Catriona Cameron - Miss Cheshire 2009

Young veggie Catriona Cameron was recently named Miss Cheshire 2009! And to make it a double celebration for veggies she was crowned by last year’s winner, and previous young veggie “celebrity”, Victoria Pettengell!
Catriona is a student completing a Masters degree in Acting at The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, currently putting the final touches to her thesis, after which she hopes to find work as a 'Theatre in Education' performer. She has also found the time to answer some questions from young veggies across the country…
*Why did you decide to become a veggie?
Well, I became vegetarian whilst on a school trip in France. We visited a farmers market, and then a snail farm and then had frogs legs...it was just a bit disgusting to see all these cute animals and then eat them! Before then I’d never really thought about the meat on my plate being an actual living creature, it was a bit of an awakening.
*How did your parents react when you told them?
They were very supportive although my mother did implement one condition. She told me that if I was going to be vegetarian I couldn’t just eat junk food and I had to learn to cook my own meals. She showed me a lot of recipes and now I really enjoy cooking.
*What made you first become interested in beauty contests?
I saw an advert for Miss Cheshire 2008 and entered just for fun. I didn’t think I’d get anywhere and completely forgot about it until I got a ‘phone call saying I’d made it to the final. I placed ‘second runner-up’ and Victoria Pettengell came first. I had such a great time in the competition that I decided to enter again this year and was crowned Miss Cheshire 2009! Victoria crowned me and I think we’ve started a tradition now, I hope next year’s Miss Cheshire will be a veggie as well!!
*As Miss Cheshire do you think that you are helping to change any stereotypes people might have about veggies?
I hope so. When I was at school a lot of my peers thought I was odd because I was vegetarian. I think there was a perception that if you were vegetarian then you were a bit of a hippy; that you didn’t wash and only wore hemp clothing! But celebrities like Stella McCartney, Shania Twain and Jim Carrey have changed that perception and I hope that in my role as Miss Cheshire 2009 I can maybe contribute a little bit to altering the stereotype.
*Do you think that a veggie diet helps you keep in a good physical shape for contests?
Most definitely, I recently saw research from The US National Cancer Institute, which found that people whose diet contained a high proportion of red or processed meat, had a higher overall risk of obesity, and specifically a higher risk of cancer and heart disease than those who ate little or none at all. I believe that when I stopped eating meat my overall health improved. Plus a veggie diet is full of natural beauty enhancers! Nuts are excellent for building strong nails and hair, whilst eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables gives you healthy, glowing skin.
As a dancer I am very aware of nutrition and the importance of a healthy, balanced diet. People are always asking me if I find being a vegetarian a struggle nutritionally and I always look at them in amazement as vegetarianism was not only an ethical choice for me, but a healthier option.
*Have you ever met any other veggies involved in beauty contests?
As I mentioned earlier I met Victoria Pettengell (Miss Cheshire 2008) at a beauty contest, she is vegan and has given me lots of advice on creating a balanced meat-free diet. I also met a couple of girls at the Miss Beauty Queen finals.
*Will you be using your title to promote vegetarianism and animal welfare/environmental issues?
I most certainly will! I’ve already been to Altrincham Market and helped out on the Vegetarian Society stall which was a lot of fun. I hope to get more involved with the Vegetarian Society over the next year and use my title as a platform to promote awareness. I found out recently that I’ve qualified as a finalist for Miss Earth England, which is a beauty pageant with an environmental focus. I’m currently looking for a sponsor to work with so that I can promote awareness of environmental issues in my region of North-West England.
*Do you ever wear fur or leather?
I have studied Acting at University and sometimes I do have to wear leather items for plays, but I do avoid it as much as possible and so far no one has ever asked me to wear fur. I would never personally buy leather or fur products, it’s completely unnecessary when they can make such good synthetic materials.
*What do you like to do in your spare time?
I don’t have much spare time at the moment as I’ve been very busy travelling around Cheshire visiting local fairs and events. But I do have a lot of hobbies, I love to cook, swim, walk my dogs, read and knit (although I can only knit very slowly in straight lines and have been working on the same scarf for two years now!). I also recently started training in circus skills; static trapeze is my favourite activity as it’s so graceful but a real work out for the upper arms!
