ARTHUR LING, 1919 - 2005

When he was seven years old, Arthur saw a fish being killed at the seaside. He was so shocked by this that he gave up the use of all animal products.

He joined The Vegan Society soon after it had been formed. With others, he formed The Plantmilk Society as a spin-off. For many years they struggled to produce a completely plant-based milk replacement, a task that was beset with technical difficulties.

In the early 1960s, Arthur set up the company Plamil Foods Ltd and in 1965 it produced the first British-made soya milk. He ran the company for many years. It was written into its Articles that it should always make only vegan products and it developed many other products besides soya milk. It regularly advertised in The Vegan and was the first user of the Vegan Society’s Trademark in 1990.

Arthur had strong views on many subjects and was always prepared to stand up for what he believed in, regardless of the consequences. He was most definitely not a "Pillar of the Establishment" - even within the veg*n and animal rights movement! In addition to his veganism, he was a pacifist, an egalitarian, a libertarian, a naturist, a nature-lover and a gardener. Even in retirement, he dedicated himself to research into the nutritional aspects of the vegan diet, particularly in relation to children. Throughout his final illness, Arthur’s mind remained clear, and he was still interested in what was going on in the vegan movement. The Plamil company continued after his death, run by his son, and is itself his most fitting memorial.