South East England

Local Contacts for The Vegetarian Society

The Vegetarian Society has a two-tier system of local representatives: Affiliated Groups and Information Centres. Information Centres marked with a * are trying to grow into groups, and those marked ** are actually small groups, so please contact them if you are interested in joining. Business Display Info Centres have our literature and information available for their customers and visitors but do not usually put on events
Please remember that all groups and information centres are run by volunteers and are entirely self-funded.

Email: some groups have asked that their email addresses aren't set out the conventional way in order to reduce spam. If contacting, please replace (at) with @ and so on.

The VegParentsSE e-group is run by Lesley Dove of our Twickenham & Surrey Vegetarian & Vegan Group but covers the South-east generally.

Vegetarians and vegans living in the South East of England are welcome to join Vegans Worldwide (e-group and some meetings in Bournemouth)

Thames Valley Vegans and Vegetarians (Affiliated Group)
Sophie or Stephen Fenwick-Paul. Tel: 0118 9464858
web: www.t3v.veggroup.org

•Thames Valley Vegans and Vegetarians are a social and active vegetarian group based around Reading. We love food and socialising and are one of the largest and most popular vegetarian groups in the UK. So join in just by booking to come along to one of our events and asking to be on our email list. No membership fee.
We also promote vegetarianism through encouraging local businesses, communicating with local press, school talks & cookery demos, raising funds for the various vegetarian organisations and spreading the word.
Our website has an excellent guide to where to eat, shop and stay in the area, as well as local veggie news and tasty animal-free recipes.

Events:
Future plans: go-karting evening, monthly meals out with special menus or buffets, plus local positive veggie action you can join in with
completely separately. More details on our website.

Support the Reading Eco Veggie Xmas Fayre on Sat 19th December 2009
Thames Valley Veggies is helping to run this huge vegan Christmas festival in the centre of the largest town in the UK. We would welcome help and also people just to come along and enjoy it. It's such a great chance to show the mainstream population the eco veggie message and give them a great day too.
It's the weekend before Christmas, so the town will be bustling. There are regular trains from all over the country to Reading. We can help accommodate serious helpers who need to stay over.
Can you help with with:
• designing, making and/or manning an eco Santa's grotto, including costumes (we'll have Santa and his little green helpers)
• ideas for where we can get donations of eco-friendly vegan little presents (we'll raise funds by having a ticketed entry to the grotto)
• ideas, inspiration and volunteers for outgoing and able speakers, experts and cookery demo cooks, with an emphasis on such topics as sports health, Christmas treats, eco-friendly lifestyle, and parenting.
• contacts for organisations and businesses that might like to be there - being Christmas, stalls selling gifts and food would be particularly popular. We're planning an emphasis on eco-friendly, fair trade and completely vegan, so it's suitable for all and really gets the environmental message across.

Chiltern Veggies (Affiliated Group)
Don Moore: email chilternveggies@yahoo.co.uk
Tel:01628 773555.
website:www.ivu.org/chilternveggies

• Chiltern Veggies (previously South Bucks Veggies) was founded in August 2003 and has a growing membership, currently about 50. Our aims are to provide the opportunity for local vegetarians and vegans to meet socially, share ideas and experiences, and to find ways of spreading the vegetarian message.
We are based mostly in South Buckinghamshire and have members from High Wycombe, Maidenhead, Marlow, Amersham, Gerrards Cross, Aylesbury, Slough and Windsor. Several of our members are vegan.
We meet up monthly in pubs or restaurants in the area and there is no membership fee. We also organise occasional walks, picnics and stalls at local Green events.
Events: We meet regularly on the last thursday of the month from 7.30pm at local pubs.

Milton Keynes Vegetarians, Vegans and Animal Rights (MKVEGAR) (Affiliated Group)
Peter Simpson: Tel: 01908 503919, mobile 07967 589663, mkvegar475@talktalk.net web: www.mkvegar.makessense.co.uk

• Events: MKVEGAR campaigns and raises funds in other nearby towns, networking with other campaigners & groups in Northampton, Luton, Dunstable, Bedford, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard and Buckingham. We hold a monthly social gathering on the 3rd Wednesday from 7.30pm at Veggie World (Chinese Eat In/Take away), 150 Queensway, Bletchley. A la carte menu. Please ring 01908 503919 or 07967 589663 to confirm meal booking. If any reader would like to help with a Street Collection or campaigning event listed below please contact Peter Simpson as above.
28 Nov - St Albans, 9am - 4.30pm. Theme - Animal Aid Street Collection, Charity Market stall & Vegan Month. Meeting Point - Market, near Marks & Spencer in St Peters Street. Contact - Peter Simpson
5 Dec - Leighton Buzzard, 9am - 4pm. Theme - Cruelty at Christmas (turkey, Viva!'s action on duck meat). Location - Waterborne Walk near Peacocks / Nationwide
12 Dec - CMK (time to be decided). Theme - Cruelty at Christmas (Viva!'s National Day of Action on duck meat). Location - outside Waitrose / Jennings Bet

Vegetarian Information (Portsmouth)
Mike Maybury.

