Newsletter
December 2009
On Sat 17th October we held a stall in support of The Coalition to Abolish The Fur Trade (CAFT). This was part of CAFT's Anti-Fur week on 17-24 October. While holding the stall we were requested by LUSH to hand out to passers-by a card in support of their latest campaign to abolish foxhunting. Although technically it is stil illegal , hunting still kills many foxes and the police are claiming that they are unable to properly oversee the situation. LUSH are also selling their 'Fabulous Mr Fox' bubble bar, the proceeds of which are going to the Hunt Saboteurs. SAA have also supported the hunt sabs directly by sending a donation. Well done to LUSH for this campaign, although unfortunately it has been reported in THE PROTESTER recently that they have been targetted and their shops attacked by hunt supporters as a result of their campaign. At the finish of our stall on 17th we were thanked by a representative of the store for sending in so many people to support their campaign, many of whom then went on to purchase their bubble bars.
On Sun 15th November a number of us went along to attend a meeting at Coventry, the purpose of which was to encourage cooperative efforts and information between those groups locally involved in animal rights, vegetarianism and environmental causes. Taking part were Coventry Animal Alliance, B'ham Hunt Sabs, Midlands Vegan Campaign and many other groups all within the Midlands area. Concern was expressed over declining numbers supporting these groups and difficulties in getting people committed towards a better deal for animals. There are huge links between the issues of animal rights, vegetarianism and the environment in which we live. As Dan Lyons from Uncaged recently commented:
' A growing realisation that the abuse of animals not only corrupts our consciences, but also contribues to our very destruction as a species through the greenhouse gas emissions of animals bred for food and the inability of animal experiments to protect human health.'
It is hoped that in the future these groups can form a network where we can all work together to achieve our mutual objectives and increase awareness of the threat the present lifestyle represents to us all.
MESSAGES FROM MEMBERS I received a cutting from the Birmingham Mail recently from two supporters which was entitled 'City chefs taste success in guide'. Jyoti's Indian restaurant in Hall Green, Birmingham had been mentioned in the Good Food Guide, amongst other restaurants in the city. Jyoti's restaurant has been visited by no less than Jamie Oliver and Anthony Worrall Thompson who enjoyed their cuisine. WELL DONE JYOTI!! A message was also received from another member about the Studley Animal Blessing Service in October. The event managed to raise £206 for Hopper Haven in Redditch who run a rabbit and guinea pig rescue home. Yet another member informs me that the Durham Ox at Shrewley Common, Warwickshire have on their menu foie gras as part of a beef meal. I am sure you are all aware of the horrors of force-feeding used in producing this disgusting product, so awareness of what is happening is always useful.
MONEY MATTERS Many thanks to everyone who sent renewal money through as it means more funding can be used for organisations we are trying to support. Now it is more important than ever to try and support the sanctuaries which due to the recession are having a hard time feeding their animals. Bedding, food bills and vet care are all increasing in costs, and more dogs and cats are coming in for rehoming. SAA was glad to support SAA member Mitso and Sea Shepherd for the Spartathlon in Greece on 25th September. Mitso completed his race in 35 hours. A donation has also been sent out to the Hunt Sabs whose valuable work is still needed. The new recipe books are selling like hot cakes and Viva has just bought another 50 of them. As a result of this I have been able to send out donations to the following organisations:
UNCAGED, WSPA (WORLD SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS), FARM ANIMAL RESCUE SANCTUARY, ACE (ANIMAL CARE IN EGYPT), HILLFIELDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY, PETA (PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS), and THE DOGS TRUST.
September 2009
On Sat 11th July a stall was organised to mark the launch of our new recipe books and they are already bringing in valuable revenue.
Wed 15th July was the occasion of Caroline Bedward's coffee afternoon. This was a tremendously successful event with many of our supporters turning up to enjoy first class veggie food and drink and participate in the tombola. This again raised valuable funds for the organisation. Thanks Caroline for holding open house for us and laying on such marvellous food. We were lucky in having a lovely sunny day to sit outside and enjoy one of the few sunny days this summer.
Sat 1st August was our annual street collection in Shirley and we managed to raise £320.30, despite horrendous weather conditions. We set up a stall outside M&S which at least gave us some protection against the continual downfall. Many thanks to those who turned out to help and who got soaked in the process and hope you have since dried out! Upon opening the collecting tins I had to drain away considerable amounts of rainwater!
