A campaign was launched this month urging people to stop drinking the famous Somerset drink, Thatchers, because of its owner's reported links to slavery.
Bristol-based pressure group, Countering Colston, has asked people not to drink the apple-based booze because Martin Thatcher, director of the company, is a member of the Society of the Merchant Venturers. The society, which was founded in the 13th century, administered much of the £70,000 legacy Colston left to the city of Bristol after his death.
Meanwhile, the newly-formed, Countering Colston, works to condemn the legacy of slave-trader Edward Colston whose company was responsible for the deaths of 84,000 African men, women and children. But their latest campaign has been met with a lot of anger amongst Bristol Live's readers.
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Talking about their Thatchers campaign, they wrote on Twitter: “Martin Thatcher, director of the company, is a member of the Society of the Merchant Venturers.
“The SMV has deep roots in the historical slave trade in Bristol, and its members were responsible for the suffering and death of tens of thousands of human beings.
“They are a powerful unelected elite who have significant influence on political and civic life in Bristol.”
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Martin Thatcher, a fourth-generation cider-maker, has been a member of the private members club, in which Colston himself was part of, since 2012.
He told Bristol24/7 that he is a “relative newcomer” to the society. Mr Thatcher says he wants to bring “fresh perspective” to the organisation, particularly in how it engages with its history.
However, the group's campaign has not been received well among Bristol Live's readers, with almost unanimous disapproval.
Pete Millett wrote: "I can honestly not deal with the stupidity of people these day."
While Adrian Hughes said: "Assume these are the same people that avoid buying anything made in China?"
And Michelle Smith wrote: "A petition against cider in Bristol! That's never going to work!"
Mohamed Kissoum suggested: "Instead of telling people to stop drinking it , make the company give a taxes due to their slavery links."
Bristol Live has contacted Countering Colston for a comment.
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