6th International Vegan Festival

England, Bedfordshire, Biggleswade, Ickwell Bury - 1-9 August 1992

Organised by Barbara Gamsa-Jackson.

The first such event to be held in Britain. Including speakers and stall holders, there were nearly 170 participants from 16 countries (Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA).

Press coverage of the event appeared in: The Independant, The Spectator, The Daily Mail, Classical Music, and The Biggleswade Chronicle (A full and sympathetic report). Radio coverage included: Radio 4 (Woman's Hour), 4 different World Service Programmes, Greater Manchester Radio and Radio Bedford.

The whole week was an overwhelming success from start to finish, thanks mainly to the organizing skills of Barbara Gamsa-Jackson, the speakers who were obviously masters of their subjects, and last but not least, the marvelous vegan food served.

Also, the enthusiasm of the visitors who had come from 16 different countries, including the first 10 campers on the lawn who struggled to put up their tents against a strong wind to the overflow few who were lodging at guesthouses in the village. They had to walk 2 miles each way daily to get to the manor house.

A talk was given by Howard Kent, the director of the Yoga for Health Foundation (the venue). He told us the main part of the house dated from 1688 and the barn where the talks were given may have been older. The 300 year old estate clock still chimed, tinny melodious, and in certain parts of the the house the thump of it's pully system could be heard.

The entrance hall had been turned into an interesting shop with a selection of cookery books, tee shirts, car stickers and Weleda goods for sale. Through this came a steady stream of newcomers asking for directions. Many told horrific stories of being held up on the motorway and asked if they were late? "No, - come in and have supper!".

Then the week got under way with an exciting mixture of talks, videos, and demonstrations. Michael O'connell rigged his huge nettle grinder up to show us how to make nutritious pulp flavoured with lemon which could be used to feed the 3rd World, and an impromptu demonstration of how to make a perfect non-stick vegan pancake was held in the marquee. There was a show of non-leather shoes by the Italian firm of Pada Kamala, and Bill Russell told us how he had, with great difficulty, perfected a way to make non-animal strings for violins he produces in his workshop in Manchester.

Louise Wallis told of how she bravely worked under cover to make a video of the activities of the animal researh laboratories. Kathleen Jannaway showed a useful video of how to grow crops of vegetables in combination with nature. Dr. Alan Long told of animal abuse in food production. Compassion in World Farming showed a video about the suffering endured by animals on the way to the slaughterhouse. These and much more made the week rush by.

On Sunday, 14 more campers arrived to pitch their tents on the lawn. They had to compete for space with a number of mole hills. The wind had dropped leaving us with a cloudless blue sky and brilliant sunshine, and many took their meals out onto the stone terrace to eat, where a number of wasps flew in to join the feast. No one was stung as with vegan gentleness they were ushered away or left alone. There were animated discussions at meal times which went on until the next lecture when there was a general exodus to the barn.

A few prefered to meditate in the peace of the rose garden. Occasionally a solitary person could be seen sitting on the steps which led down to the lake which was surrounded by woodland. They had only to wait and wildlife would appear all around them.

By thursday there were 34 cars in the courtyard and a number of young children had arrived. It was pleasant to see them playing games on the lawn and to know they had started their lives off as vegans.

A Morella cherry tree was planted against the west wall in the rose garden and there was a touching ceremony as a number of people gathered around in a hand-holding semi-circle.

- Edited article from The Vegan, Winter 1992. (For a full report of the lectures see Vegan Views Autumn 1992).

International Vegan Festivals Index