Local activists – top trainers – revolution – non-violence – learning from other movements – community – glorious countryside.
Join us in 2012 for more discussions, training and debates on nonviolence, education and the anti-war movement, fuelled by “wonderful (vegan) food from Veggies of Nottingham”
Wednesday 1st to Monday 6th August Ecological Direct Action without Compromise
Workshops, skill sharing and planning action, plus low-impact living without leaders. Meet people, learn skills, take action.
The Earth First! Summer Gathering is the place where people involved in radical ecological direct action – or those who want to be involved – get together for five days of time and space to talk, walk, share skills, learn, play, rant, find out what’s going on, find out what’s next, live outside, strategise, hang out, incite, laugh and conspire.
The 2012 Earth First Summer Gathering will be held on the first weekend of August.
As ever Veggies will be co-ordinating the d-i-y cafe space and holding cake baking workshops.
The UK Animal Rights Gathering is to a great weekend not to be missed, with talks, discussions and workshops on a wide range of issues and activities related to animal rights campaigning, as well as a chance to relax with like-minded people and socialise and network with other campaigners from all over the UK.
The 2012 Animal Rights Summer Gathering on the second weekend of August.
As ever Veggies will be co-ordinating the catering, running a cafe space and holding vegan cookery workshops. More AR Gathering Details…
These three key Gatherings, inspiring and networking for action for humans, animals and the environment, are all to be hosted by hosted by Crabapple Housing Co-op near Shrewsbury.
Yesterday 11 of us gathered to talk about People’s Kitchen and eat together. The talk was really exciting, with loads of ideas, so here are some notes about it…
We reminded ourselves what People’s Kitchen is all about…
Cooking and eating together can be a fundamental way that a social centre can bring people together and organise more stuff, collectively. People’s Kitchen plays a really important role in this.
Lots of people come to eat, but much less come to help make it happen. For People’s Kitchen to be really collective, the people who eat and the people who cook can and should be the same people!
Things we want to see happen with People’s Kitchen…
- Make it a place where those who come to eat are collectively responsoble for making a great meal together happen. This could mean that on weeks where people don’t sign up to help, that Peoples Kitchen doesn’t happen.
- Make it a place to share skills and learn new ones
- Make it a place where you can drop-in and help.
Separate all the different tasks involved so that people can volunteer to:
Ronny, Jonathan and Anna have been involved in People’s Kitchen projects in other areas, so we’re starting one in Glossop.
The idea is that people come together for an affordable, tasty, healthy and ethical communal meal. We’re keeping it vegan and not-too-spicy, to be inclusive, and can cater for allergies and special requests with advance notice. There will always be gluten-free options.
When and where?
The first one will be Monday 13th Feb at The Oakwood on High St West, from 6.30 to 8.30pm. (We’ll have the pub to ourselves as it is closed Mondays.)
Food served from 6.30 until it runs out, so either get there on time
or book via: peopleskitchenglossop@gmail.com
or call 0782 861 7933 to reserve portions and seats.
Cost?
£2.50 for plate of food. Optional dessert is extra. Bottled drinks for sale (or bring your own).
We’ll have live background music from Quiet Loner and Steve Roberts. If the event is a success, we’ll consider running them monthly and publicising in the local press.
How can you help?
1. Book, so we have an idea of numbers.
2. Spread the word.
3. Donate any surplus vegetables and (vegan) ingredients earlier in the day, or the day before. Unwanted kitchen equipment also gratefully received.
4. Volunteer as a chef or server. Help clean and tidy the place on the night.
[October'12 update: Venue is currently Glossop Labour Club, 11-13 Chapel Street and the suggested donation of £3 includes dessert. Details at http://peopleskitchen.tumblr.com/]
Compassionate Derby, a showcase of healthy, environmentally friendly and cruelty free food and lifestyle products, was held in the Darwin Suite of the Assembly Rooms, right in the heart of the Derby, on Saturday 5th November 2011.
Co-organiser DavidO writes…
A huge well done to all those involved in Compassionate Derby A.K.A. the East Midlands Vegan Festival.
We ended up with over 30 stalls, engaging speakers (that included MP’s, Buddhist teachers and highly regarded vegan cooks) and most important of all, around 700 curious members of the public wandering through – only a tiny fraction of whom were vegan.
