Dear Editor

I am really pleased to tell you that 100's of people turned up to my World Vegan Day and Viva! celebration - people were even queuing before we opened!

I am so grateful to all the volunteers on the night and to the really helpful staff and manager at The Brentwood Schools Sports Centre.

There was a mixture of compassionate and healthy living - you could get your blood analysed, buy jewellery, meet people from Viva!, The Vegan Society, Animal Aid, and check out around 30 other stalls packed with free samples and information, try lots of animal free food - wheat and meat free cakes, dairy free cream, dairy free cheese, try wine and beers and enjoy a tasty vegan chili from Frys Vegetarian Foods and trifle for desert!

Lush gave away goody bags and also made a demonstration on how to make a lush face mask.

Benjamin Zephaniah, the well known poet came along and so did the Mayor of Brentwood!

The talks went down well from the Vegan Body Builders and Jill Swyers.

Our awards were a lovely surprise as only I knew about them for the following people who make a big difference for animals and people in Essex.

Fiona and Martin - www.towerhillstables.com
Ernie and Paula - www.hopefield.org.uk
Billy from The Retreat Animal Rescue

Cathy White from www.vegdesign.com
The Vegan Society www.vegansociety.com for their Diamond Jubilee
Viva! www.viva.org.uk for their 10th Birthday

Barbara Sherringham - for her dedication for re homing animals
The Happy Hamsters - for their wonderful vegan catering helping raise money for animals

and my Dad! For being my inspiration!

So a fun, positive atmosphere was enjoyed and veggie and non veggies alike enjoyed, tasty, healthy animal free food! And £100’s of pounds has been raised for well deserving charities.

Thanks for your help as without the local media it would be very difficult to tell Essex people about events like this!

With best wishes Karin
Event Organiser