Seventy five years ago from The Vegetarian Winter 1995 Since 1847, the Society has been producing a journal for the benefit of its members. Times change, but the issues surrounding the movement remain remarkably the same. Former Magazine Editor, now Local Network Co-ordinator Bronwen Humphreys looks back at the way we were. Last issue I remarked that the 1920 issues of The Vegetarian Messenger seemed a lot thinner than those from the 1890s; and I speculated whether this was due to shortages following the war or an impending financial crisis. By the end of 1920, crisis seems to have hit the Society with a vengance they were given notice to quit the premises in Deansgate, Manchester which acted as both headquarters and health food shop. The first issue of 1921 finds the Society in new headquarters at 39 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester. The harassed secretary complains that: 'We now have to pay more rent for smaller premises in an inconvenient situation. All the Summer School goods have had to be placed in a Depository and there is not suffcient room to store half the stock of foods held at 257 Deansgate.' Business at the shop seems to have been quite brisk and its loss was felt keenly: 'The expenses directly connected with the Society's compulsory removal from Deansgate already exceed two hundred pounds, and the shop sales at Wilmslow Road, taking the average to date, are much below the average takings at Deansgate,' - they lamented a couple of months later. The Executive announced that fundraising would have to be pursued diligently for several years in the hope that enough could he raised to enable the Society to purchase its - own premises. Lady members were called upon to arrange afternoon sewing meetings to build up a stock of items that could be sold in a grand 'Sale of Work' at the Annual Meeting! Gentlemen were informed they could help by securing gifts of material or goods from friends. We may chuckle at the thought of trying to boost the Society's funds through a mass stitching of pot-holders and embroidering of tray cloths, but this sale, and the sad state of the Society's finances, were so important that they constituted the first article in the magazine every month during the spring of 1921. Other concerns in the magazine have a familiar ring, even though we use different words and computer technology these days. For example, a recruitment campaign was planned, with existing members invited to become 'special correspondents' who would: 'furnish the names and addresses of persons likely to join the Society. It is probable that every member knows, at least, one person sympathetic to our movement and not connected with any vegetarian organisation. A cordial invitation to join The Vegetarian Society will be sent to each person introduced in this way.' Members were also asked to support campaigns by: 'reporting on the possibilities of holding propaganda meetings in their localities. There is little difficulty in making arrangements with Lecture and Discussion Societies and Guilds. It is confidently anticipated that activity in this direction will be followed by the formation of local Committees or Societies, for the propagation of vegetarian principles and practice.' To out eyes, the magazines of the 1920s still seem very short of recipes and seasonal features but in December 1920, they did publish a recipe for Xmas pudding:

XMAS PUDDING

Ingredients required: a 2lb loaf of bread 1lb dates 1lb raisins ½lb nut suet or margarine 1lb sugar 1oz candied peel 1oz spice

Method: Cut off crust of loaf and soak till soft in cold water, strain and add to rest of bread which has been crumbed in the meanwhile. Put all the ingredients in a vessel and put in the oven. When hot, take out and mix well. If found too stiff add a little hot water. if too wet, a little more bread crumbs and fat. Replace in oven, leave all day, mixing several times so that it does not burn. It will then look rich and brown and be ready to put into basins. It will keep any length of time, so I fill a basin as I want a pudding within the next few months. The basin should be put into a slow oven for 4-6 or even more hours. The beauty of the pudding consists in the long baking.

The recipe was supplied by a L. Hopkins. The editors added a footnote We have enjoyed the puddings made from the above recipe: they are delicious. A separate, short article on salads reminded the readers that they should continue eating green vegetables in the winter in order to avoid constipation and to obtain the: 'vitamins which are of great importance to health and vigour - also 'the use of greens as salads promotes the use of olive oil as a dressing, and olive oil is of special food value. It seems some new discoveries about nutrition aren't as 'new' as we thought! Finally, the Society organised a Christmas social for members at the Onward Hall, Deansgate on the 11th December, so money worries couldn't have spoilt the festivities entirely. 'Mrs Fred Morgan will preside and deliver the address, and Mr Morgan will give Character Sketches and impersonations - by request. Assemble at 5 o'clock; tea at 5.30: recital at 7 o'clock followed by dancing.
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