Live & Let Live

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Be a VEGetariAN
Bradford VEGetariAN Information Centre
Formerly Bradford VEGetariAN Society
(Founded June 1961)
Affiliated to the Vegetarian Society UK
Registered Charity No. 259358

Last updated: 23 November 2002
Bradford VEGetariAN Information Centre, founded in June 1961, is an information centre affiliated to the Vegetarian Society (United Kingdom), a registered charity, based in Altrincham, Cheshire. Its aim is to provide information and support to vegetarians and would-be vegetarians in the area.
It works to provide the people of the area with up-to-date information on diet, nutrition and health, and aspects of animal welfare by holding literature and book stalls and by providing speakers on VEGetariANISM and allied subjects to other organisations in the area. The speakers are provided free of charge and expenses are only claimed if the inviting organisation is in a position to pay.

The Centre answers scores of enquiries, from people wanting to change their dietary habits, every year. It has encouraged catering establishments in the area to provide for vegetarians by giving help, advice and encouragement. By way of encouragement, it has singled out some exceptional restaurants in the area and brought them to the notice of the general public by giving their owners special commendation.

The Centre works in close co-operation with other animal welfare organisations. It takes part regularly in the highly popular Vegetarian Cafes held in the area. In 1986, it joined with Bradford Animal Rights Group to raise money for the then Lord Mayor's Appeal, the Save the Children Fund, by organising a Sponsored Meat-Free Week and holding a Vegetarian Cafe, in Shipley Library. In 1987, it joined forces with the Young Indian Vegetarians of London to hold a Vegetarian Day in the Hindu Cultural Centre, Bradford. The aim was to draw on the rich vegetarian tradition of the Indian sub-continent and bring the ethnic and native communities of Bradford together. It has held two annual 'Living Without Cruelty' Fairs, since 1991, an opportunity for local organisations with similar aims, to join together to publicise their activities and raise funds for their activities. The money raised at the Centre's stall has been sent to the national charity, Vegfam, which helps the poor and the suffering in the developing countries without exploiting animals.

According to recent Gallup polls, the number of vegetarians in the UK exceeds 4 million people, and growing fast. The Centre feels that it has an important role to play in helping the growing number of people, especially the young, who are turning to a meat-free, cruelty-free life-style.

For further details, please contact:

Atma Trasi,
66 Kirkgate, Shipley BD18 3EL, West Yorks.
Tel: (01274) 598455