The Swindon Vegan and Yoga Festival proves a cheering consolation for Saturday's wind and rain.

Arriving at Christ Church at lunchtime, with an appetite for some delicious vegan food, we are delighted to see the church is crowded with people. While it seems slightly odd for a place of worship to be filled with the perfume of frying burgers, I suspect Jesus would have welcomed a crowd of people so committed to protecting the welfare of our fellow sentient earth dwellers.

This year the event, in its second year and organised by Kelly and Leigh Vowles, assisted by yoga teacher Lauren Reynolds, is spread over two venues - the Victoria pub and Christ Church.

The pub is hosting a line-up of music and speakers, while all sorts of stalls fills the church and the church hall has a programme of yoga classes.

A circuit of the stalls reveals jewellery, campaign groups for animals, hair care products, tee shirts and more, as well as samples of vegan cheese from the Naturally Vegan Food Company (more of that another time), Indian-style vegan food and the Got No Beef vegan burger bar.

We are won over by the Got No Beef vegan double stack cheese burger and in particular the one with the curious looking black bread roll. Apparently the colour is created by charcoal, though it doesn't taste of charcoal. In fact, it's delicious - freshly prepared with a tasty burger and a whole load of salad and vegetables. We take a pew, and enjoy the food, the view and the atmosphere.

Now what for pudding? Happily Kimberley Brewser of V-licious Bakes has brought boxes full of beautiful looking vegan cupcakes for our delectation. It is hard to make a choice with so many tantalising baked treats on display - how about strawberry and prosecco, peanut butter chocolate, coffee and walnut or vanilla butterfly cakes with strawberry jam.? Finally we opt for a double chocolate, and a lemon and lavender. Anyone who thinks eating plant food means some kind of dietary hair shirt and a life time of self denial should try one of these naughty-but-nice sugary treats.

Outside the newly launched Veeg Shack is doing a roaring trade in kebabs and hotdogs, and over at the Vic, speakers and musicians continue into the evening. Only in its second year, it's amazing how much the festival has grown and it shows just how fast the movement is taking off. All credit to the organisers for organising such a terrific event.