There has been a great deal of positive feedback from stallholders and public alike, and a veritable chorus of “Please that we do it all again next year and in a BIGGER VENUE!”
The highlight for me was when a young teenager who having been persuaded to have a look around (by a giant rabbit with sparklers) came back along the same busy high street where she had been leafleted and called out “that vegan food is GORGEOUS!” to her mates (and everyone else within a wide radius).
A massive thank you to everyone who donated their valuable time to achieve such a success and in particular to the half dozen or so committed Derby Animal Rights activists who somehow brought a big idea to life in six weeks flat..
I just wanted to say a huge WELL DONE to Dave O and the band of merry men (& women) who pulled it off perfectly!
I think they day went amazingly. I know a few stall holders were wishing it would be a bit busier, but for a first time I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how many people came through the doors.
Also, I’ve not been to many ‘vegan fayres’, but the ones I’ve been to have been so busy you’re restricted to your stall and don’t get to see anything else. It was nice to be able to walk around and actually see stalls rather than be looking over peoples shoulders for a quick glimpse. I even spoke to stall holders and learned a lot!
It went brilliantly and I’m glad I got to witness it.
Can’t wait for next years!
“Find details of similar events all over the UK on the Vegan Outreach Diary, compiled by Veggies Catering Campaign.”
“This year was the sixth year of the Festival’s Green Traders Awards, given by Glastonbury, Greenpeace, The Soil Association, The Fairtrade Foundation and Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS) to the traders who did the most to help make the Festival greener, fairer and more sustainable.
“Once again this year a team of Greenpeace volunteers trekked across the festival site interviewing traders, quizzing them about everything from: how they arrived on site, what their stall was made of; how much of their stock was Fairtrade, organic or recycled, and any other ethical criteria they proactively used to reduce their impact on the environment.
“… And the final award was given to Veggies Catering Co who received the Greenpeace Award. “For many years we’ve been trying to encourage all Glastonbury traders to be as green as we aim to be.”
Read full story, with details of other Award Winners (and well done to them all) at Glastonbury Festival News. Special congratulations to “the winner of this year’s Gold Award for food … last year’s runner-up No Bones Jones, who do vegetarian and vegan food”.
Veggies has been shortlisted in the Green Trading Standards scheme at previous Glastonbury Festivals and are 3-times winners of the ‘Best Vegan Caterer’ Awards.
Whilst we are delighted to have been recognised with this award, our mission is to reflect searching questions back to the festival itself, including…
Q. What are you selling that is Fairtrade?
A. Coffee, decaff coffee, hot chocolate, tea, redbush, herbal teas. For over 25 years we have never stocked other than fair trade teas and coffees, which are also organic where available.
… nor have we ever sold Cocoa Cola products, despite their being the nominated soft drink supplier to Glastonbury Festival.
Q. What other criteria do you look for when sourcing ethical goods?
Many consider Veggies Catering Campaign to be one of the most ethical on the circuit. Our policies are not a flash in the pan, they have been the cornerstone of our operation for over 25 years, drawn from our close involvement is supporting many campaigns for humans, animals and the environment.
Q. “Do you have any other suggestions for improving the sustainability of (Glastonbury) festival as a whole?”
A. Include concerns over the environmental impact of livestock products in all aspects of ethical and environmental planning and monitoring. Livestock products have been held responsible for significant amount of methane & carbon emissions. Whilst there may be debate over the detail, farmed animals compete inefficiently for food/feed, water and land resources, in a way which cannot be sustained if the global population were to adopt western patterns of consumption.
The rest of our submission to Glastonbury Festival Green Trader Awards in 2010 can be seen at our Ethical Policies page.
Join people from across the broad spectrum of the British peace
movement and radical activism for five days of exploration,
celebration and empowerment.
ABOUT PEACE NEWS SUMMER CAMP
Bring your contribution to a hothouse of creativity, a small
self-governed society run by democratic camp meetings, a viable
example of the kind of world we are trying to bring about. The
Peace News Summer Camp helps build a radical movement for the
future by building a living community today.
We are camping in a family-friendly and renewably-powered way
from 28 July to 1 August in the beautiful grounds of Crabapple
Community, near Shrewsbury in Shropshire.
Activities include: workshops and discussions, practical skills
sessions, delicious vegan food cooked by Veggies of Nottingham,
music, film, fun and participatory entertainment, a bar,
campfires, and activities and facilities for kids and families.
