“What’s next? Are we going to cancel Santa?!”: Outrage as “crazy” museum bosses remove the word “Christmas” from their festive Wake Drive market to make celebrations more inclusive

Bright bosses at a museum founded by the late Queen Mother’s ancestors have removed the word “Christmas” from its festive market.

The Bowes Museum’s decision to rename its annual event the “Winter Market” was met with disbelief amid claims the change was made to attract more visitors.

BBC Antiques Road Trip expert David Harper called for the Durham Museum’s “crazy” decision to be reversed, saying it would mean canceling Christmas.

The museum and art gallery at Barnard Castle was founded in 1892 by John Bowes – a distant relative of the Queen Mother, born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

Her late Majesty was patron of the museum from 1962 until her death in 2002.

Bright bosses at a museum founded by the late Queen Mother’s ancestors have removed the word “Christmas” from its festive market

The Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle in Durham has dropped “Christmas” from its festive offering and renamed it the “Winter Market”.

Antiques expert David Harper criticized the change, claiming it was made in the hope of attracting more visitors

Mr Harper claimed the museum had hoped to attract more people but it would take away the joy of Christmas.

He said The sun: ‘What’s next? Will we cancel Santa Claus, reindeer and children in Santa hats?

“Basically all you’re left with is a Wednesday market.” This won’t stop until we stop it.

“We need to nip this in the bud, take control and be a little bolder.”

The Cash in the Attic and Bargain Hunt expert said he could only imagine what the Queen Mother would have thought of the decision and that the founders would be spinning in their graves just a stone’s throw from the museum’s walls.

However, the museum’s director, Hannah Fox, denied having canceled Christmas.

She said: “We have a very popular seasonal events program centered around the market.”

“It’s fabulous and everyone is welcome no matter how they celebrate over the holidays.”

The art gallery was founded by ancestors of the late Queen Mother, who herself was patron of the museum from 1962 until her death in 2002

Mr Harper ran a poll on his X-page asking what the Bowes Museum should name the market after the word “Christmas” was “dropped”. There were more than 300 votes, with “Humbug Market” receiving 66 percent of the vote.

People left comments under the poll, with one person saying it was a “Christmas betrayal” while another said it was an “absolute joke.”

Another called for a boycott of the event, while a fourth said: “This is terrible, the question is WHY?” And if I was in this area I wouldn’t bother with a new name because I certainly don’t go there would go.’

The Conservative Durham District Councilor wrote: “Wow!” I loved going to the Christmas market. This word made you all light up inside. I wonder how many will come with me now.’