PETA in cockfight with Britain's oldest pub
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks the pub's name since 1872
Postmedia Network
First posted: Monday, May 25, 2015 06:23 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, May 25, 2015 06:53 PM EDT
Britain's oldest pub, with a history that dates back to the 8th century, is reportedly under pressure from an animal rights group to change its name from Ye Olde Fighting Cocks to reflect "modern sensibilities."
The pub, recognized by Guinness as Britain's oldest, is not keen on the idea that it change its name to Ye Olde Clever Cocks.
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) director Mimi Bekhechi told the Mirror U.K., the change "would reflect today's rejection of needless violence and help celebrate chickens as the intelligent, sensitive and social animals they are."
The pub has undergone several names over its centuries of business. It's had its Fighting Cocks name since 1872, to recognize its history of cockfighting -- a sport banned in the U.K. since 1835.
Pub regular Robert Oakhill, 71, told the Mirror: "The thing that appals me is the total lack of appreciation of history.
"The current name informs us about the past. It enables us to contemplate the great advances that have been made.
"The new name is, to use the most appropriate critical term, 'bonkers'."
PETA in cockfight with Britain's oldest pub | Weird | News | Toronto Sun
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks the pub's name since 1872
Postmedia Network
First posted: Monday, May 25, 2015 06:23 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, May 25, 2015 06:53 PM EDT
Britain's oldest pub, with a history that dates back to the 8th century, is reportedly under pressure from an animal rights group to change its name from Ye Olde Fighting Cocks to reflect "modern sensibilities."
The pub, recognized by Guinness as Britain's oldest, is not keen on the idea that it change its name to Ye Olde Clever Cocks.
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) director Mimi Bekhechi told the Mirror U.K., the change "would reflect today's rejection of needless violence and help celebrate chickens as the intelligent, sensitive and social animals they are."
The pub has undergone several names over its centuries of business. It's had its Fighting Cocks name since 1872, to recognize its history of cockfighting -- a sport banned in the U.K. since 1835.
Pub regular Robert Oakhill, 71, told the Mirror: "The thing that appals me is the total lack of appreciation of history.
"The current name informs us about the past. It enables us to contemplate the great advances that have been made.
"The new name is, to use the most appropriate critical term, 'bonkers'."
PETA in cockfight with Britain's oldest pub | Weird | News | Toronto Sun
