ideological frameworks. In both casesthe creativity and confrontational challenge ofdirect action was rooted in intense but relativelysmall networks of activists with highereducation and mostly of the same age group.The transformation that 1970s activistsunderwent was not a temporary phase. Almostall of the activists are still committed to thesame ideals, still in touch with many of theirfellow activists and while some are still verypolitically active, others regard themselves ashaving taken their experience into communitywork. For many the pressure of living on thedole or very low incomes took its toll and theyhad to commit more time to finding a stableincome, particularly once they had children.Some of the 1990s generation of Earth First!activists are now at a similar stage.

The CRAG meetings in our house ceased

several years ago – but until recentlywe held benefits for the Green-leftand refugees in our garden. In1984/85 these benefits were almostexclusively in aid of the miners strike.The Chorlton Miners Support Groupmet in our house every Monday. Notonly the miners, but many in theGroup, had not met vegans before.Although it was ten years on beforeVegan Organic Trust (VOT) wasformed the contradictions and theblind spot in the discussions after themeetings were part of the backgroundto VOT. At the most basic level foodgrown vegan organically was notavailable unless you could grow yourown. At the economic and philo-

sophical level the use of land for animal feedand grazing was unsustainable and illogical.Perhaps the biggest contradiction is with ourcolleagues committed to non-violence, but whoallow others to do the mass killing of animalsfor them. I find it astonishing and depressingthat on the demonstrations so many people pileinto McDonald’s and other cafés to eat meat.

The anti-globalisation and movements forsocial change as expressed through the Worldand European Social Forums, must also wakeup to the part they play in their everyday livesin contributing to world hunger and climatechange. Quite literally they must stop suppingat the same table as the overblown flesh-eatingcontrollers of the trans-world multinationals.VOT has set itself an enormous task which ischanging the structure of how food is produced.For in order to achieve this we have tochallenge and change the method of farmingand marketing. We need a movement like thediggers and levellers. This can only be achievedin cooperation with groups with a similaragenda.

Manchester gained a reputation as one of thestrongest centres of anarchist communitypolitics, which helped to attract more radicalpeople to come and live here. The thing aboutManchester is the physical infrastructure wetried to construct in order to bring about the sortof theoretical change that we believed in, andwe thought that Chorlton was an ideal place.People still think that Chorlton is lively andradical, despite the fact that it has got numerousbars, but also two vegetarian/vegan cafes andUnicorn vegan grocery superstore. I’m sure thissentiment comes from those days. Manchesterstill retains this ambience and is a vibrant multi-ethnic community. There are numerous groupsactive across the whole spectrum of green,animal rights, human rights, anti-racist,ecological and anti-war issues. VOT over thepast 8 years has established itself as a seriousand competent organisation. This isexemplified in the agreement with the SoilAssociation. which is to make the StockfreeOrganic Standards available as an option forfarmers. A consequence of this is the necessityto have a part time paid worker. I see this as avital step towards a Centre with paid workers toput our message across more effectively.There’s much to be done!

11

Earth café inManchester.

Unity is strength, which of us can affirmnot to have said, verified and enjoyedthis motto? I think few of us. On thesebases in September 1985 our associ-ation [Associazione VegetarianaItaliana] organized in Pinarella DiCervia, with the help of the I.V.U,International Vegetarian Union, the firstEuropean Vegetarian Congress. Westarted with the will to make a dream ofa Vegetarian Europe come true.

By Carmen SomaschiTranslated by Cristina Mirizzi

It was a historic moment, for me unforget-table and for our association an honour. Todetermine a turning point in the future is not

easy, but twenty years later we proudlyremember all the obstacles overcome, theshared joy and the common will of feelingunited to carry on.

So in September 2005 there will be animportant birthday to celebrate: twenty years ofEuropean vegetarian history.

And the best way to do this can’t be but topropose again a new European VegetarianCongress in the same region, Romagna, and inthe same period, at the end ofSeptember/beginning of October, and in coinci-dence with World Vegetarian Day, that is

celebrated on the first day of October.Strength, will and joy won’t be missing, the

same that urged us on at that time.Nor will be missing the desire to meet again

to renew our engagement in working togetherfor a European and a Vegetarian World.

In future magazines we’ll inform you withmore details about the organisation of theCongress, but for now I’d like to taste with youthis dream that renews itself.

Years pass, but the will to go on remainsuntouched, as if time had stopped. I see againthose far away days and from these I know thatwe will draw the strength to recreate a 20thanniversary worthy of vegetarianism that inthese years has multiplied, affirmed andimproved.

Even if… the more we grow up and the morewe lose the sense of taking part in a movementof people who take care of ethical and culturalmotivations to affirm.

Feeling many, we often demand of others awitness that, in my opinion, must be made inthe first person.

If we think about the work made in thesetwenty years maybe you’ll be stimulated tocome and share with us this history.

The magazine “L’idea Vegetariana” came outevery 3 months, now it is monthly.

Internet, a word that was surely unknown atthat time, now sees the site www.vegetariani.itactive: updated, followed and full of usefulinformation.

There has come to life a window forvegetarian consumers with active, young andable volunteers.

La Scelta was born, a vegetarian centrewhich permits us to meet, work and grow up.

Our bud, presented in coincidence with thefirst European Congress, has become a symboladopted by all the biggest European and worldvegetarian associations, and today it distingu-ishes also many vegetarian and vegan products,and it identifies vegetarian and not vegetarianrestaurants who are ready to give us suitabledishes for our exigencies.

Many concerns showed themselves availableto dialogue with us. And this is very importantfor us. Capitani taught us that non-violence,instead of weapons, uses dialogue, and the truedialogue can be made only if we are willing tolisten to other people.

People: you, we togetherHistory is made by the people who want tochange and who do it in the first person. Thepeople absent read it, interpret it, or quote it.

For this reason I invite you to participate inthe next European Congress, to recreate amagic moment that will take us into the futureyears and that will make us say: I was there.

Let us write down the dates which go fromthe 30th September to the 5th October 2005, tohelp us transform the next Congress intoanother historical moment for european vegeta-rianism.12

‘Twas the night before Christmas and Santa’s a wreckHow to live in a world that’s politically correct?His workers no longer would answer to “elves”,“Vertically Challenged”, they were calling themselves.And labour conditions at the North PoleAlleged by the union to stifle the soul.Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,Released in the wild by the Humane Society.And equal employment had made it quite clearThat Santa had better not use just reindeer. So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,Were replaced with four pigs and you know that looked stupid!The runners and reins were removed from the sleighAccording to guide lines from the RSPCA.Even his Jingle Bells tune was bannedFor exceeding the decibels in PC land.

