RVV Review of 2008

Date: 2009-01-02

2008 was another very busy and successful year for Redditch Vegetarians and Vegans. We`ve held(or taken part in) nearly 40 events and approx 15 articles about us have appeared in the local press. This is a summary of all that RVV members have been doing during 2008.
Happy New Year!

Follow the links to reports/photos elsewhere on our website or click on the external links for more details of the various organisations.

JANUARY

Indian Group Meal Enjoyed by All
On Wednesday 23 January, 9 members of Redditch Vegetarians & Vegans enjoyed our first group meal out of 2008. The recently opened Redolence Spice was the venue, an Indian restaurant in Redditch town centre. For a very reasonable price, we tucked into a delicious 3 course meal. See photos and restaurant website www.redolencespice.com

FEBRUARY

Pancake Flippin` Fun in February!
Our monthly meeting in February took the form of a dairy-free pancake cookery demonstration and workshop. Lots of us had a go at making dairy-free pancakes and we all sampled the mouth-watering results - it was great fun!! See photos

MARCH

Stock-Free Organic Growing for a Sustainable Future
We hosted a talk & presentation about growing crops & gardening without the use of animal products. It`s a myth that organic growing requires the use of animal manure to fertilise the soil. We learnt how Stock-Free Organic growing is better for human health, animals & the environment. Read more on the Vegan Organic Network website www.veganorganic.net

Hopper Haven Spring Fayre
We held a stall at a rabbit and guinea pig rescue fundraising fayre in Redditch. See www.hopperhaven.org.uk

Hillfields Animal Sanctuary Open Day
RVV held a stall at the first open day of 2008. See www.hillfields-animal-sanctuary.com

APRIL

Films Screened at April Meeting
At our meeting in April, we screened 3 films on assorted issues. Firstly, we showed a film entitled Safer Medicines produced by Europeans for Medical Progress which focused on the many state-of-the-art methods of testing new medicines that don`t involve animals. www.safermedicines.org.uk Secondly, there was a short film about last year`s green fair in Redditch. Watch it online. Finally, we showed a very moving film about the work of the Animals Asia Foundation, rescuing Moon Bears from bile farmers in China. www.animalsasia.org

Meeting with Redditch MP
2 members of RVV spoke to our local MP, Jacqui Smith(the Home Secretary) about the need for the government to take radical action to promote climate-friendly plant based diets.

MAY

Weekend Ramble & Pub Meal
A dozen RVV members and friends enjoyed a leisurely walk through the local countryside in Studley and finished at a small pub for a lunchtime meal.

JUNE

An Evening with Pat Reeves
At our meeting on Wed 4 June, we welcomed the nutritional therapist and world champion powerlifter, Pat Reeves. We listened to a fascinating talk about the power of living foods, how they can aid our health and may even save our life! Read more 

Green Fair Attracted the Crowds & Glorious Weather
On Sat 7 June, the 3rd independent Redditch Green Fair was the biggest & best yet. With a total of 26 stalls, the eco extravaganza was like no other ever seen in the town. Vegan catering was provided on 3 separate stalls throughout the day. On the RVV stall, mountains of delicious free food was devoured by 100`s of fair goers. Many thanks to Redwoods & Beanie`s for generous donations of their products. RVV members also served refreshments & our eco veggie posters were on display, leaving people in no doubt that plant based diets are the most eco-friendly! Read a full report & see 40+ photos on the event website www.redditchgreenfair.org.uk

JULY

Animal Aid Street Collection in Redditch
RVV coordinated the annual Animal Aid street collection in Redditch, raising £140 towards their campaigns. www.animalaid.org.uk

Hillfields Animal Sanctuary Open Day
We held a stall at the latest fundraising event at our local sanctuary. www.hillfields-animal-sanctuary.com

Cool By The Pool
We held an info/food sample stall at this annual family fun day in the Batchley area of Redditch.

Green Fair at Arrow Valley Countryside Centre
Our food samples, recipes and info were a big hit at the annual Redditch Borough Council green fair.

Farm Animal Sanctuary Open Day
To round off a busy month, we held a stall at this event near Evesham. www.thefarmanimalsanctuary.co.uk

AUGUST

Kitchen Kosmetics
At our August meeting, there was a demonstration and talk about making cosmetics from everyday kitchen ingredients. We learnt that there`s no need to buy expensive branded products when you can raid the kitchen instead! Read more and download the recipes!

