Victoria Pettengell - Miss Cheshire
Dr Dan Lyons - Campaigns Director of Uncaged
Twiggy & Woody - stars of Autumnwatch
Russell Lissack - Guitarist from Bloc Party

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Victoria Pettengell - Miss Cheshire

Young veggie Victoria Pettengell recently beat thousands of hopefuls to be crowned Miss Cheshire 2008. She won herself a year long modelling deal and contract with Maximum Management into the bargain and also gained automatic entry into the Miss Beauty Queen finals. If she wins that… Victoria will represent the UK at the Miss International Pageant!

She is currently training to become a primary school teacher and took some time out from her busy schedule (she’s also got three jobs!) to answer questions from young veggies.

*What made you decide to become a veggie?

I have always been intrigued as to why people were vegan, and so I read a book about it. I was vegan by the 3rd page!!!! I chose to become vegan because I hate cruelty to animals.

*How did your parents react when you told them?

They were worried at first and really didn’t warm to the idea...they were sure it would make me ill! But I soon proved them wrong. I made a conscious effort to have a really balanced diet and also took vitamins too.

*When and how did you become interested in the world of beauty contests?

From being a little girl I have always been fascinated with the world of beauty pageants! It had always been a dream of mine to do one but I never thought it would be possible. Then I saw an advertisement for 'Miss Cheshire' entered and won!

*How do you prepare for contests and what do they involve?

I have only ever entered one, which was Miss Cheshire, but I do have one coming up very soon! I have started really looking after my skin so that I won’t have any spots for the pageant. I have also started jogging a few times a week, as I believe the fresh air is really good for your skin and hair. I also make sure I’m mentally prepared, thinking up answers for every possible question! The pageants have 3 rounds, fun-fashion, sports and evening. There is also an interview on stage where you are asked questions like "what 3 things would you take to a desert island and why?" You are also judged throughout the day on your interaction with the other girls, whether you listen to advice etc.

*Do you find that people are surprised to find you are a veggie and do you feel that you are breaking certain stereotypes about veggies?

Yeah, a lot of people are really surprised when I say I’m vegan! I do think that I have broken the typical vegan stereotype, as a lot of people expect you to be a tree-hugging hippy, which I’m not!

*Do you find that a veggie diet helps you keep your figure?

Yeah, definitely. I would never go on a diet as love my food too much, but considering that I eat what I want (vegan only obviously) when I want I’ve not done too badly! The good thing about being vegan, is that everything you eat is healthy!!!

*Do you have to make any extra effort to keep fit and healthy?

Well I exercise regularly and eat a really healthy, balanced diet so I wouldn’t say that I make an extra effort, it’s just a part of my everyday life.

*Will you be using your title to promote a veggie/vegan diet and animal welfare/environmental issues?

Yes, I really hope so. This is why I’m working with The Vegetarian Society!!! I feel very passionate about animal welfare and becoming vegan, and so really want to spread the word!

*What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy going to the cinema and spending time with my friends, family and boyfriend. Although I don’t really have much spare time, as I hold down 3 jobs and am at uni ’ full time too!

*Who are your heroes and why?

I absolutely adore Marilyn Monroe. I am really against the whole size zero image. I think that women should embrace their figures no matter what shape or size. Marilyn was a UK size 16 and she loved her curves....and I think she looks remarkable too!!! I also have a lot of respect for Coleen and also Charlotte Church for not giving into the pressure of being a size zero. I also really loved Anita Roddick and everything she stood for.

*What are the best and worst places you’ve visited for veggie food?

My favourite place is a takeaway in the Trafford centre (near Manchester) called V2GO (Vegan 2 Go). I love it! The menu is fantastic and it’s cheap too! I also like Giraffe in the Trafford Centre. The worst is the Marks and Spencer’s’ cafe. I went with my mum the other day and not only could I not eat anything, I couldn’t drink anything either!!! Absolutely everything in there had dairy in it!

*Are you a fan of fake meats?

I use soya mince, but I don’t really like the smell, or texture of meat in general. I have tried Cauldron veggie sausages which were really nice!!

*What’s your favourite fruit and vegetable?

My favourite fruits are apple, passion fruit, pomegranate, grapes and bananas (I love all fruit). My favourite veggies are sprouts, sweetcorn, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli and cabbage!

Thank you very much Victoria.

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Dr Dan Lyons - Campaigns Director of Uncaged

Dr Dan Lyons is the Campaigns Director of Uncaged, an international animal protection organisation based in Sheffield. Uncaged campaign against animal experiments, xenotransplantation (that’s animal to human transplants) and for animal rights and democratic action on animal issues through the political system. Uncaged is aiming to promote an international debate about the rights of animals and campaigns to have those rights enshrined in law. If you’d like to find out more about them take a look at www.uncaged.co.uk.

Dan, who was last year awarded two prestigious prizes in recognition of the impact and quality of his research into animal experimentation (The Arthur Ling Memorial Award at The Christmas Without Cruelty Fayre in London and the Andrew Gamble Prize for the Outstanding Thesis of 2006-7) has just won the national Political Studies Association's prize for the best thesis on Government and Public Administration. What a star! He also found the time to answer our questions …

*What first made you decide to become a vegetarian and how old were you?

I realised when I was 13 or 14 that we don’t need to eat meat, and so you can’t justify killing an animal just because you want to. After that I gradually cut out meat from my diet and I was a proper veggie from 17 when I went to university. There, I joined the animal rights society and found out about the suffering and killing that are intrinsic to the dairy and egg industries, and so I became vegan when I was about 20.

*What did your parents say when you told them you were a veggie?

Well, my Mum was pretty supportive, and she even bought me a vegan cookbook!

*What is the best thing about your job at Uncaged?

Being able to apply my knowledge and experience to try and make the world a better place.

