How Donald Watson built the modern vegan movement
If you think the rage for plant-based lifestyles is now becoming the norm, you have the humble gentleman above to thank. Born in 1910, Donald Watson was born in Yorkshire (the son of a headmaster in a mining community). He moved to Leicester and became a teacher.
But is best remembered for spearheading the vegan movement back in the 1940s, creating what is now England’s Vegan Society (very much changed since his day).
Donald became a vegetarian age 14, after witnessing a pig being slaughtered on a relative’s farm. His sister and brother soon followed suit. His mother remarking that she felt ‘like a hen who had hatched a clutch of duck eggs!’
Also a pacifist, he was a conscientious objector during World War II. He and wife faced great opposition to their lifestyle, at a time when people though it was impossible to live on plants! He also practiced no-dig gardening (to avoid killing earthworms) when everyone else was still using spades and forks, to grow vegetables.
Later years of Donald and his wife
The couple had one daughter (she also became a teacher). Donald’s son-in law continued the tradition, turning his home into a veggie bed-and-breakfast. He said that Donald’s nickname was ‘poppy’ (after Popeye, as everyone thought he ate a lot of spinach!) He said that back in the day, people thought Donald and his wife were ‘cranky oddballs’. But today millions of people know different.
Donald and his wife were passionate about nature, and lived the later years of their lives in Cumbria. Where they enjoyed fell walking (he lived to the ripe old age of 95). He climbed Latrigg, just two days before he died.
There are now plaques in both Leicestershire and Yorkshire to commemorate him. Although he chose to live very simply, and had a simple funeral. He is buried in a small church cemetery on the outskirts of Keswick in Cumbria.
I was surrounded by interesting animals. They all ‘gave’ something; the farm horse pulled the plough, the lighter horse pulled the trap, the cows ‘gave’ milk, the hens ‘gave eggs’ and the cockerel was a useful ‘alarm clock’.
I didn’t realise at that time, that he had another function too. The sheep ‘gave’ wool. I could never understand what the the pigs ‘gave’. But they seemed such friendly creatures – always glad to see me. Donald Watson
What would Donald think today?
Probably not a lot. Donald was a quiet and humble man, and did not intend his society (founded in 1944) to be a mostly profit-driven huge organisation concerned with taking yearly income to brand supermarket vegan products. And would have been appalled at recent in-house wrangling of today’s Vegan Society.
The society also certifies foods with palm oil as ‘vegan-friendly (despite it’s use harming orangutans). Greenpeace says the so-called ’round table on sustainable palm oil’ is just a self-policed term by industry, and is as useful as a chocolate teapot. Some ‘certified palm oil plantations’ have been found burned to the ground, with orangutans and their babies in them.
You can’t campaign to save cows, but kill apes? The website states that ‘it’s not possible to boycott palm oil products’. Yes it is, you just make your own meals from real ingredients.
But now there are vested financial interests, as massive income is made from certifying brands that use palm oil. What do you think Donald’s thoughts would have been on this?
No doubt their hearts are in the right place. But an organisation that now rakes in almost £5 million in donations each year, could be doing something more – how about banning brands that use palm oil, for a start?
Make use of vegan discount cards
Vegan discount cards are very useful if you eat a lot of plant-based food (or even eat out, both here and abroad). Small health shops can’t compete with supermarkets on price. So if you prefer to shop at indie stores, they can be worth enquiring about (some just have their own cards, with simple stamps, just like old library tickets!)
If you go shopping every week (and eat out a fair bit), they are worth their weight in gold. And many also give discounts on other items (say animal-friendly beauty brands or vegan shoes and handbags stores online).
Some good vegan discount cards
- VeganCard is a digital card that offers 10% to 50% off prices in restaurants, shops and online stores). This card has over 7500 members. Membership is around £12 a year and you get exclusive discounts, and also the chance to win goodies in regular competitions.
- Viva! Supporters Discount Club is automatically given, if you become a member of this campaigning charity for animal welfare.
- Vegetarian Society is very vegan-friendly and offers a £3 a month membership, that includes discounts on many brands (and lots of independent health stores participate). You also receive discounts at Holland & Barratt and even cooking classes. You also get the chance to win regular prizes, from air-fryers to vegan handbags.
- UK Vegan Club has almost 50,000 Facebook members, and offers special deals (rather than discounts) across all genres. From health shops to animal charity shops to festivals.
- VegDining can be used both here and abroad, so ideal if you go on holiday or travel for work. It only costs $5 a year, and you eat your way to plant-based heaven, from London to Dublin, from LA to Auckland!
Discounted vegan wine (and help animals!)
Animal Aid campaign charity offers discounts to members. What we like about this one is that it offers cases of vegan wines, so you can enjoy your booze, while feeling good that you’re helping animals at the same time! The sparkling organic Prosecco can be bought at bulk in discount (ideal savings for a wedding, the membership will pay for itself).
There are also big discounts on vegan delivered meals (first orders), vegan fast food and gourmet restaurants, cooking classes and even vegan cheeses and chocolate!
Give ‘thank you cards’ to vegan eateries
Diners impressed with plant-based food can buy thank-you cards (also sold by Viva animalcharity (just 70p for a bundle of 50). These say ‘I ate here, because you serve vegan food’. It’s nice to show chefs and hoteliers that their efforts are appreciated. This encourages them to do more!
Note that most vegan restaurants don’t accept cash, as bank notes are made with animal fats (and plastic). Check site updates for accessibility, and dog-friendly restaurants.
How vegan discount cards add up
Not only do you get weekly savings on your food shop, but also when you wish to replace say a pair of vegan shoes or handbag. You also save when you eat out or go abroad.
But things can go even further. If you have a friend or relative, you can use the card to offer vegan-friendly gifts (say a nice vegan leather handbag or watch) and even use it to order vegan booze online (like boxes of organic wine). This really adds up to savings for a big celebration.
Many vegan fast food restaurants also offer discounts, and some cards even offer discounts on everyday services, like green insurance companies or nutritional supplements.