NB Dogs (except guide dogs) are not allowed on site – sorry.
TICKETS & FOOD
The camp costs £15 – £65 depending upon income. Payment can be
made by cheque, online or by phone:
- http://tinyurl.com/summercamptickets
for on-line purchases
– 0207 278 3344 for purchases by phone
– Send cheques (payable to “Peace News” to Peace News, 5
Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DY), explaining how many tickets you’re
purchasing and which rates
Food (3 meals a day and drinks) will cost £6 – £11 a day for
adults, depending on income, and should be ordered before the camp
starts. Individuals meals will be available to buy at the camp.
“Wonderful workshops and a wide range of people with which to
exchange ideas”
“Safe, friendly, interesting, happy, useful, accepting, great for
networking, well thought out and set up. Thank you for organising
and creating a lovely village”
“It was a great holiday for me and I loved meeting new people. To
become aware of the work that people are doing all over the country”
To celebrate the start of National Vegetarian Week 2011 sponsored by Cauldron Foods, the Vegetarian Society is hosting an event in Albert Square in Manchester city centre on Saturday 21 May.
The event will be based around veggie myths and will show the public, in a fun and interactive way, that the age-old stereotypes of vegetarianism are just not true. One of the myths we’ll be debunking is that vegetarianism is just a phase and we’d like our members’ help on this one!
Veteran Veggies
For this myth we’ll be creating an illustrative map of Manchester highlighting links to vegetarianism across city, such as Joseph Brotherton, the Salford MP who founded the Vegetarian Society back in 1847. We thought it would be great if we could have some of our members to help us give these maps out on the day and chat to people about what it was like to be a vegetarian in a different era.
Ideally we’d like members who have been a veggie for 30 years or more and remember experiences from when they first became a veggie. It would help if you’re local or easily able to get into Manchester city centre as we will not be able to cover travel expenses.
If you fancy representing our members’ commitment to being veggie, please call 0161 925 2000 or email Graham on graham@vegsoc.org with your name, age, address and how long you have been vegetarian. The event will run from 10am – 5pm, but we don’t expect people to stay for the whole time (unless they really want to!)
Are you a commited veggie?
To help further banish this myth at our event we’d like to create a big visual presentation with photos of veggies accompanied by quotes about how committed they are to being veggie. We’d like you, no matter how old or young you are or where you live, to email us a photo of yourself (of the highest resolution you can) and a sentence saying why you’re committed to being a veggie. We plan on using everyone’s photo and quote at our event and it will show the general public how varied veggies are!
Email graham@vegsoc.org with your photo, quote, name, age and how long you’ve been veggie. Please remember it is your responsibility to get permission from anyone who is recognisable in the image you send us. Images of young people under 16 years old can only be used if parental (or guardian / carer) permission has been obtained. Please do not send copyrighted images unless you have permission to do so.
From 2005 – 2009 the East Midlands’ Vegan Festival welcomed 2000 or more members of the public to the Council House on Nottingham’s Old Market Square on the 2nd Saturday in December.
However the Council House have refused to host further EMVFs so, to maintain public engagement on the urgency of dietary change for the health of people, other animals and the environment worldwide, Nottingham’s vegan campaigners held 9 Vegan Free Food Give-Away and campaign stalls on December 11th, each aiming to reach some 200 members of the public.
The success of the day depended on the support of autonomous self-contained teams of volunteers, each with 3 people including one adult confident to explain the ‘political campaign’ status of their stall to anyone official that might ask.
On the Friday cakes, pizza and other food samples were prepared at the Sumac Centre, and each stall kit was sorted out with tables, literature and utensils.
We then gathered at Sumac from 10am on Saturday to tour around the City, dropping off each stall in turn and collecting each one back as and when time, crew or supplies run out. Base camp was at the Old Angel, Stoney Street off Hockley, opposite the end of Broad (Broadway) Street, with a sampling stall nearby.
Please contact nottsfreefood[at]gmail.com if you are interested in supporting future giveaways, providing some food samples, or helping out in any other way. Or call 07870 861837.
In an amazing show of solidarity and compassion many hundreds marched across the west end of London on Saturday 2nd October, to highlight the plight of farmed animals.
The rally was independently organised by grass roots campaigners, “Animal Rights Coalition”, supported by Animal Aid, Viva!, Veggies Catering Campaign and many other groups.
