Boy am I excited. Our annual Proggy Awards are here once again, and this year we have some amazing winners. Please give a hearty round of applause to companies like New Look, Divine Chocolate, Marks and Spencer and more, for their commitment to compassionate shopping. What are the Proggy Awards? Every year we award companies for their progressive attitude (prog-ressive, geddit?) and policies, giving them a nice certificate and a big ‘ol mention on Peta.org.uk.

So who won what? You’ll have to go visit the feature for that info! Go on, off you go…

Now I’m not officially meant to be blogging about the Proggy Award winners for 2008 yet (proggy stands for progress); the winners know who they are, we know who the winners are, but that’s about it. Coming soon is a swanky online feature that you’ll be able to see on Peta.org.uk, much like last year’s feature. But alas it is not available for poring over yet, so think of this as a special treat.

Saying that however, when I received this photo in my inbox yesterday I just couldn’t resist sharing it with my Fish & Chimps readers.

This is Councillor Paul Blanchard of York, and he is the Proggy Award winner for our Most Progressive Politician category. He was absolutely fundamental in getting foie gras banned from York Council’s offices. This was the first council to make such progress in the foie gras campaign, and they have been critical in encouraging other councils like Stockport to follow in their footsteps.

I’m sure you’ll join me in thanking him for all that he does for animals, and congratulating him on winning the award. Way to go, Paul!