Suggestive graffiti has appeared in multiple places across Bicester during a large vegan festival held in the town.

“I was really shocked. Why would someone do that to another person’s property?” said Lenka Loubser, whose garden fence in Buckingham Road was tagged with the words “go vegan” on the weekend of Vegan Campout Festival, held at Bicester Heritage.

“I reported it to the council, and also the police, then I went down to Bicester Heritage where the festival was being held to find the organisers.

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“They were very busy, so I went to the ticket office, the man working said he’d take my number and name and that someone would get back to me, but nobody did.”

The same message appeared in graffiti on a wall next to the historic Littlebury Hotel, which was established in 1959 in kings End.

Helen Bramley, from Bicester, said: “Completely disrespectful and awful vandalising people’s private property and old historic buildings.

“I live in the old part of the town and was so upset to see the Littlebury Hotel had been targeted when the family have lived and run their business here in a beautiful old building for years.”

Mrs Loubser added: "There are places for graffiti, or where you can do your art, but this is such a pushy message to promote everywhere in the town.

“As far as I’m aware the festival organisers are being invited back next year as well. I hope they are not going to be doing that again next year.”

A farmer who operates near Bicester, and requested not to be named, also had concerns around the charity that sponsors the festival.

She claimed that Viva!, the sponsor charity, is involved in animal activism and are anti livestock.

In response, founder and director of Viva Juliet Gellatley said: “Viva! has sponsored Vegan Camp Out since 2017 and our partnership has gone from strength to strength.

“As a registered charity, Viva! campaigns on the devastating impact meat, dairy and fish have on wildlife extinctions and the climate crisis; we campaign to end factory farming; we help people have a healthy diet and we provide many resources for people wanting to go vegan, including one of the biggest vegan recipe clubs in the world (veganrecipeclub.org.uk).

“Along with other animal rights organisations, Viva! strives for a vegan world. We recognise that strategies within the movement differ and while we show solidarity to all animal rights organisations, we are not involved with stealing animals, blocking milk supply or any other disruptive tactics.

“We never vandalise property or engage in illegal activity. I encourage anyone who has questions about Viva!’s work to visit our website (viva.org.uk) to learn more about our organisation."

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1