*Who or what inspires you?
I’m always deeply inspired by people who are true to themselves, stand up for their beliefs and work hard to achieve their goals. My mother has been inspirational to me and I hope I can take everything she taught me and be a role model for other young women.
*Name one thing that really annoys you?
The fluff from socks that gets in between your toes – yuck! No, seriously, I find ignorance a very annoying trait in people. But I’m very aware that sometimes I can be quite ignorant so I try to listen to people’s views and do my research before forming an opinion.
*What’s the best and worst places you’ve visited for veggie food?
I usually eat in ‘The Egg’ cafe in Liverpool; it serves excellent homemade vegetarian food in a really laid-back and artistic environment. The worst place for vegetarian food is France! I’ve had two different jobs in France and so lived there for almost seven months and it was awful, I could never eat out. Vegetarianism really isn’t very popular in France, they still serve chicken or fish as a vegetarian option! This is a shame because the vegetables they grow over there taste amazing!
*What’s your all-time favourite meal?
My favourite meal in the world has to be the classic English Sunday roast dinner (except without the meat obviously!). I love piling my plate full of roast parsnips, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mashed turnips and swede, carrots, peas, and of course roast potatoes! Yum!
*Are you a fan of fake meats? What’s your favourite?
I didn’t eat any fake meat products until I went to university. My university (The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) was founded by Sir Paul McCartney and when I first attended the canteen only served Linda McCartney Vegetarian food. I particularly used to enjoy the Linda McCartney veggie sausages and so I started branching out into ‘Quorn’ produce and trying other brands. I think ‘Cauldron’ is my favourite brand so far because they use lots of herbs and interesting ingredients for flavour.
Thank you very much Catriona!


Anneka Svenska
Anneka Svenska is a wolf handler, environmentalist, and highly respected wildlife presenter. She has drawn much of her inspiration from her mum's late partner, Ben Metcalfe, one of the original founders of Greenpeace.
Anneka grew up surrounded by animals and was working with the RSPCA by the age of 5. By the age of 15 she had already saved numerous animals and her house became a haven for all manner of adopted and saved creatures.
Anneka has appeared as a dog expert, scuba diver and animal handler in many well known British television shows.
*You started working with animals at a very young age. How did it all start?
I wanted to work with animals from as young as I can remember – it was always in me to be extremely sympathetic to animals. I became even more passionate after finding a stall in the high street which was giving out leaflets on vivisection and animal slaughter. I was enraged and told my mum that I was not going to be eating meat any more. As I couldn’t work full time helping animals, I enrolled as an RSPCA junior member which gave great opportunities to fund raise and get awards for work studying animals. I also would do weekend work at places such as vet surgeries and horse retirement homes.
*How did you become a wolf handler?
It was an ‘organic’ process you could say. Dogs have always been my favourite animals as they are so devoted to people, however I was always bothered by the fact that some were so in-bred looking and full of hereditary illnesses. I became more and more attached to larger, more natural dogs and eventually got into wolfdogs. I wanted to create the ultimate natural dog, which would be not only safe with children, but would have all the beauty and health of a wolf. In my quest, I visited a wolf sanctuary in Bedford and WHAM! I was in love ;o) There I saw the ultimate ‘dog’….the Wolf. Huge, healthy and with no desire to be a silly lapdog. You are on an equal basis when you are with a wolf and you have to win its trust, you can’t dominate it like a dog. I could watch them for hours, they are such raw, fascinating creatures. After meeting my first wolf, I started working as a volunteer at a trust in Reading, but around the same time a friend of mine rescued a wolf and we now co-own her. She lives in the countryside on loads of land and I play with her for hours. She only trusts a few people and won’t come to men hardly ever, so I am totally privileged to be her friend.
*Are there many wolf handlers in the world?
