Update
on the fight to save a pub's name in Abingdon - "The Midget"
Two weeks after our NEWS item that a counter petition had been launched
to fight to save the name of an historic pub in Abingdon - "The
Midget" - it has now more signatures from supporters than the
orignal petition launched a week earlier by a group of campaigners
demanding the name be removed as they claimed it was offensive!
The counter campaign to defend The Midget pub from the demand to change
its name has 85% more signatures and 63% more this week. A
projected outcome by the end of February would have the counter campaign
ahead by 844 signaures or 83%.
Posted: 240223
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Current
position of the two petitions
on Friday 23rd February 2024
Want
the name changed
Launched on 31st
January 2013
(been running for 23 days)
Want
to keep the name
Launched on 8th February 2024
(been running for 15 days)
What do you feel about the campaigns - post your views on the V8 Bulletin
Board or the V8 Facebook Group. V8BB
- V8FBG
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Comparison
of the support for each petition
Clearly the "Keep the Name" campaign is strong. |
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Two
petitions: to remove and to save a pub's name in Abingdon
This NEWS item is simply to alert members to the petition and now
a counter petition. After 45 years since the sad closure of the
MG Factory in Abingdon, the awareness of MG as a major contribution
to the town's heritage may
be fading a little, but surely the major
contribution is the design and production of MG sportscars loved
around the World.
The campaigners
claim the term "midget" is derogatory towards people with
dwarfism, a term popular in Victorian times! The
campaign is believed to have been started by Dr Erin Pritchard,
a senior lecturer in Disability Studies at Liverpool Hope University.
Changing the name would disregard the historical significance -
the name was used on various MG cars from 1929 to 1936 and again
in the 1960s and many are still admired today by classic car enthusiasts.
Posted: 230209
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Counter petition to preserve the historic name of the pub
News of this counter petition has come in which
has been launched by Sammie Rhodes who feels the pub,
named after a car made by MG, is part of the history of our
town. It's more than just a name; it represents our shared heritage
and community spirit. The public house has been a cornerstone
of our local community for decades, serving as a gathering place
for residents and visitors alike. Its name pays homage to an
iconic car model that was once manufactured in our town - an
important piece of our local history that should not be erased
or forgotten.
See
the change.org website |
Local
petition launched to change the name of a pub in Abingdon
Andrew Collins has seen an article in his local newspaper, the
Oxford Mail, about a petition calling for the 'offensive' name
("The Midget") of a pub to be changed. The campaigners
claim the term "midget" is derogatory towards people
with dwarfism, a term popular in Victorian times! Andrew
says "you may be aware of a pleasant pub in Abingdon called
The Midget. We have used it on occasions as a destination for
Abingdon Works Centre events, and they have a modest collection
of MG memorabilia. Well now a group has launched this petition."
See
Oxford Mail article |
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