VegfestUK Brighton Set For Success As Vegetarianism Goes Mainstream

On November 12^th The Daily Express ran a front page story entitled, “New diet to halt diabetes: Eating less meat and dairy can slash risk by half”[1] And another article in the Daily Mail this September suggested that veganism can lower cholesterol and ease painful joints[2] So it’s not just the fear of finding horsemeat in your Sunday lunch that’s persuading many more of us to go vegetarian and vegan, there are so many clinically proven health reasons too! This is why VegfestUK Brighton is set to be one of the most popular veggie lifestyle events this March...

VegfestUK - Europe's biggest and best veggie lifestyle shows - are back in the nation's veggie capital, Brighton next year, on March 29^th 30^th at the Hove Centre. With over 135 stalls full of mouth-watering food alongside fashion, cosmetics and bodycare, plus inspiring dietary tips from talks, cookery demos, workshops, films and kids' cookery classes, on top of a speed-dating session, a bodybuilders competition, as well as great live comedy and music, this show is certain to attract not only veggies but all food and festival lovers.

“Since our shows began back in 2003, we've always strived to maintain a balance between festival charm and food education, and that has proved to be very attractive for the veggie-curious and the meat reducers, who have been growing in leaps and bounds for the past decade,” say the organisers. “VegfestUK gives everyone a top day out while getting across the benefits of increasing their fruit, veg and grain intake and reducing their meat and dairy, in a very informal and friendly atmosphere. The best thing is: no one is under pressure to go veggie at all. 

People can just come down to our festivals, sample a myriad of quality, healthier plant-based substitutes for their customary sausages, doner kebabs, chicken nuggets, milkshakes and pizzas, enjoy the festival capers, then make their own dietary decisions afterwards.”

In the wake of the horsemeat scandal, the 2013 show attracted a record-breaking 7,200 visitors over 2 days and included presenters Janey Lee Grace (BBC Radio 2) and Sarah Jane Honeywell (CBeebies). 

With the sharp rise in health consciousness in recent years, the strong attendance figures look set to continue at the nation's veggie capital next March. Admission is £2 for adults (pay on gate), and free for under 16's. 

For further details, visit www.brighton.vegfest.co.uk

[1] http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/442519/New-diet-to-halt-diabetes-Eating-less-meat-and-dairy-can-slash-risk-by-half
[2] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2416221/Could-going-vegan-days-week-ease-creaky-knees.html

VEGAN FESTIVAL PIONEER AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS GREEN AWARD

Bristol-based organiser Tim Barford was recognised for his outstanding community work during the glittering PEA Business Awards ceremony in central London last night.

As founder and organiser of the wildly successful VegfestUK events, Tim Barford was recognised above his fellow nominees and awarded the Working in the Community honour. Sponsored by The Earth Foundation, this award recognises an individual or a team for outstanding community work within an environmentally conscious activity.

An elated Tim said of the award:

“VegfestUK was awarded first place in the Working in the Community category and I am thrilled to accept it as I lead our festival though its tenth year. Our shows have all been 100% vegan, showcasing the best of a plant-based lifestyle to an ever-curious public over the last decade.

I would like to send heartfelt thanks to our supporters, especially all the people who have believed in the validity of the vegan lifestyle as a genuine green option. I would like to dedicate the award to the memory of our vegan forerunners such as Donald Watson and Arthur Ling. I’m certain they would be delighted to know a vegan festival has won a major award in 2013!”

Tim continued:
“I would also like to express my gratitude to all those tireless campaigners working hard to spread the vegan message. I hope this award is inspirational to you in your efforts. Please keep up the amazing work you do for the people, the animals and the planet.”

The People and Environment Achievement Business Awards (PEABs) celebrate the many ways in which green initiatives can be good for business, as well as the planet. The awards showcase the excellence and innovation demonstrated by an individual or team within an organisation making genuine and effective contributions to the "greening" of UK businesses.

Additional information

VegfestUK continues its tenth birthday celebrations by staging a mammoth music, food and entertainment event in Bristol on May 24^th, 25^th and 26^th, 2013. Full details including musical guests, opening times, admission costs and the festival programme can be found here: http://bristol.vegfest.co.uk/

VegfestUK takes over London Olympia on October 5^th and 6^th, 2013. This huge two-day event will feature world-famous comedians, cooking demonstrations, 150 green businesses and the best vegan food caterers in the UK. Full details available here: http://london.vegfest.co.uk/

Veggie Event sees massive rise in interest since Horseburger Scandal!

 

One of Europe’s biggest veggie events, VegfestUK Brighton, held at The Hove Centre on March 16^th and 17^th, has seen a massive rise in interest since the breaking of the Horseburger scandal, with all stall space sold out a month before the event; website hits have more than tripled year on year, and Facebook and Twitter activity has gone through the roof as vast sectors of the UK look towards veggie options to replace processed meat and ready meals.

‘It’s incredible’, say the organisers of this weekends’ event. ‘Literally since the day the news broke about what they were finding in the food chain, we have seen a surge of interest in every way. There are especially a lot of new businesses springing up that cater for veggies and it seems most of them are sensing an opportunity to reach more potential customers very quickly right now, which would explain why we have sold out of all available stall space for the first time ever – and that was a month ago.’

‘We are expecting capacity crowds at the event and especially a big rise in the ‘meat reducers’ – those looking for veggie options but not necessarily wanting to go veggie – just ditch the horseburgers and get some decent healthy options instead. VegfestUK Brighton is the right event for people like this right now. You can sample the best, for free, and buy at discount prices, whilst accessing cookery demos, talks and a host of other information about the veggie lifestyle, in a friendly, relaxed and fun environment. Vegfest rocks!’

The show is opened by BBC Radio 2 presenter Janey Lee Grace, and other celebrities including Sara Jane Honeywell (CBeebies), Roxy Shahidi (ex Emmerdale actress) and Dean Howell (Fleetwood Town FC) will be joined by a host of other top speakers and performers, including comedy hours each day with Andrew O’Neill and Sarah Pascoe. Admission to the public is completely free, and you can access more information about the event by downloading the free event programme here http://brighton.vegfest.co.uk/programme

VegfestUK events continue during 2013 with their tenth birthday party at Bristol in May, with the Happy Mondays and Caravan Palace, and a new show in London at Olympia in October with comedians Dave Spikey and Jamie Kilstein – see www.vegfest.co.uk for more information about both these shows.