Yes, I imagine there are, but not all have the wolves’ best interest at heart. Most want to either look tough, or simply have a wolf as a pet. Being a wolf handler wasn’t intended just so I could pet a wolf, I decided that it was a valuable skill which I would need in order to help wolves in the wild and wolf conservation around the world. You’ll never catch me trying to wrestle a wolf ‘Shaun Ellis’ style. A wolf will NEVER see you as part of its pack, so trying to become its alpha is a pointless quest. It’s best to form a gentle and loving bond with the wolves, so they respect and tolerate you.
*What does a wolf handler do?
A wolf handler has the knowledge of how to handle a captive wolf, and also how to try and guess what the wolf is thinking. It’s about behaviour as well as physically touching the wolf. I have been involved in organisations where fights between wolves have had to be broken up, the reasons for fighting have had to be analysed, grumpy, old wolves have had to be moved and you have to be a minder for people when you take them in with the wolves, just in case the wolf decides to have some fun with them. Wolves are not dangerous and don’t attack like a German Shepherd guard dog would, but they work in a pack order hierarchy scheme and I have found that the omega (bottom of the pack) is usually the trouble maker. The omega is always looking to move up the pack, so if an ‘inferior’ human comes into its pen, it often sees this as an opportunity to test the strength of the human with its weight, so it can perhaps move up the line and become a beta wolf. We call this strength testing ‘bouncing’, and it is very similar to when your dog jumps up at you, except with a wolf, they are lot stronger and the meaning is more intense.
*People tend to think of wolves as being quite scary – the Big Bad Wolf and all that. Are wolves misunderstood?
Wolves are EXTREMELY misunderstood. For example, a Chinese friend of mine screamed when she knew I was in with wolves and immediately said that they would eat me. My daughter told her classmates what I did with wolves and all of her friends said that wolves would kill me. It’s the same everywhere I go. It’s ridiculous. Wolves are one the most timid animals on the planet. If you go wolf trekking, you’ll be lucky to catch a glimpse of a wolf all week. Disney has not helped, and the film ‘White Fang’ portrays wolves as ferocious beasts which prey and hunt humans. There has never been a documented killing of a human from a healthy, wild wolf in history, as wolves fear us so much they would never come near us. There may have been incidences many hundreds of years ago when rabies was rife, and also I am sure if tiny kids were in the forest alone, then that would be a different matter. Even captive wolves who are tamed are not to be trusted around children as all wolves after maturity (about 2-3 years old) have a ‘trigger’ switch which goes off every time they see something wriggly and screaming – it’s just like a small prey animal.
Many captive wolves run away from people they don’t know. It is strange but many male wolves fear men. We can’t really understand it totally, but we think that it comes from the fact that men have more dominant body language and a deep voice.
*If there was one thing you could wish for wolves, what would it be?
That people would stop shooting them down. The culling of wolves has got to horrific levels. The USA are the worst for this which is ridiculous considering how first world they are. Wolves are feared for reasons which do not apply. They are blamed for loss of livestock when it is large cats most of the time which take cattle. Also hunters view them as competitors, and when wolves are around, there is less deer to shoot. Wolves balance the eco system and without wolves, the prey over-breed and become more ill. Wolves take out the sick and injured, creating a good, balanced eco system. Their left-over’s feed all of the other animals in the eco system also.
*What sort of conservation work are you currently involved in?
I have recently been raising money for Born Free’s Ethiopian Wolf project and Will Travis has asked me to go out and spend some time with the wolves which I can’t wait to do. It’s not just wolves, though, that I spend my time working with. I regularly help VIVA (Vegetarian’s International Voice for Animals) raise money and can often been seen at demos. However, the one thing I hate more than anything on this planet is Asia’s fur trade. Some of the videos I have only been able to watch once as they are too heartbreaking. Live foxes being skinned as they scream. There is one video which shows a skinned fox looking up and blinking after its fur has been torn off. Then there is the legalised Korean dog meat trade which is so barbaric with dogs crated up in agony being dropped from lorries before being electrocuted or hung. I could NEVER go to these countries as a tourist, as I could never stand back and tolerate what goes on.
Out of all of your various professional roles – wolf handler, conservationist, TV presenter – which aspect of your work do you enjoy the most?