*How have things changed over the last ten years since Uncaged was founded?

In some ways, campaigning against animal experiments has become even harder. One reason is that the media focus on the more aggressive protests which has created a negative image of the animal rights movement. On the positive side, I think the public are becoming more and more aware of the scientific flaws in animal testing and the suffering caused to animals. This provides a foundation for future progress.

*Do you ever find it difficult getting on with non-veggie friends?

Sometimes – it depends on them really. Some people get very defensive about their meat-eating without me having to say a word! I guess they feel challenged by the mere fact that I’m vegan because it raises fundamental questions about their own character and ethics.

*What’s been the best place you’ve ever been on holiday to for veggies?

India was really good as a huge proportion of the food is veggie or vegan, though curries can get a bit repetitive no matter how good they are! Also, New Zealand was surprisingly good. Even in the most out of the way places the shops had a great selection of fresh fruit, vegetables and sprouted beans and vegan stuff like soya milk etc. Also, omnivorous establishments were very willing to cook up vegan food whereas in Britain the reaction you get is often unhelpful.

*What are you listening to right now?

Various stuff like Arctic Monkeys, Groove Armada, Fila Brazilia, Jarvis Cocker, The Chameleons, The Wedding Present, The Go Betweens and The Smiths.

*Do you love or hate fake meat products? (Do you have a favourite?)

I love em! Though I don’t really think of them as fake meat/cheese etc. I’m particularly fond of Redwood Lincolnshire style sausages.

*What is your favourite style of food, and all-time favourite veggie meal and drink?

I think Thai is my favourite overall. But probably my favourite meal and drink is a vegan pasta Bolognese using Redwood’s veggie mince and dairy-free parmesano, garlic bread with olive oil for dipping, and a nice glass of organic vegan red wine!

*Is there a vegetable or fruit that you really don ’t like?

Brussels Sprouts! (And they smell like farts when they’re cooking!) I’m even more averse to marmite and peanut butter - they are truly the work of the devil!

*If you could change one thing today what would it be?

I would like humans to understand and appreciate that we’re no better or more valuable than any other animal on this planet.

Thank you very much Dan.

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Twiggy & Woody

Beavers become members!

The stars of this year’s BBC Autumnwatch, beavers Twiggy and Woody, were today recognised for their contribution to debunking the popular misconception that vegetarians (and beavers) eat fish. Presenting the wetland mammals with honorary membership, The Vegetarian Society has acknowledged their sterling work in educating the nation that they, like all vegetarians, do not eat the flesh of any animals, including fish.

Twiggy and Woody are based at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Martin Mere Wetland Centre.

To keep up to date with Twiggy and Woody visit the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust website

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Russell Lissack - Guitarist from Bloc Party

Bloc Party’s debut album, “Silent Alarm”, sold a million copies, was the New Musical Express’ album of the year for 2005 and achieved chart success in 17 countries. Their 2007 tour took them to Mexico, the USA, Canada, Iceland, Ireland and mainland Europe. They also managed to squeeze in performances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

In the last half of 2007 their singles “Hunting For Witches” and “Flux” climbed to numbers 22 and 8 in the UK charts. Their biggest hit, “The Prayer”, reached number 4 in 2005.

Russell, who lists his musical influences as Suede, Radiohead, New Order, The Smiths, Prince, and Weezer, took a break whilst in Columbus, Ohio to answer questions from young veggies.

*Hello Russell, what made you decide to become a vegetarian and how old were you?
It was only 3 or 4 years ago... a combination of reading "Fast Food Nation", realising what actually goes on in the real world, and a health issue making me want to become more... well, healthy.

*What did your parents say when you told them you were a veggie?
I lived with my gran at the time... she didn’t really understand the concept at first, and kept asking if I could still eat bacon, etc but she's really good with it now and makes me lovely dinners when I go to visit :)

* Do you often find yourself having to explain to people why
you're a veggie?
Not really... I don't think people are interested in the reasons behind it, they usually just reach their own conclusions

*Have you been on tour to any really bad places for veggies?
Well, Europe is pretty bad in general, especially Portugal, where they just don't seem to understand the concept at all, and you're lucky if you can get
a plate of chips.

*What's been the best place to tour as a veggie?
I love eating in New York though; they have so many good vegetarian places to eat... America in general seems to have all these lovely meat substitutes that don't exist in England, which I find very odd.

*What do you request on your "rider" before gigs?
It depends where we are... its nice to have some fruit on tour just to balance out all the pizza and vokda.

*Do you love or loathe fake meat products? Do you have a
favourite?
Personally I love them. I'm very fussy with my vegetables so they're usually an essential part of a meal for me. And unless I’m wrong, they’re usually pretty healthy too, e.g. tofu. I had a vegan donna kebab in America once, which I found quite funny.

*Have you met any veggies in other famous bands?
Yeah, all the time... Alan, the singer of the Rakes is vegan... I remember feeling great sympathy for him in Japan as he's left eating rice and cucumber three times a day.

*What is your all-time favourite veggie meal and drink?
I don’t have a favorite... I like bangers and mash at home, and I like Thai tofu dishes when I’m out.

*Is it annoying being in a band with meat eaters?
Its not annoying, I just feel like a burden if we go out to eat, because then we have to spend time finding somewhere to cater for me.

*What can't you live without?
Is it too soppy to say my girlfriend?

*What's your pet hate?
Well, I’m not a fan of the French underground system, but that’s another story.

*Is there anything you really wish was veggie but isn't?
Not really... I think I've found a replacement for pretty much everything.

*If you could resolve one huge problem today what would it be?
Where do I begin?... I wish people weren't so horrible to one another.

Thank you very much Russell.

For more information on Bloc Party try www.blocparty.com or www.blocparty.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

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