Sara’s tale bigs up veganism benefits
LIZZIE DEANE
AWRITER’S work is featured in a new collection of fictional short stories with a difference - they all have a vegan theme.
Freelance content writer Sara Hodgkinson, 32, won a competition to have her story included in the new ‘ Vegan Tales’ anthology, thought to be the first work of literature to explore exclusively vegan themes.
Though a vegetarian rather than a vegan herself, Sara became interested in the topic after years of suffering with M.E., a chronic neurological condition that causes debilitating pain and fatigue. ●● Sara Hodgkinson
She attended Woodhey High School but had to drop out in Year 8 when she became too ill to continue her studies.
“I found switching to a plant-based diet very beneficial when I was ill,” she said.
“I thought the writing competition sounded like a cool challenge which could help spread the word about veganism and its benefits.”
Her short story, entitled ‘A Taste of Something New’, follows the employees of a cafe in an imaginary Lancashire town as they try to introduce a vegan menu to a group of sceptical customers.
Sara, of Cheviot Close, Ramsbottom, said she was inspired to write the story by her own experiences of waitressing in cafes in the area which had “the regulars and characters you get in any cafe in a close-knit community like Ramsbottom.”
Sara added she felt lucky to have been exposed to different cui- sines while travelling the world.
“I found living in Singapore, Sydney and Perth impacted me significantly and that is why I now eat mostly vegetarian or vegan,” she said. “Veganism is still an odd concept for a lot of people, especially in Lancashire, which is pies and peas county. I think veganism is the kind of thing that grows out of cities but I hope that my light-hearted piece demonstrates how vegan dishes can be incorporated into any diet and enjoyed by anyone.”
As well as Sara’s fictional debut, the anthology features short stories from writers around the world, all centred around veganism. ●● Haslingden Community Link nursery have been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. NURSERY children and staff are celebrating after being graded ‘good’ by inspectors.
Haslingden Community Link, on Bury Road in Haslingden, was rated good in all four key areas, covering leadership and management, teaching quality, children outcomes and personal development, behaviour and welfare.
Manager Jane Riley, said: “The inspector was very thorough and did not leave a stone unturned during her inspection.
“We are thrilled with the result and are looking forward to the future as we continue to learn and grow together to continually strive to be the best.”
Ofsted inspector Liz Fortune-Price said the children are ‘happy, confident and have a good sense of belonging’.
In her report, she said: “Children are well cared for in this warm and friendly nursery.
“All children, including those with additional needs, make good progress from their starting points.”