Scarecrow Day at Arrow Valley Countryside Centre
Record numbers attended this family fun day in Redditch and our food sample/info stall proved ever popular.

SEPTEMBER

Talk by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
For our September meeting, we invited a speaker from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an international marine wildlife conservation organisation. They are committed to the eradication of pirate whaling, poaching, shark finning, unlawful habitat destruction, and violations of established laws in the World's oceans. Read more

Freshers Fairs
We held information and food sample stalls at our 2 local college fresher fairs in Redditch and Bromsgrove. As usual with these events, the food and recipes flew off the table!

Hillfields Animal Sanctuary Buffet/Social
Several of our members attended the latest fundraising buffet & social evening which raised lots of cash for the 300 rescued animals at Hillfields. www.hillfields-animal-sanctuary.com

Food Fair Pulled in the Crowds
In September, Redditch Borough Council staged it`s first ever food fair at Forge Mill Needle Museum. RVV were of course there, as were local veggie/vegan caterers Taskers Tasty Takeaways and Red Kite Health Foods of Bromsgrove. See photos and report

OCTOBER

Talk about Animal Sanctuary
Lyn Tudor from Hillfields attended our October meeting and spoke about her 30 years of rescuing animals. www.hillfields-animal-sanctuary.com

Sponsored Half Marathon
RVV member Kevin White completed the first ever Birmingham Half Marathon in a very respectable time of 2 hours 16 mins, and raised over £600 which was split between the Animal Protection Agency, Viva! and the West Midlands Vegan Festival. See photos and report

NOVEMBER

West Midlands Vegan Festival
On World Vegan Day (Sat 1st November) at least a dozen members of RVV enjoyed the fantastic West Midlands Vegan Festival in Wolverhampton. There were over 50 stalls offering food, cosmetics, clothes, gifts etc and a range of other attractions, including cookery demos, talks, workshops, live music and presentation of The Vegan Society Awards. See the festival website www.midlandsveganfestival.org.uk

Hillfields Xmas Fair & Open Day
The final open day of the year at our local sanctuary and we were back there again holding a stall. Nearly £600 was raised. www.hillfields-animal-sanctuary.com

RVV`s 3rd Birthday Bash was a Roaring Success!
On Saturday 29 November, over 30 people came together to celebrate RVV`s 3rd birthday. The party included fantastic food provided by Green Garden Cafe, a raffle, live entertainment and lots more...! See photos and report

DECEMBER

Xmas Bring & Share Supper
For our final meeting of the year we invited members to bring festive food for all to share!

Veg*n Climate March in London
For the second year running, the only coach transport organised specifically for veggies/vegans travelled from Redditch & Birmingham! We helped to educate 1,000`s of environmentalists about the urgent need to switch to plant based diets for the sake of the planet. The Campaign for Eco-Veg*nism website www.ecoveggie.org.uk

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Crowds Flocked for Free Choccy Delights!

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Talk & Cookery Demo - Wed 6th May

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Vegan Catering for All talk attracted new members!

At our meeting on Wed 4 March, we welcomed Amanda Baker from The Vegan Society who talked about their current campaign to encourage all restaurants, cafes etc to cater properly for vegans. The talk was excellent and it attracted 5 new people to the group! We learnt how we can all help the campaign, including by distributing their excellent catering booklet to local eateries. Read more on www.vegansociety.com 

RVV Review of 2008

2008 was another very busy and successful year for Redditch Vegetarians and Vegans. We`ve held(or taken part in) nearly 40 events and approx 15 articles about us have appeared in the local press. This is a summary of all that RVV members have been doing during 2008.
Happy New Year!

RVV`s 3rd birthday bash was a roaring success!

On Saturday 29 November, over 30 people came together to celebrate RVV`s 3rd birthday. The party included fantastic food provided by Green Garden Cafe, a raffle, live entertainment and lots more...!

Food Fair Pulled in the Crowds

In September 2008, Redditch Borough Council staged it`s first ever food fair at Forge Mill Needle Museum. RVV were of course there, as were local veggie/vegan caterers Taskers Tasty Takeaways
 and Red Kite Health Foods of Bromsgrove. Sadly, there were also butchers stalls!

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