PETA has asked an English village called Wool to change its name—because it claims the name promotes cruelty to sheep. Instead, the animal rights group said the 1,000-year-old village in Dorset should be renamed Vegan Wool.
Stunned villagers hit back mocking PETA, suggesting Cheddar Gorge could be renamed Vegan Cheddar Gorge.
Local councilor Cherry Brooks said: “It is a ridiculous request and it’s caused quite a stir in the village. A few people are quite offended but most people seem to find it amusing. The proposal will now need to be discussed at the next council meeting, which will be interesting.”
Because PETA has made the suggestion in writing members of Wool Parish Council are obliged to list it on the agenda at their next meeting—but the matter is likely to be laughed out of the room.
Wool has a population of 5,310 and has its origins in the 11th century.
On its outskirts is Woolbridge Manor House, which was the location of Tess’s honeymoon in Thomas Hardy’s beloved novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles.
But Cllr Brooks added that PETA had got its facts wrong about the name of the village. She said the village name is derived from the ancient Anglo-Saxon word ‘welle,’ meaning a water spring, and has nothing to do with the wool industry.
Yet Elisa Allen, a director at PETA, has written to Wool Parish Council with the request. She said the change in name would promote kindness to sheep.
The activist said they would give a ‘cruelty-free’ woolen blanket to all 2,000 households in the village if they agree to the suggestion.
PETA claim to have uncovered cruelty shown to sheep in the British wool industry that includes animals being punched in the face, trampled on and beaten with electric clippers.
Ms. Allen said that the people of Vegan Wool would show an act of kindness to sheep if they changed the name of the village.
Other villagers took to social media to defend the name of Wool and slam PETA’s suggestion.
Jayne Merchant said: “The name Wool should remain as it is, the idea of renaming the village is utterly ridiculous. It’s the most idiotic idea I have come across in a long time.”
Leanne Welsh wrote: “So Cheddar Gorge could be Vegan Cheddar Gorge? Burgar in Scotland could be Veggie Burgar!”
Jo Holloway added: “It’s not April 1st yet surely!”
And Anne Vincent backed up Cllr Brooks adding: “The name Wool has nothing to do with sheep. It comes from the Saxon word for spring (welle).”
In her letter, Ms. Allen said: “I’m writing on behalf of PETA with a suggestion that would put Wool in the spotlight and promote kindness to sheep: renaming the village ‘Vegan Wool.’”
“Why make this animal-friendly update? Unlike wool that is stolen from sheep, vegan wool is good for animals and the environment. Sheep’s wool, on the other hand, has been shown to be a product of extreme cruelty.”
“With a simple name change, your village can take a stand against this cruelty and remind everyone that it’s easy to stay warm and be warmhearted to sheep by choosing vegan wool and other animal-free materials.”
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