•Mike has been vegetarian for 55 years and has experience of business, staff training and helping thousands of enquirers into the vegetarian lifestyle. He keeps updated on nutritional research and modern healthy lifestyles. PRESS and MEDIA enquiries welcome. Mike now has a fan club started by admirers of his lifestyle, based on Facebook on the internet. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3070325502
His profile is on: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=558132478
He uses specially printed T-shirts, and other methods, to share ideas with thousands of people, including Councillors and Portsmouth City Chiefs. Contact by email about interviews etc.
michael.maybury2@ntlworld.com

Mike continues to be active in the Portsmouth area in spreading healthy
vegetarian ideas.

Vegetarian Group - Organiser wanted! Mike would like to see an active group of enquirers, vegetarian and vegans who might meet regularly, perhaps over vegetarian meals. He is willing to support and speak at such meetings whether in the city or Portsmouth University. He is not able to organise such a group himself, but has experience and contacts for anyone wishing to support this worthwhile cause. If you are interested to start such a group please email: michael.maybury2@ntlworld.com

Solent Vegetarians & Vegans (Affiliated Group)
Joseph Cox, Tel: 02380 773587 email: skibootlace(at)yahoo.com ,
www.solentveg.org.uk

•An active group, over 100 members, regular activities include parties, meals out, walks, barbecues, picnics, stalls and library displays and running small events such as Southampton Vegfest (www.octoberbooks.org/vegfest), Southampton Seed Swap (www.octoberbooks.org/seedswap), Southampton Chocfest and the Compassionate Living Fair (www.octoberbooks.org/clf). We run most of these events in collaboration with other likeminded groups such as the HubBub (www.thehubbub.org.uk). Membership fees: £6 family, £5 adults, £2 concessions. You are welcome to try us out before joining!
Events:
Every 2nd Sat in the Month Drop-in at Allsorts Psychic Cafe, 22 Carlton Place, Southampton, SO15 2DY. Fully veggie cafe, meet up for chat and lots of vegan cake, 3pm onwards.

Isle of Wight Vegetarians (Affiliated Group)
John Langley: Tel: 01983 407098 (No media calls please); Email: iow@ivu.org
Website: www.iwvv.org.uk

•Meals without Squeals/More Meals without Squeals
Two cookery books produced by the Isle of Wight Vegetarians & Vegans. Price £3.50 each inclusive of postage and packing to UK destinations. Available from: Sally Burnett, 5 Arthur's Hill, Shanklin, I.O.W. Discount for bulk purchase. Cheques payable to 'IOWV&V' please.

Canterbury & Coastal Information Centre
Karen Willoughby White: Tel: 01227 375661, no media or trade calls please.
Covers Herne Bay, Canterbury and Whitstable (sorry - not Ashford)

Medway Veggies & Vegans (Affiliated Group)
Sheila McCrossan Email: sheilamccrossan@hotmail.com Phone contact is Janet on 01634 294865 web: www.medwayveggies.makessense.co.uk

• We meet for lunch, or just a coffee every month, please ring or email to find out where to meet .

North Kent Vegetarian Info Centre
Margaret Glover, tel: 01795 873987

Sevenoaks Vegetarians, Vegans & Fellow Travellers (Affiliated Group)
John-William Reeves, Tel: 01689 859716/0797 4747521 or email: lionden1@btinternet.com (vegetarian contact) iangallehawk@blueyonder.co.uk (vegan contact)

• We meet on the third Thursday of each month at the Bullfinch Public House, Sevenoaks, 7.30pm onwards in order to discuss and promote a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle. We also encourge a broader view to encompass environmental aspects of life such as organic food production and recycling. Socially we are active as well; holding an annual garden party, meals out, trips and visits and now an occasional newsletter. Also we nominate an animal charity to support each year..