***

Passive smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened.His fur-trimmed red suit was called “unenlightened”.And, to show you the strangeness of life’s ebbs and flows,Rudolf was suing over unauthorised use of his noseAnd appeared on TV, in front of the nation,Demanding millions in overdue compensation.Then to top the lot, Mrs Claus, Santa’s wife,Decided she’d had quite enough of this life,Joined in a self-help group and left in a tizz,Demanding from now on her title was Ms.As for the gifts, Santa ne’er had a notion

That making a choice could course so much commotion.Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,Which meant nothing for Him and nothing for Her.Nothing that might be construed to pollute.Nothing to aim at. Nothing to shoot.Nothing that clamoured or made lots of noise.Nothing for girlies or just for boys.Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.Nothing warlike or non-pacific.No candy or sweets…they were bad for the tooth.Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.

***

So Santa just stood there, confused and perplexed,Quite unable to work out what to do next.He tried to be merry, he tried to be gay,(But you’ve got to be careful with that word today).Something special was needed, a gift that he mightGive to all without riling the left or the right.A gift on which everyone was agreed,Every ethnic group, every colour and creedEvery intellect, profession and political hue,From Beauty Queens to Mensa Twos.

***

There was only one thing left. World Peace.

Reprinted with permission from Reporter Magazine, Spain

A politically correct night before christmas

“MINE” is small “OURS” is BIG

We hope it will remain at sabre rattling,something our leaders excel at. It maycome to hostilities and although weregret seeing young servicemen leavingfor the Gulf, at least they are notconscripts and knew when theyvolunteered for service that it could beactive service with all the danger thatinvolves.

From the Spanish newspaper Sur in EnglishThe Gulf war referred to is that of 1990.

What is so distressing is the wayanimals are forced into activeservices – all in the service of man.

They are not volunteers and are not subject topolitical propaganda convincing some of usthat we are doing the right thing. No, they areforced into action often with scant regard fortheir safety. Now the Americans have placed 60dolphins on stand-by for service in the Gulf.Equipped with underwater cameras anddetection equipment. These intelligent andpeace loving animals will be given the task ofseeking out and recording movement ofarmaments under water. No more frolicking forthem – instead they may lose their lives orsuffer wounds without veterinary attention.

Horses have been extensively used in warthroughout history. In World War I, tanks wereonly introduced in 1917, the cavalry usedhorses. Brigadier Sir Walter Brooke in hiswonderful book “Gladeye” describedgraphically the suffering of horses.

Talking with him at his home near Exeter, hetold me how the book could not begin toportray the noise of injured horses. Even worsewas that, when the Armistice was declared,many horses were found to be surplus torequirements and not worthy of repatriation sowere destroyed. Fine thanks for loyal service!

When land is invaded, humans quiteunderstandably put their food requirements tothe fore. As a result animals are left to starve. In1871 during the siege of Paris by the Prussiansdogs, cats, and birds disappeared almostcompletely from the city – no food to feed themwhen humans were short of provisions.

After the Peninsular War in Spain, the Dukeof Wellington released the 2,200 pointers whichthe army had brought here for hunting. Nolonger required, they were cast out to fend forthemselves. That is the reason why so manystray dogs in Spain have pointer characteristics.Two fine pointers, obviously strays, crossed ourland as I write. During the great retreat ofGerman forces from Russia in 1943, the

columns of fleeing soldiers were accompaniedby homeless dogs who hung on to humanswhom they regarded as friends. Fortunately,they were thrown crusts by compassionate menwho were fighting not just the enemy, but theintense cold. Few dogs survived.

During the Cold War, dogs patrolled theBerlin Wall. The demolition of the Wall waswelcomed by all. However, some two thousandAlsatian dogs and Dobermans were redundant.The German authorities did a fine job inrehousing many. For the older dogs, it provedan impossible task.

War is a dirty business and we have heard alltoo often the expression that it is the war “toend all wars”. For as long as we have the powerand oil lusting leaders who all believe they areon the side of right, we shall have conflict.What a pity man cannot leave animals out of it.They have nothing to gain.Editor: This reminds me of a story of a Scotwho found himself in Paris during that siege on1871. When all the horses had been killed andeaten, there was a lot of oats remaining andwhilst the Parisians were chasing rats to eatthem, he was living on traditional Scottish oats.

The House of Commons has once againvoted by a large majority in support of aBill that would make hunting with dogsillegal in 2006. As I write, the House ofLords has not yet had their final vote onthis measure but the Government haspromised that if the House of Lordsrefuses to pass it, it will use its power toovercome their objection.

By Harry Mather

The pro-hunt faction, headed by a groupcalled The Countryside Alliance, isagitating very strongly now that it

believes the Government may finally ban foxhunting. This seems to be their main concernbecause no voices are being raised to object tothe fact that hare coursing will be banned withimmediate effect and also, I believe, will staghunting. The hunt supporters are in despair andvery vocal. Some invaded the House of Com-mons and have threatened MPs who support theBill and they seem to get away with repeatingarguments which have proved to be false:

1) that foxes are ‘vermin’, vicious creaturesthat will enter a chicken coop and slaughter allthe hens for the pleasure of it, not just to feedthemselves. If a fox attacked a hen in the wildthe remainder would promptly fly up into a treeand be out of reach. If hens are kept confined, itis obviously up to the owner to ensure any

fencing is secure. Rats and other predatorscould also get in. Anyway most hens are inintensive units like battery cages where nopredators could get in.

2) that hunting is needed to keep the foxpopulation under control. Yet hunting wasprohibited for more than a year during the FootAnd Mouth Crisis of a year or so ago and thefox population did not soar out of control.During the two World Wars hunting wasminimal, if practised at all, but there is norecord of fox population explosions. The factseems to be that foxes control their ownbreeding and survive according to the availa-bility of territory in which they can sustainthemselves, so the killing of a fox merelyenables another one to take its place. Further,hunt supporters have been seen to provideshelters for foxes to survive. Huntsmen wouldbe devastated if all foxes were exterminated.

3) they say that if foxes were culled byshooting them, some would not be killedoutright but merely wounded and left to die anagonising death. The same must apply to allshooting, but no huntsman is calling for thebanning of shooting birds or rabbits. Somefoxes may be killed instantaneously by thehounds but some clearly are not. If a fox goes toground, a terrier is sent down the hole resultingin a terrible fight with the cornered fox. This isnot a humane killing of the fox and it is morecruel for the terrier who also suffers terribly.

They don’t worry about inflicting agony evenon their own dog. If hunting ends, they claimthey would have to shoot hounds. There aremany people who would take them on as pets,presumably hunt supporters would not care tohave them as pets. On each hunt there must beas many onlookers as there are dogs, each onecould take care of at least one dog. In factcountry sports could continue with drag huntingwhere hounds follow a trail preparedbeforehand. That would also prevent the houndsfrom killing pet cats (or even dogs). A factoverlooked by hunt supporters.