This is the first time that we have held a march for farmed animals in London, and it was a lively day, in solidarity of the millions of animals killed for meat, dairy and eggs, every day.
Speech by Richard Deboo
“Did you know that in the UK alone, around 1000 million animals are killed for meat, dairy and eggs every year? And, that number does not include the fish that are trawled out of the water in their tonnes. None of this is necessary – we do not need to consume animal products.”
Animal Aid Director, Andrew Tyler, spoke of the negative human health and environmental impacts of animal farming but declared: ‘My own argument against meat, milk, eggs, fish and all other animal products arises from my knowledge of the vile cruelty that is integral to these animal product industries. I have seen it for myself during numerous visits to farms, markets and slaughterhouses.” [video] More at Animal Aid’s rally report.
In Viva!’s media release, founder and director, Juliet Gellatley, said: “Viva!, together with many supporters, will be at the forefront of the event, calling for a move away from the reliance on livestock farming, for the sake of animals, people and the environment. It is unbelievable in this day and age that such barbaric and outdated practices, under which animals suffer, are allowed to continue.”
In her speech at the rally, she added: “If one person is unkind to an animal it is considered cruelty, but when a lot of people are unkind to animals, especially in the name of profit, the cruelty is condoned and, once large sums of money are involved, will be defended to the last by otherwise intelligent people”. [video]
Saturday October 2nd saw the National March for Farmed Animals take place in London.
Speeches kicked off at approximately 12.30 and saw Juliet Gellatley of VIVA! give the first, before Andrew Tyler of Animal Aid, Richard Deboo, Louise Wallis, the former president of the Vegan Society and Kevin White, founder of Midlands Vegan Campaigns, who has just been awarded Veggie Achiever Of The Year.
The march itself began around 1.30 and saw animal lovers from around the UK walk up the busy Regent Street, down through Cockspur Street, down Whitehall, along Embankment, finally into Horse Guards Avenue, carrying placards, banners and leaflets, spreading the word to the general public about the cruelty that happens to farmed animals.
At every McDonalds or Steakhouse the marchers stopped to focus on that location for a few minutes, letting them know that they’re far from pleased at the companies for making a living out of the slaughter of animals, chanting ‘Stop the Slaughter, Meat is Murder’. Although what started out as a sunny day eventually saw rain drizzle, it couldn’t dampen the marchers’ passion.
After the two hour long march, a few more speeches took place including one from Chrissy Leyland, one of the founding members of Pogo Cafe, one of our fave vegan cafes (in London), Marion Eaton of F.R.I.E.N.D. Animal Rescue and Patrick of Veggies (vegan catering campaign).
The afternoon concluded with a couple of numbers by Mártin the Livewire, vegan hip-hop / rapper.
Full report and photo gallery by Shari Black Velvet at Save-A-Scream website.
We’re on the final countdown to the Summer Gathering: below is an update and some important information for those planning to attend. Keep an eye on the website for further updates over the next few weeks, or get in touch for more details.
The gathering will officially start on Friday 27th August after lunch, and will end on the afternoon of Monday 30th (Bank Holiday). You are more than welcome in the days before and after these dates to help set up the site and clear away afterwards, vegan food and camping space will be provided for these volunteers.
This is the national gathering of the grass roots animal rights movement. It’s a chance for activists from throughout the country to get together for a weekend of talks, discussions, workshops and films on a wide range of topics connected to animal rights activism, to take stock of where we are and make plans for the future, as well as some practical and skills based workshops and activities to share and learn new skills.
There will also be plenty of time and opportunities for us to relax and unwind, to spend some time catching up with old friends and meeting some new ones, to try some tasty vegan food and drinks, all in in beautiful rural surroundings.
*Timetable / Workshops*
There are already some great workshops, discussions, talks and entertainment planned, but there’s space for much more, so if you’ve got anything interesting to contribute please get in touch soon with your ideas. This applies also to practical and skills based workshops.
*Camping*
Accommodation on site will be camping. Bring clothing and camping equipment suitable for all weathers if possible. If you don’t have a tent don’t worry, you can stay in one of the big marquees which will be on site throughout. Don’t forget to bring a torch as well if possible!
Getting there.
To enable us to plan facilities and catering etc please let us know in advance if you plan to attend, how many of you and when you expect to arrive/leave. There will be 2 mobile phone contacts if you have any problems, these will be available nearer the time.
