Actor and comedian Mike has been a regular host and compere here at Vegfest for many years now. Lately he’s been busy with various film and television roles, commercial work, and his speciality, cameos in music videos, most recently working with the likes of Mimi Webb, Rachel Lorin, Girli, Jorja Smith, Savannah Knight, Yves Tumor, Demuja, Kofi Stone, Holly Humberstone, Comanavago, Grian Chatten, Royal Blood and even Deep Purple.

He loves to support Vegan businesses and was pleased to endorse LoveRaw’s recent commercial campaign by playing the 80s Milk tray man, now a vegan chocolate convert.

World Day For Animals In Laboratories & Finally Ending Animal Testing (The Power of Direct Action and Pressure Campaigning Combined) – Allan Jackson – FEAT

A brief history on the important significance of World Day For Animals In Laboratories along with the various campaigns calling for the immediate ending of animal testing including FEAT (Finally Ending Animal Testing) which revolves around this important date in our calender and the entire month of April.
Together we will explore the diverse nature and power of pressure campaigning in combination with direct action against the vivisection industry, the successes this has garnered and what new and imaginative ideas we can use to increase the impact and scope of these tactics within such campaigns.

Tackling Animal Welfare in Asia  – Pei Su – ACTAsia

One size definitely doesn’t fit all, when it comes to animal activism around the world.
Pei Su has been working in international animal welfare for 30 years, but has a particular understanding of Asia and the most effective ways to make meaningful change there.

The Shutdown Campaign (Wolverhampton) – Sarah Benn – Shutdown Greyhound Racing (Wolverhampton)

Many of the animal and specifically dog-loving general public, are unaware of the cruelty inherent in the greyhound racing industry. In 2024, a greyhound died every 3 days on one of the remaining 18 greyhound racing tracks in the UK. A national collaboration between Animal Aid and local grassroots groups is working to finally end this ‘sport’. Find out how you can help, from simple awareness raising to peaceful, (but eye-catching), public actions.

Hunt Sabotage – Cathy Scott – Hunt Saboteurs Association

A talk on hunt sabotage and campaigning

From Investigation to Impact: Inside a Viva! Campaign – Katie Robinson – Viva!

From hidden cameras to a nationwide campaign seen by millions, how do we turn an undercover investigation that exposes the truth into direct action?

In this talk, Viva! takes you behind real campaigns, from secret investigations and hard evidence to bold outreach, media moments and nationwide action. You’ll discover how animal cruelty is brought into the public eye and how campaigns are designed to challenge powerful industries and shift public behaviour.

Most importantly, you’ll learn how essential you are to this process and how you can get involved, take action, and become part of the movement that’s creating real change for animals.

 Getting Active for ‘Pet’ Animals – Illy Parrwood – Rescue Not Retail

‘Pet’ animals are among the most abused and exploited animals on earth – but they remain a seriously underrepresented topic in the vegan movement. This talk will delve into the reality of what happens to animals who are bred and sold as pets – and show the audience how they can get involved in advocating for them.

Why We Need to Love Pigeons – Sue Joyce – Little Green Pigeons

Sue begins by helping the audience understand the different types of pigeons found in the UK — distinguishing between wild and domestic birds. She invites light audience participation with a bit of fun, encouraging everyone to try mimicking pigeon coos and calls.

The tone then shifts as Sue explains the reality of pigeon racing: its hidden cruelty, the widespread exploitation involved, and the urgent need to ban the practice in the UK. Through facts, stories, and compassion, she challenges perceptions and inspires action for these misunderstood birds.

Stepping Up to Shut Them Down – Tom Harris – Animal Freedom Network

How community organising can close down violent businesses and industries. Every one of us has the power to change the world, starting on our doorsteps.

How to Communicate Veganism Effectively – Jordi Casamitjana – Author, Ethical Vegan & Why Vegans Don’t

Vegans have created billions of messages in different formats designed to tell something important that the audience should understand and be transformed by. This talk will discuss the top 10 vegan messages circulating in vegan campaigning that best communicate the values of the vegan philosophy

Camp Beagle The Art of Never Giving Up – David James – Camp Beagle

It will be a talk on what has happened at camp during 2025, from winning the Injunction our petitions and what can from the debate in April and what we hope to achieve with the next petition.
The new policing tactics being used outside MBR and the response from the Labour government to the growing public demand to stop animal testing.

How To Start a Vegan Initiative – Katie O’Grady – The Vegan Christmas Market Co

Would you like to start a vegan business, project, event, social group, activism or outreach group? Katie will run through how she has started grassroots events and helped vegan businesses with new projects, and ways to bring your ideas into reality.

Animal Aid has been leading the fight against horse racing for decades. This Year of the Horse, join us for an engaging session looking at what’s wrong not only with recent major festivals like Aintree and Cheltenham, but with forcing a horse to race at all. Meet the beautiful, sensitive, sentient individual horses at the centre of the ‘debate’.