4) Country Sports have a long tradition. Theyinclude cock fighting and dog fighting both ofwhich are completely illegal but sometimes arestill carried on in secret today. The so-calledCountryside Alliance does not campaign forthese working class pursuits to be relegalised.Bear baiting was once popular andShakespeare’s plays took place in thosebuildings. At the heart of Birmingham lies TheBullring, so named because bull baiting waspractised there.

Fox hunting is already banned in Scotland. InEngland and Wales the habit seems to have astronger hold and many vow they will continueto hunt even if it is banned. This will certainlycreate problems for the police who surely haveenough trouble on their hands, but that is noreason why the ban should not be imposed.

13

Hunting with dogs

Animals in wartimeThey Have Nothing To Gain And No Vets To Relieve Their Suffering

A Vegan’s Christmas Dinner can be asvaried and exciting as any one else’s.The fruits and nuts, plum pudding,mince pies (if you avoid suet) andChristmas Cake can all be vegan. Hereis a suggestion for a Happy Cruelty Freeevent.

Nut and mushroom ring6oz chopped nuts (Hazels, Walnuts and Brazilsare good)6oz wholemeal breadcrumbs1 large onion, finely choppedZest of a large lemon3 tablesp fresh chopped parsleyPinch of sage1 clove of garlic, crushed4 oz flat mushrooms, chopped finelyGrated nutmeg to taste1oz margarine1 tablesp wholemeal flour1/4 pint soya milk1/4 pint vegetable stock1 teasp yeast extractBlack pepper to taste

1. Grease a 7” ring mould with marg (a 1lb loaftin can be used as an alternative).2. Put nuts, breadcrumbs, lemon zest, parsley,sage and nutmeg into a bowl.3. Melt marg and fry the onion, garlic andmushrooms until soft, stir in flour and cookover a low heat for one minute.4. Remove from heat and add milk, then stock abit at a time, stirring continuously. Add yeastextract then return to the heat and bring to theboil, stirring until a thick sauce is formed.5. Add the sauce to the mixture in the bowl, mixwell and season with pepper.6. Pile into prepared mould (or tin), smoothover and bake for one hour, Gas 5/190C/375F

until brown and firm.7. Cool for five minutes. Then run a knife roundthe mould to loosen the bake. Tip out onto aserving plate and garnish with parsley andlemon slices.

Tomato and garlic sauce1 clove of garlic, crushed1oz marg1tablesp wholemeal flour1/2 pint vegetable stock2 tablesp tomato pureePinch of basilBlack pepper to taste1 tablesp chopped fine parsley

1. Melt the marg in a pan and saute the garlicfor one minute until soft but not brown.2. Stir in flour and cook for a further minuteuntil “sugary” in appearance.3. Remove from heat and add the stock a littleat a time, stirring vigorously to avoid lumps.Add tomato puree, basil, parsley and pepper,stir well.4. Return the pan with a gentle heat and bring tothe boil, stirring continuously until the saucehas thickened.5. Remove from heat and allow to stand for 30mins, before reheating to serve (this allows thefull flavour to develop).Amanda Sweet

Fruity parsnips2lb parsnips4 tablesp orange juice1 tablesp lemon juice3 tablesp brown sugar1 teasp fresh chopped mint or dried basil2oz marg1. Scrub parsnips and remove any bruised parts.Slice into long “chip” shapes and parboil for 5

mins until soft.2. In an ovenproof dish, place the juices, sugar,marg and mint or basil. Put in the ovenGas6/200C/400F for 5 mins until marg hasmelted. Then put parsnips in and baste well.3. Bake for 20 mins. Drain liquid off to serve.(Note: any juices left make an excellent basefor sweet and sour sauce, so don’t waste it.)

Rosemary sauteed potatoes2lb potatoes, well scrubbed2 tablesp oil1oz marg1 teasp rosemary

1. Chop potatoes into small cubes with theskins left on and parboil until soft but stillholding their shape (about 5 mins).2. Drain off the potatoes. Meanwhile, melt themarg and oil together in a roasting dish on Gas6/200C/400F for 5 mins until soft.3. Add the rosemary to the oil, then tip in thepotatoes. Baste well with the fat and return it tothe oven (top shelf) for one hour until brownand crispy. Baste a couple of times duringcooking time to prevent top ones drying out toomuch.

Sprouts a la crème2lb Sprouts8 tablesp Soya Cream2 oz margPinch of fresh nutmegBlack pepper

1. Cook sprouts in boiling water until tender(5mins).2. Liquidise the sprouts, milk, marg, nutmegand pepper to a smooth puree.3. Reheat in the oven, covered with foil andserve garnished with fresh parsley.

It´s a strange worldThe largest herd of cows is in Saudi Arabiawhere they have to keep them wet because ofthe heat. They are exported to UK.

Impoverished Ghana exports cassava (itsstaple food) to UK.

The blue fin Tuna is an endangered species.The yellow fin tuna is not. There is fishfarming of tuna. Caught in huge nets, they aredragged near the shore and fed on other fish.The EU subsidises fishing and exports tuna toJapan.

A vote for vegeburgers?Is the Vegetarian Society now endorsingMcDonalds? Some vegans were shocked tolearn that the Vegetarian Society had given itssymbol “Approved by the Vegetarian Society”to the McDonalds Vegeburger. The Societyexplains that it has thoroughly checked all the

ingredients that go into those vegeburgers andfound them free from animal ingredients.Interestingly, they had to travel far and wide tothe various places where the ingredients camefrom. All those ‘food miles’ don’t make for anEco-friendly product.

On the positive side, it means thatcommitted young veggies can go toMcDonalds with their friends in confidence.They might also persuade a friend or two to trythe veggie option, and thus swell the quantityof vegeburgers eaten as against the meatyones. We can even hope that they might trysome other veggie dishes, like them and gofurther to veganism. Making more veggieburgers available can only be a good thing.Meanwhile McDonalds may also be on to agood thing. Their profits have not been toogood of late. If they have decided to offervegeburgers, it would seem that they believe

there is a demand for the product. Could wedream that one day the majority of theirproducts would be vegan, and only a crankyfew will be eating the beef and dairy options. Itmight be a long way off, but it could happen.

BushmeatMany people in some parts of Africa eat‘bushmeat’ from the wild. This includes theflesh of apes such as gorillas and chimpanzees.Professor Nathan Wolfe of Johns HopkinsUniversity in Baltimore USA said bushmeathunters in Cameroon had tested positive tosimian foamy virus (SFV), a virus similar toHIV which causes AIDS. He says “A range ofviruses are crossing between animals andpeople, particularly individuals who areexposed to the blood and body fluids of wildanimals.” Some of this bushmeat finds its wayillegally into the UK.

