Vegan food fiesta returns to Forbury by popular demand

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@rdg.today

A GROUP that runs a regular vegan market in Wokingham, is holding a food fiesta in Forbury Gardens this month.

Sparkle Vegan Events will offer a range of animal free foods and products at their Reading Vegan Fiesta.

The event, held for the first time last year, is being repeated this Spring, due to its success then.

And it complements a similar event held in the autumn.

Sarah Zeneli, who runs Sparkle Vegan Events, says: “The fiesta was originally designed to be a smaller affair that would lead up to our big Reading Vegan Festival in September.

“But it’s become bigger than we envisaged, and it’s back by popular demand.”

There will be plenty to entertain visitors to the free entry fair, with vegan street food to try, artisan stalls to browse, and workshops to join.

“There will be a free yoga session,” says Sarah.

“People can just turn up with their own yoga mat to take part.

“And International Animal Rescue will be holding a plant potting workshop, suitable for adults and children alike, which people can attend for a donation.”

Children can also enjoy a children’s character, and young people’s activities.

“There will be a ‘guess the weight of the vegan cake’, and lots of free tasters at the vegan food stalls,” says Sarah.

“We’ll have a live band too. BFriendly play reggae and other music styles.

“They’re great fun, and they love audience participation.”

Visitors can expect to find 40 stalls at the event, selling hot foods, cakes, patisseries, jewellery, homeware, and eco gifts.

And they will be able to quench their thirsts at the fiesta bar.

“We had such a great turnout last year, and I’m really excited to be holding the event again,” says Sarah.

“I love the gardens, the live music, the atmosphere, and of course, the food.”

There will be plenty of flavours for people to taste and try at the

VEGAN

There will be plenty for visitors to enjoy when Sparkle Vegan Events brings its fiesta to Forbury Gardens

Picture: Tina Cleary stalls, where they will find vegan burgers and hot dogs, Ethiopian and Caribbean foods, and vegan fish and chips.

“It’s such a friendly, comfortable event,” says Sarah.

“We’re hoping for sunshine, but the festival will go ahead, whatever the weather.”

The Vegan Fiesta will take place outside, at Reading’s Forbury Gardens on Saturday, April 22.

Stalls will be open from 11am through to 4pm, and entry is free. n For more information, visit: www. sparkleveganevents.com

Confidence coach to lead sing event

A CONFIDENCE-building coach is to host a singing workshop and concert in Reading.

Aneesa Chaudhry will teach four songs: Annie’s Song, Show Me The Way, Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen), and Benedictus by Karl Jenkins.

Chaudhry has nearly 30 years of experience as a professional solo singer.

The event takes place from 10am to 1pm on Sunday, April 23, with a concert starting at 2pm.

It will be held at All Saints Church Hall in Devonshire Square, Brownlow Road. Reading. Places cost £50. n For more details, or to book, log on to: aneesachaudhry.com

No to home plan

A PROPOSAL to build three four-bed homes in west Reading had been rejected. The application was for the homes to be built on an overgrown site to the rear of 19-21 Western Elms Avenue.

The homes would have been contained in one new building. Reading Borough Council’s assistant director of planning, James Crosbie, rejected the plan, saying the homes would harm biodiversity in the area, and future occupants would have limited amenity space.

A similar plan for the site, reference 220582, was also refused in July last year.