Black Bitch pub protestors tell owners 'hands off our history' at second rally

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Concerned Linlithgow locals took to The Cross in their droves on Saturday to protest the proposed renaming of the town centre pub, The Black Bitch.The controversy has been ongoing for months now, beginning when national pub retailer and brewer, Greene King, took over ownership of the pub - announcing their plans to change the name of the historic pub to one that has less perceived offensive connotations.The rally at the weekend was the second gathering of its kind for locals to protest the proposal, drawing in over 100 attendees.The ‘hands off our history’ rally, as locals have taken to calling the protest campaign, argues that the name is significant to the town's local history and culture - with the eponymous black Greyhound appearing on the town’s coat of arms.Around 100 protestors gathered outside Linlithgow Burgh Halls to show their distaste for Greene King’s proposal, the event punctuated by the Linlithgow Reed Band playing live for the crowd.Many turned up to show their support for the campaign, including Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop, SNP MP for Linlithgow & East Falkirk, Martin Day, and local councillors.In a demonstration that hoped to show off Linlithgow’s civic pride, families with young children, locals young and old, and even several black greyhounds stood in solidarity.Nadia Chand, a 44 year-old business woman who moved to Linlithgow six years ago, was in attendance at the rally, she said: “The name is part of our culture - our kids at Linlithgow academy and primary wear the black bitch on their ties in school.“The name-change isn’t necessary, the black bitch forms a positive role model for young people in Linlithgow, it teaches loyalty and braveness, which is incredibly important to our town.“We don’t want