Why can't they just leave the name of The Corporation Arms well alone?
Today, Atwill Pubs has reopened as the Cock o Rhudd Din. It calls all its pubs "cocks". In our case, it's neither tasteful nor easily uttered. In spite of what may be good intentions within the new title regarding the origin of Rhuthun's name, there is something pejorative about the phrase. Perhaps this was intentional. Rhudd could be mistaken for rhudd (free or liberated). Din could be mistaken for dyn (man). Cock could be mistaken for, well, you need only use your imagination and in combination the result doesn't need spelling out.
The Corporation Arms is not only an historic pub, it's a very historic name. Geraint "Owain" Owen, in his 2004 book on Rhuthun's pubs, states that prior to the construction in 1666 of the former town hall, this tavern was where the borough council, the corporation, used to meet. The pub's name is as historic as the building itself.
Still, as part of a growing minor pub chain, Atwill has pumped money into the Corpie and the refurbishment is a good one. Let's hope that the pub's reputation also improves (on and off, over recent years, its standing hasn't always been high).
Today, Atwill Pubs has reopened as the Cock o Rhudd Din. It calls all its pubs "cocks". In our case, it's neither tasteful nor easily uttered. In spite of what may be good intentions within the new title regarding the origin of Rhuthun's name, there is something pejorative about the phrase. Perhaps this was intentional. Rhudd could be mistaken for rhudd (free or liberated). Din could be mistaken for dyn (man). Cock could be mistaken for, well, you need only use your imagination and in combination the result doesn't need spelling out.
The Corporation Arms is not only an historic pub, it's a very historic name. Geraint "Owain" Owen, in his 2004 book on Rhuthun's pubs, states that prior to the construction in 1666 of the former town hall, this tavern was where the borough council, the corporation, used to meet. The pub's name is as historic as the building itself.
Still, as part of a growing minor pub chain, Atwill has pumped money into the Corpie and the refurbishment is a good one. Let's hope that the pub's reputation also improves (on and off, over recent years, its standing hasn't always been high).
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