Sat 22nd August Yvonne Lilley organised a street collection on behalf of Animal Aid, which was being run nationwide. Again M&S allowed Yvonne to set up a stall outside their Food Hall. Thanks to everyone who turned up to help.
CONGRATULATIONS to Caroline and Helen on your photograph and comment in 'The Vegetarian Magazine' after your successful stall in Solihull to mark National Vegetarian week in May.
MONEY MATTERS
Thanks to our summer street collection, the sale of recipe books and other money-raising events we have been able to donate to the following organisations:-
Carole Webb's Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary - Janet Taylor's Farm Animal Sanctuary - Carla Lane's Animaline -Hopper Haven - Doris Banham Dog Rescue - Vegan Prisoner Support Group - Birmingham Hunt Saboeturs - Shirley Horse & Pony Rescue - Dr. Hadwen's Trust - Lyn Tudor's Hillfields Animal Sanctuary - Home and Abroad Animal Welfare - Angie Hill's Cat Rescue
June 2009
As part of Horse Racing Awareness week organised by Animal Aid, our supporters held an Anti-Horse racing stall in Solihull. This was held on Sat 28th March and was aimed at raising awareness of the horror and cruelty of the Grand National. Despite appalling weather, including a hailstorm, people were educated to the unacceptable suffering involved in horse racing.
On Sat 23rd May as our part towards Nat. Vegetarian week a stall was held in the centre of Solihull. This turned out to be a very successful event with many members of the public asking questions about the vegetarian diet and receiving recipe booklets. We also managed to sell many more of our own recipe books which is always good. A photo and quote from Caroline should be appearing in the Vegetarian Society magazine about the stall.
On 16th May VEGGIE PRIDE was held in the centre of Birmingham, organised by the Midlands Vegan Campaigns. This proved to be a highly successful event where many SAA supporters attended and helped out. The highlight of the day was a marvellous carnival-style procession through the street of Brum, which even a downfall of rain failed to spoil. It was an amazing event full of laughter, dancing and fun and demonstrated to everyone what a happy-healthy lot us veggies/vegans are. The Solihull Animal Aid banner was held high for all to see. Many organisation sponsored the event and there were plenty of stalls selling vegan food and lots of entertainment. Hopefully it will be repeated in the future and many thanks to Kevin for all his hard work.
MONEY MATTERS
SAA have donated towards Animal Allsorts who were desperately in need of funding, and to the Veggie Pride event. The main outgoing however was for a new batch of recipe books. We still have a few of the old ones to go at a reduced price and have recently sold some of them to Animal Aid. The new books are very smart with a pink waterproof cover to protect against food splashes. They also have plastic spiral binding which makes it easier to keep open when following a recipe. If anyone feels they can sell some let me know. Hope as many people as possible come to shake a tin on Sat 1st August for our annual street collection. It is our main fund-raising event and this year will take place in Shirley, Dorridge or Knowle. Solihull Council have not given us permission to collect in the centre of Solihull this year as there is too much demand from other organisations and we have been given permission to collect over a number of previous years.
March 2009
On 21st February Animal Asia held an awareness and collection day in Solihull about the plight of the moon bears held captive in tiny cages so that bile could be taken from them. The bile is used within Chinese medicine, although there are alternative ways of producing the same medical effects. It is a big moneymaking business and involves creating an open wound from which the bile is taken. This causes pain and death to these poor creatures. A sanctuary in China is devoted to saving as many bears as possible and estimates say that there are around 7,000 still imprisoned and suffering. Animal Asia also campaigns about the plight of dogs and cats in China brutally slaughtered for food and this includes dogs and cats rounded up off the streets, many of whom were pets. Although there were few of us collecting we managed to raise £450 for the organisation.
Animal Aid in their publication ‘Outrage’ are requesting supporters of the fight against vivisection to write to their MEP demanding an end to primate experimentation (which is a particularly vile type of research) within the EU. Postcards have been produced for this purpose and can be obtained from the Animal Aid website: http://members.webs.com/MembersB/EditPage/www.animalaid.org.uk Animal Aid alongside many other groups within the UK and Europe are determined to see a phase-out of all primate experimenting.
*Newsletter by Yvonne Troth*