A vegan look at the news

B&Bs & ACCOMMODATION

North Yorkshire Moors Organic vegannatural foods in peaceful coastal villageoverlooking Robin Hood’s Bay. Close to thebest fossil beach in Europe. Non-smoking.Special diets. Children really welcome. B&Bfrom £20, ensuite £22, 4-course dinner £10,packed lunch £5. Karen, Ranworth Guesthouse,Ravenscar, Scarborough, North YorkshireYO13 0LZ. Tel: 01723 870366.Lydford, Devon Room to let for VEGFAMsupporters, vegan, non-smoking. TheSanctuary, Lydford, Devon EX20 4AL. Tel:01822 820203.Exmoor vegetarian and vegan guesthouse.Gourmet meals. Organic food where available.Children and pets welcome. Rescued animals.Exmoor walks. Jane and Cliff Strehlow, FernTor, Mesham, South Molton, Devon EX364NA. Tel/Fax: 01769 550339. Web:www.ferntor.co.uk. Email: veg@ferntor.co.ukMaking Waves Vegan Guesthouse inpicturesque St. Ives, Cornwall. Food 100%animal free, organic. Special diets catered for.Children welcome. Voted best guesthouse1999/2000. From £21 per night. Tel: 01736793895. Web: www.making-waves.co.ukEmail: simon@making-waves.co.ukLow Cost Holidays Want to get out of the ratrace? Interested in sustainable living? VeganOrganic farm near Snowdonia set in forestclearing near scenic reservoirs. £10 per night.Own room, shared facilities. Extra low rates ifyou volunteer a little of your time helping out.Details Vic: 01244 819088.Small Vegan/Organic Community inreclusive scenic Pyrenees (France) offersaccommodation in rustic homestead and chapelover 250 years old and beautiful home cooking.Contact Bleuette, Douceur et Harmonie, ‘elFaitg’, 66230 Serralongue, France. Phone 00 334 68 39 62 56.Email enthousiasme@wanadoo.frB&B in private vegan house with large gardenin pretty little town. Lovely scenery and placesof interest. Persons caring for someone withAlzheimers specially welcome. Joan Bryan,River View, Woodside, USK, Gwent NP5 1SZ.Tel 01291 672429.Bournemouth AccommodationOccasional, inexpensive accommodation inPokesdown, Bournemouth. Non-smoking. Tel.01202 426870.Lovely Attic Room available in house inLeeds 8, to share with one vegan and cat! £45per week. Tel: Natalie 0113 248 4044 fordetails.

BOOKS

Vegan Recipe Book by RachelHenderson This electronic recipe bookcontains 100 delicious vegan recipes. It isdesigned both for vegans and people who have

difficulty catering for vegans. Would be anideal gift for friends and relatives who havetrouble thinking of original vegan meals. Tel:01453 762487.Web: www.bowbridgepublishing.comEmail: info@bowbridgepublishing.comBook by Dr Gina Shaw ‘Nutrition andEmotions: How to Transform your LifeThrough Optimum Nutrition’. Price £7.99including P+P (cheques to be made payable toGLS Publications). Please send orders to GLSPublications, 22 Webber Close, Ogwell, DevonTQ12 6YL.1000 DoctorsAgainst Vivi-section by HansRuesch. £13 incp&p.Slaughter of theInnocent by HansRuesch. ISBN: 0951964631. This bookwas first publishedin 1978 and was in2003 published bySlingshot Pub-lications. £12 incp&p.Skewed by Martin J. Walker £12 inc p&p.A Cat in Hell’s Chance £10 inc p&p. ISBN:0951 565524. Published by SlingshotPublications.All four of the above books can be bought fromPhilip Duckworth, Dormers, Outwood Lane,Chipstead, Surrey CR5 3NF. Cheques payableto Philip Duckworth.

CAFÉS & RESTAURANTS

Pogo Café, 76 Clarence Road, Hackney.London E5 8HB. Delicious vegan food &Alternative Culture. www.pogocafe.co.ukWessex Tales wholefood vegan restaurant.Licenced organic drinks. 20 Ashley Road,Boscombe, Bournemouth (opposite Boscombebus station & Sovereign Centre car park). Tel:01202 309869. Lunch: Tuesday – Saturday11.30 – 2.30. Dinner: Friday & Saturday 7 – 10.Web:www.geocities.com/vegetarian_restaurantHeaven And Earth Organic Vegetarian cafeand bakery. 37e Robertson Street, Hastings.Tel. 01424 712206.Allsorts Psychic Café Drinks, cakes and afew savouries. Fully veggie, good choice forvegans, soya milk available. 22 Carlton Place,Southampton. Tel: 023 80237561. Web:www.allsorts-psychic-cafe.comGood For You! 23 Firs Parade, Matlock, DE43AS. Fully vegetarian cafe + shop + veggie infocentre. Tel: 01629 584304.

CATERING

Purple Penguin Café: Vegan OrganicCatering have marquee will travel! Cateringfor specialist diets, cake fanatics and peoplewho love good food… based in the Yorkshirearea over Winter (and looking for work) and onthe road over the Summer at festis, gatheringsand parties… see www.purplepenguin.org, orcall Emma on 07786 262 864 for more info.

GENERAL

The Shellfish Network works to end thecruelty involved in, and eventually end theslaughter of shellfish for human consumption.Springside, Forest Road, East Horsley, SurreyKT24 5AZ.Meat-Free Cats Supplements for home maderecipes. In use since 1986. Send to Vegecat, TheVegan Society, 7 Battle Road, St. Leonards onSea TN37 7AA. Tel: 01424 427393.Vegan Cat-Collars And Catnip Toys Non-Leather, Non-Animal Fur. For details, sendSAE to: Ann, 4 Green Street, Wollaston,Northants NN29 7RA.Amplifaire A new and most efficient systemfor heating home and water. Also Amplifaireflue pipe to make AGA or Rayburn moreefficient. Send a large SAE (47p 2nd class) toFrieden Howard at The Sanctuary, Nr Lydford,Okehampton, Devon EX20 4AL.Translations into English from French,German, Italian & Spanish (personal,commercial, legal, technical), over 30 years’experience, big discount for VV readers, noVAT. Patricia Tricker MIL Cert Ed (FE).Tel/Fax 0845 4584714 (BT local rate).Email: patricia@p-m-t.freeserve.co.ukChipke Natural toiletries. Wide range.Suitable for vegans (with exception of honeysoap and lip salve). Products sourced locally orinternationally to avoid exploitation of peopleor environment. Animal testing is unnecessaryand unacceptable. Send for brochure to:Chipke, 6 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, ShropshireSY1 1UT. Tel 01743 244466.Email chipke@hotmail.comWelhealth Fruit Farm (North Wales) Allyear round vegan camp! On Forest GardenLand. We are down shifting, co-operative anti-consumerist, vegan diggers and have land tocreate an alternative renewable sharing forestgarden community. We are seeking holidaymembers and full-time members. Tel: Vic01490 420074 or Tel/txt: Frank 07980 158661.Vegetarian Web Designer Websites for thevegetarian and vegan community byVegDesign. For more info, rates and portfoliosee www.vegdesign.com. Tel: 07742 336858.Email: cathy@vegdesign.com

Small ads are free to subscribers orcost £2 for insertion in four issues fornon-subscribers. Send your ad to:Vegan Views, Flat A15, 20 Dean ParkRoad, Bournemouth, BH1 1JB, UK.

