Veganism: It all began here
Today is World Vegan Day, marking the start of World Vegan Month.
"Veganism" is a lifestyle which excludes, as far as possible and practical, all forms of animal exploitation for food, clothing or any other purpose.
The vegan movement began in Leicester in 1944 by Yorkshireman Donald Watson, who stopped eating meat after witnessing the slaughter of a terrified, screaming pig on his uncle's farm. This experience led him to decide that "farms – and uncles – had to be reassessed".
He gave up dairy produce about 18 years later, when he understood "the biological mechanics of milk production".
While living in Leicester he brought together 25 people who became the first Vegan Society. He and his wife hit on "vegan" by taking the beginning and end of the word VEGetariAN.
Donald Watson died in November 2005, aged 95, "never having taken medicines, orthodox or fringe", owing to their link with animal testing and vivisection.
To celebrate vegan month there is a Vegan Fair in Leicester on November 12, from 10.30am to 3.30pm, at Christchurch Hall, Clarendon Park Road. Entry is 50p for adults, free for children.
Various organisations are represented, including Animal Aid, Sea Shepherd, Friends of the Earth and Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital.
There are talks, a children's corner, and a cafe serving delicious vegan food. Come and learn about veganism here in Leicester, where it all began.
Mrs Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone.
8 Comments
by meatiscancer
Tuesday, November 15 2011, 5:12PM
“Eating meat causes cancer, lots of it.”
by New_Walk_View
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 12:53PM
“Can't help but agree with the last three posts. I'm neither vegan nor vegeterian but I stopped dismissing people who are as cranks/nutters in my late teens - at around the same time as I started actually listening to what they had to say.”
by Opinion8ed
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 11:11AM
“I haven't eaten meat in any form for over thirty years now. I never ever go on about it, there are more interesting things to discuss. However, I do enjoy the compliments I receive regarding how young I appear and 'how do I stay so slim'?. Meat eaters you may scoff (both literally and metaphorically) but by insulting vegetarianism you are displaying a degree of ignorance.”
by EmmaLH
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 10:31AM
“Becoming vegan was/is the best thing I've ever done! The violence towards other animals for products which aren't even necessary (meat/dairy/eggs/leather/fur) cannot be justified. We have a choice to either continue sleep walking through this life or to wake up, become connected and & make a commitment to not support the exploitation of other sentient beings who value their own life as much as you & I.
Furthermore, there is so much evidence to suggest that eating animal products is extremely detrimental to human health & that eating a balanced, plant-based diet can prevent & even reverse many of todays health problems/diseases. A very good documentary to check out is "Forks over Knives."
Animal agriculture is also an ecological disaster.
Go vegan & your only regret will be that you hadn't done it sooner!”
by ruthybsure
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 6:57AM
“Great reading! I'm so surprised about the comments and negativity towards something which rejects cruelty to animals. So sad! Veganism is a beautful lifestyle choice that reduces harm to the planet, the poor and the animals we all supposedly 'love 'but subject to nothing short of complete torture. I can't fathom how anyone - apart from those with very narror mindsets, could object to that.
Veganism has had far-reaching implications and is a movement who's time has come. I'm in Perth Australia and loved reading about the roots of something I am so proud of. Congratulations Leicester!”
by CGLee
Tuesday, November 01 2011, 6:59PM
“Thanks for the invitation, Elizabeth, but I don't think I'll be there! I'll be too busy cooking and eating Saturday lunch, which will contain meat, lots of it.”
by graydjames
Tuesday, November 01 2011, 5:15PM
“Let's hear it for meat eaters.
I got banned for what I said about this lady once before and frankly that says it all.
The cliche is that veggies eat a lot of nuts. That's very apt.
The more these types bang on about not eating meat the more determined I am to eat more and more of it.”
by Eastonian
Tuesday, November 01 2011, 10:39AM
“Perhaps we ought to have a 'Meat Eaters Day', after all, that "movement" began a long time before 1944!! Oh, we already do - every Sunday at least!!”