Public Transport
If you are using public transport, here are a few tips to enable you to plan your journey. There is a bus which takes you from Northampton (Grey Friars) bus station to the site of the gathering. If you are coming to Northampton by train there is a 10 minute walk to the bus station. The journey time from the bus station to the gathering site is half an hour, the bus leaves the bus station at the following times 07.45, 0900, 1020, 1210, 1405, 1645 and 1800, and there are no buses on Sundays, so please bear this in mind when making connections. If you have to arrive or leave after 1800, or on Sunday (when the bus doesn’t run), contact us and we’ll try to make other arrangements.
*Driving*
If you are driving, the directions depend on which direction you’re coming from, so contact us for details how to get there. The site is fairly central, it is only about 15 minutes from the major junction of the M1/M6/A14.
Car share
If you’re driving to the gathering and can offer spaces to fellow activists either from your area or en route, please get in touch so we can get more people involved. Or if you need a ride, get in touch and we’ll try to put you in touch with others from your area.
Volunteers for Set-up
If you’re free earlier in the week to help set up the site, put up marquees etc, and/or you can stay a few days afterwards to help tidy up the site, you’ll be very welcome, we’ll provide camping space and food, some good company, and as well as some work we’ll have some fun and a bit of entertainment too no doubt! Please let us know if you can do this so we can get an idea of numbers, thanks in advance.
Volunteers will also be needed during the gathering for a variety of tasks such as catering, washing up, getting workshop spaces ready, recycling, driving to pick up activists and supplies, gate duty etc, there’ll be a rota organised at the site for this
Vegan Catering Skillsharing
If you want to get involved with the catering, it’s a great way to learn about vegan catering and to meet new people. We will run two cooking sessions a day as ‘mass vegan catering workshops’, and will also hope to hold cake baking sessions. The start time will be advertised on a board at the kitchen each day, but will generally be about 3 hours before each meal. We will actively encourage people to pass on skills and learn about vegan cooking.
Food
Veggies Catering Campaign will be providing three tasty vegan meals per day at a reasonable price. Plus Veggies d-i-y Cafe will run throughout the weekend with drinks and snacks, as well as stalls offering a selection of vegan goodies.
Vegan Fish and Chips On top of this, the world’s first and only mobile vegan fish and chips caterers will be on hand all weekend if you fancy something different. For more information about “Something Fishy”, visit their website www.something-fishy.org.uk
Children
It would be very useful for us to know how many children are likely to attend, and also whether their parents will provide food for them, or whether they eat alongside adults.
Special diets/allergies
If you have any food-related enquiries such as special diets/allergies, please contact us in advance and we will try to help.
First Aid
If you’re a First Aider, let us know when you’ll be there, and don’t forget your First Aid kit! There will be First Aid workshop on the timetable as well.
Sorry No Dogs
Sorry dogs are now allowed because the gathering will be on land where there are rescued farmed animals. However the central location may make it easier for day visits.
Donations.
The gatherings play a vital role in promoting and co-ordinating the movement.
If you or your group can help by making a donation, send cheques/PO’s payable to “ARGathering” and send to the address above, or use the paypal/plastic donation button on the AR Calendar listing at http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=1711
2011 Gathering
The next AR Gathering is likely to be around the 12th or 19th August 2011.
Workshops, skill sharing and planning action, plus low-impact living without leaders. Meet people, learn skills, take action.
The UK Animal Rights Gathering is to a great weekend not to be missed, with talks, discussions and workshops on a wide range of issues and activities related to animal rights campaigning, as well as a chance to relax with like-minded people and socialise and network with other campaigners from all over the UK.
“… And the final award was given to Veggies Catering Co who received the Greenpeace Award. “For many years we’ve been trying to encourage all Glastonbury traders to be as green as we aim to be.”
To celebrate the start of National Vegetarian Week 2011 sponsored by 
To help further banish this myth at our event we’d like to create a big visual presentation with photos of veggies accompanied by quotes about how committed they are to being veggie. We’d like you, no matter how old or young you are or where you live, to email us a photo of yourself (of the highest resolution you can) and a sentence saying why you’re committed to being a veggie. We plan on using everyone’s photo and quote at our event and it will show the general public how varied veggies are!
August 27th to 30th.
Getting there.
Vegan Fish and Chips