16

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Self-Inking Rubber Stamps£7-50. Vernon Stuttard, 15

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Nature’s Treats Vegan cakes, pies, slices etc,freshly handmade to order, delivered next dayby 1st class mail. Ingredients; Organic Fruits,nuts, seeds and spices. Tel: 023 9261 1607.Email: chriskennett01@hotmail.com

HEALTH

Yoga & Colonic Retreats Empowering 5 –10 day Tropical or UK Courses involving juicefasting & supplementation, yoga & meditation,nutritional talks, personal consultations and alot of TLC! The safest & cheapest way to gainknowledge, experience & self-reliance inHealth. Will undoubtedly change your life!Web: www.karunaretreats.comNatural Nutrition And NaturopathyAlkalize and energise using natural nutrition,Super greens and prime ph – free coaching forvegans using this amazing health systemdesigned by Dr. Robert O. Young. AmandaWise P.Dip.N.N., M.C.M.A. Tel 01202 885477www.bodywise.uk.netMaximol colloidal minerals with vitamins,amino acids and enzymes. Revenol powerfulanti-oxidant. Both products suitable for vegans.Independent distributors of Neway products:01202 426870, also 01443 862067.Nutritional Therapy Improve your quality oflife and get to the root of your health problem.Pat Reeves, qualified, registered, and practisingNutritional Medicine. Oakfield Cottage,Bromley Lane, Kingswinford, W MidlandsDY6 8JP. Tel: 01384 270270.Email: pat.reeves@blueyonder.co.ukWeb: www.livingfoods.pwp.blueyonder.co.ukTested on Humans – works on animals, adrug-free cost-effective approach to easingaches and pains. Bioflow MagnotherapyCollars are pads for dogs, cats, horses. Enhancethe quality of your companion’s life withoutany harmful side effects. Ask for a freebrochure. Brian 0845 456 2463 ‘local rate’.Independent distributor of Ecoflow.The Natural Living Centre Ethicalimplications, Environmental advantages andHealth benefits of a Raw vegan lifestyle.Including safe guidance on natural weightcontrol, transitioning to a healthier life style,retarding premature ageing, cessation ofcommon ailments and reversibility ofdegenerative diseases. For consultations,retreats, talks, courses and demonstrations ofalternative Raw food recipes. Contact ChrisKennett, Diploma in Nutrition, sports coachingcertificate.Tel: 023 9261 1607.Email: chriskennett01@hotmail.comWhatever your transition, Psychospiritualcounselling offers powerful and creative waysto facilitate change, reconnect with your trueSelf, unlock your potential, support yourself toreally be who you want to be the most! Freeinitial consultation. For more information callGian on 07764 308525 (London)Vegan Health and Nutrition Consultantavailable for personal consultations in person orby telephone. Short fasts including group

retreats, Iridology and emotional healingsessions also available. Contact Dr Gina Shawon 01626 352765.Email: DrGinaShaw@aol.comWeb: www.vibrancy.homestead.com/pageone.htmlMicrocare Tooth Powder from HealthConnections. Contains no fluoride, SodiumLauryl Sulfate, saccharin, preservatives, animalingredients, aspartame, artificial colours orflavours. For free sample, tel: 01892 683439.Dissolve Cataracts with Bright Eyesnutritional eyedrops. Safe, gentle. Also used bydoctors. As seen on the Richard and Judy show.Tel: 01892 683439 for details.Chinese Yoga Try something old! Deepbreathing stretching and relaxing exercisesbased on Chinese medicine principles.Excellent for improving posture, breathing,circulation, aches and pains, co-ordination andconfidence. These 2000 year old exercises weredesigned by Daoist masters to reverse illnessand stop the ageing process. Small friendlyclass meets Thursdays 5.30 – 6.30 pm. StMichael’s Church hall, Westgate End,Wakefield. £3 per class. Enquiries: MarkPopplewell 01924 462261.Chinese Herbal Medicine andAcupuncture Commonly used for skindisease, respiratory conditions, digestivecomplaints, irritable bowel, gynaecologicalproblems including infertility, arthritis,headaches, chronic fatigue, anxiety anddepression. Mark Popplewell MRCHM,MBAcC is a qualified and insured healthprofessional, vegan for 23 years. Member of theRegister of Chinese Herbal Medicine and theBritish Acupuncture Council. Practising inDewsbury, West Yorkshire. Enquiries andappointments: 01924 462261.

PERSONAL

Vegan Male 49 non-smoker, seeks female forlasting relationship to share home-making,having children together. Interests includenature, growing food, organic raw foodnutrition, the countryside, the environment,books, crafts, walking and running. Age andlocation immaterial. Box 202, Vegan Views,Flat A15, 20 Dean Park Road, BournemouthBH1 1JB.Vegan Female attractive lively young 54seeks male for friendship. Interests includeanimals, walking, music, reading, the sea,global & local issues. Also welcome any like-minded men or women to meet or write to,Hampshire, any area/any age. Box 204, VeganViews, Flat A15, 20 Dean Park Road,Bournemouth BH1 1JB.Evergreen for those seeking friends,soulmates, or penfriends. Friendship agency forfree-thinking individuals. Interests includevegetarianism. PO Box 147, Waltham Cross,Herts EN7 6BZ. Tel/fax: 01992 632250.Vegan Gentle Man (raw food bias) seeks alady for friendship and relationship. OHAC inthe South West. Willing to work at the mutuallysupportive relationship (B.de Andelis student).

Currently involved in promoting veganism andcompassionate lifestyle – helpmate sought.A.L.A. Reply to: Box 102 VV, Flat A15, 20Dean Park Road, Bournemouth BH1 1JB.www.vegansrock.net I run a vegan forumnetwork on line at www.vegansrock.net

Many topics other than veganism arediscussed in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere,from permaculture, environmental sustaina-bility or veganly consumerism to computergames, anime & books. We’re friendly, infor-mative & eccentric, pleasant when we meetnew people. Feel free to drop in.Brand New Vegan Male (Nottingham)loves walking, countryside, seaside. Seekingopportunity penpals as new on path. Alsofemales for possible long-term relationship.Non-smoker. ALA. Tom Healy, 19 BaldwinCourt, Ilkeston Road, Nottingham NG7 3FZ.Aubergine Introductions. A new dedicatedUK introduction service for vegetarians andvegans. Open yourself up to meeting educated,eligible, like-minded people.www.aubergineintroductions.comJamie Burrell-Corey, Male, 25, Brampton,Cumbria. jamieburrell_corey@hotmail.com.I’m a trainee electrician with a degree inEnvironmental Biology and would really enjoythe company of someone who doesn’t getfrustrated with me at meal times. Does such aperson exist? I hope so because I’m beginningto feel like I’m on the wrong planet!!Vegan male, 57 N/S 6’1”. Sensitive CaringCalm Nature. Enjoy Music Art Travel AnimalsReading History Cultures of other countries.Seek Kind Compassionate Female to share Joy& a deep Love For which the soul yearns. ALABrian Robinson, 117 Somerton Rd, NewportNP19 0JX.

