November 8th 2024.
The small town of Abingdon, located in Oxfordshire, has long been known for its connection to the iconic MG cars. It is home to a pub named after one of these cars, The Midget, which has recently come under scrutiny due to its potentially offensive name. After receiving complaints and a petition with over 1,000 signatures, the pub's owner, Greene King, has decided to change the name to the Roaring Raindrop, another historic MG car.
The decision to change the name was sparked by Dr Erin Pritchard, a disability lecturer who has dwarfism. She found the term "midget" to be a form of hate speech and a source of bullying for those with dwarfism. Greene King took this into consideration and decided to honor the town's history and connection to MG cars by renaming the pub after another iconic model.
The pub, which first opened in 1974 as The Magic Midget, was named after the MG EX 127 car. This car, also known as the Magic Midget, was built at the former MG factory in Abingdon and broke the world land speed record in 1932. The new name, the Roaring Raindrop, pays homage to another record-breaking MG car, the EX 181, which broke the land speed record in 1957 with Sir Stirling Moss behind the wheel.
The pub will close for a "six-figure" refurbishment this month and reopen in December as the Roaring Raindrop. This decision was made after Greene King consulted with the MG Car Club and learned about the importance of both cars to the town's history. Zoe Bowley, the managing director of Greene King pubs, expressed her gratitude to the club for their input and explained that the new name will "continue to tell the important story that the MG factory played in the town."
While some may argue that the name change is unnecessary, Greene King acknowledges the potential harm and offense that the term "midget" can cause. They hope that by making this change, the pub can be a place where everyone feels welcome and included. Andy Knott, the MG Car Club manager, also stressed the importance of preserving the pub's connection to the MG marque, as it has become a significant part of the town's history and continues to draw enthusiasts to Abingdon.
The Midget may be closing its doors for a short time, but it will soon reopen with a new name that pays tribute to the town's past and its iconic MG cars. The Roaring Raindrop will continue to be a place where people can come together, enjoy a drink, and appreciate the history and culture of Abingdon.
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