See also Greater London

OxVeg(Affiliated Group)
Heather Shepherd, Tel: 01865 765580, or Alison, Tel: 01235 511730 email: secretary@oxveg.co.uk Website: www.OxVeg.co.uk

•Events:
We organise social events and meals out, run information stalls at local fairs and free food stalls to raise public awareness of vegetarianism(help on stalls is always appreciated). We also keep a list of local businesses and restaurants that cater well for vegetarians within Oxfordshire on our website.
Dining Out Club: We visit a variety of eating places in and around Oxford that offer a good choice of dishes for vegetarians and vegans. Please phone Natasha on 01865 723760 or email doc@oxveg.co.uk to book a seat or for further information. (Please note that this is a vegetarian dining out group - all attendees are expected to order a totally vegetarian meal.)
Venues for the Autumn (meals start at 7.30pm.):
20 Nov 2009 - Al-Salaam, Oxford [Lebanese]
18 Dec 2009 - Jam Factory [European]
Our full list of current events is listed on our website.

*Animals in Need (Woking) Vegetarian Info Centre
David Rainford Tel: 01483 770521 email: davidrainford@uwclub.net web: www.windowonwoking.org.uk/sites/animalsinneedwoking

• Attends local fetes and fairs. If anyone would like to help either fundraise or raise awareness of vegetarianism, please contact David.
Events. We’ll be having a vegetarian information table in Woking town centre, near Christ Church on the first Saturday of the month.

Guildford Vegetarian Society (Affiliated Group)
Tel: 01483 425040

• GVS welcomes vegetarians, vegans and those moving towards vegetarianism. Our group covers a wide age range, and extra events may be arranged from time to time for families and for those in the 20s-30s age group.
At present we have around 140 households on our mailing list. We currently have no subs, inviting voluntary donations instead. Please ring to join and receive full details of all events. (We like to speak with you before adding you to our mailing list.) Most information is sent by e-mail. Volunteers able to arrange additional social or outreach events are welcome.
Social Events
Monthly socials are held on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays, lunchtimes or evenings. Social events in 2009 include lunches at The Beano Vegetarian Restaurant (at Guildford Institute, Ward Street), bring-and-share meals, rambles, and a family-friendly event.
Public Outreach Events
In recent years this has included food tastings, information stalls, leafleting, library displays, public talks, and organising Guildford's first Compassionate Living Fair in October 2007 at The Guildhall. In 2009, outreach events are planned for National Vegetarian Week in May and World Vegan Month in November.
If you'd like to help, or to join our group, ring 01483 425040.

Twickenham & Surrey Vegetarian & Vegan Group (Affiliated Group)
Lesley & Paul Dove 020 8941 8075 email: lesley@vegan4life.org.uk (this group has a young families section which includes an e-group)

•Vegetarians/vegans/those interested in vegetarian/vegan diets and lifestyle are welcome from Middlesex, Surrey and beyond.
Events will include pot luck parties at members' homes, pub meets, picnics in the summer, and possibly some joint events with other vegetarian/vegan groups. Families very welcome to most gatherings. Mostly a social group but hoping to expand to become more active.
Events: Monthly meet ups and other occasional extra events, some active and some social, please contact Lesley for details..

Woking Veggie & Vegan Group (Affiliated Group)
Liz McLean, email: wokingveg@aol.com web: www.wokingveg.veggroup.org

•Come along and join a friendly local veggie group for fun, laughs and chats with like-minded people. The veggie-curious are welcome. Help & support will be offered! All ages are welcome! More information from LLiz at wokingveg@aol.com.
Events: First Tuesday of every month we meet at the Sovereigns pub in Guildford Road, Woking, for a drink and a chat and to organise any up and coming activities. Veggies, vegans and those trying hard to be either are welcome to join us. Please contact Liz at WokingVeg@aol.com.

Brighton Veg*an Social Group (Affiliated Group) and Brighton Area Veg*ans Info centre
Angie Wright. Tel: 01323 896244 email: angie@angiewright.co.uk

Lewes & Hastings Area Vegetarian and Vegan Group (Affiliated Group)
Julia Jarrold: Tel: 01435 830150. Fax: 01435 830744 ; Email: jlj@mistral.co.uk
web: www.ivu.org/lhveg

•CHANGE TO MEMBERSHIP: The LHVeg Web site will be the main focus of the group. Events will be posted to the website Notice Board Next social event is waiting to be organized! Any veggies wishing to meet up with other veggies or who would like to host a veggie gathering small or large please send the details to Julia and they'll be posted on the website notice board. Gatherings can be held in homes, pubs, restaurants, picnics, in short however you would like to arrange it.

Tunbridge Wells Vegan & Vegetarian Group (Affiliated group)
Mark Hanna. Tel: 01825 841104 email: mark.hanna@virgin.net

•We meet every second Wednesday of the month at Woods Restaurant in the Pantiles and other venues - come and join us! All enquiries and support welcome.

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Oxford Vegetarians enjoying a ramble

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