SHOES

www.veganline.com sell vegan shoes online– Freepost LON10506, London, SW14 1YY0800 458 4442. Their website also has a vegrecipe search engine.Freerangers sell animal free footwear. Sendfor brochure to 9B Marquis Court, LowPrudhoe, Northumberland NE42 6PJ.Web www.freerangers.co.ukTel: 01661 831781. Fax 01661 830317.Vegetarian Shoes, 12 Gardner St, BrightonBN1 1UP. Tel: 01273 691913.Web: www.vegetarian-shoes.co.ukEthical Wares sell vegan footwear andclothing. Send SAE for catalogue: Caegwyn,Temple Bar, Felinfach, Ceredigion SA48 7SA.Tel: 01570 471155.Web: www.ethicalwares.comVegan Shoe Repairs and large range ofvegan shoes. Total Liberation, c/o LymeLeisure, South Street, Axminster, Devon EX135AD. Web: www.lymeleisure.org.uk. Tel:01297 631133. Also making vegan moccasinslippers. Will shortly make shoes starting withchildren’s.

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The Vegan Society If you would likemore information on Veganism send two 1stclass stamps for an information pack to TheVegan Society at Donald Watson House, 7Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-Sea, East SussexTN37 7AA. Tel: 01424 427393. Web:www.vegansociety.com. The Vegan Societypublishes The Vegan, a quarterly magazinewhich members receive. Also availablefrom a few shops.

VEGA (Vegetarian Economy andGreen Agriculture) Free on-linemagazine. Web: www.vegaresearch.orgThe Movement for CompassionateLiving (The Vegan Way) founded byKathleen Jannaway, works non-violentlyfor lifestyles possible for all the world’speoples, sustainable within the planet’sresources and free from all animalexploitation. Annual subscription £5 (orwhat you are able to afford) includes thequarterly journal New Leaves. SAE fordetails to MCL, c/o Brynderwen, CrymlynRoad, Llansamlet, Swansea SA7 9XT. Web:www.MCLveganway.org.ukVegan Organic Trust encourages andresearches into non-animal growingtechniques. Publishes a magazine GrowingGreen International to spread knowledge,and reports from vegan organic growersworldwide. Contact Patrick Browne, 161Hamilton Rd, Longsight, Manchester M130PQ. Tel: 0161 248 9224. Email: veganorganic@riseup.netWeb: www.veganorganic.netPlants for a Future Blagdon Cross,Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5DF.Researching ecologically sustainable veganorganic horticulture. A resource andinformation centre. Web: www.pfaf.orgThe Plant Milk Trust was established in1976 to promote soya milk and other veganfoods, particularly in the areas of researchand publicity. It is managed by five devotedhonorary trustees. Gifts or legacies are mostwelcome, and all monies received aretotally devoted to the Trust’s work, withoutany administrative expenses. Write fordetails to Dr G J Buist, 53 Gosden HillRoad, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7JB.Vegan Business Connection wants tohear from individuals as well as companiesproviding goods and services suitable forvegans. Contact VBC c/o Veggies, 245Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, NottinghamNG7 6HX. www.veggies.org.uk/vbc.htm

So What Do Vegans Eat?There are all the fruits and vegetables of courseand there are lots of products that taste likemeats and cheeses: vegeburgers, sosalatas,“jerky“, “caviars“, “Cheatin’ chicken“ andmany more that can help people turn veganwithout affecting their taste buds.

Other vegan dishes include: all pastas andnoodles that don’t have egg in them, ricedishes, beans and lentils, wheat, oats, barley,rye, maize, cous cous and chick peas. Vegancookbooks are full of tasty recipes to guide you.

There is soya milk, rice milk, oat milk,almond milk, soy yogurts, soy cream and soyaice creams as well as sorbets.

Vegans avoid gelatin. It is made from animalbones, but alternatives can be made fromvegetable sources.

But what do you do for protein?Protein is everywhere because it is in all livingcells, but many foods have a higherconcentration of protein. In the East they swearby the nutritious value of rice, in the West ofwheat (’bread, the staff of life’) or on oats (forthe Scots!) or rye. Nutritionists are satisfied thatvegans do have a nutritious diet. Beans, lentilsand nuts are rich in protein.

Yes, but what about vitamin B12?The Vegan Society recommends that vegans eatfoods fortified with B12, like yeast extracts,plant milks, breakfast cereals, margarines, soyameat substitutes. But check the ingredients tomake sure the ones you use are fortified withB12. Otherwise take a tablet of B12.

I bet you wear leather shoes!The Vegan Society was founded on changes inwhat people eat and that is the basis of defininga vegan, but from the start vegans have wantedto avoid all animal exploitation in their way oflife. Nowadays it is reasonably easy to findnon-leather footwear and belts. Leather coatsand leather furniture, purses, suitcases, etc.should be avoided. Fur coats and trimmings areobviously out, as are silk and wool.

Anything else?Toiletries and cosmetics can have animalingredients or have been cruelly tested onanimals. Vegan alternatives are easilyobtainable. The Body Shop became a hugesuccess selling cruelty-free products.

Conventional medicine is often based on cru-el animal experiments. Alternatives are herbal-ism, homeopathy, acupuncture and other ways.

Vegan organisationsWhat is veganism?

