Metric Martyrs facts for kids

The Metric Martyrs were a group of people in Britain who believed that shops should be free to choose which units of measurement they used. They wanted traders to be able to sell goods using only old British measurements, called imperial weights and measurements. This was different from the law at the time, which said that if you used imperial units, you also had to show metric units.

This group got their name "Metric Martyrs" from a newspaper. It happened after someone from the trading standards office joked that they could "martyr themselves" if they wanted to. The group was formed by people who had faced legal issues for selling things using only imperial measurements. This included not showing metric signs or using weighing machines that weren't approved for metric use.

Legal Challenges for Traders

Some traders faced legal challenges because of the rules about measurements. These rules said that shops needed to use metric units, or at least show them alongside imperial units.

Steve Thoburn's Case

In 2001, Steve Thoburn, a greengrocer, faced legal action. His weighing scales could only measure in imperial units, like pounds and ounces. The law required scales used for trade to also be able to measure in metric units, like kilograms. Because his scales didn't meet this rule, they were not approved for commercial use. Steve Thoburn challenged this decision in court, but the court supported the local council's decision. He tried to appeal his case further, but his requests were not accepted. Steve Thoburn sadly passed away in 2004.

Other Traders' Situations

Other traders also faced similar situations:

• In 2001, Colin Hunt faced legal issues for not showing the price per kilogram for his goods.
• John Dove and Julian Harman also faced legal challenges in 2001. They didn't show prices per kilogram and used scales that only measured in imperial units.
• Peter Collins, who sold goods on the street, also faced rules about how he could label his products. He was allowed to use imperial measurements, but only if metric measurements were also clearly shown.
• More recently, in 2008, Nic Davison faced a challenge for selling beer by the litre instead of by the pint in his restaurant. He argued that European Union law allowed him to do this. The case against him was eventually dropped.

Campaign for Change

The rules about measurements in the UK came from European Union (EU) guidelines. These rules said that metric units had to be used for certain sales, like when food was weighed for a customer. However, shops were allowed to show the imperial unit next to the metric unit as an "extra" measurement.

Changes to Measurement Rules

In 2007, the European Commission, which is like the EU's government, announced an important change. They said that shops could continue to use both metric and imperial units together indefinitely. This meant that the option to show both types of measurements would not be phased out. This change happened because of public pressure. There were also worries that stopping dual-labelling would make trade harder with countries like the United States, where showing both is often required.

Calls for a Pardon

After this announcement, some people asked for Steve Thoburn to be given a special "pardon" after his death. They felt that since the rules had changed, he should not have been found to have broken the law. However, this pardon was not granted. The reason given was that he had broken the law that was in place at the time. The 2007 EU announcement didn't change the old laws. Instead, it stopped plans to change the rules in 2009. Officials also said that people are expected to follow the law as it is at the time.

History of Measurements in the UK

The idea of having one system of weights and measures has been important in Britain for a very long time.

Ancient Rules

Even back in 1215, a famous document called the Magna Carta talked about having fair and consistent measurements. Article 35 of the Magna Carta said:

Let there be one measure for wine throughout our kingdom, and one measure for ale, and one measure for corn, namely "the London quarter"; and one width for cloths whether dyed, russet or halberget, namely two ells within the selvedges. Let it be the same with weights as with measures.

This shows that even hundreds of years ago, leaders wanted to make sure everyone used the same measurements. This helped make trade fair for everyone.

Uniting Measurements

Before 1707, England and Scotland had their own different systems of weights and measures. When they joined together to form the United Kingdom, they decided to have one single system. Article 17 of the Act of Union made sure that both nations adopted the English system of measurements.

Modern Regulations

Today, the government still controls how measurements are used in shops and businesses. In 2003, a government report explained why this is important:

To maintain the confidence of consumers and businesses in weights and measures the Government regulates the units and standards of measurement for trade; the design and use of weighing and measuring equipment; the provision of quantity information; and the sale of goods by quantity.

This means the government helps make sure that customers and businesses can trust the measurements used when buying and selling goods.

See also

• Metrication in the United Kingdom
• Metrication opposition
• Thoburn v Sunderland City Council