Reverend Tim Hewes, a retired dentist and Church of England priest from Wantage in Oxfordshire, tells his story to us, to you. A story full of pride, grace, humility, humour and dignity.

Quite expected from a 'man of the cloth'....

..and then there are his stories of his time in prison, blocking the M25 with Insulate Britain and taking action with Just Stop Oil....

Tim was recently found not guilty of conspiracy to cause public nuisance (on March 19th 2025) after a four week trial at Southwark Crown Court.

We talk about his faith and how this changes and redefines itself as time and experiences pass. Deeply connected to his realisation that the world that his God created is crumbling.

Tim's journey is a turbulent one, colourful and true. His book 'Finding Beauty Behind Bars' gives the reader an insight to prison life, to daily thoughts and hurdles within the legal system here in the UK.

The book brings the climate emergency into raw focus, delving in to why activists take the actions they do, and how we can each harness our own potential to act on behalf of humanity and life as we know it.

Big thank you to MobyGratis https://mobygratis.com/ for the music.

This interview was carried out on 11th April 2025, it may contain swearing, and definitely contains wisdom, laughter and beauty!

Paul is an 87 year old vegan ultra-marathon runner (!!) who shares his clear and inspirational approach to life and activism with us.

Concerned that he is being distracted from his real passion of animal liberation, by all the other awfulness that is happening all over the world, Paul talks about why animal rights is so so essential.

There is no doubt in his mind that total and unequivocal animal liberation is needed in order for our shared world to re-balance itself and finally shine in the glory of truth, justice and laughter that we all, both human and non-human, deserve and need.

He consciously does his best to build a good rapport with those who he connects with through his life and activism, and brings positivity where ever he roams, and this really comes out in this episode!

He stars in a new documentary called 'More Like Paul', directed by Damien Sciberras- released on 7th of August 2025. The story follows Paul on his journey to complete 100 ultra marathons by his 100th birthday.

Documentary trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2osuI3RlLU

Paul inspired me to put my feet back on the ground and get out there to partake in some vegan outreach again...its been way too long!

Thank you Paul.

A big thank you to MobyGratis for the music in this episode

This interview was carried out on 21st of May 2025, it may contain swearing, and definitely contains wisdom, laughter and beauty!

This is the second part of the chat we had with the fascinating Tim Barford.

Founding member of VegFest UK and Why Go Vegan, long term advocate for justice and sharing the true meaning of animal rights to one and all.

Tim shares examples of resources that will inspire all those who seek balance and beauty in the world, along with his determination to clarify the philosophies and necessity of veganism and the animal rights movement.

How we would be wise to hold the 'bar' (end goal) of our advocacy (no matter what that may be for each of us) in focus, so that we may do justice to ourselves and our beliefs.

He is building the accessibility, effectiveness and attractiveness of veganism and animal rights activism through his ventures. Combining experience, music, entertainment, wisdom, determination and passion in his approach to life and his own end goal, and world where animal rights doesn't need to be fought for.

Listen on and enjoy the journey.

We thank Moby Gratis (https://mobygratis.com) for the interludes.

Relevan links:

VegFest UK: https://www.vegfest.co.uk/

Why Go Vegan: https://www.whygovegan.org.uk/

Viva: https://viva.org.uk/

The Vegan Society: https://www.vegansociety.com/

Animal Aid: https: //www.animalaid.org.uk/

Animal Justice Project: https://www.animaljusticeproject.com/

Animal Rising: https://www.animalrising.org/

We The Free: https://www.activism.wtf/

Leslie Cross- The Surge of Freedom:http://www.candidhominid.com/p/surge-of-freedom.html

ATTENTION:

This interview was carried out on the 13th of April 2025, it may contain swearing, and definitely contains wisdom, laughter and beauty!

In this episode (part one of two), we have the absolute delight to speak with Tim Barford.

Long term advocate for justice and the universal acceptance of animal rights, founding member of 'VegFest UK' (the UK's largest a longest running festival of veganism) and now 'Why Go Vegan', a new venture consisting of a 30 day challenge and bountiful ideas and information for all who feel the need to actually do something positive for ourselves, the planet and, of course, the animals.

Tim shares his rollercoaster of a journey, growing up in Greece, his years on the music and travelling convoy in the '80s, experiencing police brutality during the famous 'Battle of the Beanfields 1985', and so much more..if that is not enough!?!

VegFest has been running for over 20 years, and has seen riches and rags over the decades, which Tim recalls vividly and colourfully.

Setting up the festival, linking advocacy with music and entertainment, along with how much has been learned over the years, including the importance of recognising the difference between veganism and a plant-based diet.

Listen on and enjoy the journey.

We thank MobyGratis (https://mobygratis.com) for the interludes.

Relevant links:

VegFestUK; https://www.vegfest.co.uk/

Why Go Vegan: https://www.whygovegan.org.uk/speakers/tim-barford/

Casey Taft- Motivational Methods for Vegan Activism: https://archive.org/details/motivationalmeth0000taft

Plant Based Treaty: https://plantbasedtreaty.org/uk-city-campaigns/

ATTENTION:

This interview was carried out on the 13th of April 2025, it may contain swearing, and definitely contains wisdom, laughter and beauty!

This is our very first episode...a brand new collective for a brand new podcast!

Sooooo exciiiited!!

Leila joins us and shares her story: how and why she stands for balance, justice and the need to be active in a human-dominated world that is seemingly so determined to undermine love and the power of unity.

Leila shares the concept and the principles that guide 'We are the Uprisings of the Commons', a new collective emerging from German-speaking Switzerland, with an aim to support individuals and communities alike.

To work with those who are on the frontline of destructive and disruptive change and remind them that they are not alone, that they have the ability and the right to join together and stand as one when necessary.

We thank MobyGratis (https://mobygratis.com/) for the interludes.

"We are the uprisings of the commons, a newly founded movement in German-speaking Switzerland. 

🌏 Our vision is a world of the commons, where care and solidarity are at the center. 

💰 But the rich, the governments, the corporate bosses and their system of plunder and destruction have declared war on the water, the land and us.

🐍 That is why we are fighting against their projects. We are fighting for the commons as a part of the life that defends itself.

🔥 Do you want to fight with us for a world beyond destruction and exploitation, here and worldwide?"

✨Then follow our social media channels:

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aufstaende.der.allmende

👉 Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@aufstaendederallmende

👉 Pixelfed: https://gram.social/aufstaendederallmende

👉 Telegram: https://t.me/aufstaendederallmende

👉 WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JaWR997pvzr5GiQBLcHoIH

👉email: [email protected]

👉Signal: @AdA.161

ATTENTION:

This interview may contain swearing, and definitely contains wisdom, laughter and beauty!