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❏ 102 Our Prehistoric Diet❏ 101 Interview with Vegan Village❏ 100 Vegan Views: The early years❏ 99 No More Fish❏ 98 Food co-ops❏ 97 Interview with Steve Walsh❏ 96 Interview with Karin Ridgers❏ 95 Interview with Liz Cook

❏ 94 Vegan Organic Network❏ 93 Nutritional Supplements❏ 92 Veggie Pride❏ 89 Feeding the world❏ 88 Farming crisis❏ 87 Meat in crisis❏ 84 Leah Leneman: in memory❏ 37 Arthur Ling interview

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Be kind to animals!(Even if a shark tickles your toes…)

SOUTHLondon Vegan & Vegetarian FamiliesGroup If interested contact Lesley on 0208861 1233 or email Lesley@vegan4life.org.ukLondon Vegans meet on last Wednesday ofthe month (except December) 6:30 – 9:30pm atMillman St Community Rooms, Millman St,London WC1. 24 hour info line: 020 89311904. Web: www.londonvegans.org.ukLondon Animal Action A local animal rightsgroup campaigning against all forms of animalcruelty, e.g. the fur trade, the meat industry,animal experiments and hunting, and for a wayof life not based on the exploitation of animals,people or the environment. BM Box 2248,WC1N 3XX. Tel 0845 458 4775.Web: www.londonvegans.org.ukEmail: info@LondonAnimalAction.org.ukVegetarian and Vegan Gay Group(London) Informal social & campaign groupmeets in London on the last Sunday of eachmonth and has other events for gay, lesbian,bisexual and transgender vegetarians, vegans,fruitarians and raw foodies and their friends,and those who would like to be. Further details:information line: 020 7713 9063.Email: vvgg@freeuk.comWeb: www.vvgg.freeserve.co.ukBedford Vegetarians Tel 01234 365651.Web: www.bedfordvegetarians.co.ukVeggiesocials Social group covering London+ South East. Web: www.veggiesocials.co.uk Vegan Essex meet 1st Tuesday every monthat Brentwood School Sports Hall (CourageHall, Middleton Hall Lane).Web: www.veganessex.orgKingston & Richmond Vegetarianswelcome vegans. Send SAE for programme toJohn, 49 Harrowdene Gdns, Teddington,Middlesex TW11 0DJ.Harlow Lian Tyler, the Vegan Society andVegetarian Society Local Contact for Harlowhas compiled an online Vegan guide to Harlowand the surrounding areas. Tel: 07754 166813.Web: www.veganharlow.co.ukEmail: info@veganharlow.co.ukHastings Animal SHAC meet every secondTuesday of the month. Phone: 01424 430 425

or e-mail: sarah@b1066.wanadoo.co.uk tocheck where/if the meeting will take place.Norfolk Vegetarian & Vegan Society JaneJohnson, 17 St Austins Grove, Sheringham,Norfolk, NR26 8DF. Tel. 01263 821609.Email: janejohnson@vegfolk.co.ukWeb: www.vegfolk.co.ukSolent Vegetarians & Vegans John Curtis,31 Cranbury Rd, Eastleigh, Hants SO50 5HB.Tel. 023 80643813. Email: solentveg@ivu.orgWeb: www.ivu.org/solentvegBournemouth Vegetarians & Vegans Tel.01202 555712. Email: t.west@oneteldsl.net.Web: www.ivu.org/uklocal/bournemouth.Isle of Wight Vegetarians & Vegans Tel.01983 407098. Email: iow@ivu.orgWeb: www.iwvv.org.ukPenzance Vegans social group currentlymeet each Wednesday, 8pm in the Bath Inn pub(right-hand bar), Cornwall Terrace, Penzance.To confirm details, please call 01736 786473 oremail wilf_frith@lineone.netWeb: www.wiz.to/penzancevegansGuildford Vegetarians welcomes vegans toits varied programme of events (see localgroups listings on www.vegsoc.org/network)for further information or to join the email listring 01483 425040.Thames Valley Vegans & Vegetarianssocial events, veggie and vegan support andinfo, talks and presentations, displays, infor-mation stands in the Reading area. Web:www.makessense.co.uk/tvvvs

WALESSwansea Vegans meet on third Monday ofeach month. Details: George Barwick. Tel:01792 518773Email: george.barwick@ntlworld.comCarmarthen Vegetarian Friends We arenearly all vegans and we meet socially on thefirst Tuesday of each month at 11.30am at theWaverley Vegetarian Restaurant, Lammas St,Carmarthen. Just come, or to check phone01267 241547 or hippocharity@aol.com

MIDLANDSNottingham The Animal RightsConfederation meet on the first Monday of themonth from about 7pm, usually at the SumacCentre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields,Nottingham. Social, speaker, snacks. Phonebeforehand 0845 458 9595 for details.Email: nar@veggies.org.ukBirmingham Vegetarians & Vegans c/o 5Esher Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham B449QJ. Tel: 0121 353 2442.Leicester & Rutland Campaigning forAnimals to promote ways people in theireveryday life can help animals by making a fewsimple changes such as buying non animal-tested products & adopting a vegetarian orvegan diet. Sam McCreesh (youth local contactfor Animal Aid, PETA VIVA! and TheVegetarian Society).Email: info@campaingningforanimals.co.ukWeb: www.campaigningforaniumals.co.uk

NORTHSheffield Vegan Society meet in theupstairs room of the Fat Cat, Alma St, KelhamIsland, on the first Wednesday of the month.Business 7:30pm, and then social 9pm. ContactPO Box 537, Rotherham S66 7WW.Tel: 0114 258 8869.Web: www.sheffieldvegansociety.org.ukDoncaster & Area Vegans & Vegetariansmeet about once a month for socialising invarious ways (e.g. walks, picnics, meals out,yoga). Ring Vivien on 01405 769730.East Riding Vegans meet once a month forsocialising. New members welcome. Mark, 140Victoria Avenue, Hull, HU5 3DT. Web:www.merrydowncontrolware.co.uk/ervegansEmail: ervegans@merrydowncontrolware.co.ukTel: 01482 471119. Leeds Vegetarian & Vegan Society Meettwice a month for various social events andactivities, fantastic pot luck lunches, newsletterevery few months. For a programme and/ornewsletter ring Natalie on 0113 2484044 oremail natalie@tharraleos.freeserve.co.ukNorth Riding Vegetarians & VegansMeals, walks, theatre etc. Patricia, tel/fax 0845458 4714 (BT local rate).Email: patricia@p-m-t.freeserve.co.ukCumbrian Vegans Are you interested injoining a local group for sharedinformation/support? If you are then please callMandy on 01900 817038.

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Vegans in your areaTo publicise your meetings, appeal tomeet vegans or request penpals,please send details for this page. Wealso put these details on our website.The Vegan Society have their ownlocal contacts – see the Veganmagazine for details, or their websiteat www.vegansociety.com for a list.The Vegetarian Society have affiliatedlocal groups and information centreswhich often include vegans – seewww.vegsoc.org/network for a list.

