Brit town council decides against leather furniture

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Telegraph Link

'Leather on furniture may offend vegetarians'

By Richard Savill

Last Updated: 2:54am BST 27/04/2007

Councillors in Totnes are considering re-covering their furniture with plastic instead of leather in case it offends vegetarians.

Officials in the town, which has been referred to as Devon's answer to Glastonbury, put forward proposals to renew the peeling desks in the 16th century guildhall with plastic at a cost of £450, claiming it was cheaper and "vegetarian friendly".

But some members said the hall deserved an "upgrade" and the council should spend £680 for leather hide or £950 for sheep hide.

John Macadie, a councillor, said they had a duty to save money and not use animal products.

He said: "We should not be using animal products; we are in Totnes. Why not sand it down and then varnish it, then it will last forever. It would look very nice stained."

But the former mayor, Marion Evans, told her colleagues: "We are the custodians of this building. I think you are being cheapskates."

She said later: "It's one of the oldest buildings in Totnes and I think we should use proper furnishings."

The councillors agreed to find out the cost of sanding and varnishing before reaching a decision.

Totnes is one of England's oldest boroughs, with its charter granted by King John in 1206. In 2004 Time magazine declared the town "the capital of New Age chic".

Note: among the few vegetarians who will be offended are those who are members of PETA--a group whom you have "nothing to lose" by offending!

[Mags 112]

But sanding and varnishing WOULD look good though...

[Nagishkaw 510]

Whats next on the list? Purses? Belts? Shoes? Pet leashes and collars?Car interiors and so forth?

[Ladylethal 12]

Next we'll have. "Oh no! Let's not wear silk, cotton, etc, poor silk worms, who's paying their wages?"

[Otto 83]

[KarenCee 3]

ooooooookay......

[Fandango 1,440]

sounds like it's more a financial issue tho, no?

[homesick_american 1]

Reminds me of that council who banned pig toys and images of pigs as to not offend Muslim employees.

PC gone insane.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Everyone is sooooooo sensitive.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Reminds me of that council who banned pig toys and images of pigs as to not offend Muslim employees.

PC gone IS insane!

[Amby 490]

pleather chairs...you'll just stick to them in the heat! no thanks