Curators at the famous Nottingham Castle have said tea and sugar are the "spoils of empire” as decolonisation efforts continued at the historic place.
A new information sign put up at the East Midlands castle said the “English staples of tea and sugar” were the “spoils of empire” which were found “everywhere”.
The castle, known for its legendary links to Robin Hood, has been probing the structure’s colonial connections following a long-running race row over its alleged treatment of staff, a Telegraph report said.
The signage also features Marxist historian Stuart Hall’s quote that “there is no understanding of Englishness without understanding its imperial and colonial dimensions.”
The signage states that the decolonisation work aimed at underscoring “hidden histories and narratives that museums often choose to remain neutral or silent about” and not to “shame those who benefit from the fruits of empire.”
According to it, the decolonisation project at the castle sought to present facts without Eurocentric bias and “there was a peaceful way in which colonisers took distant lands and those indigenous to it.”
The sign also states that awareness about imperial connections is “imperative” to “combat issues such as racism, white nationalism, and xenophobia”.
The castle, which has now been converted into a museum and art gallery, was the subject of investigations after a curator alleged that her grandchildren were the victim of a hate incident involving visitors to the place.
Some staff had stated the incident “led to an environment of fear, distrust and extremely low morale among the staff of all backgrounds, but particularly those of colour”.
They also alleged a “toxic culture” existed at the castle. The incident also led to calls for the board to step down.
However, the Charity Commission which concluded its probe earlier this year “did not find evidence of wrongdoing by Nottingham Castle Trust trustees".
Signage at Nottingham Castle, associated with legend of Robin Hood, says tea and sugar are ‘spoils of empire’
Curators have taken up decolonisation work at the historic place
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)