The Mexborough and District Heritage Society is set to commemorate the founder of The Vegan Society with a blue plaque.

Donald Watson, who co-founded the Society in November 1944, was the first person to use the word ‘vegan’ in print. Speaking about veganism shortly before he died aged 95, he said it ‘is not every day a movement is born which in its general application could revolutionize mankind’.

The plaque will be unveiled by Watson’s nephew Dr. Tim Cook at Watson’s old primary school New Pastures Primary School in Doncaster Road, Mexborough (formerly Doncaster Road School) at a ceremony on November 9 at 12pm.

Tribute

“We are delighted that the Mexborough and District Heritage Society is paying tribute to one of the sons of Mexborough who has done so much to make the world a more compassionate place,” Samantha Calvert, spokeswoman for The Vegan Society, said.

“This will be the first time that we are aware of that any of our founders has been honored in this way. Donald Watson played a significant role in founding the modern vegan movement that is now this amazing worldwide movement.

“Veganism has never been more popular than it is today, and all vegans owe a huge debt of gratitude to Donald Watson and the pioneering early members.”