WOKE finance bosses have dropped Robin Hood from their logo — for not being “inclusive enough”.
Nottingham Building Society axed the legendary Sherwood Forest hero, who stole from the rich to give to the poor, as part of a rebrand to celebrate diversity.
Woke Nottingham Building Society has axed Robin Hood from its logo[/caption]
A Branch of The Nottingham Building Society in Buxton[/caption]
Last night former Tory minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke led the fight back, declaring: “There’s nothing more English than the story of Robin Hood — the classic folklore legend.
“Again, this is the madness of woke culture taking over.”
And Nottingham Building Society customers branded it a “sad day” for all concerned.
Robin, a 12th century noble-turned-rebel, is said to have lived with his band of Merry Men and regularly rescued Maid Marian, all the while stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.
He has been the hero in a host of movies.
He has been the hero in a host of movies. The 1991 version, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starred Kevin Costner and spawned the Brian Adams hit (Everything I Do) I Do It for You, which spent 16 weeks at No1.
Meanwhile, the building society had simply been called The Nottingham, with Robin’s famous profile next to its name.
But bosses explained to staff in a blog: “We’ve mixed our rich history with a modern twist.
“We want to reflect society as it is today. For us, that means championing inclusivity and celebrating financial diversity.”
Mr Shelbrooke joked: “Robin Hood used to have a quiver, but now it’s the do-gooders at Nottingham Building Society.”
“These types of local building societies have a connection to the people around them. Ditching the city’s best-known figure doesn’t seem like a wise business decision and one that will probably be very unpopular with customers.”
They hit out online.
One, Amanda Johnson, wrote: “We have lost our much-loved and widely recognised logo and come up with a very expensive and confusing rebranding.”
William Browne added on X: “I preferred the old logo.”
The building society first used Robin Hood as part of its logo in the 1980s, and even had the green-clad bowman painted on novelty ceramic piggy banks.
Last night a spokesman insisted: “We are incredibly proud of our roots and 175 years of history in Nottingham. Our new look reflects our commitment to building for the future.”
Folklore fave for 700 years
ROBIN Hood is embedded in English folklore, first appearing in 14th century ballads.
They tell of a rebel, robbing the rich to pay the poor as revenge against the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The stories include some of the merry men but Maid Marian was added 100 years later.
Despite scant evidence Robin Hood existed, his legend is perpetuated in 11 films, the first colour version with Errol Flynn, a Disney cartoon and 2012 Russell Crowe retelling.
TV versions include a Tony Robinson series for children.
Russell Crowe as Robin Hood in 2010[/caption]
