Congratulations to Oxfordshire County Council, which has decided to serve only plant-based meals at meetings and catered events. At its meeting on 15 March, the Council’s cabinet also gave approval for officers to begin work on a broader approach to plant-based and locally sourced food as part of a new policy. Plant-based options will also be added to the menu for part of the week at several primary schools in Oxfordshire. - Paul Appleby

Recently a friend in Wales sent me some information about Barbara Helen, an independent musician and singer, who performs at vegan and animal rights events to spread her message of love, compassion and hope.

I felt an immediate affinity with Barbara – it was as though I had known her forever. We appear to think exactly the same about everything important. To my mind, what she is doing is absolutely marvellous, spreading the word about veganism but in an enjoyable laid-back kind of way – however some of the visuals can be disturbing.

I used to give voluntary school talks for several years but had to stop as the content of the talks started to haunt me. I now write poetry to spread the word and get the anger out of my system. I feel that this is exactly what Barbara does, and of course it works. I have another friend who uses art in the same way.

All that anyone needs to know about Barbara is that she is a committed vegan and a very gentle soul which you will realise when you listen to her music. You can find it online by searching her name plus ‘vegan musician’.

-Pam Ward Lightfoot

Congratulations to Pam, who has won a special bundle from One Planet Pizza. Next issue’s Star Letter winner will receive a travel selection box from Friendly Soap, including products to wash, shave and clean your clothes with..

In March we were excited to reveal that our new enamel badge is available upon request to all Life Members.

We also announced that we are offering free Life Membership to all members who have been with us for over 30 years, as well as one third off Life Membership for those aged 65 and over.

If you are a Life Member and would like a badge, or if you would like to take up either of these offers, please contact us.

Details are shared below.

The Body Shop have recently pledged to be fully vegan by 2023 with all products certified by the Vegan Trademark. We are very pleased to say that they are currently offering our members a 15% discount on core products online and in store. Please find the terms and conditions in the member discounts area of your online account, or contact us for the details.

Don’t forget that there are over 100 third-party member discounts available including 10% off our multi-vitamin VEG 1 (now in aluminium packaging).

This spring why not…

• Treat yourself or a friend to a goodie from The Body Shop’s new Wellness Range with our 15% off at The Body Shop discount (online and in store).

• Choose bar soap instead of plastic bottles with 15% off at Friendly Soap.

• Indulge in healthier snacks with 10% off at Wallaroo

All discounts can be found in The Members’ Area of our website at vegansociety.com/my-account/shop-discounts.

Please contact us if you have any problems accessing your account.

Have you signed up for our monthly Members’ Newsletter yet? The newsletter allows our members to keep updated with society campaigns, research, media news, memberexclusive competitions and discounts. Contact us if you would like to sign up.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Membership Team with your comments on how you have found the last year of membership with us, and any suggestions for improving the membership experience.

You can contact the Membership Team, Stephen Sanders and Harriet Macintosh, in the following ways. Email membership@ vegansociety.com, phone 0121 8279 905 or write to us at Donald Watson House, 34–35 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham, B3 1EH.

The Vegan Society’s Council has decided not to hold a hybrid AGM this year in order to protect members and staff from the continuing risk from Covid-19. This AGM will only be held online.

However, members will still be able to vote both for candidates for election to Council and, by proxy vote, for the resolutions to the AGM online or by paper ballot, as usual.

Voting information and the notice of the AGM will be sent to members by our election agents, UK Engage, in April. We have seen increasing engagement in recent years with online AGMs, and we hope that many members will be able to attend.

Please accept our apologies for any disappointment this may cause but, as we are sure you can understand, these are difficult decisions for charities to make and your safety is important to us.

We look forward to welcoming many of you to the online AGM on 21 May.