I can’t choose I’m afraid. I decided to combine being a presenter with animal work as so many animal people I have worked with are so very humble and quiet and do not like the limelight. I adore TV and have no fear of being on stage or in front of a camera, so I felt that I was a good person to get up there and spread the word about animals and how they need our help via television. I feel that TV is an amazing way to educate the younger generations and I can already see a change in attitudes of children compared to the older, totally meat-eating generations.
*Where in the world do you feel happiest and why?
Scuba diving in the Indian Ocean. I adore the colours and the fragility of the ocean and am a very careful diver. The fish interact with you and it’s such a wonderful feeling. We need to cherish our reefs and stop over-fishing the seas. When I die, I want my ashes thrown into the reefs around the Maldives, so I can be at one with the sea.
*How long have you been a vegetarian, and what made you decide to go veggie?
I have been a veggie since about 10 years old and went veggie because of the animal activists’ stall in my High Street. Some people don’t care that animals are slaughtered – I hated the truth and couldn’t sleep for ages after finding out. The teachers even tried to force me to eat it. My mum encouraged meat, so I would hide all of my sausages under the curtain in the front room and flush them away later when she wasn’t looking. I HATE that TV show ‘Kill It, Cook It, Eat It’. I cannot believe it ever got commissioned. It’s horrific.
*What’s your favourite vegetarian food?
Pesto Pasta. Nice and stodgy, but yummy. I haven’t managed to become a vegan yet, but I think I’m pretty close.
*What advice would you give to a young person growing up today, hoping to make a difference for animals and the environment?
Learn all the facts. Don’t be ignorant. Every little, tiny action helps and if everyone decided to recycle, then the whole world would be recycling. If you don’t eat meat, your conscience will be totally clean, too. You are healthier and happier. I know that some people love the taste of meat – just try and visualise the animal alive and happy before deciding to eat its body. Eating a little trusting lamb, or a wriggling piglet just feels wrong to me. It feels medieval and we all should have moved on since then. If everyone stopped eating meat, then it would also help global warming immensely.
Thanks, Anneka!
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Tony Benn
Tony Benn was the longest serving Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) ever! He was born in London in 1925 and retired from the House of Commons in May 2001, after fifty years in Parliament. He was a Cabinet minister in the Wilson and Callaghan governments from 1964 - 79, as Minister of Technology, Secretary of State for both Industry and Energy and President of the Council of European Energy ministers in 1977.
He is currently the holder of seven honorary Doctorates from British and American universities, has just been appointed as a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics and can still often be seen and heard taking part in demonstrations and political debates on television and radio.
He has four children (one of whom, Hilary, is Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs!) and ten grandchildren. You can find out more here.
*Why did you become a vegetarian and can you remember roughly how old you were?
When I was over 50 years old my son Hilary convinced me there would be enough food for everybody in the world if we ate the grain instead of feeding it to animals which we then killed to eat.
*Has it got easier being veggie as you’ve grown older?
Yes!
*Have you ever thought that you’ve been missing out on anything as a veggie?
Certainly not! I don’t like meat. I avoid killing animals. I feel better!
*What’s the most annoying question you get asked as a veggie and what do you reply?
No questions ever annoy me.
*What do you say to people who claim that eating meat is natural?
Killing animals is cruel! Some people claim that killing people in war is also natural but that is cruel too!
*Do you love or loathe fake meat products?
I used to love vegetarian sausages but I don’t any longer.
*What is your favourite style of food, and all-time favourite veggie meal and drink?
Large pizzas! I can be a bit of a veggie junk food addict and I drink gallons of tea a day.
*Is there a vegetable or fruit that you really hate?
I find vegetables very boring but I like fruit, especially bananas.
*If you could change one thing today what would it be?
The export of live animals and cruelty to animals. When I was 5 I saw the window display of the British Anti-Vivisection Society and it had a big effect on me.
Thank you very much for answering our questions Tony.
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Victoria Pettengell - Miss Cheshire 2008
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 whyyou'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 afavourite?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 doner 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.