British pub’s ‘Ye Olde Fighting Cocks’ name challenged by PETA
A Gamecock fan’s travel bucket list usually includes a visit to St. Albans, about 24 miles northwest of London, to Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, known as the oldest pub in Great Britain.
That tradition is being threatened by the organization People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is targeting the pub for its name.
PETA’s UK division announced this week that they want the pub to change its name to Ye Olde Clever Cocks, “in recognition of society’s growing compassion for animals and in celebration of intelligent, sensitive chickens.”
PETA concedes that the pub might not be open to change. After all, it’s 1,200 years old.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks dates back to the eighth century, and boasts such guests as Oliver Cromwell. Cockfighting did occur in the pub in the late 19th and early 20th centuries – it had been a pastime in England for more than 600 years.
The animal rights organization points out that the name to Clever Cocks will instill the idea that chickens indeed are very clever creatures, and might be less inclined to eat them.
So, is there a name change coming over the pond? Would you root for the Clever Cocks?
Have you been to the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub? Share your photos with us by sending it to online@thestate.com
This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 10:59 AM with the headline "British pub’s ‘Ye Olde Fighting Cocks’ name challenged by PETA."