Generalwww.veganvillage.co.ukwww.btinternet.com/~bury_rd (Vegan News:free on-line magazine)www.eco-centric.co.uk (A website for vegansand people interested in alternate lifestyles inthe UK/Ireland)

Lists of Veggie Restaurants & caféswww.happycow.net (worldwide)www.vegdining.com (worldwide)www.veggieheaven.com (UK)www.vegetarianvisitor.co.uk

Travelwww.vegetariansabroad.com

Vegan online shoppingwww.isitvegan.info (vegan foods/drinks)www.isitveggie.com (vegan foods/drinks)www.crueltyfreeshop.com (Dr Hadwen Trust)www.veganstore.co.uk

Vegan-run business listsArtists, accountants, translators…www.veggies.org.uk/vbc.htmwww.veganvillage.co.uk/services.htm

Vegetarian informationwww.vegsoc.org (UK vegetarian Society)www.ivu.org (International Vegetarian Union)www.planetveggie.co.uk (Planet Veggie)www.campaigningforanimals.co.uk

Useful websites

John Curtis: I notice you call yourjourneys Adventures, why is that?Our Adventures are about having greatexperiences in very special places that are richin natural wildlife, the fascinating features ofour 200+ year old canal system, having fun, atime of personal growth, making new friends,being in two lovely 70’ fully crewed narrow-boats where we have an environment that issincere and where there is time for you, whereyou will find great tasting, cruelty free, mostlyorganic, freshly prepared and highly nutritiousmeals, and a relaxed, smoke free, atmosphere.

Adventures? Yes they are Adventures. Thecanals have a wonderful history, heritage andculture. The boats are built traditionally, thebutty which is pulled by the motor, has thesame lines as the horse drawn boats of 200years ago. Every day on the canals is different.No two journeys are the same. The environmenton the boats is special and we endeavour toenable every Friend to have a truly wonderfulexperience with us. Some will really enjoyworking the locks, steering the boats and ‘bowhauling’ the butty into locks and be very active.Many young people enjoy setting locks andlearn to steer competently. We have kites andbikes and digital cameras that can be borrowed.

Others will have a more relaxing time.Whichever people choose the ingredients arehere. Additionally, every Adventure featuresdifferent attractions, I mean attractions ‘on thebank’ as well as the canal environment and itsfeatures, the boats and the things that we do onboard. We’re flexible and will do things on thespur of the moment. Imagine it’s a beautifulmoonlit night – we may well do somenavigation. That’s a special experience.

We love what we’re doing and invite peopleto come and share this specialness. Differentpeople will get different things from their timewith us because they will choose the things thathave greater relevance for them at that time.Some will want to come and relax in our infor-mal, friendly atmosphere and know that if theywant to rise late and have breakfast all morningthat’s fine. Others will find they enjoy steeringthe boats and working the locks, maybe cyclingahead to prepare them, ‘lockwheeling’ as it isknown. Some will want to be up early andalmost become members of crew. It is a verynatural and healthy environment and we con-nect with that. Living on the boats I am veryalert to the seasons and cycles of nature. It isour whole approach, our meals are always high-ly nutritious and mealtimes are fun. This espe-cially connects for young people. We positivelyengage with young people. Not all mealtimesare taken round the table. Some are enjoyedwhile we travel. Many young people don’t wantleisurely meals, they want to be doing otherthings and that is fine, they get great food andexcellent nutrition whatever they are doing. Weencourage people to try different things and ourexperience is that young people in thisenvironment try new meals and enjoy them.

Are you providingvegan-only meals?Absolutely. We arepassionate about animalrights and our meals aremade entirely fromplants. The meals arevegan, they are also greattasting, visuallyattractive, highlynutritious, and organicwhenever possible. Theyare prepared freshly foreach meal. You can talkto the chef while he ispreparing the meals.We’re happy to show youall the ingredients we use. We don’t use amicrowave. We don’t use any aluminiumcookware. No GM. No trans fatty acids,nothing hydrogenated. We have virtually nofrying, it isn’t healthy. And we have low levelsof sugar and salt. Our meals are both healthyand appetizing. The oil we use is flaxseed oil –its wonderfully healthy – it contains omega 3,we use it even though it is as expensive as aliqueur. We use it mostly on salads. Omega 3 isso important for health and some young peoplejust aren’t getting any. We use some walnut oiland some olive oil. We use lots of nuts too. Westart with the best ingredients we can get andcraft them to provide delicious combinations ofcolour, texture, flavour and always highlynutritious.

You place an emphasis on health?What we’re doing is at many levels, sometimesyou will hardly notice. Its about fun, relaxation,giving you space to realize new things and toget what you need. We support this by givingthe environment, food, activity, fun andfriendship. Watch the flowers blossom! Andyou go home glowing with new awareness anditching to come back for more.

We give time and attention to all YoungFriends and ensure that they have a great time.Young Friends are offered Workshops thatfocus on healthy lifestyles and Action Groupsthat are experiential and focus on emotional andpersonal growth. We also have ActionAdventures specifically for young people.

What are Action Adventures?Young people enjoy the canals and theirenvironment. The Action Adventures take theWorkshops and Action Groups much furtherand young people share decision making andcarrying out the tasks necessary for thefunctioning of the Group.

When and where do you travel?We select the most attractive and interestingroutes of the 3000 miles of canals andnavigable rivers and travel on them duringSpring, Summer and Autumn, plus four festiveweeks in winter.

Each Adventure has its own particularfeatures, for example on the Llangollen we goover the famous 120’ high and 1000’ long

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to Llangollen, atDevizes on the Kennet and Avon there is theCaen Hill flight of 28 locks, near Middlewich isthe fascinating and recently restored AndertonBoat Lift that transports the boats from theTrent and Mersey Canal to the River Weaver60’ below and we’ll travel on it. Additionallyeach Adventure leads to ‘on the bank’ attrac-tions for example we go to three wonderfulsteam railways, the truly phenomenal BlackCountry Living Museum, Warwick Castle - thebest medieval castle in England, the RoyalShakespeare Company at Stratford upon Avon,the great waterway museums at Ellesmere Portnear Chester, Gloucester and Stoke Bruerne.

What can people do on board?Time with us is a phenomenon. The usualexpectation of time just doesn’t apply, so wecreate our own. A journey that may seem like anhour may have taken much longer. Somethingthat occurred in the morning may seem like adifferent day by the evening. There are alwaystons of things to do, new friends anddiscoveries to be made, with fun on the waterand interesting places nearby. And when youreturn to the boats in the evening after visitingan attraction you can print your digital imagesand save them to a CD to take home. We haveinternet access that you can use without chargeto receive mail and send digital images of whatyou have been doing that day. We also have aScalextric track that can be used inside or out.We have a range of on board activities,surround sound, books, games, chess andcomputer games. You can paint and take homeyour own items of canal art, using the samesimple and effective brush strokes that workingboatmen used in the 1800s.

How many can you accommodate?We have five single cabins and two doublecabins that have personal facilities, one of thesealso has a single berth so the cabin can be usedfor those preferring twin accommodation, or fora family or group of three. If young peopleshare there are additional discounts. Cost varyseasonally and on the cabin chosen. We chargeaffordable fares. We charge half price for youngpeople.Contact Nathan on 0845 166 BOATS (26287)or nathan@friendships.co.uk

John Curtis interviews Nathan about hisnarrowboat adventures.

FriendShips´ boats on the Grand Union in Warwickshire.

Friendship Canal Adventures